Photo: Renatas Jakaitis
On 17 May, the European Council of Ministers adopted a regulation on nature restoration. It sets out for the first time measures aimed not only at preserving but also restoring nature.
Given that more than 80% of habitats in Europe are in poor condition, the adopted legislation aims to establish measures to restore at least 20% of the European Union’s (EU) terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, and all the ecosystems needed to restore them by 2050. The adopted regulation will help the EU meet its international environmental commitments and restore Europe’s nature.
The new rules will help restore degraded ecosystems in all terrestrial and marine habitats in the Member States, and achieve the EU’s key climate change mitigation and other objectives. By 2030, Member States will give priority to Natura 2000 sites when implementing restoration measures.
In the habitats listed in the Regulation, which are identified as being in poor condition, Member States will strive to restore at least 30% of them by 2030; at least 60% by 2040 and at least 90% by 2050. Member States will also make efforts to maintain the good condition of restored habitats and habitats listed in the Regulation.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.