Romania adopts biodiversity law, faces EU sanctions for weaker nature protections

Romania's Senate adopted a biodiversity law, risking European Commission sanctions; an NGO warns of imminent infringement over weakened nature protections. The law, a PNRR milestone, was criticized by USR for PSD amendments cutting targeted strict protected areas from 10% to 5% by 2030 and rejecting audits in reserves. Ciprian Galusca said politicians misunderstand it. He warned noncompliance with the Habitats Directive could trigger infringement. The biodiversity law follows the adoption of a decarbonization law, also criticized by environmentalists.