text: The Commission will aim to agree the criteria and guidance for additional designations 
  with Member States by the end of 2021. Member States will then have until the end of 
  2023 to demonstrate significant progress in legally designating new protected areas and 
  integrating ecological corridors. On this basis, the Commission will assess by 2024 
  whether the EU is on track to meet its 2030 targets or whether stronger actions, including 
  EU legislation, are needed. 
  
  Finally, the**Overseas Countries and Territories**also host important biodiversity 
  hotspots, not governed by EU environmental rules. The Commission encourages relevant 
  Member States to consider promoting equal or equivalent rules in these countries and 
  territories. 
  
  **Nature protection: key commitments by 2030**
  
  1. Legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% of the EU’s sea 
  area and integrate ecological corridors, as part of a true Trans-European Nature 
  Network. 
  
  2. Strictly protect at least a third of the EU’s protected areas, including all remaining EU 
  
  primary and old-growth forests. 
  
  3. Effectively manage all protected areas, defining clear conservation objectives and 
  
  measures, and monitoring them appropriately. 