Nature is an integral part of European culture and heritage. More than ever before our well-being and survival depend on the health and resilience of the natural and modified ecosystems – from urban green areas to living farmland and forests, and from bogs and mires to mighty rivers and abundant oceans. Everywhere, nature restoration is extremely urgent in responding to the climate emergency and the biodiversity loss crises.  In addition to supplying us with all that we need, protecting and restoring nature it is a matter of social and environmental justice as its state dictates the health and well-being of all European citizens.

This is why the European Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration and its Legal Working Group consisting of highly qualified experts in environmental law from across the EU Member States have issued this powerful and down-to-the-point message to the European Council: