EU’s Nature Restoration Law

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Context

• On 12 July 2023, European Parliament voted to pass a key biodiversity bill to protect and preserve land and water habitats of European Union.
• The nature restoration law was passed with 336 votes in favour. 13 were abstained and 300 were against it.

Nature restoration act

• This act is an initiative of European Commission to protect nature and combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
• It aims to restore habitats and species covering 20% of land/sea areas by 2030.
• Some of Its objectives are
  • To revive and preserve the degraded ecosystems.
  • To protect and preserve forest and marine areas.
  • To increase and boost connectivity between rivers.
  • To encourage the growth of bees, birds and butterflies population

Opposition of the nature restoration law

• The conservative lawmakers, especially from European people’s party, opposed this law for the feat that it will hurt the farmers across EU.
• They said it was a bad proposal from farmers’ point of view which would also fuel inflation.
• According to the construction of wind and hydroelectric energy facilities would be affected.
• Concerns about food security were also

Need and significance of this law

• Succession of droughts, floods and heat waves in Europe.
• To full fills the objectives of United Nations biodiversity conference agreement, which necessitates protection of 30% of the world’s lands and oceans important for nature.
• More than 80% of habitats in Europe are in degraded conditions.
• This law will be economically significant. To put it in quantifiable terms – it is assumed that every euro invested would result in at least eight euro in benefits.
• This law would also help in revitalising soils and will support pollinators which will add to food and nutrition security.

Must Read Article:

European Union

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/european-union-eu

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/european-union-14

PRACTICE QUESTION The recent Nature restoration law, a key biodiversity bill of European Union (EU), has a stated aim to conserve habitats and biodiversity. Critically analyse with respect to the implications it would have on the food security and economic growth of EU. (250 words)

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