Introduction

The European biodiversity conservation network Natura 2000 which is based on the EU Nature Directives is not yet optimally set up and lacks coherence and connectivity. This work focuses on the Habitats Directive’s provisions for designating Natura 2000 and examines possible reasons for Member States’ lack of compliance with their designation duties. This chapter will introduce the reader to the current state of global biodiversity loss and the key instruments the European Union engages to face the complex and pressing issues leading to a continuous loss of biodiversity as well as its shortcomings. To prepare the reader for the contents of the present work, it will briefly introduce the state of research regarding the Habitats Directive’s rules on designating Natura 2000 as well as the aspired focus of the book.