The Bern Convention (often simply called the Bern Convention) is a binding international legal instrument in the field of nature conservation.
created by the Council of Europe.
It was the first international treaty designed to protect both endangered species and their natural habitats across Europe and parts of Africa. It places heavy emphasis on protecting migratory birds and vulnerable ecosystems.
Under this convention, member states must designate specific protected zones to form the Emerald Network, which operates as the non-EU equivalent of the famous Natura 2000 conservation network.
Recent 2026 Framework: The treaty’s Standing Committee is currently executing its Vision & Strategic Plan towards 2030, introducing updated monitoring portals to handle the impacts of renewable energy infrastructure on migratory bird routes and stricter regional management for large carnivores (like European wolves).
Its main goals are:
- To conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats.
- To promote cooperation between countries to protect migratory species.
- To give special attention to species that are vulnerable or threatened with extinction, particularly endemic species.
The convention splits protected nature into four strict legal lists:
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Appendix I (Strictly Protected Flora): Deliberately picking, collecting, cutting, or uprooting these plants is strictly prohibited. This is the exact legal backbone that justifies figures like the Microrreserves de flora de la Comunitat Valenciana here in Spain.
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Appendix II (Strictly Protected Fauna): Total ban on deliberately capturing, keeping, killing, or disturbing these animals (especially during breeding and migration), as well as destroying their nests or eggs.
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Appendix III (Protected Fauna): These animals can be hunted or exploited, but under strict regulations to keep their populations out of danger.
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Appendix IV (Prohibited Means of Killing): Outlaws mass or non-selective methods of hunting, such as explosives, poison, or certain traps.
To enforce habitat protection, the Bern Convention created the Emerald Network, an international network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest. For countries inside the European Union (like Spain), this network was later adapted and expanded into the famous Natura 2000 network under the EU Habitats Directive.