On Wednesday 4 November, the European Commission published a roadmap for its future proposal for a European regulation intended to help restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the greatest potential to capture and store carbon, and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Subject to an impact assessment, this legislative initiative will provide legally binding targets for the restoration of ecosystems.
Some objectives could build on existing EU legislation, such as the Birds (2009/147) and Habitats (92/43) Directives, the Water Framework Directive (2000/60) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56); these could apply, for example, to wetlands, bog and peatland, free-flowing rivers and marine ecosystems, states the roadmap.
Other objectives could concern ecosystems, habitats or species that are not covered by existing legislation, such as pollinators or soils.
Scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, this proposed regulation is a flagship measure of the EU’s new Biodiversity Strategy. Through this, the Commission is advocating a target of restoring at least 30% of marine and land areas by 2030 (see EUROPE 12491/2).
Contributions to the roadmap can be sent to the European Commission by 2 December.
To view the roadmap and participate in the public consultation: https://bit.ly/2I8AVmD (Damien Genicot)