The EU’s first continent-wide legislation for the long-term recovery of nature, the EU Nature Restoration Law, came into effect yesterday, following its publication in the EU Official Journal 20 days ago. This Regulation sets legally binding restoration targets for a wide range of ecosystems, aiming to restore 20% of the EU’s degraded ecosystems by 2030 and fully restore all ecosystems in need by 2050. Now, it is up to Member States to create ambitious National Restoration Plans by the end of 2026.
IUCN has published a briefing on the EU Nature Restoration Law, outlining the Regulation’s key targets and provisions, the steps toward implementation, and the tools and support IUCN can offer to help Member States develop and implement their National Restoration Plans.
The law aims to harmonize nature conservation across the EU and foster synergies with other priorities, especially the EU’s climate commitments. It builds on existing EU environmental policies, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, and focuses on restoring Natura 2000 network areas by 2030. Restoring nature will also enhance the EU’s food security, promote ecosystem services, and help meet international environmental commitments.
Under the law, Member States must develop comprehensive plans to restore 30% of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and marine ecosystems to good condition by 2030 and improve biodiversity indicators in forest and agricultural ecosystems. This includes restoring and partially rewetting 30% of drained agricultural peatlands by 2030. In urban areas, the law targets greening cities, acknowledging the urgent need for EU cities to adapt to climate change. IUCN’s Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and other tools can greatly support Member States in this process.
The EU Nature Restoration Law also establishes a legal framework to boost pollinator biodiversity and populations in Europe, along with the development of a standardized monitoring method for pollinators across the EU. In marine areas, Member States are encouraged to coordinate their restoration efforts with fishing activities in neighboring EU countries. Additionally, the law promotes commitments to restore at least 25,000 km of rivers to free-flowing status and plant three billion trees by 2030, both outlined in the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030.
Member States must prepare National Restoration Plans by 1 September 2026, detailing how they will meet the Regulation’s targets and obligations. This period is critical for Member States to plan strategically and identify restoration opportunities where relevant tools, best practices, and lessons learned can offer valuable support.
IUCN tools and standards, including the European Red List of Threatened Species, Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, IUCN Urban Toolbox, and IUCN Global Typology, will be essential in assisting governments and non-state actors in preparing and implementing the National Restoration Plans and scaling up restoration efforts across the EU.
