Luxembourg (dpa) – Germany’s Environment Minister Steffi Lemke sees a nature conservation law passed by a majority of EU states as being a key step towards preserving an intact natural environment in Europe. “I very much welcome the fact that the EU member states have adopted the Nature Restoration Law,” said the Minister. Among other things, the law provides for reforestation measures as well as the restoration of moors and rivers in the European Union to their natural state. A sufficient majority of EU member states voted in favour of the Nature Restoration Law in Luxembourg.  

It is part of the so-called Green Deal – the EU’s path to achieving its goal of climate-neutrality by 2050. “The law aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters,” the EU states announced. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, restoration measures enable floodplains to be reclaimed and can also reduce the risk of flooding.  

Germany is now required submit a plan to the EU Commission within two years on what measures will be taken. This might include creating wildflower strips, planting trees in city centres or removing dams from rivers, for example.