Brussels, June 7 - Lawmakers in the European Parliament are crafting a compromise to advance a significant EU law aimed at safeguarding nature, countering resistance from the parliament's largest political group.
The European Union proposed measures last year to address the alarming decline in species and the health of European ecosystems. However, opposition, notably from the European People's Party (EPP) faction, has posed challenges.
In a bid to rescue the proposal before a crucial parliament committee vote on June 15, other political groups, including the Socialists & Democrats and the Greens, have designed a compromise.
Their suggested changes would grant national governments greater flexibility in determining which infrastructure projects can override specific nature conservation targets. This flexibility could alleviate concerns expressed by countries like Denmark and the Netherlands regarding wind farm expansion and housing projects.
Interestingly, some industries affected by the proposed law have publicly expressed support for it this week. Previously criticized as excessive environmental regulation, the law now gains backing from unexpected quarters.
The compromise put forward by lawmakers also seeks to appease EPP members. It includes the removal of a non-binding target that called for the introduction of biodiversity-supporting features on 10% of EU agricultural land. EPP representatives argued that this would negatively impact farmers by taking agricultural land out of production.
The European Commission contends that incorporating more biodiverse features would bolster Europe's agricultural output, enhancing farmland resilience to extreme weather and bolstering pollinator populations.
The proposal must pass a full EU Parliament vote in July and secure approval from EU member states to become law.
This compromise signifies a significant step toward the protection of Europe's nature. It demonstrates lawmakers' determination to strike a balance between environmental preservation and infrastructure development while addressing concerns from various stakeholders. If enacted, this law could set a commendable precedent for nature conservation globally, making it a victory for humanity and the environment.
Source: Abnett, Kate. Reuters. "EU lawmakers draft deal in attempt to rescue nature law". https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-lawmakers-draft-deal-attempt-rescue-nature-law-2023-06-07/. June 8, 2023. [Accessed: June 11th, 2023].
Edited by Manan Chordia
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