Support to the preparation of france’s national restoration plan

The Commission is supporting France in drafting the measures for the preparation of the French national restoration plan.

Context

The alarming decline of biodiversity in the EU is highlighted in the European Green Deal as one of the biggest threats facing the EU in the next decades, because our society and economy are heavily dependent on the benefits that healthy ecosystems provide, including for agricultural productivity. Currently, more than 80% of natural habitats in the EU are in poor status, and one in three species of bees and butterflies are in decline. To address these challenges, the European Commission proposed the Nature Restoration Law in June 2022, which was subsequently adopted in 2024. It introduces binding EU-level targets, and will require Member States to implement effective restoration measures, covering at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030. By 2050, comprehensive measures should encompass all ecosystems needing restoration. Under this new legislation, Member States are expected to submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission within two years of the Regulation coming into force, showing how they will deliver on the targets.

France, boasting exceptional biodiversity owing to its diverse geography, overseas territories, and human influences, also faces challenges as it ranks among the countries with the highest number of globally threatened species. Merely a fraction of its habitats and EU-listed species maintain favorable conservation statuses. This decline in biodiversity affects crucial services like pollination, valued at billions annually. Amid climate change, restoring these ecosystems becomes imperative. 

Support to be delivered

The support measures would provide elements needed for the preparation of the French national restoration plan. They would include the following:

1. An assessment of the synergies between restoration measures and climate change, including:

• The relevance of restoration measures in light of climate change

• The climate mitigation potential of restoration measures

• Possibilities to support ecosystems to adapt to climate change through restoration

2. A report on the socio-economic impacts of the various restoration measures, in particular on productive ecosystems, in order to support prioritisation of restoration measures

3. A methodological framework for stakeholders to quantify the economic impacts of restoration projects and their appropriateness in terms of adapting production/management to climate change

4. A method for monitoring the economic impact of restoration projects on stakeholders

5. Assessment and recommendations of unfavourable financing and financing needs for restoration

6. Support for stakeholder consultation 

Expected results

The support is expected to result in the finalisation and adoption of the French national restoration plan.