The EU Parliament adopted the Nature Restoration Regulation
An historic decision from the European Parliament
After a long process started in 2020 with the approval of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Commission’s proposal for a Nature Restoration Law presented in June 2022, the EU Parliament formally adopted the trilogue agreement on the proposed new EU Regulation on the 27th of February.
EUROPARC welcomes the decision of the EU Parliament. Michael Hošek – EUROPARC President stated:
It is an extraordinary commitment that comes at the right time to put back nature at the core of EU political agenda.
Nature restoration, to be implemented at scale across Europe, will require massive investments over the coming decades: an estimate of €8.2 billion, according to IIEP report.
The EU Nature Restoration Law, aims to restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, with a target to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.
Role of Protected Areas
We anticipate a crucial role will be played by Protected Areas across the EU, as priority for restoration will be given to Natura 2000 sites until 2030.
We also expect Protected Areas to inspire processes for restoration planning and implementation in wider landscapes.
For this EUROPARC will continue to develop tools, methods and explore opportunities to support restoration planning and implementation within Protected Areas, in particular through capacity building and the development of innovative financing methods.
Next steps
The final step in the legislative process is for the agreement to receive the formal approval of Member States, which is expected to take place in March or April this year.