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European Parliament Passes Nature Restoration Law, Adopts Key Exceptions for Farmers Following Brussels Protests
The European Parliament has voted the EU law to restore 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030, aiming for full ecosystem restoration by 2050. The law incorporates special provisions for the agricultural sector, allowing flexibility under exceptional circumstances to ensure food security. This move comes after farmers' protests in Brussels, highlighting the law's balanced approach to environmental restoration and agricultural needs.
The European Parliament has passed a landmark nature restoration law aiming to revive degraded habitats and ecosystems by 2050. It mandates improving 30% of habitats by 2030, with increasing targets for subsequent decades, focusing on agricultural and non-agricultural ecosystems alike. The law includes provisions for biodiversity enhancement, peatland restoration, and an "emergency brake" for food production protection. Highlighting a comprehensive restoration approach, it sets forth a significant step towards achieving the EU's climate and biodiversity goals, backed by economic and environmental benefits.
By eEuropa
Brussels, 28 February 2024 - 5 MINUTES READ
Brussels, 28 February 2024 - 5 MINUTES READ
On Tuesday 26 February, the European Parliament has adopted the controversial european law aimed at the ambitious restoration of 20% of the European Union’s land and sea areas by 2030, with a vision to restore all ecosystems in need by 2050. This landmark legislation marks the EU's first dedicated effort to mend degraded ecosystems across its member states, aiming to meet crucial climate and biodiversity targets while enhancing food security. On 29 July 2024, the EU published the EU Regulation on the Official Journal. Read the text here.
A Commitment to Restoration
The law establishes ambitious milestones, requiring EU countries to elevate at least 30% of habitats from poor to good condition by 2030, with incremental targets reaching 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050. Special emphasis is placed on prioritizing Natura 2000 areas, Europe's network of protected sites, until the end of this decade. Moreover, the legislation mandates member states to devise and implement national restoration plans, outlining precise strategies to achieve these targets
A Commitment to Restoration
The law establishes ambitious milestones, requiring EU countries to elevate at least 30% of habitats from poor to good condition by 2030, with incremental targets reaching 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050. Special emphasis is placed on prioritizing Natura 2000 areas, Europe's network of protected sites, until the end of this decade. Moreover, the legislation mandates member states to devise and implement national restoration plans, outlining precise strategies to achieve these targets
Focus on Agricultural Ecosystems
In agricultural ecosystems, the law mandates progress in key biodiversity indicators, including the grassland butterfly index, the enhancement of high-diversity landscape features in agricultural lands, and the increase of organic carbon in cropland mineral soil. It also addresses the restoration of drained peatlands, a significant step towards reducing emissions in the agriculture sector, with a goal to restore and rewet a portion of these lands by 2050.
The legislation introduces an "emergency brake," allowing the suspension of targets for agricultural ecosystems under exceptional circumstances, ensuring food production for EU consumption is not compromised.
Beyond Agriculture
The law extends its reach to other ecosystems, requiring a positive trend in forest biodiversity, the planting of an additional three billion trees, and the restoration of 25,000 km of rivers to free-flowing states. It also aims to prevent net loss in urban green spaces and tree canopy cover, underscoring a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration.
A Collaborative Effort
The passage of this law was celebrated by rapporteur César Luena (S&D, ES), who highlighted the importance of transitioning from conservation to restoration of nature. He emphasized the law's role in fulfilling international environmental commitments and the significant economic benefits it promises, where each euro invested is expected to yield at least eight euros in returns.
Looking Ahead
With the legislation now moving to the Council for final adoption, its impending entry into force represents a significant step forward in meeting the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives. It aligns with the global push for environmental sustainability, as outlined in the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and responds to citizen demands for greater action on biodiversity, landscape, and ocean restoration.
This initiative not only reflects the EU’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also sets a precedent for global efforts in nature restoration. As the EU prepares to implement this ambitious law, it stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges, reminding us of the urgent need to protect and restore our planet for future generations.
