Europe’s Regulation, Reforestation, and Restoration

Source: WWF 

2024 marked the implementation of EU Nature Restoration Regulation. This policy operates alongside the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy by creating targets dedicated to  reversing the ecosystem damage caused by unmitigated economic growth. This strategy stems from the European Green Deal with the goal of  slowing the decline of biodiversity by 2030.

Why This Matters

• Restore/Preserve Ecosystem Services: Nature protects and provides for all beings, whether it’s through pollination, air and purification, or even flood protection. All organisms fundamentally rely on a stable ecosystem  to survive.

• Land preservation: To protect biodiversity, land must be treated carefully. Deforestation and urbanization are two examples of actions that halt natural processes that result in detrimental impacts on food chains, soil, air, and ultimately humans.

• Protection from Natural Disasters: Restoration efforts help prevent severe natural disasters, which could have devastating impacts on infrastructure and ecosystems, implementing strategic policy geared at protecting Europe from natural impacts.

• Combat Rising Global Temperatures: Temperatures are rising quickly, with catastrophic impacts on ecosystems.

Timeline of EU Policy Actions

Source: Responsible Alpha.

The EU Nature Restoration Plan: Purpose, Goal, and Application

The EU Nature Restoration Plan addresses improving the 81% of the EU’s habitats that are poor condition with multiple species in decline, and consequential ecosystem degradation.

Restoring ecosystems is the goal of this plan.

Key Targets of the EU Nature Restoration Plan

The plan focuses on current regulations that the EU can build upon. This includes a variety of policy around land and water exist within the EU, and the Nature Restoration Plan works towards widespread improvement of biodiversity. Targets are:

• Reverse the Decline of Pollinators: By 2030, undo the severe decline in pollinating insects.

• Urban and Forest Ecosystems: Preserve green space in urbanized areas along with prioritizing the makeup of forests.

• Agriculture Prioritization: Increase populations of grassland butterflies and birds along with efforts to establish healthy soil, diverse landscapes, and restore drained peatlands.

• Marine Preservation: Protect oceans from the consequences of climate change, restore marine habitats for dolphins, sharks, seabirds, and other species.

• River Connectivity: Remove obstacles to river connectivity within EU surface waterways, with protection of at least 25,000 km of rivers.

  
  

Case Study: What Success Looks Like

Aligning with the agriculture prioritization target, a nature restoration success story involves 3,000 hectares of peatlands known as the ‘Living Bog’ project. State interference with drain blockage, rising water levels, and removal of invasive plants allowed the bog to grow back successfully. This project resulted in increased peatland restoration projects throughout Ireland, ultimately showcasing the goal and sustained impact of the EU’s Restoration Plan.

Key Asks

The commitments of the EU Biodiversity Strategy include:

• Creating a larger system with increased enforcement of protected land and sea areas. 

• Implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation, which focuses on long term recovery methods and demonstrates a comprehensive plan with clear targets.

• Establish an innovative pathway to ground-breaking changes; progress tracking, increased learning methods, better investment, and efforts to prioritize nature during decision making efforts

Persistence in the wake of impending climate threats showcases the aim of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Building resistance against climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, and spread of disease acts as the goal of this plan. The show of progress holds the EU accountable in achieving these goals, while providing insight on the indicators that require further attention.

Take Action

• EU Governments: Follow these strategies closer than ever, ensure productive implementation, and hold large corporations accountable for destructive and irresponsible behavior.

• Global Policy Makers: Work towards establishing domestic policy dedicated to nature restoration and biodiversity.

• Corporations: Educate employees on the importance of nature restoration and environmental protectionism; foster an environment that actively prioritizes sustainable practices.

The Wall Street Green Summit demonstrates a great way for leaders in climate, energy, and sustainable finance to take action. On March 10-11th, 2026, leading environmental figures will come together and discuss initiatives for issues and topics within sustainable finance, climate risk, and nature transitions. An event called Forests as Infrastructure: Investing in Tropical Native Reforestation will be held during session four, highlighting the role of investors in forest restoration. Climate experts, investors, and innovators are encouraged to register!