The new Nature Restoration law includes preventing carbon emissions from soils and rewetting previously drained peatlands in the European Union. With 80 percent of European habitats in poor condition, the law mandates that member countries restore 30 percent of habitats by 2030, 60 percent by 2040, and 90 percent by 2050. The restoration aims to improve ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change, enhance food security, and meet international commitments. After passing the European Parliament, the law requires approval from the Council to come into effect.
To combat the climate crisis, the law emphasizes natural carbon stocks and sinks, highlighting the importance of carbon retention in soils. The restoration initiative will also focus on improving grassland biodiversity, organic carbon in cropland soil, and high-diversity landscape features on agricultural land. By rewetting drained peatlands, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sustainable agriculture practices.
The law also allows for temporary changes to agricultural rules to ease constraints on farmers while emphasizing the interconnection between biodiversity and climate change. Despite some opposition from political groups, the law signifies a shift towards nature restoration in Europe. MEPs highlighted the importance of balancing nature restoration with farmer concerns and stressed the need for financial incentives and voluntary participation in restoration projects. While imperfect, the Nature Restoration law lays the groundwork for future environmental policies in the EU.