In agricultural ecosystems, the law mandates progress in key biodiversity indicators, including the grassland butterfly index, the enhancement of high-diversity landscape features in agricultural lands, and the increase of organic carbon in cropland mineral soil. It also addresses the restoration of drained peatlands, a significant step towards reducing emissions in the agriculture sector, with a goal to restore and rewet a portion of these lands by 2050.
The legislation introduces an "emergency brake," allowing the suspension of targets for agricultural ecosystems under exceptional circumstances, ensuring food production for EU consumption is not compromised.
Beyond Agriculture
The law extends its reach to other ecosystems, requiring a positive trend in forest biodiversity, the planting of an additional three billion trees, and the restoration of 25,000 km of rivers to free-flowing states. It also aims to prevent net loss in urban green spaces and tree canopy cover, underscoring a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration.
A Collaborative Effort
The passage of this law was celebrated by rapporteur César Luena (S&D, ES), who highlighted the importance of transitioning from conservation to restoration of nature. He emphasized the law's role in fulfilling international environmental commitments and the significant economic benefits it promises, where each euro invested is expected to yield at least eight euros in returns.
Looking Ahead
With the legislation now moving to the Council for final adoption, its impending entry into force represents a significant step forward in meeting the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives. It aligns with the global push for environmental sustainability, as outlined in the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and responds to citizen demands for greater action on biodiversity, landscape, and ocean restoration.
This initiative not only reflects the EU’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also sets a precedent for global efforts in nature restoration. As the EU prepares to implement this ambitious law, it stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges, reminding us of the urgent need to protect and restore our planet for future generations.
Why did the EU have to write a Regulation for ecosystem restoration?
Despite concerted EU and global efforts, the rapid degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss continue, posing significant risks to human well-being, economic stability, and climate resilience. This trend is alarmingly highlighted in various scientific reports, including those from the IPCC and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Healthy ecosystems are crucial for food security, clean water, carbon sequestration, and protection against climate-induced natural disasters, underpinning Europe's resilience and long-term sustainability.
The newly proposed EU nature restoration regulation aims to reverse these trends by setting binding targets for restoring ecosystems, particularly those critical for carbon storage and disaster mitigation. This initiative also seeks to address the zoonotic disease risks by restoring natural habitats and reducing wildlife trade, aligning with the One Health approach that connects human, animal, and environmental health.
The urgency of ecosystem restoration has been underscored by the latest IPCC report, geopolitical events affecting food security, and the need for sustainable, resilient food systems. The proposal responds to citizen demands for action on biodiversity, as voiced in the Conference on the Future of Europe, setting a course for the EU to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate and biodiversity goals, demonstrate global leadership in nature protection, and ensure the resilience of its food systems and overall sustainability.
Despite concerted EU and global efforts, the rapid degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss continue, posing significant risks to human well-being, economic stability, and climate resilience. This trend is alarmingly highlighted in various scientific reports, including those from the IPCC and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Healthy ecosystems are crucial for food security, clean water, carbon sequestration, and protection against climate-induced natural disasters, underpinning Europe's resilience and long-term sustainability.
The newly proposed EU nature restoration regulation aims to reverse these trends by setting binding targets for restoring ecosystems, particularly those critical for carbon storage and disaster mitigation. This initiative also seeks to address the zoonotic disease risks by restoring natural habitats and reducing wildlife trade, aligning with the One Health approach that connects human, animal, and environmental health.
The urgency of ecosystem restoration has been underscored by the latest IPCC report, geopolitical events affecting food security, and the need for sustainable, resilient food systems. The proposal responds to citizen demands for action on biodiversity, as voiced in the Conference on the Future of Europe, setting a course for the EU to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate and biodiversity goals, demonstrate global leadership in nature protection, and ensure the resilience of its food systems and overall sustainability.
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Sources: ©European Union, 1995-2024, ©EEA, Eurostat
Sources: ©European Union, 1995-2024, ©EEA, Eurostat
