Nature restoration law comes into force in all EU countries

A nature restoration law designed to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters comes into force today in all EU countries. The provisions will be phased in gradually and member countries have two years to submit national biodiversity recovery plans to Brussels.

Reporter: The Nature Restoration Act is one of the EU's most important environmental policies and aims to restore at least 20 percent of land and sea areas in member countries by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The rules were narrowly passed in a June vote at a meeting of EU environment ministers.

Austria had to change its position at the last minute for the provisions to be adopted by a qualified majority of 55% of member countries, representing at least 65% of the EU population. Romania voted in favor of the law, while the Netherlands, for example, opposed it on the grounds that the policy could slow the expansion of wind farms and other economic activities.

The nature restoration law sets out specific requirements for different types of ecosystems, including farmland, forests and urban areas, and aims to reduce or stop the use of pesticides and some chemical fertilizers. According to Brussels, the law will at the same time help strengthen food security.

Translated by: Radu Matei