The Czech government will miss the September 1st deadline for submitting its National Nature Restoration Plan to the European Commission, citing uncertainty over allocated funding. Environment Minister Igor Červený stated the delay is intentional, as the government awaits clarity on financial support from the EU. The plan aims to bolster resilience against drought and climate change, targeting the restoration of 30% of degraded areas by 2030. Proposed measures include new reservoirs, a point of contention with conservationists who advocate for smaller-scale water retention solutions like forest and field micro-reservoirs. The plan also addresses the rapid decline of biodiversity in the Czech Republic, where half of insect populations and numerous bird species have disappeared in the last three decades. Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to combat ecological loss.