The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve the nature restoration package, with 329 votes in favor, 275 against, and 24 abstentions. The legislation mandates restoration measures on at least 20% of land and sea by area size this decade, expanding to all ecosystems in need of repair by 2060.
Specific targets include revitalizing 30% of peatlands by 2030 and increasing it to 50% by 2050. Member states will also be required to grow populations of birds and pollinating insects and restore rivers and waterways.
These measures align with the EU’s commitments under the UN’s Kunming-Montreal biodiversity treaty. Despite concerns from some quarters, over 6,000 scientists have assured that the law will not lead to food insecurity or economic losses, emphasizing the long-term benefits for soil and water quality.
However, the law faced opposition from right-wing parties, with MEPs raising concerns about its impact on farmers, fishermen, and businesses. A last-minute revolt coordinated by the European People’s Party (EPP) saw several MEPs, including Manfred Webber, opposing the law.
In response, Spanish MEP Cesar Leuna emphasized that the law “is not against anyone.” The Greens argue that nature restoration presents opportunities for farmers to build resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss.
The European Commission estimates that investing €1.54 billion in ecosystem restoration could generate over €1.8 trillion worth of benefits. To address concerns, an “emergency stop” clause was added, allowing targets to be suspended for agricultural land in exceptional circumstances, such as a threat to European food security.
