The EUROPEAN OUTDOOR CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (EOCA) believes nature is in crisis. In a passionate call to action, it notes that one million species are threatened with extinction; 75% of land is significantly altered and wildlife populations have plunged by an average of 73% in the last 50 years.
However, the European laws that have been safeguarding nature are being quietly dismantled under what the HANDS OFF NATURE campaign calls the false promise of the ‘simplification’ of the legal system.
The EU’s simplification agenda is gaining momentum. The anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) faces delays and could be softened before implementation. The Nature Restoration Law narrowly avoided being included in the latest Omnibus whilst both the Water Frame Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directive are slated for review in 2026.
From disappearing snowpack to polluted rivers, the impact of the nature and climate crisis is visible every day. Beyond outdoor recreation, drinking water, food supply, and the health of our children and families are under threat.
This is why EOCA is joining with WWF, Birdlife, Client Earth and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) in demanding that European leaders defend the laws that protect people and nature rather than bowing to polluters and vested interests.
The Demands:
1. Keep current environmental safeguards fully intact. Existing nature laws are delivering proven results. They require no fixes, only political will for full implementation and enforcement. Leave them intact.
2. Reject any attempts to dilute environmental protections. These regulations are essential to preventing irreversible damage and safeguarding the public interest. Any weakening would endanger not just our ecosystems, but also our health, well-being, and ultimately, our future.
3. Respect scientific evidence and the citizens’ voice. Environmental laws are grounded in decades of research and have delivered measurable success. They are the product of democratic processes and public demand. European citizens are calling for stronger protection of nature, not greater exposure to harm.
EOCA has called on the outdoor industry to support the campaign by:
- Adapting assets for brand social channels.
- Sharing key messages with community.
- Encouraging community to sign the petition via social posts, email lists and in-store.
Traynor On The Trail 