Amid growing opposition to the European Commission’s Green Deal agenda, eleven EU member states have joined forces to advocate for the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). Spearheaded by Germany and Ireland, the nations are urging their peers to approve the critical legislation designed to reverse decades of biodiversity loss across Europe. The NRL, which has faced resistance from some governments, aims to restore 20% of degraded marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030. Furthermore, it proposes legally binding targets for specific ecosystem types, such as the re-wetting of drained peatland, a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions.
Germany, whose Environment Minister Steffi Lemke is among the signatories, has previously utilized its influence to block other Green Deal initiatives, including stringent CO2 emissions standards for vehicles and corporate due diligence regulations. Ireland’s Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has strongly emphasized the urgency of passing the NRL, especially in light of Europe’s rapid warming and the need to safeguard food security.
The joint letter, also signed by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain, underscores the importance of environmental protection and the potential consequences of inaction. The EU Council summit in June presents a crucial opportunity to resolve the impasse surrounding the NRL. The signatories express hope that a change of heart from even one opposing country could garner the necessary qualified majority for the law’s approval. The successful implementation of the NRL would be a significant step towards mitigating climate change impacts and preserving Europe’s natural heritage.
