Estonia has been able to obtain more favorable conditions in a forestry and land use plan which is part of the European Union's climate change goals, on the eve of the package being approved, Ministry of the Environment undersecretary Marku Lamp says.
A state decision to reduce the area of regeneration felling by four percent in a year instead of the 13 percent initially planned goes against what was agreed between the Reform Party and the Center Party when they signed a coalition deal, and will not solve the issues intended – while at the same time harming Estonia's environment unnecessarily, a wildlife protection lobbyist says.
The State Forest Management Center (RMK) and the Forest and Wood Industry Association have said a last-minute decision by former Minister of the Environment Tõnis Mölder (Center) to reduce felling volumes deprived Estonia of some €230 million.
Although the Riigikogu has decided to go to remote sittings in November to curb the spread of the coronavirus, MPs are participating in face-to-face meetings and travel outside of Estonia.
A bill which would slash water body shoreline protected zones to 20 meters was signed by the new environment minister a week-and-a-half before taking office. The legal amendment, if it were to pass, would particularly affect Estonia's islands, where protected zones are 200 meters from the shore. Proponents of the bill say the current legislation is out-of-date.