![EU nature restoration regulation: Setting binding targets for healthy ecosystems [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EPRS-Briefing-738183-EU-nature-restoration-regulation-FINAL.png?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
Written by Vivienne Hallleux (1st edition).
As announced in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, on 22 June 2022 the European Commission tabled a proposal for a nature restoration regulation. The proposed regulation would set multiple binding restoration targets and obligations across a broad range of ecosystems, from forests and agricultural land to urban areas, rivers and marine habitats, complementing other existing legal instruments. Altogether, these nature restoration measures should cover at least 20 % of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Member States would be required to develop nature restoration plans to reach these targets at national level; the Commission would assess these plans.
While nature restoration enjoys strong public support, the proposal has raised concerns among stakeholders as regards the enforceability and achievability of the targets, the economic and social implications, the protection of property rights and the financial support for restoration.
The text is now with the co-legislators. In Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), which appointed César Luena as rapporteur on 12 July 2022. The ENVI committee is expected to discuss the rapporteur’s draft report in January 2023.
Versions
- October 2022: EU nature restoration regulation: Setting binding targets for healthy ecosystems (1st edition)
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on nature restoration |
| Committee responsible: | Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) | COM(2022)304 22.6.2022 |
| Rapporteur: | César Luena (S&D, Spain) | 2022/0195(COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Christine Schneider (EPP, Germany) María Soraya Rodrígues Ramos (Renew Spain) Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA, Germany) Alexandr Vondra (ECR, Czechia) Mick Wallace (The Left, Ireland) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: Publication of a draft report |
[…] overarching target set by EU Commission is aiming to restore 20% of EU’s land and sea area by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Within that, 25,000 km of […]