EU Approves Landmark Nature Restoration Law

The European Union has approved a landmark Nature Restoration Law, committing member states to restore at least 20% of the bloc's land and sea by 2030. The law passed with a two-thirds majority from 20 of the 27 member states, despite opposition from countries including Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Austria's environment minister, Leonore Gewessler, played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock with her unexpected support. The law aims to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss by setting legally binding restoration targets for various ecosystems. The approval has been contentious, especially among farmers concerned about economic impacts and implementation costs. Despite the opposition, the law is part of the EU's broader European Green Deal and seeks to position the bloc as a global leader in climate and biodiversity efforts.