Romania’s Environment Ministry moves to criminalize illegal tree cutting in urban green spaces – Romania Insider

Report on Proposed Romanian Legislation to Protect Urban Green Spaces and Advance Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

The Romanian Environment Ministry has introduced a draft emergency ordinance to criminalize the illegal felling of trees within urban green spaces. This legislative action directly addresses critical gaps in environmental protection and aligns Romania’s urban development policies with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2.0 Details of the Legislative Proposal

The proposed ordinance aims to amend Article 140 of the Forestry Code to provide a robust legal framework for the protection of urban flora. The key provisions include:

1. The classification of unauthorized cutting, destruction, or degradation of trees in urban green areas as a criminal offense.
2. The introduction of prison sentences ranging from six months to three years for such offenses.
3. The application of the law to all urban green spaces exceeding 500 square meters, irrespective of public or private ownership, including land designated as construction yards.

3.0 Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The primary impetus for this legislation is the significant degradation of urban environments in Romania, which runs counter to the objectives of SDG 11. The initiative seeks to ensure cities are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Target 11.7: The legislation directly supports the goal of providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces. Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu noted that existing legal omissions have failed to protect these vital areas, citing the case of Bucharest’s IOR Park.
• Urban Environmental Quality: The measure addresses the alarming loss of green space in Romanian cities. Bucharest, for example, has lost over 500 hectares of green areas in recent decades and currently has only 0.88 trees per inhabitant, significantly below the European recommendation of three trees per inhabitant for a healthy urban environment.

4.0 Contribution to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond urban sustainability, the proposed law contributes to a wider spectrum of global development targets.

• SDG 15 (Life on Land): By protecting urban trees, the ordinance helps to halt biodiversity loss and the degradation of urban ecosystems, which are crucial components of terrestrial life.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Urban forests are critical for climate change mitigation and adaptation. They reduce the urban heat island effect, absorb carbon dioxide, and improve air quality, making their protection a direct form of local climate action.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The preservation of green spaces is intrinsically linked to public health, offering residents areas for recreation and contributing to improved mental and physical well-being.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The ordinance strengthens environmental governance by closing a significant legal loophole. It establishes clear accountability and reinforces the rule of law, ensuring that environmental protection is institutionalized and enforceable.

5.0 Conclusion

The proposed legislation represents a critical step for Romania in aligning its domestic policy with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By criminalizing the illicit destruction of urban green spaces, the government aims to safeguard environmental assets, enhance the quality of urban life, and build more resilient and sustainable communities for the future.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article’s primary focus is on protecting urban green spaces, which is a core component of creating sustainable, resilient, and healthy cities. It directly discusses the loss of green areas in Bucharest and the need to protect parks.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • This goal is relevant as the article deals with the protection of trees and terrestrial ecosystems, albeit in an urban context. The proposed legislation aims to halt the degradation of these small-scale ecosystems by criminalizing the “illegal cutting, destruction, or degradation of trees.”
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article describes a governmental action to strengthen the legal framework. The proposal of a “draft emergency ordinance” to close a “legal loophole” and introduce “clear criminal penalties” is a direct effort to build more effective and accountable institutions and promote the rule of law for environmental protection.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Although not explicitly mentioned, protecting urban trees is a crucial measure for climate action. Trees in cities help mitigate the urban heat island effect and act as carbon sinks. Therefore, legislation to protect them contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts at the local level.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…”
   • The article directly addresses this target by focusing on the protection of “urban green spaces,” “parks,” and trees within cities. The statement that “Bucharest has seen more than 500 hectares disappear in recent decades” highlights a direct challenge to achieving this target, which the new legislation aims to counteract.
2. Target 15.2: “…halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation…”
   • The proposed law to make the “illegal cutting of trees” a criminal offense is a measure to halt deforestation and degradation of green areas within the urban landscape. It applies the principle of this target to the specific context of city environments.
3. Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.”
   • The article details the creation of new legislation to “correct a legislative gap” and “clearly establish that abusive cutting of trees in urban green areas is a criminal act.” This action is a clear example of strengthening the rule of law to address an environmental issue where current legislation was deemed ineffective.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 11.7: The article provides specific quantitative data that can be used as indicators.
   • Area of urban green space: The mention that “Bucharest has seen more than 500 hectares disappear” implies that the total area of green space is a key metric. Progress would be measured by halting this loss and potentially increasing the area.
   • Number of trees per inhabitant: The article explicitly states that Bucharest has “just 0.88 trees per resident – far below the European recommendation of 3 trees per inhabitant.” This ratio serves as a direct and measurable indicator of the state of urban greenery.
2. Indicator for Target 16.3: The article implies indicators related to the legal framework.
   • Existence of legislation against illegal tree cutting: The primary subject of the article is the “draft emergency ordinance.” The successful enactment of this law would be a key indicator of progress.
   • Number of prosecutions for environmental crimes: The introduction of “jail sentences ranging from six months to three years” implies that the number of prosecutions and convictions under this new law would be a measure of its enforcement and effectiveness in promoting the rule of law.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: romania-insider.com