"The compromise on the Nature Restoration Law is an important milestone in the fight against the extinction of animal and plant species in Europe. We can only prevent the massive extinction of species by giving nature the space to live again, and this is exactly what the law does," said Thomas Waitz and Mélanie Vogel, co-chairs of the European Greens, reacting to the outcome of the trilogue negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Member States, which ended last night.
In June, political forces in the European People's Party collaborated with the Far Right in the European Parliament to try to kill the Nature Restoration Law and parts of the Green Deal. The Greens in the European Parliament fended off this attack together with the progressive forces in the European Parliament.
“Current studies show that one in five animal and plant species known today is threatened with extinction. Moorlands, as natural allies against the climate crisis, should be rewetted and protected. Despite exceptions to the ban on deterioration, or the use of individual indicators, the overarching goals and all ecosystems identified as worthy of protection remain part of the new law”, Thomas Waitz and Mélanie Vogel comment.
“This is about protecting ourselves against environmental disasters. Last year alone, 61,000 people died in Europe due to massive heat waves. By reforesting forests, farming more naturally and giving the rivers space again, we start protecting ourselves from floods, drought and the weather extremes that come from climate change”, Waitz and Vogel conclude.
The adopted negotiation result still has to be finally confirmed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. The European Parliament's Environment Committee will vote on the compromise on November 29. The plenary is expected to vote in January 2024.
