Ministers responsible for the environment in the 27 EU member States will seek to finalise discussions on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) on Monday after shelving a vote in March.
The ministers "will exchange views and share opinions with a view to formally adopting the regulation" at a public session of the EU's Environment Council in Luxembourg, a statement from the Council read.
The NRL would oblige Member States to restore at least 20% of habitat areas in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050 – making them the first legally binding targets to restore ecosystems in the EU.
The bill still awaits the Council’s final go-ahead but has so far failed to obtain the approval of a qualified majority: at least 15 of the 27 states, representing a minimum of 65% of the EU population.
Approved by the European Parliament in February, the vote on the landmark NRL legislation of the European Green Deal is normally only a formality but did not take place in March when it became clear the legislation would not get the support after Hungary's sudden U-turn.
The European People’s Party (EPP, conservatives) targeted the legislation under pressure from the agriculture sector – which saw tractors head to the Belgian capital – along with leaders such as outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD), who has asked for a "pause" in EU climate laws.
