With a narrow majority, the EU member states waved through the “Restoration Act” at the Council meeting on 17 June 2024. The new legal act calls on all member states to take measures to improve habitats in poor condition to maintain biodiversity.
Accordingly, affected terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems within the EU are to be restored in phases. The restoration timetable for the habitats covered is structured as follows:
- at least 30 per cent of the areas by 2030
- at least 60 per cent of the areas by 2040
- at least 90 per cent of the areas by 2050
Priority for restoration measures until 2030 is given to the fauna-flora-habitat areas in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. In Germany, 15.5 per cent of the land area and around 45 per cent of the marine area are covered by Natura 2000 sites.
In addition to the restoration of sensitive ecosystems, the regulation contains specific requirements to halt and reverse the massive decline in pollinator insect populations in recent decades. In addition, 3 billion additional trees are to be planted on European territory by 2030.
The regulation will enter into force immediately after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, which is awaited.
Source: DIHK (in German), Council of the EU, Regulation
