EOcafe: Restoring nature and biodiversity: the possibilities for EO

Event: Webinar

Over 80% of European habitats are in poor shape. Restoring these natural ecosystems and habitats is crucial to addressing climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters. Environmental organisations such as the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the EEB (European Environmental Bureau) have long since been pushing for an updated EU legislation that will protect and restore these crucial ecosystems.

Details

Event Details

The European Commission first proposed the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) in June 2022, the first major piece of EU biodiversity legislation since the Habitats Directive in 1992. The NRL was adopted in June 2024 and mandates the restoration of 30% of land and sea habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2030, and 90% by 2050.

Earth observation can already offer significant and valuable datasets to support biodiversity related policies in the EU, with a long-standing tradition of the use of EO for policies such as the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, as well as the Biodiversity Strategy. Looking towards the future, the opportunities for EO in the biodiversity domain will continue to grow with the NRL.

The Nature Restoration Law mandates Member States to adopt national restoration plans which should outline how they intend to achieve these targets. The text specifically mentions that Member State monitoring systems should maximise the access and use of data and services from remote sensing and EO in general.

Given the comprehensiveness of the law and this explicit reference to EO, it is clear that EO and EO service providers will play a significant role in its implementation, and significant opportunities will arise from this new policy.

Date and Time

26th of September 2024, 16.00-17.00 CEST