Twelve environmental organizations have raised strong objections to proposed changes in legislation governing protected Natura 2000 areas, warning that the reforms could open the door to the gradual weakening of environmental safeguards.
The joint statement was submitted during a public consultation on a draft bill put forward by Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy. The organizations—including ANIMA, ARCTUROS, ARCHELON, MEDASSET, WWF Greece and other major conservation groups—focus their concerns on provisions that would allow the expansion of settlements and urban planning zones within environmentally protected areas.
Concerns over development in protected zones
According to the organizations, the proposed framework would permit urban expansion in zones designated for the sustainable management of natural resources. They argue that such provisions risk undermining the core purpose of Natura 2000 sites, which are intended to preserve biodiversity and protect sensitive ecosystems across Europe.
The groups also criticize the requirement that urban planning extensions be aligned with existing environmental protection studies, arguing that these studies were not designed to assess or manage urban development impacts. They warn that attempts to update already delayed planning tools could result in further delays and inconsistent policy outcomes.
Another point of concern is a proposed cap allowing up to 20% of certain protected zones to be eligible for urban development. The organizations say this threshold is not scientifically justified and could affect large areas without clear links to planning criteria or environmental assessment tools.
Warnings over “horizontal” activity rules
The statement also highlights concerns about provisions that would allow certain activities to be broadly permitted across all protection zones, subject to later restrictions or bans. The organizations argue that such “horizontal” rules could be particularly harmful in the most strictly protected areas, where ecological integrity is most sensitive.
They further caution that large-scale interventions, including archaeological works or infrastructure projects, may be incompatible with high-protection natural zones. According to the groups, such activities should instead be strictly regulated through dedicated protection frameworks.
Call for stricter legal safeguards
In their recommendations, the organizations call for a fundamental revision of the draft legislation. They urge a clear prohibition on urban planning within protected areas, except in exceptional cases of overriding public interest and only when no alternative locations exist.
They also recommend banning commercial, tourism, and industrial expansion within these zones, alongside stricter rules for assessing environmental impact and cumulative effects before any planning decisions are made.
Additional proposals include preventing the legalization of unauthorized construction within Natura 2000 sites and introducing a clearer hierarchy of permitted activities based on the level of environmental protection.
