Restoring degraded nature and improving biodiversity are important objectives that we welcome. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation was adopted in June 2024. SFIF urges the Swedish government to find a balance towards other societal goals in the implementation of the regulation. The legislation should not limit the use of forests, as we need renewable materials more than ever – for the climate and for energy security.
One key question is how to combine the objectives of this proposal with the need to transform our society in the face of climate change. For society to become less dependent on fossil fuels, we will need more renewable and recyclable raw materials and products from forests, for housing, packaging, personal hygiene, energy and more.
A key SFIF criticism has been that the legislation does not take sufficient account of differences between member states. Especially given that member states interpret the Habitats Directive differently and diverge in terms of historical land use and systems for preserving and promoting biodiversity.
When implementing the regulation, it will be essential that member states align their assessments of status of habitat types and the restoration needs. Member states would also benefit from a common understanding of how to select effective restoration measures in comparison to other policy objectives. This would enable nature restoration and the acceleration of the climate transition, while at the same time reducing negative effects on society.
Nature Restoration Law
The EU Nature Restoration Law entered into force in August 2024. The legislation contains, among other things, binding targets for the restoration of ecosystems, habitats and species, with interim targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050, including:
- Measures to increase the quality of existing habitat areas: These must either be in good status or be subject to restoration measures by 2050.
- Measures to create sufficient habitat areas: The area of habitats must amount to the so-called favorable reference area by 2050.
- The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, The Swedish Forest Agency, The Swedish Board of Agriculture and The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning have been tasked with developing a proposal for a national restoration plan. The proposal should be presented to the government by 27 February 2026.
- The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, The Swedish Forest Agency and SLU (The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) also have an ongoing assignment to conduct in-depth analyses and develop proposals for revised favourable reference areas for forest habitats.
- Sweden shall submit its draft national restoration plan to the European Commission no later than 1 September 2026.
