EU passes law to restore 20% of bloc’s land and sea by end of decade

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🗞️ Driving the news: The EU has passed a landmark law to restore 20% of the bloc's land and sea by the end of the decade after a narrow and contentious vote

🔭 The context: The nature restoration law, a critical part of the European Green Deal, faced intense opposition from farmers and internal political conflicts, particularly in Austria
• The vote passed thanks to a last-minute decision by Austria’s Green climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, despite legal threats from her coalition partners

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The law aims to reverse the decline of biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems, which is crucial for combating the global biodiversity crisis and mitigating climate change impacts

⏭️ What's next: Member states must now implement measures to restore pollinator populations, peatlands, and plant 3 billion trees
• The successful implementation of this law is essential for meeting EU biodiversity targets

💬 One quote: “Today’s decision is a victory for nature,” said Leonore Gewessler. “When the healthy and happy life of future generations is at stake, courageous decisions are needed”

📈 One stat: 81% of European habitats are in poor shape, highlighting the urgent need for restoration efforts

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