A coalition of 11 nations, led by Ireland, is making a final push to secure approval for the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law, aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems.
There are concerns that this legislation might face postponement following the EU elections scheduled for June.
This legislation stands as one of the most significant environmental policies within the EU, mandating member countries to implement measures aimed at rehabilitating natural habitats, covering a fifth of their land and sea territories by 2030.
Originally slated for approval in March, the vote on the policy was cancelled after Hungary unexpectedly withdrew its support, resulting in the dissolution of the narrow majority in favour.
Expressing the urgency of the matter, the 11 countries emphasised in a letter addressed to the environment ministers of other EU nations, published on Tuesday, that ecosystem restoration is crucial for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, as well as ensuring European food security.
They further emphasised that the failure of EU leaders to act promptly would significantly undermine public trust in political leadership.
The signatories of the letter included Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain.
While EU countries and lawmakers reached an agreement on the policy last year, some have voiced concerns about its potential imposition of burdensome regulations on industries.
Farmers have staged protests across Europe, citing grievances over strict EU regulations.
As of Tuesday, EU diplomats have indicated that no country has altered its stance on the legislation since March, resulting in a deadlock among member states.
Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden are in opposition to the nature policy, while Austria, Belgium, Finland, and Poland intend to abstain.
The remaining EU member states are in support of the policy. EU diplomats underscore the need for unanimity, expressing that the support of just one country could be decisive.
In a bid to break the deadlock, the 11 nations have proposed presenting the legislation for approval during a meeting of environment ministers scheduled for June 17th.
Notably, the European Parliament has already granted its approval for the policy. This proposed timing coincides with the European Parliament election, prompting EU officials to speculate that it could provide countries with the political leeway necessary to endorse the legislation.
The upcoming election is anticipated to yield a European Parliament potentially comprising more right-wing parties skeptical of environmental policies, as indicated by polls.
This shift in political landscape highlights the significance of securing approval for the nature policy before the potential political dynamics change post-election.
In summary, the efforts led by Ireland, along with ten other nations, to advance the EU’s flagship nature restoration policy underscore the complex dynamics at play within the EU regarding environmental legislation.
The looming EU elections add an additional layer of complexity to the situation, with the potential for political shifts influencing the fate of crucial policies like this one.
Main Image: By Alias 0591 from the Netherlands – Edelhert in de nieuwe wildernis, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74284505
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