The European Union’s ambitious Nature Restoration Law came into force on 18 August, marking a significant step towards reversing biodiversity loss and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The law is designed to restore ecosystems across the EU, improve food security, and help meet global biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal framework.
The law mandates that EU member states introduce restoration measures on at least 20% of the EU’s land and marine areas by 2030, with a target to extend these efforts to all degraded ecosystems by 2050. Key measures include enhancing urban green spaces, restoring pollinator populations, and improving biodiversity in agricultural and forested areas.
Member states are required to develop national restoration plans, detailing specific restoration actions, timelines, and funding sources. These plans must be submitted to the European Commission within two years, with final versions due six months after receiving any feedback. The European Environment Agency will monitor progress, while the Commission will support member states in achieving their goals.
The law also allows for the mobilization of necessary financial resources from both public and private sectors, including EU funds, to ensure successful implementation and long-term sustainability of these restoration efforts.