Unified Metrics Library - Biodiversity sensitive areas

Biodiversity-sensitive areas refers to ecosystems that are particularly rich in biodiversity and are considered important for the conservation and protection of various species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms.

You can check if your activities are located in or near biodiversity-sensitive areas thanks to the following search tools:

Natura 2000 network of protected areas viewer

UNESCO World Heritage viewer

Key Biodiversity Areas map

Regulatory definition:

According to the (EU) 2022/1288 of 6 April 2022,"Activities negatively affecting biodiversity-sensitive areas" means activities that are characterised by all of the following:

(a) those activities lead to the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species and disturb the species for which a protected area has been designated;

(b) for those activities, none of the conclusions, mitigation measures or impact assessments adopted pursuant to any of the following Directives or national provisions or international standards that are equivalent to those Directives have been implemented:

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288 of 6 April 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the details of the content and presentation of the information in relation to the principle of do no significant harm.

ANNEX I. (18)

If you have activities in or near a protected area and they are involved in biodiverity-related controversies, these activities negatively affect biodiversity-related area