European Parliament agrees nature restoration law

The European Parliament has adopted a new law on nature restoration that sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The European Parliament said its nature restoration law will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives, and enhance food security. It said that to reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050.

It added: “In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to Natura 2000 areas until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.”

The law says that in order to improve biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems, EU countries will have to make progress in two of the following three indicators: the grassland butterfly index; the share of agricultural land with high-diversity landscape features; the stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral soil. It also said that measures to increase the common farmland bird index must also be taken.

The European Parliament noted that restoring drained peatlands is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions in the agricultural sector. Under the new law, EU countries must restore at least 30% of drained peatlands by 2030 (at least a quarter shall be rewetted), 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050 (where at least a third shall be rewetted). Rewetting will remain voluntary for farmers and private landowners.

The law provides for an emergency brake, as requested by Parliament, so targets for agricultural ecosystems can be suspended under exceptional circumstances if they severely reduce the land needed for sufficient food production for EU consumption.

The law also demands a positive trend in several indicators in forest ecosystems and an additional three billion trees to be planted. Member states will also have to restore at least 25,000 km of rivers into free-flowing rivers and ensure there is no net loss in the total national area of urban green space and of urban tree canopy cover.

Rapporteur César Luena said: “Today is an important day for Europe, as we move from protecting and conserving nature to restoring it. The new law will also help us to fulfil many of our international environmental commitments. The regulation will restore degraded ecosystems while respecting the agricultural sector by giving flexibility to member states. I would like to thank scientists for providing the scientific evidence and fighting climate denial, and young people for reminding us that there is no planet B, nor plan B.”

Helen Crowley, senior advisor at climate and nature advisory and investment firm Pollination said: “The significance of the passing of the nature restoration law cannot be understated. It is a watershed moment for EU to restore nature and reset the foundation for a resilient economy in the face of the challenges ahead. It is particularly welcome news for those who are directly dependent on the services and bounty that functioning ecosystems can provide – in farming, fishing communities.”

She added: “This historic law is a clear recognition of the fundamental importance of nature, and it sets a new beacon for others to follow. If we manage to meet the restoration targets the law sets out, we will have a chance at protecting food security and safeguarding human wellbeing throughout Europe and beyond. The EU is demonstrating the level of ambition that is needed to leverage and support systems-level change that is required to transition to a society and economy within our planetary boundaries. And while it is by no means the only solution, it is hugely significant. Nature is our most powerful asset; the more we do to restore, regenerate, and protect natural systems, the more resilient and healthier we will be.”

It now has to be adopted by Council, before being published in the EU Official Journal and entering into force 20 days later.