HandsOffNature coalition submits 1.2 million signatures to EU

The HandsOffNature coalition has delivered a petition containing over 1.25 million signatures to European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall in Brussels. The petition calls on the European Union to maintain existing legal protections for ecosystems, protected species, and water resources.

The protest centers on the proposed Environment Omnibus package, which aims to simplify and accelerate authorization procedures for certain projects. Environmental associations express concern that these simplifications could lead to reduced environmental impact assessments and weakened safeguards for natural habitats and wildlife.

Organizers are also concerned about potential revisions to European water protection rules and the Habitat and Birds Directives, which are essential for biodiversity conservation. The coalition argues that economic development should not proceed at the expense of nature or public health, especially as Europe faces increasing climate crisis effects such as heatwaves and biodiversity loss.