Latest news with #Natura2000
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Forbes
The Best Up-And-Coming Sustainable Destinations In Europe, According To New Analysis
Beautiful village of Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Portugal getty Sustainable travel has become more than just a travel trend. In fact, 83% of travelers state that traveling more responsibly and respectfully toward the environment has become top of mind. But which destinations are actually working toward a more sustainable future? A new analysis has just ranked the best up-and-coming sustainable destinations in Europe for travelers looking to get away from the crowds while also supporting cities and towns that are making a real effort to preserve the environment. The analysis by Accor and Natura 2000 looked at destinations based on their recognition in the Green Destinations Awards 2024, particularly in the categories of Nature & Scenery, Culture & Tradition, Environment & Climate, and Destination Management. Here are the best up-and-coming sustainable destinations in Europe for eco-minded travelers to explore: Tourists walk along the estuary of the Baie de Somme getty The Baie de Somme earned top spot as the best up-and-coming sustainable destination in Europe (and also ranked third in the Green Destinations Award 2024 – Destination Management). The destination was designated as a Natura 2000 site and has made a name for itself thanks to its commitment to biodiversity preservation. Ferragudo. Lagoa Municipality. Faro district. Algarve. Portugal getty Lagos in southern Portugal's Algarve region boasts a protected coastal area that serves as a model of sustainable tourism, according to the analysis. It was awarded Green Destinations 2024 – Nature & Scenery and allows travelers to observe local biodiversity through hiking, swimming, and contributing to the overall preservation of the region. Miren Kras, Slovenia Edge of Kras plateau and Miren village near Nova Gorica at the border of Italy and Slovenia getty You might have been to the capital city of Ljubljana—but have you ever been to Slovenia's Miren Kras? It's a short drive from the capital city but is making major waves in sustainability and conservation efforts. Miren Kras earned the Green Destinations Award – Environment & Climate and boasts things like responsible hiking trails, eco-friendly hotels, sustainable cuisine, and an overall sustainability-focused approach to community and daily life. Castro Daire, Portugal Castro Daire, Portugal getty The second Portuguese city to make the list, Castro Daire earned first place in the Green Destinations Award – Culture & Tradition. It has become well-known for its locally-made honey and biodiversity destinations, including the Serra do Montemuro and Rio Paiva, which allow travelers to connect with nature in an environmentally responsible way. Belsh, Albania Aerial view of Belshi lake, Dumre getty Albania has been shooting up the must-visit list of travelers these day s— but the rural town of Belsh is still largely considered a hidden gem. The town, just about 40 miles south of Tirana, earned second place for Green Destinations Award – Culture & Tradition thanks to its sustainability-minded approach to daily life (and tourism) which focuses on responsible farming and fishing.
Euronews
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Too much manure, too little action: Dutch farming tests EU green goals
The Netherlands is the second world exporter for agricultural products and ground zero for Europe's nitrogen crisis. Here, nitrogen deposited onto every acre of farmed land remains three times the EU average. Still, the government has postponed halving nitrogen emissions by 5 years, to 2035. A decision that defies national and European laws which aim at near-zero nitrate pollution by 2050. Intensive farming is among the main causes. In the Netherlands, there are 620 head of livestock for every 100 residents. All these animals, concentrated in a relatively small area, produce meat, cheese, milk, but also enormous quantities of a by-product that's increasingly difficult to manage: manure. Farmer Nanda van den Pol, explains the 90 cows of her family business produce 30 litres of milk each per day and three thousand cubic metres of manure per year. We found that is the equivalent of 40 medium-sized swimming pools full of slurry. How do they get rid of this? 'At the moment we can use 80% of this slurry in our fields and we have to get rid of the rest.' Nanda explains. Her farm paid around 100 thousand euros to get rid of the exceeding slurry last year. She estimates that sum might rise to around 400 thousand in the next two years, as the waste poured in their fields will have to decrease. 'If it's all going in the line that they are telling us now – Nada says - I don't think we'll have our family farm by 2030. Yeah. You want to be a part of the solution, but they make it impossible. It's so difficult not to have any power in this.' NGOs say the government's decision to postpone nitrogen emission targets is hitting hard on ecosystems. I met a representative of the organisation Mobilisation for the Environment, known for taking the State and farmers to court in defense of the environment. 'You're in my garden, but it borders the Natura 2000 area called the Kwade Hoek -says activist Max van der Sleen - From here, you basically can try to understand biodiversity loss. Some time ago there was a nice dune vegetation. But it has been completely covered by nettles and hop. That changes the ecosystems.' In the Netherlands only 28% of Natura 2000 conservation areas are in good condition, he says. These sites were created to protect Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Max explains the Dutch Government is simply not doing it. 'The government doesn't really want to act so quickly, in five years' time, and they have a good argument for it. They say that the social cost would be very high, but this is already known for 40 years. The regulation that they should act is already from 2019.' Max says his NGO doesn't want farms to stop, but to balance production and nature conservation. 'It is not the farmers who don't want to do it. If you give them a chance to go into this direction of more sustainable farming, they will take it. But the government has to allow it.' Why is it so difficult for the Netherlands, and other European countries, to reduce nitrogen pollution? Jan Willem Erisman, Professor of Environmental Sustainability at the Leiden Institute of Environmental Sciences explains it is often underestimated that agricultural change is a long-term change, while policy 'needs solutions tomorrow'. 'There should be a long-term policy which gradually helps the farmers to switch to sustainable and supports them step by step. That's not in place.' Professor Erisman explains. As delays continue, in the Netherlands and in the rest of Europe the cost of inaction grows — for farmers, ecosystems, and for EU's green agenda. The question now is whether meaningful change will come in time — and at what cost.
