Generation Climate Europe (GCE) hosted its Council Presidency Youth Dialogue (CPYD) on 22 November 2023. After intensive trilogue discussions between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), a compromise was reached between all three institutions. This agreed to put the law on a strengthened path following drastic cuts to its effectiveness previously undertaken by the Parliament. The NRL cannot face further reductions of integrity given key components of its framework that already weaken the binding nature of many of its targets and allow for loopholes that undermine the timely implementation of restoration measures.
The NRL was most recently approved by the Parliament’s ENVI Committee on 29 November 2023, and now awaits final approval by the European Council and a Plenary session of the Parliament in early 2024. As it stands now, EU Member States shall aim to restore 20% of ecosystems by 2030. Such targets will theoretically serve to combat biodiversity loss, help mitigate climate change, and strive to uphold the virtues of intergenerational equity.
Incorporating the values and voices of young people into the framework of the NRL is imperative to ensure the representation of those who will be disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental degradation. Given young people’s involvement in current efforts to protect the environment, their valuable knowledge in addressing environmental challenges and threats, and their stake in the future creation of green jobs, the CPYD served as a platform to address youth concerns in the final adoption process of the NRL. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity for participants to express and present their views on youth participation and decision-making.
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