HandsoffNature campaign in Spain to protect European environmental laws

• Climate change

In September 2025, environmental organisations such as WWF, SEO/BirdLife, Ecologistas en Acción and ClientEarth launched the international campaign HandsoffNature (“Hands off nature”) in Spain. This initiative aims to mobilise citizens to defend European laws that protect the environment, in response to the European Commission’s proposal to “simplify” environmental regulations. The campaign is taking place across all European Union countries, with the goal of counteracting what they consider an attempt to weaken environmental legislation Ecologistas en Acción.

Campaign background

In early August 2025, the European Commission opened a public consultation called “Have Your Say”, inviting companies, organisations and citizens to express their views on the need to “simplify” European Union environmental laws. Although presented as a participatory process, environmental organisations denounce a lack of transparency and detailed information about the specific proposals. In addition, the deadline for participation is very short, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the process Ecologistas en Acción.

Objectives of HandsoffNature

The HandsoffNature campaign has the following main objectives:

• Defending European environmental laws: The promoting organisations believe that current legislation is essential to protect biodiversity, public health and the environment as a whole.

• Encouraging citizen participation: Through platforms provided by NGOs, society is invited to send personalised messages to the European Commission, expressing support for existing environmental regulations.

• Highlighting the risks of “simplification”: Organisations warn that the proposed simplification may conceal an attempt to reduce environmental controls, which could have negative consequences for citizens’ health and well-being.

Why is it important to defend environmental laws?

Laws that protect nature are essential to ensure a sustainable future. These regulations make it possible to:

• Control pollution: They set limits on pollutant emissions in air, water and soil, protecting human health and biodiversity.

• Conserve biodiversity: They ensure the protection of endangered species and the conservation of natural habitats.

• Promote sustainability: They encourage practices that allow the responsible use of natural resources, ensuring their availability for future generations.

Weakening these laws could jeopardise these advances and undermine efforts to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

How can you take part?

Between 1 and 10 September 2025, the organisations participating in the HandsoffNature campaign activated various online platforms to facilitate citizen participation. These platforms allow users to send personalised messages to the European Commission, expressing support for laws that protect nature. The opinions collected are automatically forwarded to the European Commission’s official public consultation, helping to demonstrate public support for existing environmental legislation.

Main platforms

1. The organisation SEO/BirdLife has created a dedicated page where citizens can send messages of support, with detailed information about the campaign and direct submission to the European Commission.

2. Ecologistas en Acción launched the campaign “You can save nature”, allowing users to send messages automatically forwarded to the European Commission.

3. WWF Spain promoted the HandsoffNature campaign, enabling citizens to send personalised messages supporting environmental protection laws.

4. ClientEarth, an international organisation of environmental lawyers, also participates by inviting citizens to submit their views to the European Commission.

5. Oceana Europe launched a campaign to prevent the weakening of environmental protections, offering information and tools to send messages of support.

Why is participation important?

Citizen participation is essential to influence political decisions affecting the environment. By sending messages to the European Commission, citizens can express their concern about the possible weakening of environmental laws and show their support for nature protection. Every message matters and helps strengthen society’s voice in decisions that shape the planet’s future.