We, the undersigned, write to express our deep concern regarding the future of Romania's rich natural heritage and to call for urgent action to ensure its protection.
Romania holds a unique place within the European Union. It is one of the last countries where large-scale natural ecosystems still exist in a relatively intact state. Its landscapes include some of the largest remaining primary and old-growth forests in Europe outside Scandinavia and Russia, free-flowing mountain rivers, and traditionally managed grasslands among the most biodiverse in the world. These ecosystems provide a refuge for species that have disappeared or become rare across much of the continent. In contrast to Western Europe’s severe and sustained declines in insect and butterfly populations, Romania’s meadows still hum with life. Birds such as the red-backed shrike, now locally extinct or greatly reduced in many regions of Western Europe, continue to thrive here. And in the forests, brown bears, wolves and lynx still roam - species that elsewhere survive only in small pockets or through costly reintroduction efforts. Taken together, Romania functions as a repository and last stronghold for so many species that have been lost or severely reduced elsewhere in Europe.
This natural heritage is not only of national importance. It represents a shared European and global value - essential for biodiversity, climate stability and the resilience of natural systems. Today, Romania faces a decisive moment.
Under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the country has committed to placing 10% of its territory under strict protection - areas where nature is allowed to function without extractive use. This would be the most ambitious nature protection effort in Romania’s modern history and a crucial contribution to Europe’s environmental commitments.
Strict protection means something simple, but powerful: forests free from logging, grasslands maintained and rivers allowed to flow naturally. It is the only form of protection that ensures ecosystems can fully function and regenerate.
Yet this opportunity is now at risk.
Although approximately 23% of Romania’s land is designated as protected, only around 1% benefits from genuine non-intervention. Even National Parks are not fully protected, with logging, intensive grazing and infrastructure development still permitted and happening across significant areas. At the same time, natural ecosystems are under intense and ongoing pressure from logging, land conversion, infrastructure expansion and resource extraction.
There is growing concern that the current process of designating strictly protected areas is being significantly reduced. In spite of the high biodiversity potential and an initial 10% identification, ongoing discussions suggest that this figure may be scaled down to as little as 2–3%, excluding areas critically valuable from an ecological perspective.
This trend reflects strong pressure from economic interests linked to the exploitation of natural resources. Without clear and firm action, there is a real risk that short-term economic considerations will crush long-term environmental responsibility.
The consequences would extend far beyond Romania. Failure to meet the 10% target would weaken the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and set a concerning precedent at a time when strong environmental leadership is urgently needed.
Conversely, meeting this commitment would position Romania as a leader in conservation demonstrating that protecting nature at scale is both possible and necessary.
We therefore ask with respect the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests to:
- Ensure the full implementation of the 10% strict protection target, as committed under European and national frameworks;
- Base the identification and designation of these areas exclusively on scientific criteria and ecological value;
- Guarantee that strict protection means true non-intervention, without loopholes for continued exploitation;
- Provide fair and timely compensation mechanisms for affected communities and landowners, in line with European practice.
This is a defining moment.
Romania still has the natural wealth that many other European countries have already foolishly thrown away. The decisions taken now will determine whether these ecosystems are preserved as part of Europe’s living heritage and whether certain species can even survive, or all be gradually degraded beyond recovery. It is a great opportunity for Romania to lead the way in Europe. We urge the Romanian authorities to rise to this great challenge and to secure the protection of these irreplaceable landscapes for future generations.
Sincerely,
