The deadline for EU countries to submit their draft National Restoration Plans under Nature Restoration Law has been reached.

National Restoration Plans (NRPs) are a key tool to help combat wildfires, drought and act as carbon sinks. The target is to restore at least 20 per cent of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030, and all degraded ecosystems by 2050. Other targets include establishing 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers by 2030 and ensuring no net loss of urban green space by 2030.

Additionally, with more than 80 per cent of its habitats in poor condition, restoring ecosystems is essential to halt biodiversity loss, a necessity for our livelihood including food productions.

Member States had until 1 September to submit plans, and environmental organisations have urged governments to move beyond box-ticking and set out credible, science-based plans that deliver restoration on the ground.

The #RestoreNature coalition has urged governments to make plans that are “inclusive, science-based and politically empowered” setting out where restoration will happen, what measures will be taken, who is responsible, and how it will be financed.

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