Nature Restoration Law officially approved by the EU

The date of 17 June 2024 will go down in history: the Nature Restoration Law, which obliges member states to restore at least 30 per cent of the EU's land and marine areas by 2030, was approved thanks to the vote in favour of no less than 20 EU countries. Countries such as Italy, Sweden, Finland, Hungary and the Netherlands voted against the law, while Belgium abstained. Thanks to Austria's change of position, which resulted in 66% support, the law will soon be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force in a few weeks, marking an important milestone for environmental protection. The EU Council succeeded in unblocking a stalemate that had been dragging on for months at the last summit of environment ministers, before the EU presidency passed from Belgium to Hungary.

After deliberating for months, the EU member states then fulfilled their commitments by approving the Nature Restoration Law with a qualified majority. This law, which is one of the most controversial initiatives of the European Green Deal, was approved 'by surprise' at the Council meeting in Luxembourg on 17 June 2024. A historic result for nature and its conservation in Europe, as the measure not only provides for the protection of natural areas at risk, but also for the restoration of all areas in a degraded condition.

The Nature Restoration Law stipulates that EU countries restore at least 30% of degraded land and marine areas, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, lakes and corals, by 2030. The targets intensify, with 60% restoration by 2040 and 90% by 2050. It is crucial to ensure that these areas do not deteriorate again, through national restoration plans with clear targets and activities. Until 2030, priority must be given to Natura 2000 areas. The European Commission had already pointed out benefits both environmental and economic: according to the EU executive's estimates, every euro invested in restoration will translate into at least eight euros of profit. The EU executive will monitor compliance with the law and will have to submit, within a year of its entry into force, a report on the economic resources available at EU level to finance the necessary actions.

After the approval of the Nature Restoration Law by the EU Council, the European Commissioner for the Environment Virginius Sinkevicius said: "we are still on track to reverse the diversity loss, let's start working together now and show that the EU is still leading the way". Also Pascal Canfin, President of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety issued a statement, emphasising that "far from the caricatures with which it has been portrayed, this law will enable us to be stronger in the face of the impacts of climate change".

3Bee has always supported the Nature Restoration Law, working in line with its objectives to protect biodiversity. To date, 3Bee has already supported over 500 companies in assessing their impacts on biodiversity and implementing targeted interventions for regeneration. "We have always believed in the importance of a proactive approach to biodiversity conservation and we are delighted that the Nature Restoration Law has now become a reality. - says Simone Mazzola, COO of 3Bee - This law represents a significant milestone and is a fundamental breakthrough that extends the responsibility for environmental restoration to a European level, ensuring that it is no longer just the choice of a few virtuous companies."