Green Party warns that fight must continue to save the Nature Restoration Law

The Green Party has welcomed the news that the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) survived an outright attempt to reject the bill at the Environment Council of the EU Parliament, but has expressed deep concerns that the law may not yet reach the Plenary stage.

The NRL is a vital new bill that proposes to enshrine the restoration of nature into EU legislation and bring degraded ecosystems across Europe back into good health.

MEPs chose to vote on almost 2,000 amendments individually. Time ran out and the crucial vote that would see the proposal move to the next step in the EU Parliament had to be postponed until 27th June, leaving even less time for discussion and debate at Plenary level, making collaboration on further late-stage amendments more challenging and raising the stakes even higher.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, who has responsibility for the new regulation, said;

“The Nature Restoration Law is not yet dead but it is badly damaged, much like nature itself across Europe. Like everyone who cares about nature, I’m relieved that it is still alive in the European Parliament but I am deeply worried for the next steps. This regulation is absolutely vital in ensuring nature in Europe is in good enough condition to continue to feed, water and house us, and protect from the impacts of climate change. It’s not just about beautiful corncrakes and ospreys and basking sharks, it’s about the fundamental ecosystem services that humanity and the economy depend on. 

“Big businesses like Nestle, Coca Cola and Iberdrola recognise this, as do the thousands of scientists who have called for a strong Nature Restoration Law. But most importantly citizens want it, and that’s why we won’t give up the fight.”

The Nature Restoration Law aims to set legally-binding targets for Ireland, and countries all across the European Union, to restore wetlands, rivers, forests, urban and marine ecosystems, as well as a range of protected birds, plants and mammals. 

Bringing these special places back into good ecological health would also help capture and store carbon, improve our air and water quality and protect against the impacts of climate change by strengthening natural buffers against droughts, flooding and coastal inundation.

Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh said: 

"This is a really bad result, though not the worst possible. There's still time for MEPs to consider their position and do right by nature and by future generations. It’s heartbreaking to see political parties here in Ireland and elsewhere playing politics with our future in this way in the interests of short-term political gain. The opposition to the proposals reminds us that populism is alive and well on both sides of the political spectrum. It reminds us why we need the Greens, to be that voice for nature and for future generations."

The proposed regulation also has the potential to bring significant benefits to rural areas through the creation of skilled jobs and voluntary incentive schemes for landowners that could provide a strong stimulus to the wider rural economy and communities. According to the European Commission, every euro invested in nature restoration provides a benefit of between €8 and €38.