By Néstor Fernández, Scientific Coordinator in the Biodiversity Conservation research group
Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside colleagues at the European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (ETC BE), the European Commission, and the European Environment Agency (EEA) to develop the format of Europe’s National Restoration Plans (NRPs).
The Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), formerly known as the Nature Restoration Law, was first introduced as part of the EU Green Deal in 2022 in response to the startling fact that more than 80% of European habitats are in poor condition. It was further developed to restore degraded ecosystems while aligning with the action-oriented targets and goals of the UN CBD Global Biodiversity Framework and other EU commitments to protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem integrity, bolster climate resilience, and facilitate sustainable land use.
To achieve the legally-binding, short- and long-term targets of the NRR, all EU Member States must develop NRPs. The states are committed to deliver their draft NRPs next year to the European Commission, identifying their restoration ambition and means of implementation.
A landmark for restoration: the first uniform format
For the first time, EU member states are developing NRPs using a uniform format — a major achievement that ensures transparency and consistency in implementation and measurable progress toward European nature restoration goals. My team at iDiv and I were pivotal in developing this format, making it easier to compare, report, and track data and information for restoration efforts across different countries. Furthermore, we provided a structure for coherent planning with national, sub-national and regional authorities and stakeholders.
Our major considerations were ensuring that EU member states included their targeted ecosystems and expected restoration outcomes; informed on area-based restoration measures consistently; had an established reporting structure to document progress; outlined their financial planning, including funding sources and allocation; and shared implementation timelines for both short-term and long-term goals.
With 27 EU member states, the regulation had to strike a balance between harmonisation and flexibility, ensuring that while national plans address unique ecological needs, they still align with overarching EU restoration targets. Before its approval, the NRR faced intense debate over economic concerns, agricultural impacts, and restoration feasibility.
On the final vote of the uniform format of the NRPs, 26 out of 27 Member States representing 97% of the EU population voted in favour.
The final version, shaped by expert groups, representative states, and 200 contributions from the public, provides a framework that is both effective and adaptable, allowing for tailored strategies while maintaining a unified approach to nature recovery.
How EU nations are setting priorities
Right now, countries are still in the planning phase, needing to specify their restoration actions. Once countries move into the planning phase, EU member states can submit their NRPs by 1st September 2026 through an online tool designed by the EEA to allow for tracking and comparison of restoration efforts.
For example, Germany aims to adopt an ambitious strategy, emphasising biodiversity enhancement and sustainable land management. The German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) has outlined key recommendations, guiding efforts toward forest restoration to boost carbon storage and biodiversity.
Germany is also prioritising wetland and peatland recovery to strengthen climate resilience, while expanding urban green spaces to improve air quality and biodiversity, ensuring restoration efforts benefit both natural landscapes and urban environments.
Sources
Degraded ecosystems to be restored across Europe as Nature Restoration Law enters into force