NGOs call to address the impacts of lignite mining on water in the Oder river basin
CCB • June 2, 2021
On June 8th, the International Commission for the Protection of the Oder River (ICPO) will meet to discuss the updates of the international River Basin Management Plan.
CCB, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and partner NGOs are calling on the ICPO, the Ministries of Water and the Water Directors of the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, to take the necessary measures to protect the river from the disruptive impacts of lignite mining, with a joint letter.
Key messages and facts
- The Oder river basin water status is far from good: less than 40% of the surface water bodies are in good chemical status, and not even 20% are in good ecological status
- The EU Water Framework Directive requires the river basin to reach good water status by 2027, but too many exemptions to polluters – including lignite mines – are jeopardising this objective
- The national and international River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are a key opportunity to revert this trend, protect and restore the Oder waters and basin
- The impacts of lignite mining are tackled in the upcoming river basin management plans and strategies, with a special focus on:
- Preventing lignite mines pressure on water bodies
- Implementing the ‘polluter pays principle’ to hold polluters accountable
- Cutting pollution at source
- Stopping the abuse of exemptions
- Have your say in the public consultation on the Oder RBMP
6 February 2025 - Together with other NGOs, we sent a letter to the German Baltfish Presidency to demand urgent action to prevent the extinction of the Baltic harbour porpoise. The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population is on the brink of extinction. This dire situation has been well-documented for many years. Solutions are available and can be implemented immediately, alongside necessary measures to restore the Baltic Sea's good environmental status. Allowing the loss of this unique population due to political inaction would be unacceptable and would undoubtedly face widespread societal condemnation. Read the full letter with our requests to the German Baltfish Presidency. EXTRA RESOURCES CCB´s webpage to #SaveTheBalticPorpoise. ICES (2024). EU request on support for the implementation of the Action Plan for harbour porpoise in the Baltic Sea (Baltic Proper) .
During the last CCB General Meeting , held online on 18 November 2024, CCB welcomed a new Member Organization in its network: the Finnish Society for Nature and Environment (Natur och Miljö), from Finland.