European Union countries give final green light to adoption of nature restoration law

The text had already been validated by the European Parliament following a bitter political battle, particularly concerning its impact on agricultural land.

A key text of the European Green Deal definitively adopted. EU states voted in favor of the nature restoration law on Monday June 17. This legislation requires the establishment by 2030 of ecosystem recovery measures on 20% of land and marine spaces at EU level, and the restoration of at least 30% of habitats (wetlands, forests, etc.). .) in poor condition. Other provisions aim to improve criteria measuring the health of forests, remove obstacles on waterways and stop the decline of bees. The impact in rural areas sparked heated debates in the European Parliament last year and fueled agricultural anger at the start of 2024 despite the vast flexibilities introduced. The text, largely amended and criticized, was finally validated by Parliament.

In the details of the last vote, twenty countries voted in favor, including France. Six countries opposed it and one, Belgium, abstained. The text therefore obtained the required qualified majority (15 countries representing 65% of the EU population), thanks in particular to an about-face by the Austrian Minister of the Environment. Until now, the Alpine country had indeed chosen to abstain due to divisions within the federal state. But Leonore Gewessler announced that she intended to approve it after the joining of two Austrian regions, saying she wanted “listen to one’s conscience”, “for future generations”.

“I am delighted with this positive conclusion. Far from the caricatures to which it has been the subject, this framework will allow us to be stronger in the face of the impacts of climate shocks”reacted French MEP Pascal Canfin on X. “This regulation reflects the international commitment of the European Union to the implementation, on its territory, of the global framework on biodiversity adopted in December 2022”, also greeted the Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu. “Nature and our landscapes are an integral part of the identity of our continent. Restoring them also means preserving for future generations the services provided by ecosystems to guarantee our means of production and our resilience.”

Since the 19th century, the average temperature of the Earth warmed by 1.1°C. Scientists have established with certainty that this increase is due to human activities, which consume fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). This warming, unprecedented in its speed, threatens the future of our societies and biodiversity. But solutions – renewable energies, sobriety, reduced meat consumption – exist. Discover our answers to your questions on the climate crisis.