EU passes law to restore 20% of land and sea by 2030

The European Union (EU) has passed a landmark law to restore one-fifth of its land and sea by 2030.

With specific targets and obligations for restoring ecosystems across terrestrial, marine, freshwater and urban landscapes, the new law requires EU member states to submit national restoration plans that outline their strategies and progress.

The regulation also focuses on preventing further degradation of restored areas and addressing declines in wild pollinator populations by 2030, and EU member states must restore drained peatlands and help plant at least 3 billion more trees.

The law, which was passed on a knife-edge, has proven controversial, The Guardian reports, with farmers protesting across Europe over a number of issues – including EU regulations and environmental policies – they claim are threatening their livelihoods.

Austria’s Green climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, whose vote was credited with saving the new EU law, wrote after the proposal was passed: “Today’s decision is a victory for nature. My conscience tells me unmistakably [that] when the healthy and happy life of future generations is at stake, courageous decisions are needed.”