The EU Nature Restoration Regulation offers new opportunities for resilient forests and sustainable forestry

Abstract

This paper examines the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) as a novel framework aimed at promoting biodiversity, ecosystem services, sustainable forestry practices and resilient ecosystems. We highlight the Swedish forests’ pivotal role in realizing the NRR goals given the substantial forest area and forest value capital, as well as the urgent need for ecological restoration, diversified forest management, and climate change adaptation in forestry. We highlight key NRR provisions, particularly Articles 4 and 12 that set quantitative restoration targets for forest habitat types and general restoration practices in forests. We note political resistance manifested in conservative interpretations that risk to compromise conservation and sustainable forest management in the future. Finally, we consider strategic, tactical, and operational NRR implementation challenges, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive national restoration plan that integrates scientific evidence on restoration needs and the financial opportunities to secure long-term ecological and economic benefits for forest owners.