The new Walloon Government's budget for biodiversity and nature is set to be cut by 75%, dropping from €24.6 million to €6 million, Le Soir reported on Friday.
The French-speaking green party Ecolo has criticised the decision and warned that it severely jeopardises crucial efforts to protect ecosystems already weakened by climate change and human activity.
The party highlighted that Wallonia had committed to protecting and restoring its natural assets through the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and its own Biodiversity 360° Strategy. Cutting the budget effectively abandons these commitments and threatens essential environmental policies, the party added.
Ecolo further claimed that the budget cuts are particularly senseless as biodiversity investments are economically beneficial, generating returns in agriculture, tourism and climate resilience.
Ecolo's parliamentary group leader, Stéphane Hazée, urged Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Anne-Catherine Dalcq, the government and the parliament – which will soon vote on the budget – to reconsider this "disastrous decision" and uphold commitments to citizens and future generations.
In response, Dalcq's office assured Le Soir that previously funded initiatives will not be stopped.
