The European Commission has launched a public consultation to review the effectiveness of the European Union’s major nature protection laws, including the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. The initiative aims to assess how well these laws are protecting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems across Europe amid growing environmental challenges.
The Birds Directive, introduced in 1979, and the Habitats Directive, adopted in 1992, form the backbone of the EU’s conservation policy. Together, they created the Natura 2000 network, one of the world’s largest protected area systems. These laws are designed to safeguard endangered species, forests, wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems.
Through the consultation, citizens, scientists, environmental groups, businesses, and governments are invited to share opinions and scientific evidence on the strengths and weaknesses of the current legislation. Officials say the review will help identify gaps in implementation, improve conservation outcomes, and support the EU’s broader climate and biodiversity goals.
Environmental experts warn that Europe continues to face serious threats from habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and declining wildlife populations. The Commission says the review will help ensure that existing laws remain effective and capable of addressing future environmental pressures while balancing economic and social development across member states.
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