The EU just voted to restore nature on 20% of its land and sea by 2030

The European Union has taken a groundbreaking step towards restoring nature by passing the Nature Restoration Law. Under this landmark legislation, EU member states are mandated to implement measures to reverse the decline of pollinating insects, halt the net loss of urban green space, and protect vital habitats such as rivers, grasslands, and forests.

By 2030, these measures will cover 20% of EU land and sea, expanding to encompass all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The Nature Restoration Law represents a significant victory for conservationists, who hailed it as a "milestone" in the fight against biodiversity loss. Europe is the world's most ecologically degraded continent, with 81% of its habitats classified as in "poor" health.

This alarming decline has had a devastating impact on wildlife, with one in three bird and butterfly species facing population decline.

Despite some resistance from certain countries seeking to weaken the law's targets, the passage of the Nature Restoration Law underscores the growing recognition of the economic imperative of safeguarding nature.

Half the world's GDP - a staggering $44 trillion - is moderately or highly dependent on nature's services, while ecosystem collapse ranks among the top five global threats identified by the World Economic Forum. Conversely, nature-positive policies could generate an estimated $10 trillion in new annual business value and create 395 million jobs by 2030.