The Council has adopted the first-ever regulation on nature restoration, aiming to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems needing restoration by 2050.
This regulation sets legally binding targets for various ecosystems and aims to mitigate climate change, prevent natural disasters, and fulfill international environmental commitments.
Key Points:
- the regulation covers terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, forest, agricultural, urban, and marine ecosystems;
- member states must prioritize Natura 2000 sites and restore ecosystems in poor condition by specific percentages: 30% by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050;
- specific measures include protecting pollinators, enhancing grassland butterflies’ populations, increasing forest birds’ populations, restoring drained peatlands, planting three billion trees, and creating free-flowing rivers by removing man-made barriers;
- member states must submit national restoration plans and report progress using EU-wide biodiversity indicators.
Source: European Council
