Analysis of the Natura 2000 Networks in Sweden and Spain

Abstract: In this paper the main differences between Natura 2000 Network in Sweden and Spain are analyzed. Comparing different documents at different levels: European, national and regional, the author aims to understand which strategies have been taken in both countries regarding the implementation, management, funding and social reactions of Natura 2000 Network and verify whether in a common Europe the differences in the understanding of environmental common policy are decisive and define the implementation process. The results can clearly show that such differences occur in practically the total issues analyzed. Sweden could be characterized by its orderly and homogeneous implementation process with a close communication between public administration and stakeholders that have influenced all the process. As a result its Natura 2000 Network has marked differences on distribution and size in its Natura sites. Spain, however, shows a heterogeneous and complicated process characterized for both the disinformation due to the lack of communication with the stakeholders and controversial legislative measures which caused social reactions against this network. In contrast it seems that the criteria followed for the sites selection were less influenced by stakeholders. As a conclusion environmental Directives transpositions are being fulfilled with different criteria having as a result significant differences in their final objective.