Recognising and Inspiring Conservation Success in Natura 2000

Launch of the LIFE Green List for Natura 2000 Project

IUCN Europe
Photo: Plitvice National Park, Croatia ©CC0 Public Domain/Pixabay

The conservation of nature is essential for the future of humanity, which requires thriving biodiversity to support a healthy and habitable planet. Well-governed, well-designed and well-managed protected areas are our most effective tools for conserving nature, and these important natural spaces provide a wide range of ecological, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual benefits to our communities.

With this in mind, "Improving the performance of the Natura 2000 network through a Green Listing approach (LIFE Green List for N2K)" is a project funded by the European Commission LIFE Programme. This project aims to adapt the recognised IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard to the network of Natura 2000 sites by developing Specific Indicators for protected area conservation in line with the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

Protected areas are a universal approach to nature conservation and play an important role in protecting biodiversity in Europe.

Hallerbos Forest, Belgium ©Anouska Plasmeijer/IUCN

During the next three years, IUCN will carry out a feasibility study exploring the application of the IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard to Natura 2000 sites, with the goal of increasing the overall performance of protected areas in the Natura 2000 network, through a robust, international and credible system.

The Natura 2000 network of protected areas stretches over 18% of the European Union's land area and includes thousands of sites. According to the EU Nature Directives, Member States are required to effectively manage the Natura 2000 network to achieve ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ of priority species and habitats.

The IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard is a globally applicable Standard. It describes a set of Components, Criteria, and Indicators for successful conservation in protected areas and thereby provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved outcomes and achievement of conservation objectives. By committing to meet this standard, site managers seek to model best practices in protected area management while delivering results that benefit nature conservation.

In order for protected and conserved areas to reach their full potential, the IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard intends to provide a benchmark of excellence for Natura 2000 sites, helping them achieve equitable governance, sound design and planning, effective management and positive conservation impacts.

The project team will examine the requirements of Natura 2000 sites in terms of management, monitoring and reporting, as well as ecological connectivity between sites.

Photos: Rock goats, Stelvio National Park ©
Daniele Faieta/Flickr; Black Forest, Germany ©Marvball/Pixabay; Picos de Europa National Park ©Marcus Hansson/Flickr

The adapted Green List methodology will be tested in several Natura 2000 sites throughout the European Union. Site Managers will voluntarily assess how their site addresses each of the IUCN Green List Criteria. Ultimately, this may lead to some sites achieving Green List status.

The potential for Green Listing protected areas in Europe was previously tested in 2014 during a pilot phase, during which a selection of sites were assessed, including several from the Natura 2000 network. As a result, the Grand Paradiso National Park in Italy and the Pyrénées National Park in France were both Green Listed. These Green Listed sites already highlight the excellent management practices of some Natura 2000 sites and the potential for other areas to meet the standard.

Based on the lessons learned during this project, next steps will be determined in the implementation of the IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard throughout Natura 2000 sites.

This project is set to be completed by October 2019 following these actions and timeline. This project is coordinated by IUCN and funded by the EU LIFE Financial Instrument.

Visit the LIFE Green List for Natura 2000 webpage or contact Ana Nieto for more information. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook and use the #IUCNGreenList hashtag.