Information brief

IUCN EU Nature Restoration Regulation Briefing

The EU's first comprehensive, union-wide legislation for nature restoration, the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, has come into force. This legislation marks a significant milestone since the 1992 Habitats Directive and is a global pioneer. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation reaffirms the EU's environmental policy ambitions and demonstrates global leadership, taking a crucial step toward fulfilling the EU’s international commitments. The Regulation addresses key goals of the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, with the primary objective of restoring at least 20% of the EU's land and sea by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. It sets specific targets for various ecosystems and requires EU Member States to develop National Restoration Plans. IUCN and its members are encouraged to assist EU Member States in this process and to support the replication of this legislation in other regions.