Italy Leading the Way in the European Nature Restoration Law: Scientific Perspectives

The European Nature Restoration Law (NRL) marks a historic milestone in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. It is the first continental legislation to promote ecosystem restoration as an integrated strategy for protecting human health and well-being.

During the recent Global Roundtable organized by The Nature of Cities, Chiara Baldacchini and Carlo Calfapietra of NbS Italy Hub discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing the NRL, with a focus on Italian experiences. Ecosystem restoration must be considered a strategic investment for sustainable development, requiring cross-sectoral and synergistic action across all areas of society. The NRL aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, an ambitious challenge that demands rigorous and well-coordinated planning.

It was highlighted that Italy has a unique opportunity to integrate existing resources and initiatives, such as the Natura 2000 network and the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (PNRR), to ensure a sustainable future. Investments in research and knowledge are transforming the approach to biodiversity and ecosystem management, offering new practical solutions for restoration.

The economic dimension of ecological restoration was also emphasized as fundamental. According to the European Commission, every euro invested in ecological restoration generates an economic return of 8 to 38 euros. Moreover, the World Economic Forum has estimated that 44% of global GDP depends on ecosystem services provided by healthy and functional habitats, and biodiversity loss could reduce global GDP by $2.7 trillion annually by 2030.

An important initiative in Italy is the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), funded by the PNRR. It is the largest biodiversity research project ever launched in the country. With over €320 million in investment and the participation of more than 2,000 researchers, the project aims to build a shared data platform to support policy decisions and restoration practices, accelerating the implementation of European policies.

Chiara Baldacchini and Carlo Calfapietra, as representatives of NbS Italy Hub, believe that implementing the NRL, supported by a solid knowledge base and a shared strategy, represents one of the most important challenges for the future of our planet. As Calfapietra concluded: “We have no reasonable alternatives: nature restoration is essential to ensure sustainability for us and future generations.”