Over one million citizens, hundreds of civil society groups and scientists and political parties have actively called for swift adoption of the Nature Restoration Law. Latest analysis of political parties’ manifestos for European elections reveals almost all have prioritized commitments to invest in nature. Healthy ecosystems aren’t just nice to have — continued degradation becomes a major human health issue.
So who is listening to these deafening scores of people from all across our societies and economy, who are collectively underlining the urgent societal and business cases for nature restoration?
The European Parliament, representing close to 450 million people, has done so, giving the democratic green light for Nature Restoration to pass over the finish line. The Parliament has recognised that over 80% of European habitats are in poor shape and countries must urgently introduce targets to restore nature.
However, now we see worrying signs that some governments are reacting to a cynical minority of lobbyists still trying to kill this vital law. Some lobbyists, who failed to win their arguments against nature on substance, have switched tactics to claim that financing is undecided, so this warrants delay. Yet this is another example of misinformation or at least misunderstanding.