Legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and a minimum of 30% of the EU’s sea area, and integrate ecological corridors, as part of a true Trans-European Nature Network; strictly protect at least a third of the EU’s protected areas, including all remaining EU primary and old-growth forests; and effectively manage all protected areas. 

Main legislation in place:

The Habitats Directive, notably Article 3, requires the establishment of a coherent European ecological network of special areas of conservation (Natura 2000). 

The Birds Directive includes provisions on measures for the conservation of the area of habitat of certain species of birds, including the creation of protected areas (Article 3.2.(a)).

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive, notably Article 1, requires Marine Strategies to be developed to protect and preserve the marine environment and Article 13(4) requires spatial protection measures to contribute to coherent and representative networks of marine protected areas.

The Water Framework Directive, notably Article 1, establishes a framework for the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

The Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans Regulation, notably Article 6.1.(f), contains the specific objective to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes. 

The Common Agricultural Policy, notably Article 13, sets obligations for Member States relating to good agricultural and environmental condition (see Annex III on Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (CAP- GAEC) and in particular GAEC9 on banning the conversion or ploughing of environmentally sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites).

The Common Fisheries Policy provides a variety of tools for Member States and the Commission to establish fisheries conservation measures contributing to effective management of all protected areas, where relevant. For further detail, see the EU contribution on sustainable fisheries. 

Legislation proposed:

N/A

Other policy instruments:

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, in particular the following targets and actions in the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker:

Target 1: Legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and a minimum of 30% of the EU’s sea area, and integrate ecological corridors, as part of a true Trans-European Nature Network.

Target 2: Strictly protect at least a third of the EU’s protected areas, including all remaining EU primary and old-growth forests.

Target 3: Effectively manage all protected areas, defining clear conservation objectives and measures, and monitoring them appropriately.

• Action 1: Commission guidance for identifying and designating additional protected area, and appropriate management planning 
• Action 2: Complete the designation of Natura 2000 sites, including the necessary designations of marine sites 
• Action 3: Coordinate with Member States nature protection actions in the framework of the biogeographical regions and regional sea conventions 
• Action 4: Possible adjustment of the reporting format for nationally designated protected areas 
• Action 5: Progress significantly in legally designating new protected areas and integrating ecological corridors 
• Action 6: Commission assessment of progress to the 2030 targets on protected areas, and of whether additional action is needed 
• Action 7: Commission guidance on defining, mapping, monitoring and strictly protecting all primary and old-growth forests 
• Action 8: Promote and support investments in green and blue infrastructure and cooperation among MS to set up ecological corridors 
• Action 9: Protect and restore the EU's Outermost Regions, and support biodiversity action in the Overseas Countries and Territories 

The EU Action plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries includes actions to reduce the impact of fishing on the seabed, and to develop scalable solutions designed to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems, amongst others by creating marine protected areas.

EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, notably Objective 1 “Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030”.

This EU contribution aligns with GBF Target 3 and covers all elements of the global target. 

For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.