EU Council Reaches Consensus on Proposal for Legislation to Restore Nature. The proposed law aims to implement measures for the recovery of ecosystems by restoring at least 20% of EU land and sea areas by 2030, with complete restoration of degraded areas by 2050. It includes legally binding targets for various ecosystems, such as agricultural land, forests, marine areas, freshwater habitats, and urban environments.
The agreement reached by the EU Council will serve as a basis for negotiations with the European Parliament to finalize the legislation.
Key Changes Agreed Upon by the EU Council:
- Restoration Obligations: Member states will implement restoration measures to improve at least 30% of habitats in terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and marine ecosystems by 2030. The target will be applied to the total area of habitats in poor condition, rather than separately for each habitat group as initially proposed.
- Non-Deterioration Requirement: Areas subject to restoration measures should not experience significant deterioration. Member states will endeavour to prevent significant deterioration in areas already in good condition or where restoration measures are not yet implemented.
- Ecosystem-Specific Obligations: The legislation contains obligations specific to different ecosystems, with certain flexibilities introduced by the Council. For example, targets for rewetting peatlands were adjusted to account for disproportionate impacts on member states. Flexibility in monitoring forest ecosystems was also increased.
- National Restoration Plans: Member states will submit national restoration plans detailing how they will achieve the targets. The plans will be submitted in stages until 2050, with consideration given to specific national circumstances and regional characteristics.
- Renewable Energies and Defense: Renewable energy projects are deemed to have an overriding public interest, allowing them exemptions from certain obligations. Plans and projects for national defence can also be exempted, provided mitigation measures are in place to address their impact on habitats.
- Financing Restoration Measures: The EU Commission will provide an overview of available financial resources, funding needs, and potential gaps to support the implementation of restoration measures.
Overall, the EU Council has found a balance between ambitious nature restoration goals and the flexibility needed for member states to implement the regulations effectively while reducing administrative burdens.