Tartu warns nature restoration plan could restrict development

Tartu says Estonia’s planned nature restoration programme could hinder the city’s development, arguing that key questions about land-use rules, legal authority and costs remain unanswered, ERR reported.

The Ministry of Climate Affairs has been preparing the national plan with other state agencies and interest groups for about a year, based on the European Union’s 2024 Nature Restoration Regulation. The final version is expected by the end of this year.

Under the regulation, urban green space and tree canopy must not shrink by 2030 compared with 2024 levels, and should increase from 2031. The requirement applies to 20 Estonian cities and municipalities. Fourteen have an exemption until 2030; Tartu, Narva, Viljandi, Võru, Valga and Kambja municipality do not.

Tartu city secretary Jüri Mölder said the city supports urban greenery but has concerns about the proposed methodology, its legal basis and who would pay for the measures. He said the current approach focuses on whether land had green cover in 2024, rather than on what it had been designated for in planning documents.

“Building rights in force cannot simply be nullified on the basis of a satellite image,” Mölder said, adding that restrictions would require a clear legal basis and a fair compensation system.

Mart Kiis, a nature conservation strategy lead at the Ministry of Climate Affairs, acknowledged that questions remain and said ministry representatives would meet with Tartu the following week. Tartu has suggested that green space lost to development could be compensated for in another municipality where development pressure is lower.

Kiis said the ministry would discuss the legal implications of such a mechanism, possible changes to legislation, financial compensation and suitable support measures with Tartu and other local governments.

The Estonian Employers’ Confederation has also raised concerns about costs. Its representative on the plan’s steering committee, Kati Rostfeldt, said it was not yet clear what new obligations were being considered, who would be affected or who would cover the expenses.

Kiis said funding could come from different programmes and projects, and that the restoration plan would outline possible measures and estimated costs. He said it could later serve as a basis for local governments and researchers seeking support for projects.