In today’s edition, we analyse the nature restoration law, a piece of legislation crucial for this Commission’s green agenda but has had a winding political path so far. Enjoy!

The Nature Restoration Law: how we got there and what to expect

Following weeks of intense debate and protests from various factions, the European Parliament approved a revised law to restore nature across the continent on Tuesday.

The approved law, a crucial component of the EU’s ambitious green deal, mandates the restoration of at least 20% of land and sea by the end of the decade, with a further commitment to encompass all ecosystems needing rejuvenation by 2050.

Moreover, the EU will need to plant an additional three billion trees, while a minimum of 25,000 km of waterways must be restored to a free-flowing state.

Nevertheless, a provision dubbed an “emergency stop” clause was incorporated into the legislation following the request of the EPP. This clause allows for suspending targets related to agricultural ecosystems under exceptional circumstances.

The clause was designed to be invoked when the available land is insufficient to sustain agricultural production and meet European food consumption standards, a measure intended to address concerns raised by farmers over the past few months.

However, the journey towards consensus was not without its challenges. Opposition from farmers and right-wing parties threatened to derail the deal, with concerns primarily centred around the perceived burden on agricultural practices.

Despite criticism, EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius emphasised the law’s broader societal implications, highlighting its role in ensuring a habitable environment for present and future generations.

The contentious nature of the law was underscored by the divided vote within the European Parliament, with the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) joining far-right lawmakers in opposition. While acknowledging the necessity of environmental stewardship, dissenting voices argued against additional bureaucratic hurdles for farmers.

Moving forward, the law awaits approval from the EU Council before implementation. It outlines ambitious targets for member states, including restoring drained peatlands and preserving agricultural biodiversity.

In order to achieve these objectives, member states will be required to develop their own national plans, outlining specific actions aimed at safeguarding and rejuvenating their natural ecosystems in accordance with the targets set forth in the legislation for 2030 and 2050.

Of particular focus were the proposed measures for the restoration of rural landscapes, which underwent extensive debate and resulted in amendments by the Parliament, providing member states with flexibility to postpone restoration targets in the event of significant socioeconomic repercussions.

Amidst ongoing debates and protests, the urgency of environmental action is underscored by alarming reports of biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. Scientists warn of dire consequences for ecosystems and agriculture unless decisive measures are taken.

As per findings published in PNAS in May 2023, Europe has witnessed the annual disappearance of 20 million birds over the past four decades.

A study published in Avian Research in 2021 revealed that regions heavily impacted by human activities and intensive agriculture are experiencing a staggering 70 to 80% decline in insect populations over the last ten years.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), restoring 30-50% of carbon-rich ecosystems is imperative to cap global warming below the 2°-degree mark as agreed at the UN level.

The European Commission’s estimation suggests that the restoration of natural environments could yield approximately €1,860 billion, with an anticipated cost of €154 billion.

As Europe grapples with balancing environmental protection with economic interests, the approval of the nature restoration law can be considered a milestone in the European Green Deal agenda.

After June’s election, renewed European institutions will have the crucial responsibility to guide Member States in achieving climate goals while accompanying businesses and entire sectors through major economic transformations.