SHOWCASE partner Dr Ignasi Bartomeus recently co-authored an article in the prominent Spanish newspaper El País discussing the Natural Restoration Law and the importance of conserving biodiversity. As the article mentions, humanity is facing an unprecedented ecological crisis, with ecosystems rapidly degrading due to pollution, climate change and the overuse of natural resources. 

In response, the European Union has introduced the Nature Restoration Law, a binding regulation aimed at reversing environmental damage. The law sets ambitious but necessary targets, such as restoring 90% of degraded habitats by 2050. Beyond its environmental impact, this initiative also presents a significant economic opportunity by creating jobs in key sectors like forest management, river restoration and sustainable agriculture, the latter being at the core of SHOWCASE’s objectives. Protecting nature is not just about biodiversity—it also ensures essential services like clean water, fresh air and crop pollination, which are vital for human survival.

Despite concerns that the law could harm agricultural productivity, its true goal is to secure the sector’s long-term sustainability by preventing soil degradation and water shortages. In fact, SHOWCASE experimental biodiversity areas are proving that achieving biodiversity conservation and crop production is possible and effective. Studies show that every euro invested in ecosystem restoration can yield benefits of up to 38 euros, proving that environmental recovery is not a burden but a smart economic strategy. 

For all these reasons the article suggests that this law presents a unique opportunity for society to reverse environmental degradation and its negative impacts. It will help secure our future by maintaining the ecosystem services that support our health and quality of life. However, the law’s success will depend on collective action from governments, businesses and citizens. 

Read the article here. 

Image: Screenshot taken from El Pais article