Implementation of rulings for nature conservation: Court of Justice of the European Union case studies

Cases before the European Union’s Court of Justice, both in form of infringement proceedings and as preliminary references, have been a key tool for nature conservation. They have set important precedents for interpreting and applying the Birds and Habitats Directives and have helped shape the EU’s environmental acquis. This report analyses the implementation and enforcement of selected cases concerning the nature directives to assess whether verdicts have led to the required improvements on the ground.