How companies can contribute to Nature Restoration Law

The Nature Restoration Law, approved in June 2024 by the European Union, aims at the restoration of at least 20 per cent of land and sea areas by 2030 and up to 80 per cent by 2050. The real novelty is not only in the numbers, but in a profound paradigm shift: we move from a passive protection approach to a proactive one of ecosystem restoration. This transformation not only involves Member States on a regulatory level, but also translates into a concrete strategic opportunity for companies. Companies can position themselves as agents of change, integrating regenerative practices into their business models, investing in environmental restoration projects and benefiting from new lines of financing related to sustainability.

Integrating biodiversity and the protection of natural capital into business strategy is not only an ethical choice, but an investment in resilience and long-term competitiveness. High-impact sectors, such as agriculture, construction, tourism and mining, can contribute to achieving the NRL targets by promoting: regenerative agricultural practices; sustainable land use; reduction of pesticides and chemical fertilisers; protection and restoration of natural habitats; reforestation and planting with native species. The integration of these aspects into sustainability budgets, according to the new ESRS standards of the CSRD, is a key element of transparency and accountability, strengthening stakeholder trust.

The EU law focuses on agricultural ecosystems, forests, wetlands, urban and marine areas. This is why companies in the agri-food sector are among the most directly involved: they must promote crops that respect natural cycles, favour the presence of pollinators and improve soil health. The building sector is also called upon to reduce its environmental impact through low soil consumption solutions, urban renaturation and sustainable materials. Tourism can evolve in an ecological key, investing in authentic low-impact experiences and the preservation of the natural heritage. Finally, the financial sector has a strategic role to play in financing economic activities aligned with restoration goals, fostering investments in green projects and supporting companies in the ecological transition process.

With the coming into force of the Nature Restoration Law, the way companies must report on their environmental impact also changes. Companies subject to the new CSRD directive will have to include in their sustainability reports (ESG Report) key indicators relating to biodiversity, ecosystem quality and actions taken for their restoration. The main technical references are the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, in particular ESRS E4, dedicated to biodiversity and ecosystems. This standard requires companies to identify key direct and indirect impacts, define mitigation and restoration strategies, and monitor results through precise metrics.

The success of the Nature Restoration Law will also depend on the ability to activate synergies between the public and private sectors. Companies can enter into partnerships with local entities, scientific institutions, environmental associations and territorial stakeholders to initiate shared habitat restoration projects. Furthermore, investing in nature restoration generates measurable economic returns. According to the European Commission, each euro invested can generate between 8 and 38 euros of benefits, through increased climate resilience, reduced hydrogeological risk, increased air and water quality, and new green job opportunities. For companies, therefore, environmental sustainability becomes an engine for innovation and growth.

This article has been realised within the project "Biodiversity services EU expansion" (CUP: E43D22000480009) in the framework of the Lombardy Region's call for tenders "PR FESR 2021-2027 - LINEA INTERNAZIONALIZZAZIONE 21-27", aimed at supporting the internationalisation of Italian companies. 3Bee is the naturetech company that develops innovative technologies for monitoring, protecting and regenerating biodiversity, supporting companies in defining customised climate strategies based on the analysis of their impacts and dependencies on nature. With an established portfolio in Italy, Germany and France and prominent partnerships, 3Bee continues its expansion into international markets to create real impact through technology.