European Legislation
The EU plays a crucial role in developing policy and legislation
to protect the environment and meet its objective for sustainable
development. The EU has specific targets for biodiversity
conservation with legislative protection for key habitats and
species.
Today, approximately 80% of all UK environmental legislation is
derived from EU law with more than 200 legal acts currently in
force. Acts relate to a wide range of issues, including
biodiversity, farming and forestry, fisheries, air pollution, waste
and climate change. As a Member State, the UK Government provides
evidence and expertise to develop policies and is responsible
(together with the other Member States’ Governments) for agreeing
and implementing EU legislation.
The EU and global biodiversity targets are partly delivered
through a range of legislative measures, which place obligations on
Member States to protect biodiversity and the natural environment.
The EU and Member States have shared legal competence - shared
responsibility – in forming and implementing legislation for the
environment.
In relation to wildlife and nature
conservation, two key Directives have been adopted by the European
Union, namely:
- Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of
Wild Birds (Birds Directive) and
- Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora
(Habitats
Directive).
These Directives provide for the protection of
animal and plant species of European importance and the habitats
which support them, particularly through the establishment of a
network of protected sites, called Natura
2000.
Further relevant legislation includes
Directive 92/43/EEC (Water
Framework Directive), under which Member States are required to
protect and improve their inland and coastal waters, and Directive
2008/56/EC (Marine
Strategy Framework Directive) to achieve good environmental
status in their marine environment by 2020.
The EU’s environmental legislation is complemented by a variety
of other non-binding policy instruments such as strategies,
programmes and action plans to address the wider use of terrestrial
and marine resources. By these means, the EU also aims to
fulfill its international commitment under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Last updated 13 September 2011