Publication Date: 21 October 2025
Regulation on Nature Restoration – Challenges and Opportunities
From 8 to 10 October 2025, the European and Regional Conference consisting of three panels titled “Impact Assessment and EU Taxonomy: From Policy to Practice” was held in Opatija. The event brought together experts and representatives of the academic community with the aim of exchanging experiences on the practical application of sustainability principles.
At the panel Nature Restoration Regulation - From Obligations to Implementation, Associate Professor Ivan Vučković, PhD, a distinguished expert from Elektroprojekt, participated as a panelist, sharing his professional insights and reflections on the challenges and opportunities arising from the implementation of the EU Taxonomy in the development and execution of climate and economic policies.
Below is a brief summary of the panel’s conclusions:
The Nature Restoration Regulation marks important milestone in European environmental policy. For the first time, it sets legally binding targets for the restoration of ecosystems, firmly linking nature protection with development, climate, and economic policies.
Natural resources we rely on are not infinite, and even renewable ones are now so degraded and depleted that they can barely withstand the pressures and threats caused by human activity. This Regulation must therefore be understood not as an obligation of the nature protection sector alone, but as a shared responsibility across all sectors of society.
Data from the latest Report on the Conservation Status of Species and Habitat Types clearly demonstrate the urgency for investment in restoration - almost half of all habitat types in Croatia are in an unfavourable condition. The preparation of the Nature Restoration Plan is therefore a key step in defining national priorities for restoration.
Effective implementation will require a broad partnership - among public institutions, the scientific community, businesses, and civil society - with local communities playing important role, as restoration ultimately happens on the ground.
The EU financial instruments provide a vital opportunity to deliver on the Regulation’s ambitions. Ensuring their adequacy, coherence, and effective deployment will be key to success.
Nature restoration delivers multiple long-term benefits - from safeguarding biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience to supporting the economy and improving the well-being of citizens. It is an investment in Europe’s sustainable future and our resilience.
