The Natura 2000 network is the European Union’s most important tool for conserving biodiversity. Established under the Habitats and Birds Directives, it protects the most valuable ecosystems, habitats and species of Community interest. It is not a system of “closed reserves”, but a living network where people and nature can coexist — on one essential condition: human activities must not destroy what must be protected.
of Romania’s territory
included in Natura 2000 — below the EU target
of forests investigated
by Agent Green in Natura 2000 sites
infringement proceedings launched
by the European Commission against Romania
At European level, the EU Biodiversity Strategy provides for:
- ✓At least 30% of territory protected by 2030
- ✓Of which 10% under strict protection
Romania is still below these targets — and many protected areas exist only “on paper”.
The real problem: protection without protection
Although Natura 2000 should ensure biodiversity conservation, the reality in Romania is different:
The situation on the ground
- ✗Forests are logged industrially even inside the sites
- ✗Impact assessments are often superficial or flawed
- ✗Management plans are missing or ignored
- ✗State institutions do not enforce the law
The result: accelerating habitat loss, ecosystem degradation and the disappearance of species.
Natura 2000 — The reality on the ground
Agent Green’s decisive role
Turning the Natura 2000 problem into a major European issue did not happen by chance. Agent Green initiated this process.
Investigations
- ✓Approximately 500,000 ha of forests investigated
- ✓Illegal logging and systemic abuses documented
- ✓A strong case that convinced European institutions
Legal actions
- ✓Court cases against the authorities — and we won them
- ✓Partnerships with ClientEarth and EuroNatur
- ✓Official complaint to the European Commission
Infringement proceedings against Romania
In February 2020, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against Romania for failing to comply with Natura 2000 legislation.
These proceedings are still ongoing today. They are among the most important European actions to protect Romania’s forests.
What has changed thanks to this fight
Public pressure and legal action have produced concrete results:
- ✓Forest management plans became public
- ✓Clear-cutting was banned in Natura 2000 sites
- ✓Appropriate assessment of environmental impact became mandatory
These are important steps — but not enough.
Problems that persist
Despite the progress, the system remains vulnerable:
- ✗“Progressive” logging is used as a cover for near-clear-cutting
- ✗Conflict of interest: environmental assessments are carried out by people connected to logging
- ✗Lack of legal accountability for abusive forest management plans
- ✗Weak oversight and selective law enforcement
Nature continues to lose.
Problems that persist in Natura 2000 sites
Natura 2000 can work — but only with real enforcement
The concept is sound. The problem is implementation. Natura 2000 can work only if:
- ✓Rules are respected
- ✓Assessments are independent
- ✓Logging is genuinely limited
- ✓The state takes on its role as protector, rather than facilitator of destruction
What we support
For Natura 2000 to truly work, we need:
1
Real protection, beyond administrative designation
2
Independent environmental assessments
3
Penalties for abuses
4
Full transparency
5
Expanding protected areas towards the target of 30%
6
Completing the network with strict protection areas (10%)
The fight continues
Agent Green has been there from the start:
- ✓Documenting
- ✓Taking legal action
- ✓Mobilising civil society
- ✓Bringing the case to European level
And it will stay involved to the end. Because without real enforcement of Natura 2000 legislation, nature protection remains only a promise.
