The EU habitats directive

The European Union's Council Directive 92/43, also known as the Habitats Directive, is geared toward the conservation of natural habitats and the protection of wild plants and animals. Although the directive was widely lauded as a significant step toward creating a strict set of environmental protection measures, many feared that there would be little real political will to implement the policies mandated by the directive. Member states were required to adopt legislation introducing the directive's protection measures by June of 1994. The objectives of the Habitats Directive with respect to habitat protection, site selection, and species protection are detailed. Funding for these projects is discussed.