The first-of-its-kind regulation on nature restoration was adopted by the Council of the European Union today. This regulation aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea area by 2030.
The regulation aims to mitigate climate change and the effects of natural disasters, restore degraded ecosystems across member states’ land and sea habitats, and help the EU fulfill its international environmental commitments.
The regulation requires member states to establish and implement measures to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030. Under the regulation, member states have to submit national restoration plans to the European Commission, showing how they will deliver the targets. They must also monitor and report on their progress, based on EU-wide biodiversity indicators.
The regulation covers a range of terrestrial, coastal and freshwater, forest, agricultural and urban ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, forests, rivers and lakes, as well as marine ecosystems, including seagrass and sponge and coral beds.
Until 2030, member states will prioritise Natura 2000 sites when implementing the restoration measures. Member states have to take steps to restore 30% of habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050.
