The Habitats Directive celebrates its twentieth anniversary, a commemoration held in the Cabañeros National Park, which was attended by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Federico Ramos and the Director General for the Environment of the European Commission, Karl Falkenberg.

The Habitats Directive celebrates its twentieth anniversary, a commemoration held in the Cabañeros National Park, which was attended by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Federico Ramos and the Director General for the Environment of the European Commission, Karl Falkenberg.

Federico Ramos took the opportunity to emphasise the firm commitment to biodiversity through the Natura 2000 Network, the European area of conservation areas, and through the use of the Habitats Directive that “together with the Birds Directive, is the most powerful instrument that exists in Europe and perhaps in the world for the conservation of biodiversity”.

This Directive was established with the aim of preserving the most endangered species and habitats in Europe in the long term, an action aimed at preserving biodiversity, so that a commitment to protected areas was established that “is today, more than ever, fully in force”.

The Natura 2000 Network covers a total of 147,000 square kilometres, 27% of the total surface area of Spain. In addition, of the total protected area in Europe, Spain contributes more than 15%.

The proposal of 1,448 Sites of Community Interest (SCI) and the designation of 598 Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) are some of the successes achieved thanks to the Directive, achievements from which to continue “intensifying efforts” to face the challenges of the future.