Latest news with #EuropeanEnvironmentalBureau
Euractiv
7 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Green groups see EU budget bill as death knell for environment funding
While the European Commission has proposed a substantial increase in the size of the bloc's central budget from 2028, green groups have accused the EU executive of lowering the priority of environmental action and warn civil society voices could be excluded from the policy making process. As expected, the European Commission has proposed axing the LIFE Programme, the EU's only stand-alone funding mechanism for environmental action. The 2028-34 budget bill also squeezes broader funding for climate and biodiversity policy goals. But the EU executive put a positive spin on its move to streamline green funding with the massively increased €2 trillion budget. 'We will have a climate and biodiversity spending target, so mainstreaming, of 35% for the new MFF," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the EU's next multiannual financial framework. "This amounts to around €700 billion.' This substantial sum of money would have to be spent in ways that are compatible with the EU goal of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century, and reversing biodiversity loss. Nevertheless, it is lower than the combined €658 billion ring-fenced for climate and €113 billion for biodiversity in the current budget. From 2028, central budget funding for climate and environment purposes will be split in two separate pillars: the 'clean transition and industrial decarbonisation' envelope of the €410 billion European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), and some €1 trillion spread across different priorities such as economy, agriculture, rural prosperity and security. 'Our proposal for the next MFF shows that we remain strongly committed to environmental priorities," Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said. "Water, circularity, nature and bioeconomy are prominent parts of the new competitiveness fund and the national plans." Less money for nature However some fear this new approach risks decreasing overall funding for nature and biodiversity. 'The loss of LIFE as we know it in the new MFF is not simplification – it's sabotage," said Patrick ten Brink, secretary general of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), an NGO umbrella group. "The LIFE Programme exists for a reason. It delivers targeted, cost-effective results for nature, climate and public health.' Ester Asin, director of the WWF European Policy Office warned the 35% global target could become little more than a PR exercise. "By grouping all environmental spending under a single target, there is a real danger that biodiversity will be sidelined in favour of industrial priorities that may be presented as green investments," she said. Others warned the proposed budget reform could actually widen a gap in funding for nature restoration that is currently estimated to be €19 billion annually. 'We are deeply concerned by the lack of dedicated biodiversity funding, as the LIFE funding is now suggested to be merged with other programmes," said Andras Krolopp, biodiversity policy lead at The Nature Conservancy. The concerns of civil society groups were also echoed by progressive voices in the European Parliament. 'It is irresponsible and short-sighted for this proposal to end the LIFE programme and leave out funding for biodiversity,' said Green MEP Rasmus Nordqvist, one of the negotiators of the MFF in the Parliament's budget committee. The cancellation of the LIFE Programme also represents an existential threat to numerous environmental NGOs who currently share €15 million in direct grants to cover part of their operational expenses. The Commission says such support could in future be disbursed via national programmes, but it is unclear for now how the funds would be allocated, and whether campaign groups will be able to meet unspecified criteria related to competitiveness or national policy objectives. '[By] repealing LIFE, core funding for environmental NGOs could disappear, leaving civil society under-resourced to support necessary implementation, enforcement, and public engagement," the EEB warned. 'The MFF needs to enable civil society actors to participate effectively in EU-level policymaking," MEP Nordqvist said. "It is essential to safeguard the right of everyone to meaningful participation in decision-making processes and the full cycle of implementation of the EU budget." (rh, aw)
Euronews
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU agrees to restore soils to health but stops short of setting legal targets
ADVERTISEMENT After nearly two years of negotiation, MEPs and European governments have agreed the text of a new Soil Monitoring Law, requiring governments to put in place robust data collection systems and consider restricting practices that lead to degradation. The past year has seen widespread protests against EU environmental policy supported by large farming lobbies and conservative lawmakers in Brussels. These have already led to the withdrawal of plans to slash pesticide use as lawmakers sought to limit the direct impact on farmers. Related Governments caught off guard by von der Leyen's U-turn on pesticide cuts 'Today's deal is an important milestone in improving support for farmers and all others in keeping the soil healthy,' liberal MEP Martin Hojsik (Slovakia/Renew) said after the provisional agreement was reached in the early hours of Thursday morning. 