naturskyddsdirektiv

Naturskyddsdirektiv is a Swedish term that translates to "Nature Protection Directive" or more commonly, the "Habitats Directive" in an EU context. It is a crucial piece of legislation within the European Union aimed at conserving biodiversity. The directive's primary objective is to contribute to maintaining or restoring a favorable conservation status of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora throughout the European Union.

The directive identifies and designates a network of protected areas called Natura 2000 sites. These sites are chosen based on the presence of specific habitat types and species listed in the annexes of the directive. Member states are obligated to propose sites for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network and to implement appropriate conservation measures for these areas.

The Habitats Directive works in conjunction with the Birds Directive, another EU law focused on bird conservation, to form the backbone of the EU's biodiversity strategy. It requires member states to undertake assessments of the impact of proposed plans and projects on Natura 2000 sites and to ensure that any such activities do not adversely affect the integrity of these sites, unless overriding public interest can be demonstrated. The directive also promotes the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network, ensuring that it functions as a functional ecological network across the EU.