In addition, EU Member States have protected large parts of their territory under national protection schemes.
As reported, in 2021, around 1.1 million km² of EU Member States' land area was designated as Natura 2000 sites or nationally protected areas. This represents over a quarter (26%) of the total area of the EU.
The highest share of protected area is in Luxembourg, the lowest in Finland.
In 2021, protected areas accounted for 20% or more of the total area in 20 of the 27 EU Member States, with the highest shares recorded in Luxembourg (52%), Bulgaria and Slovenia (41%).
In contrast, the lowest shares of protected areas were observed in Finland (13%), Ireland and Sweden (both 14%).
According to data posted on the official website of the Forestry Department, the total area of terrestrial areas of the Natura 2000 network amounts to 1681 km2 representing 31% of the area under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, while 57% of this area (1681 km2) is state forest land.
The EU press release stresses that environmental degradation is an existential threat to Europe and the world, which is why the European Green Deal is one of the European Commission's 6 priorities for 2019-24.
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