16.05.2024

Last ditch effort to save EU nature law

A group of 11 countries, led by Ireland, made a last-ditch effort to push through the EU's flagship nature restoration policy. The move comes amid concerns that the law could be delayed after the European elections in June, it reports Reuters.

The law will be among the EU's biggest environmental policies, requiring countries to introduce nature restoration measures that cover at least a fifth of their land and sea territories by 2030.

EU countries had planned to approve the policy in March, but canceled the vote after Hungary unexpectedly withdrew its support, wiping out the small majority in favor of the regulation.

"Restoring ecosystems is essential to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and to protect European food security," the 11 countries said in a letter to other EU environment ministers.

"Our failure as EU leaders to act now would fundamentally undermine public confidence in our political leadership," the document added.

The letter was signed by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Spain.

The support of just one more country is needed

EU countries and lawmakers reached an agreement last year. Even then, there were warnings that it would impose heavy regulations on industries. At the same time, farmers staged protests across Europe over a range of issues, including tough EU regulations.

According to EU diplomats, no country has changed its position on the law since March, leaving member states at an impasse. Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden are against the nature conservation policy, while Austria, Belgium, Finland and Poland intend to abstain. The other EU member states support the policy.

"In practice, we only need the support of one country," an EU diplomat told Reuters.

The 11 countries proposed that the law be submitted for approval at a meeting of environment ministers on June 17. The European Parliament has already approved it.

It will be days after European Parliament elections, which EU officials say could give countries a political opportunity to back the law.

But preliminary polls suggest the election will result in a European Parliament with more right-wing parties skeptical of environmental policies.