Center for European Studies

Dauer 215

Doru Banaduc
‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu

This presentation will discuss the development and implementation of the Natura 2000 initiative of the European Union (EU). This program is an EU strategy designed, and built as a part of an integrated approach to reconsidering human interaction with the environment with an eye towards long term sustainability. Covering 18% of the European Union’s land and 6% of its marine territory, it is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world stretching across all 28 EU countries on land and sea.

The approach to conservation and sustainable use of the Natura 2000 areas is largely centered on people working with nature rather than against. The EU, national and regional government authorities, NGOs, researchers, educationalists, developers, land use planners, landowners, etc. were all involved in, and benefit from, the advantages of this Tran-continental initiative. The Natura 2000 program can serve as a model for other initiatives aimed at developing sustainable land use programs world-wide.