EU countries approve landmark nature restoration law after delays
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Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has described the approval of the historic nature restoration law as "a huge opportunity to rebalance our ecosystems", saying it could provide additional income streams for farmers.
It comes as European Union countries approved a flagship policy to restore damaged nature on Monday, after months of delay, making it the first green law to pass since European Parliament elections this month.
The nature restoration law is among the EU's biggest environmental policies, requiring member states to introduce measures restoring nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030.
EU countries' environment ministers backed the policy at a meeting in Luxembourg, meaning it can now pass into law.
The vote was held after Austria's environment minister, Leonore Gewessler of the Greens, defied her conservative coalition partners by pledging to back the policy — giving it just enough support to pass.
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"I know I will face opposition in Austria on this, but I am convinced that this is the time to adopt this law," Gewessler told reporters.
The policy aims to reverse the decline of Europe's natural habitats — 81% of which are classed as being in poor health - and includes specific targets, for example to restore peat lands so they can absorb CO2 emissions.
The move by Austria's minister angered Chancellor Karl Nehammer's conservative People's Party, which opposes the law. The OVP minister for EU affairs, Karoline Edtstadler, said Gewessler's vote in favour would be unconstitutional.
Belgium, which holds the EU's rotating presidency and chairs meetings of ministers, said the Austrian government dispute would not affect the legality of the EU ministers' vote.
EU countries and the European Parliament negotiated a deal on the law last year but it has come under fire from some governments in recent months amid protests by farmers angry at costly EU regulations. Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden voted against the law on Monday. Belgium abstained.
EU countries had planned to approve the policy in March but called off the vote after Hungary unexpectedly withdrew its support, wiping out the slim majority in favour.
Countries including the Netherlands had raised concerns the policy would slow the expansion of wind farms and other economic activities, while Poland on Monday said the policy lacked a plan for how nature protection would be funded.
Reacting to the approval, Mr Ryan said the large-scale restoration of nature has the potential to provide additional income streams for farmers, foresters, fishers and other landowners.
"It will create jobs and stimulate downstream industries, such as eco-tourism, bringing real stimulus to rural economies. It’s already happening. Tens of thousands of farmers across the country are already taking part in schemes, projects and programmes to restore nature. I say it over and over again. Farmers are the frontline heroes in climate action."
Mr Ryan warned that Europe is the fastest warming continent and is facing unprecedented impacts from the intertwined nature and climate crises.
"This is a decisive step towards addressing the very real risks we are already seeing, from desertification to flooding," Mr Ryan said.
Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan was launched in January and it commits to putting a National Restoration Plan in place by 2026.
Work has already started on a participatory stakeholder engagement process to support the development of the National Restoration Plan over the next 24 months.
Led by an independent chair, this programme will comprise a series of interactive workshops aligned with key themes focussing on the impact of the regulation on land, marine and urban environments.
One of key tasks of the restoration planning process will be to identify the design, targets and incentive schemes to deliver restoration measures, including consideration of national and EU funding opportunities and a comprehensive assessment of funding needs.
Minister of State with responsibility for nature Malcolm Noonan said: "The future of human civilisation depends entirely on healthy, functioning ecosystems, but these life support systems are declining dangerously. We are in a biodiversity emergency. The Nature Restoration Law will bring unprecedented action and investment to this challenge, and not a minute too soon.
"We can be proud that Ireland has demonstrated real leadership on nature restoration throughout this process. Twelve of our thirteen MEPs voted in favour of the NRL in February, and they should be commended for that."
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