The European Union's ambitious plan to revive damaged ecosystems is hitting a major roadblock. 🚧 The crucial nature restoration law, aimed at healing a fifth of Europe's land and sea by 2030, is now teetering on the edge after Hungary unexpectedly withdrew its support. 🇭🇺
Environment ministers were set to vote on the law in Brussels, but the meeting took an abrupt turn when Hungary said \"nope\" to the proposal, wiping out the already slim majority needed to move forward. The sudden twist left ministers scrambling, unsure of the next steps. 🤷♀️🤷♂️
Aniko Raisz, Hungary's state secretary for the environment, explained their hesitation: \"The agricultural sector is a very important sector, not only in Hungary, but everywhere in Europe.\" She pointed to concerns over the potential costs. 💰
Alain Maron, Belgium's environment minister and chair of the discussions, vowed that negotiations would continue but admitted it's unclear what changes might win over the skeptics. \"We don't know exactly what are some reasons to be against this law for certain countries… it's possible that they change their mind,\" he told reporters. 🤞
The stalled law is just the latest in a series of setbacks for the EU's environmental policies, as some governments face pressure from farmers and industries worried about strict green regulations. 🌾🚜
EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius warned that shelving the law would send a \"disastrous signal\" about the EU's commitment to the planet. \"We are fooling ourselves if we pretend that we can win our fight against climate change without nature,\" he said. 🌍💔
Countries opposing the law include Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Austria, Belgium, Finland, and Poland are planning to abstain. Any one of these eight could change the game if they switch their stance. The rest of the EU's 27 member states are on board. 🚢
Spanish climate minister Teresa Ribera didn't mince words, calling it a \"huge irresponsibility\" to back down on efforts to tackle the growing crises of nature loss and climate change. 🌡️🔥
The proposed law aims to reverse the decline of 81% of Europe's natural habitats, which are currently in poor condition. But fears of burdensome rules and impacts on farmers have stirred up a backlash. 🐝🌳
Will the EU find a way to bridge the divide and push forward with its green agenda? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the clock is ticking for our planet. ⏰🌎
Reference(s):
EU countries split over nature law in latest blow to green agenda
cgtn.com
