EU’s Nature Restoration Law

Description

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Context

On 12 July 2023, European Parliament voted to pass a key biodiversity bill to protect and preserve land and water habitats of European Union.
The nature restoration law was passed with 336 votes in favour. 13 were abstained and 300 were against it.

Nature restoration act

This act is an initiative of European Commission to protect nature and combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
It aims to restore habitats and species covering 20% of land/sea areas by 2030.
Some of Its objectives are
- To revive and preserve the degraded ecosystems.
- To protect and preserve forest and marine areas.
- To increase and boost connectivity between rivers.
- To encourage the growth of bees, birds and butterflies population

Opposition of the nature restoration law

The conservative lawmakers, especially from European people’s party, opposed this law for the feat that it will hurt the farmers across EU.
They said it was a bad proposal from farmers’ point of view which would also fuel inflation.
According to the construction of wind and hydroelectric energy facilities would be affected.
Concerns about food security were also

Need and significance of this law

Succession of droughts, floods and heat waves in Europe.
To full fills the objectives of United Nations biodiversity conference agreement, which necessitates protection of 30% of the world’s lands and oceans important for nature.
More than 80% of habitats in Europe are in degraded conditions.
This law will be economically significant. To put it in quantifiable terms – it is assumed that every euro invested would result in at least eight euro in benefits.
This law would also help in revitalising soils and will support pollinators which will add to food and nutrition security.

Must Read Article:

European Union

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/european-union-eu

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/european-union-14

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PRACTICE QUESTION

The recent Nature restoration law, a key biodiversity bill of European Union (EU), has a stated aim to conserve habitats and biodiversity. Critically analyse with respect to the implications it would have on the food security and economic growth of EU. (250 words)