Irish Greens celebrating 'historic' victory for nature after EU restoration law passes
"Nature restoration law offers us our best chance of climate resilience, food security and restoring habitats and nature at scale"
Irish Greens are celebrating a “historic” victory for nature after bringing the hard-fought EU ‘restoration law’ back from the brink. Green Party Ireland ministers Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan were behind a push to save the game-changing legislation, which aims to protect 20 per cent of our lands and seas.
They initiated a letter, signed by 11 member states, calling on others to support the law, which sets targets for our most rare and precious habitats and the unique wildlife that inhabits them.
After months of debate and delays, the Nature Restoration Law finally passed at the European Council in Luxembourg on Monday with a majority of 1.07 per cent and the support of 20 nations holding 66.07 per cent of the EU’s population.
READ MORE: Ireland leading calls for EU to adopt long awaited Nature Restoration Law
READ MORE: Eamon Ryan furious at attempts to derail EU Nature Restoration Law
Italy, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden voted against it, while Austria and Slovakia did a last minute U-turn to help get it over the line.
Speaking after the landmark vote, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said: “It was one of the longest applauses I’ve heard in the European Council because it was a future-looking, important day.
“I am proud of the central role Ireland played in getting this law over the line - the restoration of nature is in everyone’s interest. We will have no food security if our natural ecosystems are destroyed.”
The new law includes legally-binding targets for ecosystem restoration, with payments for farmers who volunteer in related schemes.
In Ireland, it will mean actions to protect and restore ancient woodlands, blanket bogs, coastal lagoons, dunes and species-rich grasslands, as well as declining species like the hen harrier, natterjack toad and marsh fritillary butterfly.
Minister Ryan says farmers will benefit most from the NRL as “voluntary measures promoted by the law... will allow them to avail of new income streams to pay for their work managing our land”.
Nature Minister Malcolm told the Irish Mirror the outcome “is a culmination of what has been a rollercoaster of this law, controversial and all as it is, but absolutely vital. In particular, we see it in where flooding and weather events are taking hold.
“Nature restoration law offers us our best chance of climate resilience, food security and restoring habitats and nature at scale. Our next steps will be to begin our process of developing a national nature restoration plan.
“That has to be in place and ready to go by 2026 - that’s €3.15bn that will have targeted actions for nature restoration.
“In terms of reassuring farmers, the reality is that tens of thousands of them are already participating in voluntary schemes for nature restoration. We’ve been consistently clear that we want farmers paid for these services.”
He added that nature schemes will not impact farm payments and participation will be voluntary.
Around 85 per cent of Ireland’s internationally important and protected habitats are currently in poor condition, according to Birdwatch Ireland.
Its CEO, Linda Lennon, described the nature restoration win as a “symbol European countries are committed to facing our climate, habitat and biodiversity crises as a collective that’s committed to a science-based approach” and added that “now the Irish government can start the process of creating Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan with all stakeholders”.
The Irish Wildlife Trust described the move as a “huge win for nature”.
Its general manager, Kieran Flood, said: “People have been calling for immediate action to help protect and restore nature in Ireland and this law will finally put in concrete measures to achieve this.”
The charity’s marine advocacy officer, Grace Carr, added: “Now the work starts on creating National Restoration Plans and effectively implementing the law.”
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
