“In discussions on security during Poland’s EU presidency, too little attention is given to nature—yet half of the world’s GDP, as well as food and social security, depend on it,” says Dr. Paulina Sobiesiak-Penszko from the Institute for Public Affairs (ISP).
The importance of effective communication on environmental issues is evident in the controversy surrounding the EU’s Nature Restoration Law. The regulation has met strong resistance, particularly from farmers concerned about potential flooding of their fields. However, experts argue that the new law will bring significant benefits to agriculture.
The Nature Restoration Law: Objectives and Implementation
On June 17, 2024, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU adopted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL)—despite Poland voting against it. The regulation aims to restore biodiversity and strengthen resilient ecosystems across land and marine areas within the EU, ultimately contributing to climate change mitigation.
“There has been a lot of misinformation about the Nature Restoration Law. During farmers’ protests, misleading narratives were used to fuel a negative public campaign, which outpaced efforts to provide factual information and education. Polish politicians played a significant role in this,”
— Dr. Paulina Sobiesiak-Penszko, Director of the Sustainable Development and Climate Policy Program at ISP.
Under the regulation, EU member states must work towards improving at least two out of three key agricultural ecosystem indicators:
- Butterfly population in grasslands
- Organic carbon levels in mineral soils used for agriculture
- Percentage of farmland with high-diversity landscape features
Additionally, the law sets ambitious targets for restoring biodiversity, including:
- Increasing common farmland bird populations by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2050
- Restoring degraded peatlands used for agriculture, with specific targets:
- 30% of areas restored by 2030, of which at least 25% must be rewet
- 50% restored by 2050, of which at least 33% must be rewet
The rewetting of former peatlands has sparked the strongest opposition from farmers, who fear forced flooding of agricultural land.
“No farmer’s land will be flooded without their consent. If such solutions are implemented, they will be voluntary and financially compensated. The fears stem mainly from a lack of knowledge and awareness about what the Nature Restoration Law actually entails,”
— Dr. Sobiesiak-Penszko.
“The law is designed to protect us from droughts and water shortages, which have been affecting Poland for over a decade, costing the country billions of złoty annually. Additionally, it will help increase agricultural yields, ultimately benefiting farmers financially.”
Nature’s Role in Food Security and the Economy
Dr. Sobiesiak-Penszko emphasizes that food security depends on ecosystem restoration—including the availability of water for food production and maintaining healthy pollinator populations.
“We cannot produce food if ecosystems are unstable, if water is scarce, or if biodiversity is lost. 80% of crops in Europe depend on pollinators. If we fail to protect biodiversity, we risk food shortages.
Nature is not just an add-on; it underpins half of the world’s GDP, and we must acknowledge that.”
She also sees Poland’s EU presidency as an opportunity to highlight how nature is fundamental to national security.
“Poland’s presidency is focused on security, making it a perfect moment to demonstrate how dependent we are on nature. Unfortunately, this topic is currently missing from the agenda—but I hope it will be addressed as the presidency progresses.”
Public Support and the Need for Better Communication
While there is broad public support for nature conservation, there is also widespread misinformation about the Nature Restoration Law.
A May 2024 survey by ISP, conducted before the EU vote, found that:
- 75% of respondents supported the law
- A similar percentage believed Poland should also support it
- Over 70% recognized the need for nature restoration
- 37% were deeply concerned about Poland’s environmental state
Despite this support, Dr. Sobiesiak-Penszko warns that poor communication may undermine implementation.
“My biggest concern is that we will once again fail to effectively communicate what the Nature Restoration Law is, why it is necessary, and how it relates to economic, social, and food security.”
“A dialogue with all stakeholders is essential. If the law affects local governments, businesses, and farmers, each group needs clear information on how it will impact them and how they can engage in its implementation.”
As Poland takes on a leadership role in the EU, experts urge policymakers to prioritize environmental security alongside economic and defense strategies. Effective communication and public engagement will be key to successfully implementing the Nature Restoration Law and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Source: CEO.com.pl
