Conclusion for the popular initiative - Light and Shadow after five years 'Save the Bees'
Different from what the government claims, the implementation of the "People's Initiative" "Save the Bees" is not progressing as quickly, according to a scientific analysis. While overall progress can be recognized, out of 32 evaluated indicators, only nine were in the green zone five years after the laws were passed, said Roman Lenz from the University for Applied Sciences in Nürtingen-Geislingen.
Lenz and his team analyze the progress towards achieving the goals using available data. For instance, they acknowledge progress in designating Ecological Model Regions, establishing meadow orchards, and forgoing mowing before June 15.
A majority of the indicators are in the yellow or red zones
Six indicators were only in the yellow (most goals achieved) and six in the red (goals missed) zones, Lenz emphasized. Among the former were the establishment of five-meter wide riparian buffer strips or the abandonment of facade lighting in 80 Bavarian cities, and among the latter were the expansion of organic farming for biodiversity protection.
Unclear data basis complicates evaluation
As examples, Lenz cited the designation of nature forest areas, which should reach ten percent nationwide by 2023. However, it is unclear whether the figures provided by the government (2023: 10.6 percent) are correct. The government counts a significant portion of the larch shrub undergrowth in the state forest as nature forests, although no systematic logging is planned. If the 12,146 hectares of larch shrub undergrowth were removed, the natural forest area in the state forest would decrease to only 9.1 percent.
Regarding the goal of halving pesticide use by 2028, Lenz urged that the target could still be achieved with an appropriate strategy. "It's important when implementing goals not only to focus on quantity but also on quality and the effectiveness of individual measures." The government should therefore prioritize the targeted expansion of organic farming, the development of the biotope network, the reduction of pesticides, the improvement of water structures, and the preservation of meadow orchards.
The most successful Bavarian People's Initiative sets a sign for biodiversity protection
On February 13, 2019, over 1.7 million citizens signed the People's Initiative Biodiversity – "Save the Bees." 18.3 percent of eligible voters thus set a clear sign for more biodiversity protection. On July 17, the Landtag adopted the initiative.
The initiator of the People's Initiative, ODP state chairwoman Agnes Becker, criticized in particular that the three main themes of "Save the Bees" - more biotope network, more organic farming, and the halving of pesticide use "are being neglected disgracefully." "There's a lack of seriousness in implementation from our perspective." To implement the goals of the People's Initiative, it is necessary to comply with international commitments, said Claus Obermeier, managing director of the Gregor Louiseder Environmental Foundation.
The conclusion of Green politician Ludwig Hartmann, who was recently elected as the deputy president of the state parliament, was rather mediocre: "Biodiversity in the free state will not be saved by accounting tricks." Some intermediate goals have been achieved, but the remaining steps are particularly difficult to implement. "The implementation of numerous small measures cannot compensate for the lack of implementation of major goals."
Minister defend implementation
However, the primarily responsible ministers defended the implementation in a podium discussion with Lenz and Becker for the implementation. The state government had already calculated in the previous week that, in their view, almost 90 percent of the measures had been implemented. Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) warned against demotivating the achievements through badmouthing. Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber (Free Voters) defended that the state government focuses on incentives rather than bans in implementation. However, it is important for everyone to understand that it requires permanent investments to stop the species decline.
"What counts is whether there are ultimately more species in our landscape. We cannot make a statement about this for the period after the popular initiative due to lack of current data," said Norbert Schäffer, chairman of the Bird Protection League. More than half of the native species are still endangered.
- Despite the State government's claims, the progress of the 'Popular Initiative' 'Save the Bees' in Bavaria, particularly in achieving its ecological goals, is not as substantial as indicated, according to Roman Lenz's analysis.
- Regarding the expansion of organic farming for biodiversity protection, while the establishment of five-meter wide riparian buffer strips is an achievement, the target of expanding organic farming has not been met, placing it in the 'red' zone.
- The target of halving pesticide use by 2028 can still be achieved, according to Lenz, with an appropriate strategy focusing not just on quantity but also on the effectiveness of individual measures.
- In Munich, the establishment of meadow orchards and forgoing mowing before June 15 are recognized as progress, but the overall implementation of the 'People's Initiative' for nature protection and ecology faces significant challenges.
