Over 600,000 call on EU to defend nature laws as wildfires sweep across Europe

As the European Commission’s public consultation on the future of the Birds and Habitats Directives closes today, more than 600,000 people have signed a petition calling on the EU to defend its nature laws.

While devastating wildfires continue to highlight the urgency of protecting nature, the #HandsOffNature campaign coalition – consisting of BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, the European Environmental Bureau and WWF EU – is urging the European Commission to use its review of the EU’s nature laws to fully enforce and fund the existing legislation, rather than weaken it. [1]

While the Commission stated that the ‘stress test’ of the EU’s nature laws, namely the Birds and Habitats Directives, aims to “reduce administrative burdens,” the NGO coalition warns against framing environmental protections as ‘red tape’ to be cut.

These laws were already assessed as “fit for purpose” in the European Commission’s 2016 ‘Fitness Check’. [2] They help protect the forests, wetlands, rivers and habitats that provide clean water, healthy soils and resilience against climate-related risks such as wildfires, floods and droughts.

As the climate crisis shows, these are essential protections for people and nature – helping to maintain the healthy ecosystems that underpin Europe’s long-term resilience, safety and prosperity.

European citizens are also clear that they want stronger action to protect nature. The latest Eurobarometer survey found that almost all Europeans consider it important to halt biodiversity loss, while 94% say that protecting nature is important for our long-term economic prosperity. [3]

In a separate petition led by the #HandsOffNature coalition, more than 600,000 people have called on EU decision-makers to defend the laws that protect Europe’s nature and wildlife. [4]

“The Commission’s ‘stress test’ must not become a backdoor to weakening environmental protections. As Europe faces another summer of extreme heat, wildfires and droughts, weakening the laws that protect our forests, wetlands and wildlife would be reckless and deeply irresponsible. The message from citizens is clear: The EU must defend the laws that protect people and nature,” the Hands Off Nature coalition said.

Notes to editor: 

[1] Find the coalition’s full position on the EU Birds and Habitats Directives ‘stress test’ here:  https://handsoffnature.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26_04_BHD-stress-test_initial-reflections_final.pdf 

[2] Find the results of the European Commission’s 2016 ‘fitness check’ here: https://commission.europa.eu/publications/fitness-check-eu-nature-legislation-birds-and-habitats-directives-directive-2009147ec-conservation_en  

[3] The full Eurobarometer survey is available here: Special Eurobarometer 571: Attitudes of Europeans towards biodiversity. Almost all Europeans (96%) believe halting biodiversity loss is important because we have a moral responsibility to protect nature, while 95% recognise that human health and well-being depend on healthy ecosystems.

[4] The European Commission will now assess the feedback received through the consultation as part of its ‘stress test’ of the Birds and Habitats Directives. The #HandsOffNature coalition is calling on the Commission to listen to the hundreds of thousands of citizens who have spoken out and use the process to strengthen implementation, enforcement and funding: www.handsoffnature.eu/take-action