Although challenges remain, the new EU Nature Restoration Law champions biodiversity, climate goals, and offers exciting opportunities through instruments such as voluntary biodiversity credit markets.

In a significant milestone for environmental legislation, the European Union’s Environmental Council has officially adopted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). This landmark decision follows a challenging legislative journey and represents a major victory for nature conservation, climate action, and the EU Green Deal.

What is the EU Nature Restoration Law?

The EU Nature Restoration Law is aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems across Europe. 

But its adoption did not come easily. After surviving a vigorous disinformation campaign aimed at derailing it in the European Parliament, the law faced the risk of rejection in the final discussions. However, a majority of 20 countries, representing 66.07% of the EU population, endorsed the law. Austria’s Environment Minister, Leonore Gewessler, played a crucial role in this outcome by changing her country’s stance at the last minute, ensuring the law’s passage.

What are the nature restoration targets for the EU?

The EU Nature Restoration Law sets ambitious targets for restoring degraded ecosystems across Europe. By 2030, member states are required to restore at least 20% of their land and sea areas, with further milestones extending to 2040 and 2050. The law covers a broad range of ecosystems, including coastal, freshwater, forest, agricultural, urban, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, and lakes. Specific targets include reversing the decline of pollinator populations and planting three billion additional trees by 2030.

Member states must submit national restoration plans to the European Commission, which will review their application by 2033. This ensures accountability and progress toward the law’s goals, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to biodiversity and climate action.