Environment: Celebrating 20 years of EU nature protection

European Commission - Press release

Brussels, 21 May 2012 – Today is the 20th anniversary of two key instruments for the conservation and sustainable use of nature in the EU: the Habitats Directive and LIFE, the EU financing programme for the environment. Twenty years ago, EU Member States unanimously adopted the Habitats Directive to safeguard the most threatened species and habitats across Europe. This was in response to concerns over rapidly declining wildlife and loss of natural habitats, resulting from land-use changes, pollution and urban sprawl. To give species and habitats space to recover, the Directive set up the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and the LIFE financial instrument has provided strategic support to its development.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: " Today, as we mark their 20th anniversary, we can be proud of the EU's nature protection laws which help us appreciate and take care of our rich natural heritage Biodiversity is our life insurance, and Natura 2000, which protects the areas of highest biodiversity value, is its cornerstone. We have made great progress in the past two decades, and there is much to celebrate, but nature still needs our help, and it will pay us back many times over with the vital ecosystem services it provides"...

Source: Environment: Celebrating 20 years of EU nature protection
Author: EU