On 22 June 2022, the European Commission presented its proposal on binding restoration targets (the so-called Restoration Law). Restoration is an integral part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Without it, protection alone cannot bring nature back to good health across the EU, in protected areas and beyond.

FACE has openly welcomed the proposal as it aims at putting in place time-bound obligations for ecosystem restoration together with an overarching EU target, i.e., 20% of EU’s land and sea areas must be restored by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

FACE has long advocated for habitat restoration as the most effective way to bring significant benefits to biodiversity, including huntable species, which have been heavily affected by land use change in Europe.

A strategic framework for the restoration of habitats and ecosystems requires priorities at sub-national level and involvement of regional and local authorities as well as key stakeholders from an early stage in the planning process. As restoration requires a landscape level approach, the role of stakeholders, including farmers, land managers and hunters, is key to develop workable conservation measures.

More information can be found here