'Providing them with better information and help, while preventing bureaucracy and new obligations, are cornerstones of the new soil monitoring law.' Hojsik said. Environmental groups – who had been calling for legally binding targets on key indicators such as contaminant levels, nutrient depletion and biodiversity loss – appeared relieved that a deal was struck at all in the current political climate. Related Soil protection law survives plenary vote, but considerably weakened Caroline Heinzel, a policy officer at the European Environmental Bureau said it was 'encouraging' that lawmakers had reached an agreement in the face of what she described as 'disinformation' and a pushback against environmental policy, but suggested the new law was unfit for purpose. 'Europe's first-ever soil law will merely act to monitor continued soil degradation rather than reverse it, a concerning conclusion for farmer livelihoods, nature, and climate,' said Heinzel. Kristine De Schamphelaere at Pesticide Action Network Europe slammed lawmakers for an 'appalling' lack of ambition. 'Pesticides and other soil pollutants should not only be thoroughly monitored, but urgently and ambitiously reduced,' she said. The European Commission noted the final text extended several deadlines in its original proposal, leading to a 'pragmatic and flexible' framework that was in line with its 'simplification' drive – an agenda that many critics say amounts to root-and-branch deregulation. 'The law will particularly benefit our farmers and soil managers by providing them with support and better knowledge of soil conditions, while not imposing obligations on them,' environment commissioner Jessika Roswall said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government greenlights nationwide hunt to cut apex predator population in half: 'We are concerned'
The Swedish government has put in motion a plan to halve the country's population of endangered wolves, outraging conservationists. As Mongabay detailed, the Swedish government permitted a hunt in January that allowed for the killing of 30 endangered wolves. According to the Guardian, there were 375 recorded individuals before the hunt. Despite records that the population dropped around 20% in 2022-23, the government announced the intention to reduce numbers further. The new "favorable conservation status" population number has been set at 170, down from the previous minimum of 300. Bern Convention members also ruled recently that the wolves' status be moved from "strictly protected" to "protected," with this coming into force in March. This will enable more wolves to be legally culled in European nations. The ruling has been made to protect farmers' livestock and stop the wolf population from getting out of control. However, according to the Guardian, environmental experts believe the ruling would not only be devastating for the wolves but for the wider ecosystem across the European continent as well. For nearly 20 years and until 1983, Sweden had no wolf breeding population. With lax regulations and a hunting quota, the wolves are just barely getting by, the news outlet reported. Ecosystems have a fragile balance. Without a top predator, prey species can over-populate, and the entire habitat can pay the price. Unfortunately, the government gave the go-ahead and handed out permits to hunters, but this hasn't stopped protection efforts. Conservationists continue to speak out against the unnecessary killing of wolves. A decade ago, similar outcry from conservationists, including the European Environmental Bureau and WWF, kept 44 wolves from being culled, showing action can yield results. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you're concerned about animal conservation where you live, you can donate to climate causes, or you can write to your local representative about the importance of healthy ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government greenlights nationwide hunt to cut apex predator population in half: 'We are concerned'
The Swedish government has put in motion a plan to halve the country's population of endangered wolves, outraging conservationists. As Mongabay detailed, the Swedish government permitted a hunt in January that allowed for the killing of 30 endangered wolves. According to the Guardian, there were 375 recorded individuals before the hunt. Despite records that the population dropped around 20% in 2022-23, the government announced the intention to reduce numbers further. The new "favorable conservation status" population number has been set at 170, down from the previous minimum of 300. Bern Convention members also ruled recently that the wolves' status be moved from "strictly protected" to "protected," with this coming into force in March. This will enable more wolves to be legally culled in European nations. The ruling has been made to protect farmers' livestock and stop the wolf population from getting out of control. However, according to the Guardian, environmental experts believe the ruling would not only be devastating for the wolves but for the wider ecosystem across the European continent as well. For nearly 20 years and until 1983, Sweden had no wolf breeding population. With lax regulations and a hunting quota, the wolves are just barely getting by, the news outlet reported. Ecosystems have a fragile balance. Without a top predator, prey species can over-populate, and the entire habitat can pay the price. Unfortunately, the government gave the go-ahead and handed out permits to hunters, but this hasn't stopped protection efforts. Conservationists continue to speak out against the unnecessary killing of wolves. A decade ago, similar outcry from conservationists, including the European Environmental Bureau and WWF, kept 44 wolves from being culled, showing action can yield results. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you're concerned about animal conservation where you live, you can donate to climate causes, or you can write to your local representative about the importance of healthy ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
