The Nature Restoration Law is a once in a generation opportunity to take a bold step towards a better future for European citizens and the EU internal market. Financing the restoration of nature is fundamental for our economy as every euro invested returns €8 to €38 in benefits. Moreover, nature restoration is crucial for our resilience as we experience the proliferation of droughts, wildfires and floods in Europe. Failing to adopt the Nature Restoration Law will have negative long-term consequences on the economy and on people, while weakening the EU’s proven global leadership in environmental policymaking. Conversely, an EU regulation for the restoration of nature would be a linchpin for the implementation of international commitments and sets a benchmark for any similar regulations adopted elsewhere.

Healthy ecosystems are key to achieving the climate and biodiversity goals that the EU committed to under the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and its own flagship European Green Deal. The EU has stated that it aims to be a “global leader” in multilateral environmental policymaking and thus what happens at the EU level necessarily impacts other policy contexts. This new EU legislation would be a vital step towards achieving this goal. In this context, it is important to recall the European Parliament resolution from January 2020, calling for “[…] a clear global conservation objective for 2030 of at least 30 % of natural areas and the objective of restoring at least 30 % of degraded ecosystems that can be restored should be enshrined in the post-2020 framework, and that the EU should set similar objectives domestically”. The EU’s commitments resonate even more strongly following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at CBD COP15, where the EU clearly demonstrated the strength of its global leadership.

EU Member States have already committed to move forward with this proposal. Scientists, businesses, farmers, hunters, anglers, the renewable energy sector, cities, NGOs and youth have come forward in support of the proposed regulation. IUCN joined these voices in sending three letters to the key EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and Presidency of the Council of the EU). With this statement, IUCN reiterates its firm endorsement of the regulation.

Protecting nature while ensuring sustainable development and people’s wellbeing is at the core of IUCN’s mission. Over the past 75 years, IUCN has been one of nature’s strongest advocates, bringing together stakeholders from all sectors. At this critical juncture, the EU regulation on nature restoration is an essential law that must not be delayed.

For further information, contact:

Boris Erg (Director; IUCN European Regional Office)

Alberto Arroyo Schnell (Senior Manager, Policy and Programme; IUCN European Regional Office)