Too many blockades?

Vote on EU nature conservation law canceled

A forest

(Bild: Hubert Rauth)

The vote on an EU nature conservation law planned for today, Friday, has been canceled again. The SPÖ delegation in the European Parliament had already previously spoken of a "no longer fixed majority." The future of the law is now "completely unclear."

As reported , it is about the restoration of nature. According to the EU Restoration Act, at least 20 percent of land and sea areas are to be restored by 2030 and all endangered ecosystems by 2050 (see video above). This includes lakes, rivers, forests, meadows and coral reefs. The goals are to be achieved with national plans.

A non-binding vote among the 27 EU ambassadors was planned for Friday, but this was canceled at short notice. An EU diplomat said that the vote of an additional country was still missing for a qualified majority. In total, the votes of at least 15 out of 27 member states are required, which must represent at least 65 percent of the population.

According to the law, all endangered ecosystems are to be restored by 2050.

(Bild: Hubert Rauth)

Nehammer rejects the law
The governments of Italy, Sweden, Finland and Poland, as well as Austria and Belgium, are currently voting against and abstaining. Austria's government must abstain due to a decision by the federal states. However, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) emphasized that he also personally opposes the law, "because the basic mistake is to go over the EU in too much of a grid-like manner. Every country has its own special features, including agriculture in every country. It is therefore important to take this into account."

According to Nehammer, agriculture is different in every EU country.

(Bild: P. Huber)

Criticism came from the SPÖ delegation in the European Parliament and from environmental organizations such as the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). "An intact nature is essential for a healthy climate and healthy biodiversity (...). We must act now so that we can live in an intact environment and pass it on to future generations," said MEP Günther Sidl.

WWF: "Blockade negligent"
 "The planned law would be a huge step forward and exactly the right response to the escalating climate and biodiversity crisis. The fact that the nine provincial governors are sabotaging this course for the whole of Europe is completely irresponsible," says WWF biodiversity spokesperson Joschka Brangs. The law goes beyond the powers of the federal states - "from water supply to healthy rivers and forests to adapting to the climate crisis."

The planned law would be a huge step forward and exactly the right response to the escalating climate and biodiversity crisis.

Joschka Brangs, WWF

According to the WWF, more than 80 percent of species and habitats protected under European law in Germany are not in a favorable conservation status. Only 14 percent of domestic rivers are still in good ecological condition. One problem is the high level of soil consumption. Originally, an agreement had already been reached at the end of February; it was only a matter of formal approval.