Public policies on terrestrial biodiversity in Portugal

Abstract

This article presents the legal framework for public policies on terrestrial biodiversity in Portugal. It begins by explaining the importance of biodiversity for human beings and civilization, and then goes on to set out the applicable global framework, arising from the need to address biodiversity degradation, which is a global problem. It sets out the path taken from the Stockholm Declaration in 1972 to the Earth Summit in Rio, where the central document in this regard, the Convention on Biological Diversity, was signed. After the presentation of the Convention and its subsequent evolution towards the current Aichi Targets, as well as other instruments of international law, it moves on to the European regional level. This refers to the Convention on the Protection of European Wildlife and Natural Environment, concluded in the context of the Council of Europe, and EU policies in this area, in particular the Natura 2000 Network. Moving on to the national level, it sets out the constraints resulting from the Constitution and the Portuguese Basic Law on the Environment, looking in more depth at the Legal Framework for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity. Finally, a critical analysis of the current National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity is presented.