“EU unblocks nature restoration law”:11 states join environmentalists

Voices are being raised in favor of the law on nature restoration, to push the European Union to approve the text without mincing words:in recent days, 11 EU Environment Ministers have in fact signed and sent a letter to their colleagues from the 27 to exert pressure and hold their counterparts to account regarding a law that they define as «essential for adapt to the impacts of climate change and to safeguard European food security."While waiting for the meeting of the Environment Council of the European Union, scheduled for next 17 June, the agreements on the law on the restoration of nature are in fact still stalled.The reason behind the substantial block in the negotiations lies in the ritual opposition of those countries that believe that the law would lead to a series of excessive economic losses, among these, as expected, there is also Italy, with the Meloni government which is voting systematically against all environmental protection regulations.In the past, however, environmentalist associations had moved in favor, to which they wrote Irish-led part of the community executives have now also forcefully joined.

The letter addressed to the Environment Ministers of the European Union was signed by politicians who hold this position (or similar positions) in Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Slovenia, and Cyprus.According to the signatories, the ratification of the law "would respect the commitment to become global leaders in nature restoration" undertaken by the Union, and would give account of the "unprecedented involvement of European citizens, stakeholders, and the scientific community in the negotiations of the European institutions".These same negotiations, after all, lasted months, and arrived at a tentative, and according to many, agreement downwards, a November 2023, which then it was adopted by Parliament last February.In this sense «the continued absence of a qualified majority for a provisional agreement on the law on the restoration of nature so meticulously negotiated It's very worrying», and this « U-turn on previously stipulated compromises damages the result of long months of negotiation, jeopardizing our democratic institutions».

There complaint by the 11 signatory Ministers it would be not too covertly addressed to all the countries which, despite the concessions being negotiated, have continued to oppose the law, considering it dangerous for farmers and fishermen, and a possible proponent of a weakening of European supply chains , an increase in food prices and the launch of renewable energy.Among these countries, Italy definitely stands out one of the leaders.In fact, the Meloni executive has repeatedly proven itself to be the staunchest defender of the interests of large industries to the detriment of the environment:this is the case of industrial emissions directive – which for the first time also includes medium-large sized intensive farms within companies that have to intervene on the levels of polluting industrial emissions, or even on the packaging law, both cases in which Italy's was the only no in the Council.

The EU law on nature restoration is the first in the world to establish binding objectives for reverse deforestation and environmental damage caused by industrial activities.The law also requires that, by 2030, nature restoration measures be implemented on at least 20% of degraded areas in the European Union, and also establishes 'rehabilitation' measures in seven different key sectors.

[by Dario Lucisano]