Czech Republic addresses nature restoration and land degradation

The Czech Republic is navigating domestic challenges regarding its National Nature Restoration Plan while participating in international efforts to combat land degradation. Domestically, environmental organizations have submitted a ‘Shadow Nature Restoration Plan’ to Czech leadership, including Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Minister Igor Červený. This move follows concerns that the official plan, which must be submitted to the European Commission by September 2026, is facing delays and a lack of inter-ministerial coordination.

Critics argue that Minister Červený’s hesitation to finalize the plan due to funding uncertainties could risk the loss of European subsidies to other nations. Environmental groups emphasize that increasing landscape resilience against drought and floods is economically beneficial.

On the international stage, a Czech delegation led by Deputy Minister Ivo Marcin attended the 17th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The conference addressed the global crisis of land degradation, which affects approximately 40% of the Earth's land surface and impacts food security and water availability for billions. The Czech delegation participated in discussions regarding innovative financial mechanisms and strategies to strengthen landscape resilience against climate change impacts.