81%
of EU habitats in
unfavourable condition
unfavourable condition
EEA State of Nature 2020
15%
currently in
good condition (EU avg)
good condition (EU avg)
Art. 17 Habitats Directive
30%
of degraded habitats to good condition
by 2030 (NRL Art. 4)
by 2030 (NRL Art. 4)
EU Nature Restoration Law 2024
1:11
avg. benefit-to-cost
ratio of restoration
ratio of restoration
EC Impact Assessment SWD/2022/167
Habitats in Good Condition per Member State
Share of habitat assessments with good conservation status (Art. 17 Habitats Directive, 2013–2018 reporting). Orange = below NRL Art. 4 target of 30% restored to good condition by 2030; green = at or above. The 20% figure refers to a separate EU target for land/sea area covered by restoration measures.
Ecosystem Degradation by Type
Share of habitats in poor condition by ecosystem (EC SWD/2022/167). NRL requires restoring 30 % of degraded area by 2030.
NRL Restoration Milestones
2026
Member States submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission.
2030
Restore 20 % of EU land & sea; 30 % of degraded habitats; 25,000 km free-flowing rivers; 3 bn trees.
2040
Restore 60 % of degraded habitats; 40 % of drained agricultural peatlands rewetted.
2050
Restore 90 % of degraded habitats; all ecosystems in need of restoration addressed.
€
Total cost ~€154 bn to 2050; projected benefit ~€1.86 trillion (ratio ~12:1).