EU nature restoration law passed: Austrian vote was decisive
On June 17, 2024, the EU Council adopted the Nature Restoration Law, one of the EU's most ambitious conservation acts, with Austria's approval being decisive. Despite initial agreements and reductions in the law's goals, approval remained uncertain due to changing positions among member states. Austria's endorsement tipped the balance. The law aims to restore at least 20% of degraded land and marine areas by 2030 and all needy ecosystems by 2050. Member states must create and implement national restoration plans, supported financially by the EU. These plans include reforestation, river restoration, combating invasive species, and sustainable land and forest management. The law promises significant economic benefits, with an estimated return of over €1.86 trillion. Prior concerns about food security and flood risks were refuted, highlighting the law's potential to enhance food security and mitigate flood damage. In Austria, existing sealed areas, not agricultural lands, will be used for restoration, and efforts will also focus on making the EU climate-neutral through peatland protection. Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler's vote in favor of the law sparked political disputes, with some regional and coalition opposition. However, her decision was based on the latest version of the law, supported by Vienna, and was within her authority as the relevant minister. The Council narrowly approved the law with 20 votes and 66.07% of the EU population, just above the 65% threshold, paving the way for national implementation programs in the coming years.
Danger for nature conservation: Tyrolean draft law to accelerate the expansion of renewables criticized
In a joint statement, ÖKOBÜRO and WWF expressed concerns about the draft legislation for implementing the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) in Tyrol. The Tyrolean government presented the draft legislation at the end of May, aiming to integrate parts of RED III into various laws. In part, especially regarding nature protection, the Austrian provinces are competent to incorporate the RED III into Austrian law. Tyrol is the second Austrian state to present such a draft. The directive seeks to expedite the energy transition through procedural simplifications and exemptions, which are viewed critically by environmentalists. It is argued that the draft exceeds the requirements of RED III and threatens nature conservation in Tyrol. The statement calls for exceptions to the streamlined approval processes, especially for the controversial hydropower projects. The draft extends the legal standing of the Standortanwaltschaft (location advocacy office), traditionally involved only in environmental impact assessments, to nearly all nature protection procedures. ÖKOBÜRO and WWF criticize this move, noting that environmental organizations still lack the legally required standing in these processes and noting that this inclusion would only support large industrial- and energy corporations. Additionally, the draft introduces broader changes, including "overriding public interest" for renewables in ways that exceed the RED III. The draft also proposes converting some species protection approvals into mere notification procedures, contrary to EU and international conventions. This could gravely harm species protection in Tyrol. Given the extensive development of hydropower in Tyrol, the statement emphasizes the need to exclude further hydropower projects from the presumption of overriding public interest to protect the remaining natural waterways. The Tyrolean government is urged to seriously consider the feedback and thoroughly revise the draft legislation.