Austria’s nature restoration effort falls behind schedule

Austria is behind schedule on nature restoration, Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig said during a visit to Salzburg, according to ORF. He said the country would try to meet the EU requirements while it waits for funding to become available.

Austria submitted its restoration proposals to the EU on September 1, just before the deadline. The EU’s Restoration Regulation, known as Regulation 2024/1991, requires member states to restore damaged ecosystems and draw up national restoration plans, the Agriculture Ministry says.

Austria is preparing its plan with the federal states and involving scientists, social partners, interest groups, civil society and the public. Totschnig said the country had first reported to Brussels on areas where there was agreement. These include agriculture and forestry, while questions about nature conservation remain open with the federal states.

Funding for restoring Salzburg’s rivers, moors and floodplains has yet to be settled. Totschnig said the government would use the waiting period to submit and seek recognition for work already carried out.

The EU regulation has been the subject of debate in Salzburg. Biologists have criticized Austria for lagging far behind on nature conservation areas, ORF reported in June 2024.