EU states push past opposition to adopt landmark nature restoration law

Trees with trunks blackened by forest fires are seen near the village of Setienes following an earlier outbreak of wildfires in northern Spain's Asturias region, August 24, 2023. More than 80 percent of Europe's habitats are in poor shape [Vincent West/Reuters]

The European Union countries have defeated opposition to greenlight a landmark nature restoration law that commits member states to revitalise at least a fifth of the bloc’s land and sea by 2030.

Twenty of the 27 members of the European Council voted in favour of the legislation on Monday, giving it the two-thirds majority required to pass. The passage of the environmental regulations came despite stiff opposition from several states.