Progress towards designating Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive in the EU-27, 2011-2022

EU countries must designate Natura 2000 sites to protect certain species and habitats of EU importance. Under the framework of the Habitats Directive, EU Member States designate Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) to protect 233 habitats and over 1,300 species. Member States then have a maximum of six years to designate the Sites of Community Importance as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

The figure shows that most SCIs had been designated as SACs by Member States. However, some Member States are late in respecting the 6-year time frame.