In its Biodiversity Strategy, the EU (with its member states) is committed to halt the loss of biodiversity and reverse the negative trend in biodiversity by 2030. The targets have now been clarified in the Nature Restoration Law.
After many various phases and delays, the Nature Restoration Law was approved of by the European Union Environment Council in June 2024. The Regulation will enter into force in August 2024 and the member states must submit their national restoration plans within two years from this entry.
During the drafting, the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, with its partners, expressed their views on Article 8 (earlier Article 6) Restoration of urban ecosystems, being especially important to municipalities and cities. The concern expressed about urban biodiversity and the use of green infrastructure in built environment had an impact, as the final content of Article 8 shows a direction wished for.
Our Council will continue analysing both the content and impact of the law, hoping to be included in the cooperation made on implementation, as in drawing up the national restoration plan.
63 municipalities in Finland are covered in its Article 8, aimed at cities and towns. In the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region, the Article covers half of the municipalities: Hanko, Raasepori, Lohja, Karkkila, Espoo, Kauniainen, Helsinki, Vantaa, Kerava, Järvenpää, Tuusula, Hyvinkää and Porvoo.
The largest cities in Finland, most of its Regional Councils and the Association of Finnish Municipalities published a shared statement in May and the group of signatories expanded in June 2023.
We propose that the Article 6 will be modified according to the following principles:
- There should be more flexibility in the Article 6 for local circumstances to be taken into account.
- A threshold value should be set concerning the obligations to preserve and increase the amount of urban green space.
- Urban biodiversity and the use of green infrastructure in built environment must be increased in all Member States.
The cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, along with the Regional Councils of Helsinki-Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme and Kymenlaakso have given a shared statement in January 2023.
Further information:
Ilona Mansikka
Manager, Regional Planning
ilona.mansikka@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Development of regional land use planning, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Land Use Plan 2050. Areas of responsibility in regional land use planning: Espoo, Helsinki, Kaunainen, Vantaa. Deputy for Director of Regional Land Use Planning Mari Siivola
Silja Aalto
Adviser, Environment
silja.aalto@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Biodiversity and recreation, green structure and ecosystem services
Current
News
23.5.2023
Cities and regions demanding amendments to EU Nature Restoration Law
The largest cities in Finland, most of its Regional Councils and the Association of Finnish Municipalities have expressed their serious concern about Article 6 of the EU Nature Restoration Law, currently under preparation. A shared statement with a comprehensive list of signatories, with suggested amendments to the draft regulation, has been given to be used by the current government formation negotiators in our country. Advocacy work is also continuously carried out in Brussels.
News
27.1.2023
Threat of increasing urban sprawl by EU Nature Restoration Law
The larger cities and towns in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, along with the Regions of Southern Finland want to make an impact on the Article 6 in the suggested EU Nature Restoration Law by sharing their proposals for amendments. In its current wording, the Article would significantly complicate sustainable growth in Finnish cities and towns. It would in fact, on the contrary to its aim, lead to urban sprawl harmful for both nature and climate.
This page was last updated: 2.9.2024