European Parliament approved the Nature Restoration Law

The European Parliament approved the Nature Restoration Law, the first nature law, by a vote of 336 in favor, 300 against, and 13 abstentions.

Restoring 20 % of natural ecosystems by 2030 and eliminating degraded natural systems before 2050: these are the main goals of the new law, crucial to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

Other specific targets included in the proposal are the restoration by 2030 of at least 20 % of the EU’s land and sea areas, 15 % of rivers, and also by the same year, of high-biodiversity landscape elements for at least 10 % of the utilized agricultural area.

In order to reverse the decline in the population of insects such as bees and butterflies, a further goal is a 50 % reduction in pesticide use by 2030.  Furthermore, the new European project encompasses all ecosystems, including both agricultural land and urban areas.

Despite having a very ambitious goal, the new law has met with opposition from the European right and several members, including Italy. As a result, on the occasion of the European Parliament meeting, the law’s speaker, the Spanish César Luena, reaffirmed the political choice behind the proposal: «81 % of European habitats are in bad condition. I am not saying this, but the scientific community. 34 % of our agricultural production depends on pollinating insects, whose population is declining. This parliament cannot obstruct the restoration of natural environments».