UExcellent news comes from the European Parliament at a time when Europe and Italy are devastated by dramatic phenomena such as floods, droughts and fires: the Nature Restoration Act was passed. The new text has received the OK from the European Chamber: a further piece of that green strategy which has become one of the most heatedly debated topics in view of the European elections in June.
Nature restoration law passed
Green light, therefore, to the so-called Nature Restoration Law, one of the most ambitious but also most contested pillars of the Green Deal. Predicts to protect the natural areas most at risk, to restore at least 20% of marine and terrestrial areas by 2030 and by 2050 90%. And above all it asks (and forces, at this point) a change of pace in the management of agricultural areas.
The measure that farmers don’t like
And it is precisely this point that has angered conservatives, in particular the European People’s Party. And also the farmers, convinced that the proposals of more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly agriculture are a serious threat for food production which only causes prices to skyrocket and disrupts established supply chains. According to the European Commission, however, achieving these objectives will lead to both environmental and economic benefits, at least in the long term.
The Nature Restoration Law approved, the law that will allow the restoration of degraded nature (Getty Image)
Next steps for the entry into force of the law
The next steps to see the law come into force will still be up to the European Parliament which will have to formally adopt the new regulation. Having done this, the regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. At this point the ball will pass to the Member States who will have the task of establishing agreements to implement the required strategies.
The Manifesto for the Nature Restoration Law
In Italy, before the vote, the Manifesto for the Nature Restoration Lawan initiative that received over a million signatures from individual citizens, but also from businesses, associations and scientists and which asked to support the approval of the law «what an extraordinary opportunity to regenerate the nature of Europe and guarantee sustainability, future and well-being for its citizens” reads the Manifesto. Which concludes: «To the benefits for biodiversity there are many others, of no less importance: the contribution to the climate crisis in terms of adaptation and mitigation, a healthier territory and therefore less subject to floods, droughts and other disasters, a better conservation of natural capital and the ecosystem services it produces, a great contribution to the quality of life and psychophysical health of citizens.”
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED