The Nature Restoration Law is a fact!
On 17.06, the European Council has approved the Nature Restoration Law. An important step for nature and people!
EUROPARC welcomes the approval of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation
On the 17th of June 2024, the EU Council approved the EU Nature Restoration Law, two years on from its first publication by the European Commission. “This is a day that strategically changes our approach to EU nature conservation with crucial impact for the decades to come – Says EUROPARC President, Michael Hošek. Continuing:
It not only strengthens the EU environmental legislation, but also adds to the existing tools and measures (generally underperforming) a new approach that responds to both scientific knowledge and practical needs.
What is significant for EUROPARC and Protected Areas (PAs) from today’s approval?
1) Even though the proposal was changed in some parts during the deliberations, it is still strong enough and provides a sufficient framework for what is needed: the resulting compromise is an ambitious piece of legislation, with clear targets and good level of ambition.
2) The National Restoration Plans that will be drawn up by individual countries are the perfect tool not only for themselves, but also to support international cooperation for nature restoration.
3) Protected Areas will play an important role for the successful implementation of the new legislation. Even if the Nature Restoration Law primarily targets restoration beyond Protected Areas, till 2030 priority will be given to Natura 2000 sites. A large number of which are managed, or under the responsibility, of EUROPARC members: overlapping Protected Areas and other PA managing authorities.
Implementation of the law will soon start. EUROPARC acknowledges the challenges ahead and will continue to support member states and their Protected Area networks, to identify opportunities and drive innovation. We can do this best, by working across sectors, including tourism and agriculture, making new alliances, and finding routes to a resilient nature that ensures people are part of the process.
Council of the European Union official press release:
- Formal adoption of the Regulation on nature restoration: see press release.