EU Nature Restoration Law: all eyes will turn to member states

The EU Nature Restoration Law was adopted by the European Parliament in late February. Despite a diluted ambition, it is an essential step towards restoring European ecosystems. Next month, the EU Council will vote on the law’s final approval. Once adopted, all eyes will turn to the EU Member States for implementation. Data provided by the Horizon Europe project REWET, a laboratory for the restoration of wetlands at European scale, will support the member states to effectively implement the law.

Header photo: © Transly Translation Agency on Unsplash

A law overdue

There has been a great need for a Nature Restoration Law at European level. With 80% of the natural habitats in EU countries in poor condition, increased frequency of climate change impact and biodiversity declining at an alarming rate^[1]EEA. (2024). Biodiversity: state of habitats and species. Link to source., this law has become one of the most needed pieces of legislation. A strong restoration law is needed to revive the ecosystems in the EU, which are crucial for the well-being of both nature and people.

The initial level of ambition of the Commission’s proposal is not reflected in the final version of the Nature Restoration Law. Due to opposition from conservative groups, it became a much-discussed dossier resulting in a diluted level of ambition. Nevertheless, the law will support investments in restoration and stimulate national and local efforts to improve the condition of our European ecosystems crucial for the well-being of nature and people.

Once adopted, all eyes will turn to EU Member States. As part of the preparation of the national restoration plans, member states will have to quantify the areas to restore.

Wide support from civil society

Throughout the process, the initiative received ample support from European citizens and organisations: more than 100 major companies, 7,000 scientists and nearly 1 million Europeans have spoken out in favour of a law on restoring nature. In September 2023, at the Power to the Peatlands Conference, 80 people representing EU funded projects, scientists, non-governmental organisations and land managers called for urgent action to safeguard peatlands in Europe.

Restoration of degraded ecosystems

The EU Nature Restoration Law is a long-term recovery plan for ecosystems, mitigating climate change and enhancing nature resilience. It is the first EU-wide law focused on the restoration of degraded ecosystems that will likewise contribute to climate change mitigation and increase nature and people’s capacity to adapt to the consequences of climate change. The Nature Restoration Law is therefore a crucial component of the European Green Deal and EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The final version of the law includes the following targets^[2]European Parliament. (2024). Nature restoration: Parliament adopts law to restore 20% of EU’s land and sea. Link to source.:

• At least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
• EU countries must restore at least 30% of habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Member states should give priority to Natura 2000 areas until 2030.
• EU countries must restore at least 30% of drained peatlands by 2030 (of which as least a quarter should be rewetted), 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050 (both of which require rewetting by at least one-third).

REWET: a laboratory on European scale

Once adopted, all eyes will turn to EU Member States. As part of the preparation of the national restoration plans, member states will have to quantify the areas to restore. REWET partners are mapping wetlands across Europe, including their biodiversity, condition, governance structure, carbon sink capacity, pressures and restoration potential. The outcome of the participatory research can be of great use in drafting national restoration plans.

REWET is a laboratory for the restoration of wetlands at European scale. In the REWET project, funded by the European Union, NGOs, universities, companies and institutions joined forces to study the full potential of wetland areas. With information from seven open laboratories, we are developing a comprehensive understanding of how European wetlands can best contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation.

Effective implantation of the Nature Restoration Law is crucial and despite a diminished ambition, the law is still a necessary step for the recovery of Europe’s nature. We must start restoring as soon as possible to secure biodiversity, and thus human existence, in the long term.