Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- The European Union
- The World Bank
- The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development
- (FAO
Answer: (a) The European Union
Nature Restoration Law (NRL)
- The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is a landmark environmental regulation enacted by the European Union (EU).
- The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL), adopted in June 2024, is a pioneering regulation requiring member states to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all degraded ecosystems by 2050.
- It aims to boost biodiversity, combat climate change, and enhance natural carbon sinks.
- Key Features of the NRL:
- Legally Binding Targets: The law sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, particularly those with high potential to capture and store carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
- Restoration Goals: Member States are required to implement restoration measures covering at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030.
- Ecosystem Focus: The law emphasizes restoring wetlands, rivers, forests, grasslands, marine ecosystems, and the species they host to increase biodiversity and secure ecosystem services like water and air purification, crop pollination, and flood protection.
- Climate and Biodiversity Commitments: The NRL supports the EU’s commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 and aligns with international biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- River Connectivity: Aiming to remove barriers to make at least 25,000 km of rivers free-flowing by 2030.
- Urban Green Spaces: No net loss of urban green space and tree cover by 2030, with an increase thereafter.
- Targeted Goals: Contribution to planting 3 billion additional trees and protecting marine habitats like seagrass beds.
- Funding & Economics: The law is part of the European Green Deal, offering significant economic returns of up to €4–€38 for every euro invested.
