In a few days, on July 16, the European Commission will submit its proposal for the new multi -year financial framework (MFR) in 2028-2034. Birdlife Austria warns of a dangerous trouble in the previous distribution of tax money: investments in biodiversity, climate, water and soil – the most important livelihood and in public interest – are under massive pressure. The long -term continuation of successful species protection initiatives, for example to maintain the emperor eagle once extinct in Austria or the necessary protection of bogs, is increasingly at risk in view of the uncertain financial framework. The European Union is at a turning point.
The current EU financial framework 2021–2027 already includes more than 1,200 billion euros. Around a third of this budget provided by tax money flows into the common agricultural policy (GAP), i.e. over 400 billion euros. However, around 80 % of this huge amount continues to be eliminated by a large-scale direct payment, while only around 20 % flow into targeted rural development programs-in Austria into the sometimes successful ÖPUL program and nature conservation projects of the federal and state governments.
Important international species protection programs without EU funds not feasible
At the same time, the EU’s central life program, which has enabled over 6,000 innovative environmental and nature conservation projects since 1992, also received only 0.3 % of the budget (around 5 billion euros) from 2021 to 2027. Social benefits are enormous: studies show public added value of up to ten times. Nevertheless, life projects are underfunded. The environmental NGOs, which are often centrally involved in their implementation, flow just around 15 million euros in the current MFR EU.
Cross-state life projects such as Pannonagle and the follow-up project Wildlifecrime (bird protection), Danube Free Sky (protection for migratory birds against collisions with power lines and electricity blows) or amoore (moor protection) show how effective nature conservation measures can be. Your contribution to species protection, climate protection, flood protection and drinking water protection is much more efficient than the repair through technical measures – and therefore ultimately indispensable. The loss of nature is not only an environmental problem, but also an economic, social and security policy. Without flourishing ecosystems, Europe’s food systems, water supply, infrastructure and public health would continue to suffer. Rural and urban communities would be faced with increasing instability.
Restoring regulations in danger?
The EU Ringing Ordinance (Nature Restoration Law), which was decided in 2024, is also particularly relevant in the MFR. Their implementation requires additional investments: the EU forecast a financing requirement of 154 billion euros by 2070, which is compared to an estimated public benefit of 1,860 billion euros.
“This is an impressive example of the long-term return-on investment of natural-based measures. We have to be aware: Anyone who saves today in environmental and nature conservation will pay the invoice with interest tomorrow-in the form of crises, damage and loss Gábor Wichmann, Managing Director of Birdlife Austria.
Birdlife Austria appeals to the political decision-makers: Inside: The funds for the Life program and rural development within the common agricultural policy (GAP) must not be shortened-they are central instruments for the protection of biodiversity and climate. Instead, a targeted reallocation of the means is needed: away from largely opposite direct payments, towards effective, scientifically sound measures that bring a clear public added value for the environment, society and agriculture. In addition, in addition to the existing instruments, additional funds are essential to ensure the implementation of the EU Redes Production Ordinance and to achieve the aim of the ecological renewal of Europe.
“Austria’s negotiators: Inside at EU level, the responsibility is to be responsible for a future-oriented distribution of funds of all tax money. Investments in nature are investments in public interests such as health, security and quality of life for people. Now is the moment to work for an ambitious, sustainable future!”, According to birdlife Austria.
Statement of Gábor Wichmann, Managing Director of Birdlife Austria To the EU budget negotiations: https://youtube.com/shorts/kIRTAPszMA0?si=jQKScDseOzj11W5o