Ecological Restoration and the European Policy Context 
The adoption of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Union in 2024 marks a significant milestone in the EU’s commitment to ecological restoration. This legislation confirms the EU’s strategic policy focus on biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and climate change mitigation as key elements of a more sustainable and liveable Europe. The Regulation sets legally binding targets for the restoration of degraded ecosystems across member states, aiming to restore 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030. This policy framework provides strong support for large-scale ecological restoration projects, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and ensuring that restoration efforts are integral to achieving the EU’s broader environmental and sustainability goals.
Our reaction here.
What next about the Nature Restoration Law – the role of SERE
In response to the new Nature Restoration Law, SERE plans to intensify its efforts to support the implementation of this ambitious legislation at the national and EU levels. SERE will focus on providing expertise, training, guidance, and resources to facilitate large-scale ecological restoration projects across Europe through the National Restoration Plans. This includes developing best practice guidelines, organising workshops and training sessions for trainers and practitioners, and fostering collaborations between scientists, policymakers, and local communities. Additionally, SERE will advocate for increased funding and support for restoration initiatives, ensuring that they align with both the ecological goals set out by the EU and the socio-economic needs of the regions involved. Through these actions, SERE aims to play a pivotal role in realizing the EU’s vision of a restored and resilient natural environment.