By Angela Symons – Euro News
The EU’s Nature Restoration Law, a landmark regulation, has been approved after extensive deliberations. This first-of-its-kind law aims to restore Europe’s damaged ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. Alain Maron, Brussels’ environment minister, emphasized the urgency of environmental protection. Environmental groups, including The Nature Conservancy, have hailed it as a « momentous day for nature. »
The law targets the restoration of 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050. It sets binding obligations for member states to rehabilitate natural habitats, especially those with high carbon capture potential, like wetlands, forests, and marine ecosystems. The goal is to boost biodiversity, clean air and water, pollinate crops, and mitigate natural disasters.
Despite setbacks from conservative opposition and farmer protests, the law passed with support from various stakeholders. It mandates specific restoration efforts for Natura 2000 protected areas, declining pollinator populations, and urban green spaces. It also aims to restore 25,000 km of rivers to free-flowing conditions.
This regulation is seen as crucial for meeting the EU’s climate goals and will be reviewed in 2033.
Read full original article ‘A momentous day for nature’: EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity at euronews.com
Photo credit: Scotty Turner on Unsplash
