The resolution of the Nature Restoration Law

And what we find crazy about it

“Yes” to the restoration of our livelihoods

Es It's actually crazy what was voted on in the EU Parliament on February 28, 2024.  

With 329 yes votes, 275 no votes and 24 abstentions, the MPs voted in favor of the Nature Restoration Law – world's first law for the comprehensive renaturation of damaged ecosystems.

The fact that a law is even needed to restore our livelihoods is sad, because:

• The EU has not achieved its biodiversity targets for 2020
• One in eight species is threatened with extinction
• And over 80 % of EU habitats are in poor condition.

If this seems too dramatic, we advise you to read our answers to the FAQ on biodiversity and ecosystems here.

So it's good that the law was passed – subject to the Council's approval.    

What was decided?

According to the decision, EU member states must:

• Change at least 30 % of habitats (forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, lakes, coral reefs) from poor to good status by 2030 (by 2040 this should be 60 %, by 2050 90 %)
• Make progress on two of the following three indicators: meadow butterfly index; Proportion of agricultural areas with landscape elements with high biological diversity and the stock of organic carbon in mineral arable soils, Field bird index, as it provides a clear indication of the overall state of biodiversity.
• Restore at least 30 % of drained peatlands by 2030, as their restoration is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce agricultural emissions (rewetting remains voluntary for farmers and private landowners)
• Plant three billion trees
• Renaturate at least 25,000 kilometers of rivers
• Draw up national recovery plans specifying how they will achieve these goals.

For anyone who still has concerns about the law:

1. The law provides for an emergency brake: This applies if the targets for agricultural ecosystems would significantly reduce the area required to produce enough food for people in the EU.

2. According to the Commission's calculations, the new rules bring significant economic benefits, as every euro invested generates a benefit of at least eight euros. We also recommend our article on the €40,000,000,000,000 industry and why we should also consider nature as an asset class.