EU environment ministers pass nature restoration act

The European Nature Restoration Law has been passed. Twenty of the 27 Member States’ Environment Ministers voted in favor of the law on Monday. The Netherlands voted against it, along with Finland, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Sweden. Belgium abstained from voting.

The law aims to restore nature reserves in Europe. The agricultural sector, in particular, fiercely opposed the indented plans. Farmers across Europe, including in the Netherlands, have been protesting against stricter environmental regulations for years, saying they pose a threat to their companies.

The law states that by 2030, EU Member States must have taken restoration measures for 30 percent of nature reserves that are in poor condition. By 2050, there must be recovery plans for 90 percent of nature reserves. All Member States must draw up their own restoration plans based on the law.

The Nature Restoration Law is considered the most important part of former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans’ Green Deal that still needs to be implemented. It seemed doomed for the backburner, especially since Hungary - which is taking over as EU president in July - has little interest in climate and environmental policy. But over the weekend, Austria decided to support the law instead of abstaining from the vote, giving it the generous majority it needed for adoption.

Belgium, the current president of the European Council, is pleased with the law’s adoption. “It is the result of hard work, which has paid off. There is no time for a break in protecting our environment,” said Alan Maron, Belgium’s environment minister. “Today, the Council of the EU is choosing to restore nature in Europe, thereby protecting its biodiversity and the living environment of European citizens.”