Indicator 15.20 Terrestrial protected areas

This indicator measures the extent and share of terrestrial protected areas, comprising nationally designated protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. A nationally designated area is an area protected by national legislation. The Natura 2000 sites are designated to safeguard Europe’s species and habitats, listed under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

Indicator is used to monitor progress towards SDG 15 on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of land which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature’. The indicator can be considered as similar to the global SDG indicators 15.1.2 “Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type” and 15.4.1 “Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity”.

The EU Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive aim to maintain or restore a favourable conservation status of protected habitats and species, and safeguard their sustainable use and management. The Birds Directive protects all wild bird species and their habitats. The Habitats Directive protects more than 1 300 other rare, threatened or endemic species of wild animals and plants and 233 natural habitat types. In addition, Natura 2000 network of protected areas comprises sites designated under the Birds and Habitats Directives by EU Member States.

The EU biodiversity strategy aims to protect at least 30% of land and sea in Europe including both nationally designated sites and Natura 2000 sites.