To meet the objectives of the European Nature Restoration Regulation, major steps are still needed in the Netherlands on nature, nitrogen, water and climate.
This is evident from a impact assessment carried out by Berenschot and Arcadis that was discussed in the Lower House at the end of February 2024 to determine the Dutch position and implementation. The alignment of this assessment has not yet been finalised within the cabinet. The Nature Restoration Regulation has a major impact on the policy areas of several departments. Approval will follow after alignment in the Council of Ministers.
Berenschot's report states that a lot is coming at the Netherlands. In part, this is because the Regulation gives (more) obligations in a large number of areas to improve biodiversity. The underlying reason is that there is now insufficient momentum and results are lacking. The Regulation should address this. Tackling biodiversity loss in the Netherlands is a substantial task and this is not news. The task is big because the Netherlands still needs to take big steps around nature, nitrogen, water and climate. For instance, existing policy needs to be better aligned, big steps need to be taken in the field of monitoring and additional funding is needed (mostly for implementation). In the actual implementation lies the biggest task of all: taking measures to restore and improve nature.
Importantly, the National Recovery Plan is also an opportunity to get the Netherlands out of the impasse. This will lead to lower costs and higher benefits in the long run. It is an opportunity to strengthen and anchor the programmes and projects that are already underway. Examples include the National Rural Area Programme (NPLG), the spatial puzzle working towards a new National Spatial Strategy and the Programmatic Approach to Large Waters (PAGW). It is also an opportunity for the government to become steady on its course and provide clarity on which areas can no longer be non-committal. These steps are necessary to get the Netherlands off the lock (again), knowing that this is a process of years.
"We are doing this primarily to restore nature, because it is in bad shape. We won flexibility among other things during the negotiations, but the task remains large and depends on smart choices. A good and coherent national nature restoration plan leads to lower costs and more benefits in the long run. And the benefits can be great, including for biodiversity, food security, (drinking) water, air quality and liveability for future generations. With nature restoration, we also create more space for new economic and social activities in the future."
Following its approval in the European Parliament, the Nature Restoration Regulation must still be approved by European member states and is then expected to enter into force in April or May this year. European member states must submit a draft national nature restoration plan to the European Commission within two years of the Nature Restoration Regulation coming into force, containing concrete measures for the period up to 2030 and with a look ahead to 2050. Starting points for this include limiting legalisation and making smart combinations when using space. In the nature restoration plan, the Netherlands will also include an assessment of the condition of the ecosystems and an outline of the planning and financing of the restoration. The national government, provinces, municipalities, water boards and other sectors are jointly responsible for implementing the nature restoration ordinance.
