The EU Member States are making progress in their work to achieve more flexibility in the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation. Proposed in June 2022, this Regulation will set binding targets to restore at least 20% of the EU’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050 (see EUROPE 12977/17).
On Wednesday 26 April, the Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU (Coreper) mainly discussed two issues at the heart of a compromise proposal from the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, namely a phased approach for national nature restoration plans and the principle of non-deterioration.
Flexibility, particularly in terms of time frames, was one of the EU environment ministers’ demands when they first discussed this future legislation at the end of 2022 (see EUROPE 13088/1). The outcome of the discussions in the Coreper will allow the Swedish Presidency to refine the text of the proposed compromise, with the hope of reaching a political agreement (a “general approach”) at the Environment Council on 20 June.
Step-by-step approach to restoration plans. For these plans indicating how the Member States will achieve the targets set, the Commission’s proposal stipulates that they will be submitted within 2 years of the Regulation’s entry into force.
Based on the proposed compromise, the Member States all agree that there should instead be successive plans with intermediate steps. The first plan would be proposed around 2032 with a strategy for 2040, and the second in 2040 with a strategy until 2050. However, there is still a need to agree on the wording.
The principle of non-deterioration of habitats. Views still differ. Some Member States agree with the Commission’s proposal to apply this principle to all ecosystems; others still want this obligation (paragraph 7 of Articles 4 and 5) to be limited to the protection areas covered by the Natura 2000 network under the Birds and Habitats Directives.
In addition, many countries have requested derogations and postponed time frames for marine ecosystems, citing a lack of expertise and scientific knowledge - an issue that requires further work.
Finally, several delegations insisted on the compatibility of the future Regulation with the new Renewable Energy Directive, which relaxes the requirements for environmental impact assessments of projects to speed up the granting of permits.
All of the above will be incorporated into a revised compromise proposal. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)