EU countries approve landmark nature restoration law after delays

Michael Bolton

EU member states have approved the Nature Restoration Law.

The decision was taken at a meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg on Monday morning.

20 EU countries voted in favour of the law, meaning it will now come into force in the coming weeks. Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy and Hungary had voted against the law, while Belgium abstained.

The law requires all member states to introduce measures to restore nature on at least a fifth of their land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

The Irish Farmers' Association says there is huge uncertainty around how the new law will be interpreted.

Minister for the Environment and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says it is a "future-looking" and important day.

"The council have just agreed the Nature Restoration Law which is a historic decision, and I think the debate was really good.

"I think there was a clear sense, from even those voting against recognising that the restoration of nature is in everyone's interest.

"This has been a long process, almost three years in negotiations. and I believe it will be good for the European institutions that we meet our commitments, meet what we said in the trial out process.

"I think it is going to be very good for nature that we have a plan to restore nature, and that will protect people, improve our health, and our local environment.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said:“Today’s vote is extremely positive news. Not just for nature and wildlife across Europe, but for all of us as well. The future of human civilisation depends entirely on healthy, functioning ecosystems, but these life support systems are declining dangerously.

"We are in a biodiversity emergency. The Nature Restoration Law will bring unprecedented action and investment to this challenge, and not a minute too soon.

“We can be proud that Ireland has demonstrated real leadership on nature restoration throughout this process. Twelve of our thirteen MEPs voted in favour of the NRL in February, and they should be commended for that.

"The Government has also supported the Nature Restoration Law at every step, as has the Dáil - members voted 121 to 9 in favour of nature restoration last year.”