Policy intruments to improve the spatial cohesion of Natura 2000

The EU goal to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 has not been reached. Therefore, the Council of the European Union has formulated a vision for 2050. Among others, it concludes that a speed up of the completion of the Natura 2000 network is needed. However, the functional connectivity within the Natura 2000 network is regarded still insufficient. To improve spatial cohesion of Natura 2000 the establishment of a Green Infrastructure is recommended. A Green Infrastructure is defined as an interconnected network of natural areas, including agricultural land, greenways, wetlands, forest reserves, native plant communities and marine areas that naturally regulate storm flows, temperatures, flood risk and water, air and ecosystem quality. The Council of the European Union calls on to further develop the concept of Green Infrastructure. In this paper we analyse governance structures which can be used to improve the network functioning of Natura 2000, especially by developing a Green Infrastructure. Since most of the rural areas between Natura 2000 sites are owned by farmers, we focus on instruments from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The term “rural” in this paper is used in a regional sense. Regions may be defined as levels from an environmental scale perspective, i.e. using environmental (hydrological, biogeographical) boundaries. However, regions may also be defined on a social, economic or administrative scale. Land use has environmental consequences that differ markedly depending on the pattern of remaining habitat and the size and proximity of disturbances to ecologically sensitive areas. Both natural and man-made amenities have to be taken into account. However, this increases the problems to determine the spatial level for analysis. This paper presents some recommendations for potential governance structures within the CAP, which can contribute to spatial cohesion in favour of Natura 2000 on a regional, national and international level, especially by means of developing a Green Infrastructure. The analysis is conducted using new institutional economics theory. The paper ends with some recommendations for potential instruments within the CAP, which can contribute to spatial cohesion in favour of Natura 2000 on a regional, national and international level.