Restore degraded ecosystems throughout the EU, notably through putting in place effective and area-based restoration measures that cover, by 2030, at least 20% of the EU’s land and 20% of EU’s sea areas and, by 2050, all ecosystems in need of restoration, thereby, inter alia, by 2030, improving to good condition 30% of identified habitat types that are not in good condition.

Main legislation in place:

The Habitats Directive, notably Article 2.2, requires the maintenance or restoration, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest. Article 3.1. requires the European ecological network of special areas of conservation (Natura 2000) to enable the natural habitat types and the species' habitats concerned to be maintained or, where appropriate, restored at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.

The Birds Directive, notably Articles 4.1 and 4.2, requires Member States to ensure special habitat conservation measures for species in Annex I and regularly occurring migratory species.

The Nature Restoration Law provides for a general objective to put in place effective and area-based restoration measures that cover, by 2030, at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas and, by 2050 all ecosystems in need of restoration, as well as specific targets in Articles 4-10 for terrestrial/coastal/freshwater ecosystems, marine ecosystems, urban ecosystems, rivers and floodplains, pollinators, agricultural ecosystems and forest ecosystems.

The Water Framework Directive, notably Article 4, requires Member States to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface water with the aim of achieving good surface water status.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (including Commission Decision 2017/848), notably Article 1.1, requires taking the necessary measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine environment; and Article 1.2(a) aims to protect and preserve the marine environment, prevent its deterioration or, where practicable, restore marine ecosystems in areas where they have been adversely affected. 

The Environmental Liability Directive, notably Article 6.1(b) requires operators to take the necessary remedial measures where environmental damage has occurred.

The Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans Regulation, notably Article 6.1(f), sets the specific objective to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes.

The Common Fisheries Policy is relevant where the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems requires regulating fisheries and aquaculture activities.

The Regulation on land, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sets out commitments of Member States for the LULUCF sector, including ensuring coherence with the Union’s biodiversity objectives.

The Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action establishes a governance mechanism to implement strategies and measures designed to meet the objectives and targets of the Energy Union and the greenhouse gas emissions commitments, amongst other objectives.

Legislation proposed:

The Commission proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law provides a legal framework to help achieve healthy soils by 2050 and includes provisions on regenerating unhealthy soils to reduce soil contamination to levels no longer considered harmful to human health and the environment. A provisional agreement has been reached by the European Parliament and the Council. 

The Commission proposal for a Forest Monitoring Law aims to create a comprehensive knowledge base on forests and offer better data and knowledge for decision making and policy implementation, including more up-to-date information on natural disturbances and forest disasters across Member States.

Other policy instruments:

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, in particular the following targets and actions in the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker:

Target 4: Set legally binding EU nature restoration targets

• Action 10: Commission proposal for binding EU nature restoration targets (see above)
• Action 11: Commission guidance on the selection of species and habitats for priority restoration measures
• Action 12: Restore 30% of habitats and species currently not in favourable conservation status
• Action 13: Commission guidance on an EU methodology to map, assess and achieve good condition of ecosystems

Target 1: Integrate ecological corridors as part of a Trans-European Nature Network

• Action 8: Promote and support investments in green and blue infrastructures
• Action 9: Protect and restore ecosystems in the EU’s Outermost Regions, and support biodiversity action in Overseas Countries and Territories

Target 10: Significant progress in the remediation of contaminated soil sites:

• Action 32: Identify contaminated soil sites, restore degraded soils, define the conditions for good ecological status and improve monitoring of soil quality
• Action 34: Support the development of solutions for restoring soil health and functions in the Horizon Europe mission “Soil Deal for Europe”

Target 11: At least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers are restored

• Action 42: Technical guidance and support to the Member States for the restoration of 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers
• Action 43: Member States to remove or adjust barriers and restore flood plains

Target 7: At least 10% of agricultural area under high-diversity landscape features

• Action 18: Implement measures to ensure that at least 10% of agricultural area will be under high diversity landscape features by 2030

Target 5: The decline of pollinators is reversed

• Action 14: Fully implement the EU Pollinators Initiative

The EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries includes actions to reduce the impact of fishing on the seabed both inside and outside MPAs, thus contributing to the restoration of seabed habitats.

The EU Forest Strategy 2030 includes actions in section 3 on protecting, restoring and enlarging EU’s forests to combat climate change, reverse biodiversity loss and ensure resilient and multifunctional forest ecosystems. 

The EU Soil Strategy for 2030 sets out a framework and concrete measures to protect and restore soils, and ensure that they are used sustainably. It sets a vision and objectives to achieve healthy soils by 2050, with concrete actions by 2030. 

This EU contribution aligns with GBF Target 2 and covers all elements of the global target. 

For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.