RTÉ News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Government told to conserve sites or species to retain nitrates derogation
The European Commission has told the Government that in order for Ireland to retain a nitrates derogation for farmers from next year it must demonstrate efforts to conserve designated sites or species under the EU's Habitats Directive. Previously the Commission has traditionally just sought evidence of progress in relation to water quality, however, with Ireland now the only country left in the EU seeking a nitrates derogation the criteria have been expanded. It is understood the Commission contacted the Government in recent weeks about the change, with Irish officials now working on an updated plan, which is expected to be submitted to the EU in the middle of July. Under the Nitrates Directive, farmers have to ensure that the total amount of nitrogen from organic manure applied to their land does not exceed 170kg per hectare per year. The directive aims to reduce water pollution caused by nitrates used in agriculture, and EU member states are required to monitor water quality and identify areas that drain into polluted waters or are at risk of pollution. Due to the country's unique grass-fed farming model, Ireland has a derogation allowing use of up to 250kg for some farmers but it expires at the end of the year, with the EU set to vote on new limits for 2026-2029. The EU is reportedly putting pressure on Ireland to get its plan in as quickly as possible so that it can be considered ahead of negotiations and a vote later in the year. Under the Habitats Directive any project likely to have a significant effect on a designated site or species must be subject to assessment. For Irish farmers seeking a derogation, this would mean that if they are grazing cattle near a Natura 2000 site the area would need to assessed before it was granted. Natura 2000 is an EU network of 27,000 core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, as well as some rare natural habitat types, which are protected in their own right. Based on correspondence from the European Commission - and legal advice to the Government - to secure the next nitrates derogation Ireland will have to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive when granting individual farmers a derogation. Plans for this assessment process include monitoring and studying 46 catchment areas (with an average catchment size of 150,000 hectares) across the country. These sites would be assessed by experts, including ecologists, before a derogation is granted. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that "in developing such a plan, I am committed to engagement and have held a series of stakeholder meetings with that in mind". "My officials have also engaged with the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group where the matter was discussed this morning," he said. "It is important stakeholders are aware of the issues emerging from the discussions and how Ireland is working to fulfil its legal requirements and provide the Commission with the assurances it needs to justify granting our next derogation." If Ireland's nitrates derogation is lowered, farmers would have to take measures such as culling cows, exporting slurry, or acquiring more land to abide by lower limits.
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Small European island 3 hours from the UK 'overrun' with 10,000 tourists a day
The small island located a 20-minute ferry ride from the Maltese mainland is being swamped by tourists visiting the famous Blue Lagoon With its idyllic Mediterranean climate, rich history spanning more than 7,000 years, and stunning beaches, it's little wonder that this picturesque European island has become a holiday haven. Situated between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta welcomed nearly 3.6 million tourists in 2024 and is expecting even more this year. Just a 20-minute journey from the mainland lies the island of Comino, famous for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon - a natural 1.4 square-mile pool that has become a magnet for tourists. What was once a tranquil destination is now overrun with 10,000 visitors daily, according to Metro, leaving locals increasingly frustrated with the industry that brings "unsustainable" numbers to the area during peak season. In February, Malta's Tourism Minister, Ian Borg, vowed to "clean up" Comino by introducing a capacity cap to prevent commercial boat operators from overwhelming the area. "During July and August, 10,000 people descend on Comino's Blue Lagoon every day, and that's too many," the minister stated, according to The Times of Malta. He noted that the island could not "keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space," adding that the "plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half". Comino, with its mere two permanent residents, is not just a picturesque getaway but also a Natura 2000 marine protected area and an Important Bird Area (IBA), crucial for the 50 to 80 breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters it supports. Tourism experts have expressed concerns about the impact of overtourism on Comino and proposed potential solutions. Eammon Turley, CEO of MPV Rentals, expressed his full backing for Minister Borg's capacity cap to the Express: "It's a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations and maintain its charm as a destination [in] nature." He warned about the often-overlooked impact of mass tourism: "Most tourists forget that huge crowds have tangible environmental effects- like destroying bird habitats, rodents from the garbage food, and wearing out the very shores and water tourists travelled miles to see in the first place." Turleyalso highlighted the importance of balancing tourism income with sustainability: "Something to consider here, too, is achieving balance between tourism revenue and long-term sustainability," adding that reducing visitor numbers doesn't put off tourists but rather enhances their experience. He added: "Cutting back on numbers doesn't deter tourists-it makes it smarter. I always tell tourists to get out and visit more than the biggest attractions first." Turleyencouraged visitors to explore beyond the well-trodden paths: "Malta has got so many other lovely things, like little coves, promenades, and culture that can give a fuller and calmer experience. Comino's not just about the Blue Lagoon - it's about the whole island. A more even distribution of visitors across different areas and times would be a great help in decongesting the areas." Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Walking Tours, echoed: "Even with the 10,000 tourists per day, most areas of the island are under-visited. Zejtun, for example, is one of Malta's oldest towns. Yet it is ignored because it is inland and not on cruise routes. "Last month, one of our Maltese guides cancelled a walking tour in Valletta because the streets were too congested. The guide couldn't show our clients around well enough to give them a meaningful experience without interference. The overstrain is slowly starting to collapse cultural experiences, beating the point of tourism. "I believe the solution should be better flow management. Nudge travellers to the ignored locations so tourists spread out and stay longer. Capping daily numbers without diversifying visitors' experience might turn Malta into a gated attraction." Meanwhile, Roisin Miller, who runs the travel blog roabouttown, recounted her visit to Malta from three years past and described the Blue Lagoon as "so busy we couldn't find a place to sit and could barely find somewhere to bob in the water". She expressed her lack of surprise at Minister Borg's measures, saying: "It will be sad for some tourists, but the rocks and area need protecting. Plus it was not actually enjoyable as a tourist [...] I do think more needs to be done to stop overtourism." Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cast a spotlight on the contentious approval of a substantial hotel set to be constructed on the island in the coming years. "Not only [is] the construction is highly disputed but it also doesn't solve the issue of curbing mass tourism in the meantime," she remarked. Heading towards luxury and exclusivity, the brand-new Six Senses Comino is set to welcome its first guests in 2027. Developed by HV Hospitality, under the wing of Hili Ventures, and to be overseen by the opulent hotel brand Six Senses—as stated by European Spa Magazine—the retreat promises to sprawl across two island bays, boasting 71 suites, 19 retreats, and an indulgent spa. Maltese-American Liz Delia of Zest for Latitudes reflected on the island's tourist density, observing that while Malta on the whole hasn't seemed more packed than other Mediterranean hotspots, Comino remains a "clear exception", with environmental concerns around the iconic Blue Lagoon looming large. "When we were there in 2023, we actually skipped Comino altogether and spent time instead exploring quieter bays and coves on Gozo and the main island. Comino is undeniably stunning, but it's hard to enjoy when it's packed with people. "That's also what I suggest to my readers: if they're set on going, try to visit in the shoulder season - May, September, or even October. Otherwise, there are plenty of equally gorgeous (and more peaceful) alternatives."
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘Hardship' for West Cork communities over protected nature sites
Much of the West Cork coastline has been designated as a Natura 2000 site, either as a Special Protection Area (SPA) or a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Those designations are now causing hardship for local people and in some cases preventing much-needed development and infrastructure projects, West Cork Councillors say. At this week's meeting of Cork County Council, Councillors Finbarr Harrington and John Michael Foley called on the Council to write to the government to seek permission from the European Union to carry out an urgent review of Cork's designated Natura 2000 sites. 'In my own West Cork, working harbours, piers and slips were taken into SACs and these are causing unbelievable amounts of difficulties for ourselves as a local authority to do repairs to these piers because we must carry out all kinds of EIAs [Environmental Impact Assessment] before we get to do it,' Cllr Harrington said. 'In relation to rural planning, where you have young couples that are just applying for planning permission for a normal family home to live in it, our planners are obliged to notify them that they're building in an SAC or an SPA or an NHA [Natural Heritage Area] and they must go off and do EIAs, which is costing them thousands and thousands of euros,' he added. Cllr Harrington cited the Garnish slipway at the tip of the Beara Peninsula, which is used by recreational sailors, fishermen and the Coast Guard. Sand builds up at the tip of the slipway over the winter but because it's in the Kenmare SAC, ministerial permission has to be sought to remove the sand. Many of the designations were mapped decades ago and have not kept pace with updated ecological knowledge or with the practical realities faced by rural communities, according to Cllr Foley. 'Right now in County Cork, homeowners struggle to get planning permission for modest homes. Farmers are restricted in their ability to work their land. Local councils find critical infrastructure projects delayed or blocked entirely in many coastal areas. Renewable energy and rural development projects, crucial for meeting Ireland and Europe's climate goals, are held back,' he said. 'We're not asking to dismantle conservation efforts, but we need to be able to complete coastal erosion problems where farms are falling into the sea, roads are falling into the sea. We need to be able to work on things, we need to be able to work on essential works like working harbours. We're not asking for a dismantling of the SECs, they're great, but we are asking for a common-sense approach where we can work,' said Cllr Foley. The Council agreed to write to the government to ask for a review of the Natura 2000 mapping.
