National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources – work begins

On November 21, the first meeting of the inter-ministerial team tasked with preparing the National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources (KPO ZP) took place. The obligation to develop this important document applies to all EU countries and stems from the European Parliament and Council Regulation adopted in June, known as the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). How can Poland benefit from restoring biodiversity?

What is the NRL and why was it created?

As much as 81% of natural habitats in Europe are in poor condition, and one-third of all bee and butterfly species are rapidly declining in numbers. The European Parliament and Council Regulation, which came into force on August 18, aims to halt the biodiversity crisis and improve climate change adaptation.

The Nature Restoration Law is the first legal act of its kind in history, covering the entire continent and implementing the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. It specifically focuses on restoring:

• Biodiversity-rich habitats, such as wetlands, forests, dunes, etc.
• Populations of pollinating insects;
• Forest ecosystems as natural carbon storage;
• Urban ecosystems to increase green areas;
• Rural ecosystems, particularly considering bird and butterfly populations and organic carbon in soil;
• Marine ecosystems, including measures to mitigate climate change and restore populations of dolphins, porpoises, and waterfowl;
• River connectivity – by 2030, 25,000 km of rivers should regain free-flow potential.

Overall, the restoration process is expected to cover 20% of the EU’s land and water areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

National Plans for the Restoration of Natural Resources

The NRL requires member states to prepare national plans that assess the needs and resources necessary for implementation. These documents should include a timeline for implementation, a budget, funding sources, and expected benefits for mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources must be submitted to the European Commission by August 2026 and include specific goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. The preparation process for the KPO ZP should be open and transparent, ensuring public participation and input from key stakeholders.

Work on Poland’s National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources has begun

Responsibility for preparing Poland’s National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources lies with the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Since the task is ambitious and requires extensive collaboration, representatives from other ministries and institutions have been involved in its implementation.

The inaugural meeting in Warsaw included representatives from the General Directorate for Environmental Protection, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, the State Forests Directorate-General, the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute, and several ministries, including Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure, Development and Technology, European Funds and Regional Policy. Maritime offices and research institutes were also present.

Hopes for the KPO ZP are high. The Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Henning-Kloska, wrote in a letter to the Marshal of the Sejm: “Polish society and the private enterprise sector can benefit significantly from the restoration of natural resources through the implementation of tools for mitigating climate change and solutions for adapting to disaster risk management.”

The minister also noted that the plan could positively impact citizens’ health, strengthen natural heritage, and improve the quality and safety of food and water.