18 August this year marks a milestone on the calendar for the European Union and the global fight for environmental conservation. The Nature Restoration Act, the first of its kind in the history of the Union, comes into force and sets a legal precedent. The law will oblige all member countries not only to protect their ecosystems, but to actively restore them. This step, considered a crucial breakthrough in European environmental policy, comes after a process full of challenges and political tensions, highlighting both the complexities and the urgency of the ecological crisis we face.
Pioneering legislation for critical times
The legislation, initially proposed in June 2022, stems from an urgent need to reverse the deterioration of European ecosystems, which have been severely affected by decades of agricultural exploitation, industrialisation and excessive urbanisation. The law sets ambitious targets, such as restoring at least 20% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. Looking ahead to 2050, the law also envisages the recovery of arable land, the rehabilitation of peatlands, the restoration of urban green spaces and the removal of artificial barriers in rivers.
The approach is comprehensive and seeks to cover not only protected areas, but also those that have been significantly altered by human activity. A good example of this are measures proposed to halt the decline of pollinators, a group of species that are vital for agriculture and biodiversity in general, whose reduction could have catastrophic consequences for food security and ecosystems.
The road has not been easy
From the start, the passage of this law has been plagued by obstacles that only reflect the political polarisation that exists around the green agenda. In the European Parliament, the European People’s Party (EPP) opposed the proposal, considering it too ambitious and even dangerous for key economic sectors, such as agriculture and industry. So much so that the EPP MEPs walked out of the negotiating table, leaving its approval in the hands of the Social Democrats, Liberals, Greens and Leftists.
The law was eventually passed through the votes, both in committee and in plenary, thanks to the rebellion of a handful of MEPs from the European Parliament who defied their party’s stance in support of the measure. However, the complications did not end there. Once this hurdle was overcome, the law had to face the Council. Hungary, which had initially shown its support, suddenly changed its position, which once again blocked the approval of the law.
Austria’s intervention was decisive
On the eve of the final vote, Austria, led by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler, decided to change its vote to “yes” and thus ensure that the total number of countries in favour represented 66.07% of the EU population, a requirement for its approval. This change of position was not without controversy. Her decision caused a rift within the Austrian government, led by conservative Karl Nehammer. The People’s Party (ÖVP), the government’s coalition partner and opponent of the law, accused the minister of not respecting federal legislation and announced that it would file an appeal for annulment before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
An uncertain but hopeful future
Despite the difficulties, the entry into force of the Nature Restoration Act is a decisive step towards a more sustainable future for Europe. The European Commission has stressed that this legislation is essential to “reverse the deterioration of nature, achieve climate neutrality and strengthen Europe’s preparedness and resilience to the effects of climate change.” However, the path to its full implementation promises to be far from easy, from political and economic resistance to the need to coordinate efforts at local, national and European levels.
But the hope is that this legislation can be a catalyst for real and significant change, not only in Europe but globally, and inspire other regions of the world to adopt similar measures.