The European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation that establishes a uniform format for national restoration plans under the Nature Restoration Regulation, which entered into force in August 2024. The uniform format is the central implementation tool for the Regulation. It will support Member States in their nature restoration planning and keep administrative burden as low as possible through pre-filling and a report-once approach, in line with the Commission’s commitment to simplification. This marks a critical step forward in the EU’s collective effort to support ecosystem recovery across the EU, enhance their resilience as well as the resilience of our economies, and address the impacts of climate change.
Restoring nature is an essential contribution to the EU’s long-term economic security and welfare as it guarantees the availability of ecosystem services on which 70% of our economy depends. Healthy ecosystems protect cities and rural areas from heatwaves, flooding, droughts and other natural disasters. They support food production through pollination and soil fertility and secure clean and healthy air and drinking water.
The Commission is committed to collaborating with Member States and supporting them in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation. National nature restoration plans will include a quantification and mapping of the areas to be restored, a comprehensive list of all planned restoration measures, timelines and financing strategies to support restoration efforts and links to related policies on biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and climate, among other elements.
The new Implementing Regulation introduces a standardised format that all Member States must use to submit their national restoration plans. This consistent format, developed in collaboration with the European Environment Agency (EEA), will:
- Ensure legal alignment with the Regulation
- Enable objective evaluation and comparison across national restoration plans
- Reuse data already submitted under other policies (e.g. agriculture, climate, water), reducing duplication
- Minimise administrative burden through pre-filling and a ‘report once’ approach
- Leverage digital tools (Reportnet3 system) to facilitate analysis and reporting
- Track progress over time and identify best practices
- Support public transparency and stakeholder participation
The EEA is currently developing the Reportnet3 system to ensure it is fully operational in time for Member States to submit their draft national restoration plans by 1 September 2026. The Commission will assess and provide feedback within six months, with final plans expected within six months later.
The adoption of this Implementing Regulation provides a clear, consistent and practical framework to support Member States in their nature restoration planning, helping to ensure that Nature Restoration Regulation can deliver measurable and lasting results for ecosystems and society.
