Climate Action Reaches Next Level with These Two New Laws

All member states of the European Union (EU) will have to abide by two newly adopted laws, one set to restore Europe’s nature by 2050 and another aimed at cutting in half the use of chemical pesticides by 2030, as a collective effort to halt the effects of global warming.

“We have been making progress on tackling the climate crisis, and today we add two laws that represent a massive step forward in tackling the looming ecocide,” says Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans. “When we restore nature, we allow it to continue providing clean air, water, and food, and we enable it to shield us from the worst of the climate crisis.”

Wetlands, rivers, forests, grasslands, marine ecosystems, and urban environments will all be restored across Europe since humanity’s food security, climate resilience, health, and well-being depend on it. Reducing the use of chemical pesticides also contributes to the protection of the EU’s food system, as well as the health of its citizens, its soils, and pollinating insects. All 27 member states will have to comply with the request of covering at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea by 2030. They have until 2050 to restore all ecosystems in need of restitution. A global budget of $102 billion will be granted to enforce the two laws.