Europe’s ecosystems are under severe pressure. More than 80% of European habitat types are currently in poor or very poor condition due to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. This worrying trend affects not only wildlife but also our economies and society as a whole.
Nature is the foundation for more than half of the global GDP. In the eurozone, 72% of businesses, nearly three million companies, depend directly on ecosystem services and natural resources to produce goods and deliver services. Investing in nature restoration is therefore not only an environmental necessity, but also an economic opportunity: every euro invested in restoration generates an estimated return of €4 to €38.
To address the alarming state of Europe’s natural environment, the EU Nature Restoration Law was introduced. In this article, we explain why nature restoration is essential, what the law entails, and how you can contribute to restoration efforts together with Go Forest.
What is nature restoration?
Nature restoration refers to the process of improving the ecological condition of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. It aims to bring habitats and species back to a healthy, resilient state so they can once again provide essential services and deliver clean water, fertile soils, carbon storage, or flood protection.
Beyond recovery of habitats, restoration plays a key role in both climate mitigation and climate adaptation. Healthy ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks, storing CO2 and helping to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations. At the same time, natural habitats strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change by acting as a buffer against extreme weather, cooling the environment or absorbing and storing water. In the longer term, restoration also supports food security and overall environmental stability.
The EU Nature Restoration Law explained
The EU Nature Restoration Law, which entered into force on the 18th of August 2024, establishes legally binding obligations for EU Member States to restore degraded ecosystems on land and at sea. Its primary goal is to halt and reverse biodiversity loss while contributing to the EU’s climate mitigation and adaptation objectives and fulfilling international environmental commitments.
The law sets overarching EU-wide restoration targets:
- By 2030, at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas must be restored.
- By 2050, restoration measures must cover all ecosystems in need of recovery.
Each Member State must submit a national restoration plan by September this year outlining how it will meet these targets, tailored to its national context.
The law builds on existing EU environmental legislation and forms part of the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, a core pillar of the European Green Deal. This overarching strategy aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 and transition Europe’s economy and society toward sustainability. The law also reflects the EU’s commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted under the United Nations Convention in December 2022.
Business engagement through partnerships
While implementing the nature restoration law is predominantly a governmental responsibility, businesses can contribute through engagement in nature restoration projects with local organisations and governments. As stakeholders and investors increasingly expect this, businesses that integrate nature in its strategy will benefit through competitive advantage. At the operational level, nature restoration will increase landscape and supply chain resilience. Engaging in nature restoration partnerships will improve relationships and unlock synergies with other actors by addressing common challenges and by reducing shared risks related to nature’s degradation.
A special focus on forest ecosystems
The Nature Restoration Law addresses a broad range of ecosystems. At Go Forest, we place particular emphasis on restoring forest ecosystems. Approximately 43.5% of the EU’s land area consists of forests and other wooded land, making them crucial for Europe’s biodiversity.
The European restoration measures aim to strengthen forest biodiversity through actions such as increasing forest bird populations, retaining more deadwood, and promoting greater tree species diversity. In addition, the EU has set the objective of planting at least three billion additional trees across Europe.
Go Forest helps to contribute directly to these restoration goals. We plant new forests where we can. But in fact, many of the forest projects we help to realize across Europe focus on restoring forests that have been degraded. In those projects, we increase tree species diversity improving resilience to climatic changes or pests and diseases. In addition, we prefer reinforcing and expanding existing forest clusters and promoting connectivity, allowing for more robust habitats and biodiversity.
Why action matters now
The state of Europe’s nature calls for immediate action. Restoring nature is not only about protecting the environment, but also about securing a resilient climate, a stable economy, and a sustainable future for generations to come.
At Go Forest, we take concrete steps to protect and restore nature through partnership and collaboration. By planting trees worldwide, we create long-term positive impact. Only by taking action together can we create a greener, more resilient future.
Feeling inspired to take action? Contact us and explore how we can restore nature together.
Sources
- https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-74-2023-INIT/en/pdf
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/nl/policies/nature-restoration/#0
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/nl/press/press-releases/2024/06/17/nature-restoration-law-council-gives-final-green-light/
- https://www.bondbeterleefmilieu.be/artikel/zeven-dingen-die-je-moet-weten-over-de-natuurherstelwet
- https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/nature-restoration-regulation_en
- https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/nature-restoration-law-enters-force-2024-08-15_en