At the end of March, Greece became the first European country to legislate (No. 5037) the latest global and European biodiversity targets. Central among them are the following two: the first concerns the protection of nature, so that by 2030 30% of the country’s territory on land and at sea will be placed under protection. The second concerns the restoration of nature and, in particular, the adoption and implementation of measures in areas, inside and outside the Natura 2000 areas, which are not currently in a good state of conservation. These measures should cover 30% of these areas by 2030, and then 60% and 100% of the areas by 2040 and 2050. respectively.

In addition, an explicit ban on the degradation of protected habitats is included, as well as sub-targets to protect specific valuable and vulnerable ecosystems (forests and wetlands), restore fish and pollinator populations, and increase urban green spaces.

These national goals are in line with those contained in the international Kunming-Montreal Agreement, reached by the world community only in December 2022, confirming its commitment to biodiversity conservation, as well as in the EU Biodiversity Strategy until 2030. In addition, they will also include targets from the European Commission’s proposal for a new European law on nature restoration even before finalization at the level of the European Parliament and Council. Therefore, Greece is in favor of its adoption, despite the opposite position of the European People’s Party, which rejects the new Regulation mainly because of the provisions regarding the restoration of agricultural ecosystems. Of course, this may be the reason why specific agro-ecosystem targets were not included in the new national targets.

The government’s decision to support the most ambitious environmental trends goes hand in hand with Greece’s comparative advantage. For example, already 27% of the land is included in the Natura 2000 network, and if national protected areas are added, then the percentage of land put under protection exceeds 34%. In addition, 48% of the habitats are already in good condition compared to 15% at the EU level, placing the country third among the 27 EU member states. Thus, the recovery effort is comparatively less than in other Member States, and the benefits are significant and even many times (up to 10 times) the required investment. Among the benefits stand out climate change mitigation and adaptation, space for exercise and mental uplift and, obviously, the possibility of developing sustainable activities while creating jobs.

However, the impact of this positive Government initiative will depend on whether the set goals are ultimately realized. Today, nature conservation, let alone its restoration, is not part of the country’s political tradition. Fulfillment of obligations to nature is its weak point and has several times led to the condemnation of decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union. This is also reflected in the text of the recent law, which, although there are mandatory, albeit quantitative, targets, there are no provisions for their implementation.

In view of the popular elections and the new term of government, whatever its composition, a National Plan for the Restoration of Nature must be drawn up immediately, in which it will be determined in detail, quantitatively and geographically, which territories will be restored, what measures will be taken. will be implemented, what will be the implementation schedule, what will be the cost and who will be the competent authorities to implement, oversee and monitor progress towards the goals. Thus, it will complement the new Biodiversity Action Plan, which should also be based on the latest data and, together, will form the basis of the national policy in the field of nature conservation.

The most important factor here is intersectoral cooperation with the assistance of all involved bodies and institutions. At the same time, the central state advisory body on biodiversity issues, the Nature 2000 Commission, which includes representatives of various ministries, the scientific community and civil society, can play an important oversight role.

Equally important is the provision of national and European resources, with the first step being the provision of resources for the programming period 2021-2027 to prepare and implement the plan.

However, first of all, a change in the perception of our relationship to nature is required. And if the times when forests, streams and beaches were considered dumps are (hopefully) over, that’s not enough. For example, reversing the inadequate and unsatisfactory state of conservation of all types of the country’s coastal habitats will require planning, research, technical staff, resources and, above all, the will to realize new commitments to nature. The problem is not small for a country that treats (albeit with less tolerance) nature as a space for all kinds of construction and infrastructure … even a fence – like Mykonos. It will be necessary to realize that the benefits of restoring nature outweigh any costs and concern all of us, today and in the future.

Thanks to the new law, designed for the period from 2030 to 2050, Greece can be placed at the forefront of the world and European community. But he will need not to let his past determine the future, but to create a new better state in which nature is given priority. Will he do it?

* Ms. Ioli Cristopoulou, Policy Director, Green Reservoir think tank.