One is for sure; Autumn will be interesting and full of happenings. Here we collected recent policy updates for you.
Wetlands International Europe prepared article 9 of Nature Restoration Law briefing. It is a is a legal report explaining the legal requirements in the NRL to remove barriers. Its intent is to inform Nature Restoration Plan development in Member states. Read it here: Going with the flow: Barrier removal for healthier rivers – Wetlands International Europe
Please note that in order for barriers to be removed under the NRL, they must be included in the national restoration plans. Inquire with your national regulator on the process and if/how you can be included in the working groups.
Join #ResroreNature alliance webinar on September 11, 2025. The webinar we will focus on the restoration of free-flowing rivers under the Nature Restoration Law. This meeting will focus on barrier removal, explaining Article 9 and other Articles essential for delivering the 25,000 km free-flowing rivers target and Member States’ freshwater habitats restoration obligations.
#RestoreNature update call – September 2025! 🎉
Date: Thursday, September 11th 2025
Time: 15.30 – 17.15 Brussels time
Link to the meeting: https://birdlife.zoom.us/j/87932641162?pwd=cUyadaMrdsMTu17xvgeucQCJFpEKu8.1
With the looming deadline of good ecological status by 2027, and many member states admitting they expect to fail to meet this deadline. Have you ever wondered what is the future of WFD? Read a briefing answering these questions: The Water Framework Directive: a powerful tool for clean, healthy, flowing waters – Wetlands International Europe
Finally and probably the biggest thing that has happened is the release of the proposal for a 2028-2034 EU budget
Please refer to the press release for more details and links to dedicated questions & answers, dedicated factsheets and a website on the next MFF.
The Call for Applications for the selection of members of the next Platform on sustainable finance has been launched with a deadline September 7th.
Despite calling itself an ambitious and dynamic Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), amounting to almost EUR 2 trillion (or 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income on average between 2028 and 2034), we do not think it will amount to environmental improvements. The main criticism we have is that there is no earmarked funding for biodiversity conservation. To support the green transition the Commission is proposing:
- A 35% climate and environment spending target for the overall budget mobilising over EUR 700 billion to support climate and environmental objectives, climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience; sustainable growth, innovation and strategic independence and making sure that climate resilience and environmental measures are better aligned. Barrier removal must figure as a recognised, cost effective nature based solution to this end.
- The European Competitiveness Fund will support investments aiming to decarbonise the European economy, strengthening the development of clean technologies and circular economy, driving forward sustainable transport and the energy transition while protecting the climate and the natural environment. We need to keep driving home that free rivers capture carbon, where as stagnant rivers are carbon emitters.
- The National and Regional Partnership Plans will link reform with clean investments, supporting the EU 2040 climate and energy targets and supporting local communities and businesses in the clean transition. There will also be a stronger link to the needs of regions in the National and Regional Partnership Plans, in line with the European Semester, the National Restoration Plans and the National Energy and Climate Plans.
- An enhanced system to monitor EU spending and results on green objectives to better track actions supported related to the budget for environment and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
- The ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle is to be applied through a single, simple and proportionate approach, ensuring that EU funded activities do not cause significant harm to climate and environmental objectives.
- The “Climate resilience by design” principle is to be applied to protect people and investments from the increasingly devastating impact of climate change and prepare for and better manage climate risks, limit economic and social costs, and promote innovative technologies.
Policy update prepared by Irene Duque, Freshwater Policy Officer at Wetlands International Europe