The Nature Restoration Law marks a crucial step in the European Union’s commitment to restoring natural ecosystems. Adopted in June 2024, the Regulation aims to restore at least 20% of ecosystems by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050, requiring Member States to implement national restoration plans.
It is an ambitious goal, one that calls for collective commitment and a shared vision.
Fondazione UNA and AB: a constructive discussion on the Nature Restoration Law
The opportunities offered by the Regulation were explored by Fondazione UNA, in collaboration with Agrivenatoria Biodiversitalia — AB — during the event “Restoration Law – What opportunities for environmental protection and sustainable development”, held on 23 July 2025 at Palazzo Rospigliosi in Rome. The event also provided an opportunity to present a preview of the volume “Nature Restoration and Territorial Regeneration”, edited by Professor Stefano Masini.
The working session promoted by Fondazione UNA and AB brought together legal experts, technical specialists, Italy’s Minister for the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and sector representatives. Starting from the reflections contained in the volume, participants helped develop a more informed interpretation of the guidelines set out by the European Regulation. One message emerged clearly from the discussion: the need for a multidisciplinary approach, capable of enhancing the core principles of the Regulation and defining a shared operational method, able to turn its objectives into concrete and lasting results.
As Maurizio Zipponi, President of Fondazione UNA, stated: “The restoration of natural environments cannot be separated from a scientific and multidisciplinary approach, one capable of bringing together environmental protection, the needs of local areas and the interests of local communities. The Nature Restoration Law represents an important opportunity to develop environmental management strategies that recognise the role of all the stakeholders involved. Our aim is therefore to promote constructive dialogue between all interested parties, highlighting the importance of hunting — fully recognised under both European and national law — as an essential tool for managing natural balances.”
Why does investing in nature make sense?
Investing in ecosystem restoration is not only a moral duty towards the environment. It is also a strategic and economically sound choice. According to expert estimates, every euro invested in environmental regeneration can generate up to twenty euros in benefits, thanks to improvements in biodiversity, the mitigation of climate change impacts and the enhancement of inland areas, which are often overlooked despite their considerable potential.
This point was also emphasised by Niccolò Sacchetti, President of AB, during his speech: “The European Nature Restoration Law marks a paradigm shift towards the active restoration of nature, extending beyond traditional protected areas. Private wildlife management areas are key players in this process, as they actively manage large territories and possess ecological expertise”.
From this perspective, a central role will be played by those who already live and work in close contact with the land. Their contribution, grounded in direct experience and local knowledge, is an essential resource for turning European objectives into effective and sustainable action.
The involvement of the hunting community
The hunting community in Italy is made up of more than 500,000 people spread across the entire country. Hunting, and hunters themselves, can therefore play an active role in the restoration process. In Italy, hunters are already involved in initiatives of considerable value, working with institutions on the sustainable management of nature and the protection of biodiversity. In this sense, they are genuine custodians of the land.
Fondazione UNA’s aim is therefore to foster dialogue between different stakeholders whose interests may appear, at first glance, to diverge. The goal is to ensure that these different actors can become a central pillar of a new national model, within the major restoration project that Italy is now called upon to build.
The position of the agricultural sector
During the event, Ettore Prandini, National President of Coldiretti, also spoke, stressing that nature restoration is a shared and worthy objective, but one that must not become an obstacle to the productivity of the Italian countryside. The new rules, he argued, must be realistic and must recognise the value of farmers as true custodians of the land and guarantors of food sovereignty.
A similar message was delivered by Vincenzo Gesmundo, Secretary General of Coldiretti, who underlined that the real challenge for the future will be to simplify regulations and provide practical tools to those who already work in a way that respects the environment.
According to Gesmundo, it is essential to overcome the excessive bureaucracy that has, in the past, held back the development of new sustainable agricultural initiatives.
Looking ahead
The Nature Restoration Law represents a major opportunity for Italy, provided it is approached with pragmatism, inclusiveness and a willingness to cooperate. Only through continuous, open and constructive dialogue will it be possible to turn this Regulation into a genuine driver of development for the country.
Fondazione UNA, AB and Coldiretti have already shown, in recent years, their commitment to promoting an integrated vision that brings together environmental protection and socio-economic development.
It is precisely from this experience of dialogue and cooperation that Italy can now build its own model of territorial regeneration: one capable of combining nature conservation, sustainable growth and the wellbeing of local communities.
