Protected Areas and Policies of the European Union

European policies play a vital role for the current state and for the future development of our shared natural environment – including our diverse network of Protected Areas. At the same time, Protected Areas are key for implementation of many EU policies.

EUROPARC advocates for members’ interests at the European Union level and actively contributes to the development and implementation of relevant EU policies, providing expertise, facilitating the exchange of experiences and enabling the information flow from and to our members.

“The experiences and expertise of members and the regular exchange of information within our wide network are crucial if we want to be successful in our advocacy work.”

EUROPARC Policy Work – Adding Value for Protected Areas at EU Level

• Through managing much of the Natura 2000 network, Protected Areas contribute significantly to a broad range of European Union policy areas. EUROPARC promotes their value as successful examples of integrated landscape management and living laboratories for sustainable development as well as for the conservation of habitats and species.
• EUROPARC works to influence the development of policies relevant to sustainable Protected Area management and supports Protected Areas in the process of implementing policies and regulations relevant to their daily practise and challenges.

EUROPARC Policy Areas

Main focus of EUROPARC policy and advocacy work is nature and biodiversity, which interlinks with the specific engagement in Natura 2000, sustainable tourism, periurban areas and green cities, regional development, health, education and capacity building, fisheries, climate change, sustainable agriculture, and youth.

We are currently engaged toward:

• The effective implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives (referred together as the Nature Directives) and the Natura 2000 network.
• The implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
• The implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation.
• The integration of nature conservation within climate change policy, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation.
• The integration of biodiversity priorities within agriculture and especially within the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).
• To ensure that enough funds are dedicated for nature conservation.

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