NNDKP Environment Flash No.3/2025
1. EU DEVELOPMENTS SELECTION [1]
1.1. The first list of strategic projects adopted under the CRMA
On 25 March 2025, the European Commission has published its first decision adopting strategic projects under Regulation 2024/1252 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (the “CRMA”).
In this first selection round, 47 strategic projects have been recognized at EU level (including two in Romania), covering the extraction, processing, recycling or substitution of critical raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite. The Commission is due to announce a new call for applications for strategic projects later this year, currently planned for late summer.
The new strategic projects mark an important milestone in the implementation of the CRMA, aiming to ensure that the extraction, processing, recycling and substitution of critical raw materials at European level will fully meet the 2030 benchmarks.
Most provisions of the CRMA entered into force on 23 May 2024. The main objectives of the CRMA are to reduce the EU’s dependence on third countries for essential critical materials and to contribute to the green and digital transition of the European economy, while supporting Europe’s defense and aerospace industries.
1.2. Consultations on the EU’s 2025 Report on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention
On 26 March 2025, the European Commission initiated the public consultation period on the EU’s 2025 Report on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention, which includes information on the practical applications and obstacles encountered at EU level in the implementation of each of the articles of the Aarhus Convention.
The Aarhus Convention mainly regulates access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters.
Member States and/or public authorities, citizens, companies, business associations, organizations and academia can participate in the consultation process, which will run from 26 March to 26 April 2025.
This latest EU report on the matter will cover the period 2021–2025 and will be submitted to the Meeting of the Parties of the Aarhus Convention, taking place in November this year.
2. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS SELECTION [1]
2.1. Draft emergency ordinance amending and supplementing Emergency Ordinance No. 202/2002 on integrated coastal zone management
On 5 March 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry has published a draft emergency ordinance for amending and supplementing the Emergency Ordinance No. 202/2002 on integrated coastal zone management.
Amendments are proposed regarding the elaboration of the National Strategy on Integrated Coastal Zone Management and the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, as well as the obligation to include the provisions of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan in the development and urbanization plans elaborated at local level, so as to avoid duplication of provisions and inconsistencies between them.
The draft normative act aims mainly to align the legislative framework with the requirements of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
2.2. The Emergency Ordinance No. 7/2025 amending the Emergency Ordinance No. 57/2007 entered into force
On 10 March 2025, the Emergency Ordinance No. 7/2025, amending the Emergency Ordinance No. 57/2007 on the regime of natural protected areas, conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna was published in the Official Gazette No. 208. It entered into force on the same day.
The amendment follows the infringement procedure launched by the European Commission against Romania in case 2020/2297, concerning the failure to fulfill the obligations set out in the Habitats Directive, namely its incorrect transposition.
More information on the infringement procedure can be found in NNDKP`s Environment Flash No. 10/2024 available here, and more information on the draft emergency ordinance used as basis for the adoption of the Emergency Ordinance No. 7/2025 can be found in NNDKP`s Environment Flash No. 11/2024, available here.
[1] Both EU and national developments are listed chronologically.
The Romanian version of this newsletter is available here.
