The EU Nature Restoration Law and its vision for marine ecosystems

The next segment of the webinar featured a presentation by Vedran Nikolic from the European Commission, providing an in-depth overview of the groundbreaking EU Nature Restoration Law – a transformative regulation hailed as the first of its kind globally.

Representing the Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, Nikolic offered a detailed look at the law’s objectives, its implementation framework, and its potential to revolutionize marine ecosystem restoration.

Nikolic began by emphasizing the urgency of addressing ongoing ecosystem degradation across Europe, highlighting its far-reaching implications for biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic stability. He explained that healthy ecosystems are not merely an environmental priority but a fundamental pillar for sustaining robust economies and thriving societies. The shift from voluntary targets to binding legal obligations, he argued, was essential to ensure meaningful progress after previous biodiversity strategies failed to achieve their goals.

The regulation, which has been in force since August 2024, sets legally binding restoration targets. By 2030, 20% of EU land and seas must be covered by restoration measures, with all ecosystems in need addressed by 2050. For marine ecosystems, the focus lies on restoring degraded seabed habitats, closing knowledge gaps about their condition, and ensuring the recovery of species habitats.

Nikolic highlighted the intricate obligations for member states, particularly for seabed habitats such as seagrass beds, macroalgal forests, and shellfish reefs. Restoration measures must progressively cover degraded habitats, starting with 30% by 2030 and reaching 90% by 2050. In addition to improving existing habitats, countries must also re-establish lost habitats, such as boulder reefs, to achieve favorable reference conditions.

Figure 2: Where the Nature Restoration Regulation fits into the environmental legislative puzzle.

Despite its ambition, the law faces some significant hurdles. Limited knowledge about the current state and location of marine habitats, as well as uncertainty surrounding restoration success in the dynamic marine environment, complicates efforts. Nikolic noted the pressing need for upscaling small-scale restoration projects and fostering cross-border cooperation, particularly in shared marine regions like the Baltic Sea.

The Commission has mandated that member states develop National Restoration Plans by August 2026, which will outline specific actions, financing needs, and implementation strategies. Nikolic pointed out the critical role that regional collaboration through structures like HELCOM and projects under Mission Ocean achieving synergies and addressing shared challenges.

To assist member states, the European Commission is mobilizing significant resources, including funding through Horizon Europe and tailored guidance. A dedicated LIFE project is underway to support habitat mapping, condition assessments, and the development of restoration measures. Looking ahead, the Commission will publish a report on funding needs and gaps in 2025, informed by input from events like this webinar.

Nikolic concluded his presentation with a message of optimism and readiness, emphasizing the European Commission’s commitment to supporting member states in the challenging yet vital journey of ecosystem restoration. He highlighted that the Commission is fully prepared to assist throughout the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law, stressing the importance of working together in achieving the shared goal of restoring Europe’s marine ecosystems.

The leadership of Jessica Roswell, the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Environment, was also noted as a key factor in driving this effort forward. Nikolic conveyed that the Commission, under her guidance, is dedicated to providing the necessary resources and support for the successful restoration of Europe’s marine environments.