Parliament: Restoring ecosystems crucial to combat climate change and biodiversity loss

The EU Must Have Restoration Measures in Place by 2030, Say MEPs

Following a debate on Tuesday, Parliament today adopted its position on the EU nature restoration law with 336 votes in favor, 300 against, and 13 abstentions. A vote to reject the Commission’s proposal did not pass (312 votes to 324 and 12 abstentions).

MEPs underline that restoring the ecosystem is key to combating climate change and biodiversity loss, and reduces risks to food security. They stress that the draft law does not impose the creation of new protected areas in the EU nor block new renewable energy infrastructure as they added a new article underlining that such installations are overwhelmingly in the public interest.

Nature Restoration Targets for 2030

Parliament highlights that the new law must contribute to reaching the EU’s international commitments, in particular the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework. MEPs support the Commission’s proposal to put restoration measures in place by 2030 covering at least 20% of all land and sea areas in the EU.

Parliament says that the law shall only apply when the Commission has provided data on the necessary conditions to guarantee long-term food security and when EU countries have quantified the area that needs to be restored to reach the restoration targets for each habitat type. Parliament also foresees a possibility to postpone the targets under exceptional socioeconomic consequences.

Within 12 months of this Regulation entering into force, the Commission would have to assess any gap between restoration financial needs and available EU funding and look into solutions to bridge such a gap, in particular through a dedicated EU instrument.

After the vote, rapporteur César Luena (SD, ES), said: “The Nature Restoration Law is an essential piece of the European Green Deal and follows the scientific consensus and recommendations to restore Europe’s ecosystems. Farmers and fishers will benefit from it, and it ensures a habitable earth for future generations. Our position adopted today sends a clear message. Now we must continue the good work, defend our ground during the negotiations with member states, and reach an agreement before the end of this Parliament’s mandate to pass the first regulation on nature restoration in the EU’s history.”

Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with Council on the final shape of the legislation.

Over 80% of European habitats are in poor shape. The Commission proposed on 22 June 2022 a regulation on nature restoration to contribute to the long-term recovery of damaged nature across the EU’s land and sea areas and to achieve EU climate and biodiversity objectives. According to the Commission, the new law would bring significant economic benefits, as every euro invested would result in at least 8 euro in benefits.

This legislation is responding to citizens’ expectations concerning the protection and restoration of biodiversity, the landscape, and oceans as expressed in proposals 2(1), 2(3), 2(4), and 2(5) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15. The restoration measures mentioned in the article aim to combat climate change (SDG 13), protect marine ecosystems (SDG 14), and restore land habitats (SDG 15).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 13.3 under SDG 13, Target 14.2 under SDG 14, and Target 15.1 under SDG 15.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into relevant national policies, strategies, or planning.
• Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: Indicator 13.3.1 for SDG 13, Indicator 14.2.1 for SDG 14, and Indicator 15.1.1 for SDG 15.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: europeaninterest.eu

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