The Council of the European Union has approved the Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, with all ecosystems in need of restoration targeted by 2050.
The legislation sets legally binding targets and obligations for nature restoration in diverse ecosystems such as terrestrial, marine, freshwater, and urban environments, as well as seeking to mitigate climate change and address the effects of natural disasters.
Protecting biodiversity
“There is no time for a break in protecting our environment,” commented Alain Maron, Minister for Climate Transition, Environment, Energy and Participatory Democracy of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region. “Today, the Council of the EU is choosing to restore nature in Europe, thereby protecting its biodiversity and the living environment of European citizens.
“It is our duty to respond to the urgency of the collapse of biodiversity in Europe, but also to enable the European Union to meet its international commitments. The European delegation will be able to go to the next COP with its head held high.”
The new regulations also target the restoration of degraded ecosystems within the land and sea habitats of EU member states. This initiative aligns with the bloc’s climate mitigation and adaptation objectives and aims to bolster food security.
As well as other requirements, member states will be required to develop and enforce measures to collectively restore a minimum of 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030.
World Resources Institute
Elsewhere, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has highlighted the significance of the Nature Restoration Law, emphasising its potential to safeguard food security, enhance access to clean water, and promote consumer health.
“Today marks a pivotal victory for Europe’s people, nature and climate alike,” said Janneke de Vries, director EU Partnerships at the World Resources Institute (WRI). “We now have a law in place to protect the environment, to underpin healthy ecosystems for our food security, to safeguard clean water, preserve our health and to protect us against extreme weather.
“We must now follow up with rapid action. Much of Europe is facing biodiversity collapse and the EU must ensure it meets international commitments, including those made at the Biodiversity COP15”.
