The Nature Restoration Law is alive

After months of discussions, on 09.11.2023, the EU Parliament, Commission and Council have concluded discussions on the Nature Restoration Law during the so-called ‘trilogue negotiations’.

The Nature Restoration Law is closer to becoming reality

Late Thursday night, the intense negotiations between the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council concluded on the eagerly awaited Nature Restoration Law, resulting in a political agreement between the three institutions. So, where does this leave Protected Areas?

EUROPARC is pleased to see that after the trilogue negotiations some core elements are back in the legislative proposal. In particular restoration measures won’t be exclusively implemented in Natura 2000 areas and restoration targets for farmlands and drained peatlands are again part of the proposal. For Protected Areas this means confirming their role to plan and manage nature restoration and at the same time to inspire, with good practices, broader landscape restoration processes outside of their borders, successfully reconciling biodiversity conservation requirements with the productive function of agricultural landscapes.

Says EUROPARC President Michael Hošek. He continues stating that:

While the proposal contains many exceptions and reduced ambitions over a longer period of time, it is still a powerful tool. Its implementation will ultimately be a matter of agreement with the EU Member States, and their approach will determine how the Nature Restoration Law will be implemented to successfully achieve the targets set. And in this respect we, as the EUROPARC Federation, are ready to support the whole process.

Earlier this year, EUROPARC joined 210 other civil society organisations in a call upon all EU Member States, Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission to urgently adopt a strong Nature Restoration Law that is fit for purpose to tackle the twin biodiversity and climate crises.

Read EUROPARC’s previous article on the #RestoreNature campaign

The agreement reached must now be endorsed by Member States, as well as undergo a crucial vote by the EU Parliament’s Environment committee. If the proposal successfully navigates these steps, it will subsequently go through a final rubber-stamp vote during the Parliament’s plenary vote, expected to take place in December 2023.

We now call on Member States and the EU Parliament to approve this trilogue agreement, and not delay the much-needed restoration work that will help the EU fight the climate and nature crisis.