Over 80% of European habitats are in poor shape. Restoring these natural ecosystems and habitats is crucial to addressing climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters. Environmental organisations such as the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the EEB (European Environmental Bureau) have long since been pushing for an updated EU legislation that will protect and restore these crucial ecosystems.
The European Commission first proposed the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) in June 2022, the first major piece of EU biodiversity legislation since the Habitats Directive in 1992. The NRL was adopted in June 2024 and mandates the restoration of 30% of land and sea habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2030, and 90% by 2050.
Earth observation can already offer significant and valuable datasets to support biodiversity related policies in the EU, with a long-standing tradition of the use of EO for policies such as the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, as well as the Biodiversity Strategy. Looking towards the future, the opportunities for EO in the biodiversity domain will continue to grow with the NRL.
The Nature Restoration Law mandates Member States to adopt national restoration plans which should outline how they intend to achieve these targets. The text specifically mentions that Member State monitoring systems should maximise the access and use of data and services from remote sensing and EO in general.
Given the comprehensiveness of the law and this explicit reference to EO, it is clear that EO and EO service providers will play a significant role in its implementation, and significant opportunities will arise from this new policy.
Join our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General), Amanda Fronzi (Nature Restoration Officer, WWF Italy) and Florencia Sanchez Acosta (Policy Officer for Biodiversity, European Environmental Bureau) as they discuss the new Nature Restoration Law, the environmental targets it mandates, as well as the potential role for EO service providers when it comes to biodiversity monitoring and the implementation of the NRL.
Some questions that could be addressed during this EOcafe include:
- What are the key aspects of the NRL that the EO community should be aware of?
- Which ecosystems does the NRL cover?
- What are the environmental data needs for the implementation of the NRL?
- Are there any characteristics of the NRL where EO services/EO data can be of particular relevance (e.g., transboundary environmental monitoring)?
- What type of nature restoration/biodiversity related projects does the WWF Italy work on? And what type of environmental data are needed for the implementation of these projects?
- What are the different needs of the different organisations working on biodiversity and nature restoration (e.g. EEB, WWF Italy, Member States, policy makers, etc.)?
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Tanya Walker (tanya.walker@earsc.org).