Nature Restoration Act: strategy to boost biodiversity in Europe

January 9, 2025 · Uncategorized · 5 minutes of reading

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The extraction and processing of natural resources is responsible for the loss of more than 90% of biodiversity. The Nature Restoration Act is undoubtedly a firm European step towards a greener future. It aims to act on 80% of Europe’s habitats, which are in poor condition, by facilitating the regeneration of natural resources. Below, we explain the keys to this law and how it will impact on the improvement of the habitability of cities in the European Union (EU).

What are the objectives of the law?

Approved in 2024, the Nature Restoration Act seeks to mitigate the effects of human activity on biodiversity in at least 20% of the land and marine areas of the European Union (EU). This is an unprecedented event: the first regulation of these characteristics with continental scope. Its objectives include increasing biodiversity and contributing to the regeneration of nature. To clean water and air; to favor crop pollination or to mitigate the impact of extreme climatic phenomena such as floods, among others.

Within the framework of the EU’s commitment to carbon neutrality and with the main purpose of responding to the incessant demand of the carbon credit market (EU-ETS), the regulation places special emphasis on those habitats with advantageous characteristics for carbon sequestration and carbon sequestration. As part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Law is expected to enable the achievement of the commitment made in the Paris Agreement: to reduce global warming to 1.5ºC.

Biodiversity restoration law milestones

While it is true that the Nature Restoration Act poses numerous challenges, it represents a paradigm shift. Member states will have to meet its targets in a binding way, contributing to the improvement of biodiversity and thus planetary sustainability. Particularly important are the milestones that the regulation sets in the timetable to rehabilitate 80 % of the habitats in poor condition within the European Union (EU). At least 20% of the sites should be restored by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050.

The law includes additional actions to favor the proliferation of biodiversity in its broadest sense. For example, planting a minimum of 3 billion trees by the end of 2030, ensuring that no additional losses occur. The aim is also to eliminate artificial barriers in rivers, improving water connectivity. In this regard, a total of 25,000 kilometers of rivers are to be restored to their free course by the end of the decade.

Benefits that transcend climate change

There is no denying the fact that restoring and increasing biodiversity helps mitigate the effects of climate change. Reducing the temperature of cities, the number of droughts or floods are some clear examples. To all this we must add the health benefits. Recent studies speak of the lower risk of disease and mortality among people living near green spaces:

Reduction of up to 28% in the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Improve resting heart rate and blood pressure.
31% and 16% lower risk of overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively.
Reduced incidence of mental problems such as anxiety or depression.

Initiatives and measures specific to the law

The regulatory development accompanying the Nature Restoration Act establishes specific requirements for different types of ecosystems, such as agricultural land, forests and urban ecosystems. After identifying the main challenges in biodiversity management throughout the European Union (EU), it includes specific initiatives and priorities:

Pollinating insects: numerous pollinating insects are at risk in Europe. The Nature Restoration Regulation provides for specific measures to reverse the decline of pollinator populations.
Carbon stocks: achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as set out in the Green Pact, is a major challenge. The regulation places special emphasis on protecting those habitats that represent large carbon stocks.
Vegetation cover: Urban planning to date has been deficient in terms of vegetation. The EU is now focusing on preventing the loss of green cover in cities, as well as urban green spaces.

Satellite data in the service of biodiversity

Technology is emerging as an ally to mitigate climate impact and help protect biodiversity in the European Union (EU). Satellite data has been a turning point in land analysis. Combining satellite images with analytical and predictive artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as the solutions developed by Agforest, allows for decision-making aimed at improving the livability of cities.

There are many similarities between the Nature Restoration Act and the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulation, approved by the United Kingdom last year. Through it, the British government seeks to turn biodiversity into a financial asset, leading to the creation of a market at the service of reducing climate change and improving the livability of cities. Among the main advantages of AI together with satellite data are:

Species identification: applying AI models capable of generating forest inventories in the countryside and cities. This will make it possible, by combining various databases, to know the plant species in each habitat, regardless of their location or dimensions.
Typology or land use: satellite technology helps automate processes, improving efficiency and reducing the increased costs of field work. In this sense, AI together with satellite images has the capacity to segment the typology or land uses in specific coordinates.
Knowing the health of the vegetation: restoring biodiversity implies knowing the health of the existing vegetation in each area. Through the analysis of near infrared satellite data, it is possible to analyze all the variables necessary to act if necessary.
Study of vegetation: carbon sinks, centennial specimens or vegetation cover are some of the main concerns of the Nature Restoration Act. With all available satellite data, AI allows to know from soil ph to NDVI without the need for field work, improving the analysis of large extensions.

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