(Strasbourg) During its plenary session in Strasbourg today, the European Parliament has adopted the first EU law to restore degraded ecosystems. According to this legislation, which divided the political forces, EU member states will have to restore at least 30% of habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with EU governments, was adopted with 329 votes in favour, 275 against, and 24 abstentions. The regulation, a statement reads, “will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security”. In order to achieve these targets, member states will have to restore at least 30% of the habitats covered by the new law to good condition by 2030 (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds). This percentage will gradually increase until 2050. In order to improve biodiversity, member states will have to make progress in various environmental and agricultural areas.

Rapporteur César Luena (Spain; in the picture) said: “Today is an important day for Europe, as we move from protecting and conserving nature to restoring it. The new law will also help us to fulfil many of our international environmental commitments. The regulation will restore degraded ecosystems while respecting the agricultural sector by giving flexibility to member states. I would like to thank scientists for providing the scientific evidence and fighting climate denial and young people for reminding us that there is no planet B, nor plan B”.