No protection against construction in the protected area

In a new analysis, Greenpeace takes a close look at environmental protection areas in Austria. It shows that even in designated, strict nature reserves, development and building land dedications are always possible. Neither Natura 2000 areas nor national parks or farm zones are safe from asphalt and concrete. The environmental protection organization calls for an immediate stop of construction projects in protected natural and agricultural areas.

Melanie Ebner, soil protection expert at Greenpeace in Austria: “It is a shame that even strictly protected natural areas in Austria are sacrificed for streets, hospitals or business parks. Environment Minister Norbert Tettschnig has to work as a new environmental minister for a species -rich Austria. For this, strong, unassailable nature reserves are our best allies.

According to a Greenpeace analysis, massive interventions are currently being planned in valuable ecosystems in several federal states-sometimes with dramatic consequences for endangered species such as the field hamster, the soul or the huchs. The eastern bypass in Wiener Neustadt, a hospital building in the Natura 2000 area in Burgenland or a luxury resort next to a high bog in Salzburg are just a few examples of this. The legal situation is deceptive: there are numerous protective categories at state, federal and EU levels, many of them allow exceptional regulations-and these are generously used in the federal states. “Just because a place on paper is protected does not automatically mean that it is also protected from construction and destruction in practice. The projects are not exceptions or coincidences, but conscious political decisions”criticizes Ebner. “Every sealed area in a protected area is a direct attack on biodiversity, the climate and our foundations of life.”

Nature reserves are central to the preservation of biological diversity and for the protection of ecosystems. They offer retreat for endangered species, stabilize natural cycles and contribute to the regeneration of damaged landscapes. If areas are sealed there, animals and plants lose important habitats – and with them entire ecosystems disappear. Greenpeace demands that Austria will comply with its international obligations and, by 2030, put at least 30 percent of the land area under effective protection. This is how it also provides for the global 30×30 goal. Austria is currently still removed. “Protection of nature must not remain a lip service. Clear legal requirements, a strict construction freezer in protected areas and real political responsibility are needed”According to Ebner, according to Ebner.

Factsheet: https://act.gp/Bauprojekte_in_Schutzgebieten

Images: https://act.gp/4kkH6R7
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