EU Environment Ministers approve the Nature Restoration Regulation
Environment ministers meeting at the Environment Council of the European Union in Luxembourg on Monday endorsed the Nature restoration law, which has sparked considerable debate among EU Member States.
Lithuania supported the Regulation by issuing a national statement outlining its concerns. The statement noted that implementing the Regulation would increase administrative and financial burdens, particularly in Lithuania's agricultural and forestry sectors. Therefore, stable, clear, solid, and targeted financing through EU funds is essential for the effective implementation of recovery measures and for compensating for the various degrees of constraints on economic activity.
"Lithuania has always supported the adoption of this Regulation. During the negotiations, we achieved important concessions to better align it with our country's needs," said Simonas Gentvilas, Minister for the Environment.
The Nature Restoration Regulation aims to achieve the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Restoration measures must cover at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The legislation sets specific quantitative targets for nature restoration, aiming to improve the condition of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and marine ecosystems; increase urban green spaces; remove obstacles in surface water bodies; halt the decline of pollinator populations; enhance forest and agricultural ecosystems; and increase the number of planted trees.
The regulation was supported by 20 countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Slovakia), opposed by 6 (Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, and Sweden), and abstained by Belgium.
The vote on this legislation required the approval of countries representing at least 65% of the EU population. More than 66% of the votes were cast in favor.
Last updated: 17-06-2024
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