Controversial Nature Restoration Law Passed by EU Council

In June 2024 the EU Environmental Council have finally taken steps to formally adopt the Nature Restoration Law. The law is designed to restore nature, however critics say at the expense of future economic development.

According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) after long delays the EU Environmental Council have now decided to approve the Nature Restoration Law (NRL).

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Seals the Deal

The approval by the EU Council confirms the last step seals the deal to have this long-awaited proposal become a law in Europe.

The outcome is a huge win for Europe’s nature activists, climate action experts, EU citizens, animals, and the environment.

European member states followed through with their commitment to enact the law to protect nature and the environment.

With a majority approval of the 20 European countries, which represent two thirds of the population, the law was officially endorsed.

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Changing Perspectives

Initially the law saw much controversy, with some member states denying the value to restore nature seeing more of a smokescreen to claw at economic growth.

However the momentum swung with support from Austria’s Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler stepping in.

Gewessler provided confidence for the proposed law, which began to establish a general consensus of approval among most members.

In fact the Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler did a complete reversal by changing the country’s previous stance.

Initially Austria went from being against the law to now having its citizens request to safeguard the new law, a stunning turn of events.

The #RestoreNature coalition consisting of BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, EEB, and WWF EU, all had a major role in pushing this proposal to the finish line.

“Today’s vote is a massive victory for Europe’s nature and citizens who have been long calling for immediate action to tackle nature’s alarming decline. After years of intense campaigning and many ups and downs, we are jubilant that this law is now reality – this day will go down in history as a turning point for nature and society. Now, we need all hands on deck: Member States must properly implement this legislation without delay in their countries, in close collaboration with all involved stakeholders. At the end of the day, nature can rebounce, for the benefit of our climate, biodiversity and people!”
– The #RestoreNature coalition

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Disinformation Campaign

The new law to protect nature has faced one of the most tumultuous journeys in the history of EU legislation.

The law survived an unprecedented disinformation campaign which was aimed at destroying the NRL in the European Parliament.

The NRL faced the risk of being rejected at the very last step in the Environment Council as a result of the disinformation campaign.

In the end, however, support for the law carried forward as the majority of members could see that the value of the law would not hinder economic growth.

This is also a timely outcome to present at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) later this year,

showing that Europe is willing to lead the way in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises by owning up to its global commitments.

It is also a very clear message to the new EU Parliament and Commission, to not forget to keep biodiversity at the forefront of their agenda.

Massive Mobilization

In order to get the NRL approved by the EU Council massive public mobilization throughout Europe was required to push through the legislation.

Over the past few years, millions of signatures supporting the proposed law and messages from citizens to their members of parliament drove the action.

Along with repeated calls from 6000+ scientists, 100+ businesses, youth organizations, and civil societies from numerous industries support the law and the integrity of the EU Green Deal.

The #RestoreNature coalition wants to thank everyone who contributed to this result and made this law to effect.

The goal of preserving nature may seem counterintuitive to economic growth, until people realize without a healthy planet and healthy animals, economic growth is meaningless to human evolution.