Spain submits its draft National Nature Restoration Plan to the European Commission

Spain has today submitted its draft National Nature Restoration Plan to the European Commission, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on nature restoration.

The document, coordinated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), is the instrument through which Spain sets out the measures and actions required to make progress in restoring ecosystems and to contribute to meeting the targets established by European legislation, thereby promoting improved environmental and human well-being and the development of socio-economic activities in ecosystems showing signs of deterioration.

The European Nature Restoration Regulation sets out, for the first time, legally binding targets for Member States aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and improving their conservation status. To this end, it sets specific targets for different types of ecosystems and requires each Member State to draw up and submit a national plan setting out the measures it intends to take to achieve them.

Drafting the National Plan required extensive coordination among the various administrative bodies with jurisdiction over the areas covered by the Regulation.

MITECO worked alongside the regional governments and cities, other relevant authorities, and a wide range of organisations and members of the public, to gather and analyse available information, identify restoration needs and define the actions required to progress towards the Regulation's objectives.

This effort made it possible to integrate, following the common format established by the European Commission, the various measures planned in the field of nature restoration, whilst taking into account the specific characteristics and needs of the different regions and ecosystems found in Spain.

Wide public participation

The drafting process also involved extensive public consultation, with the aim of gathering input from citizens, organisations, scientific bodies, economic sectors and other stakeholders, including four rounds of meetings with the nearly 500 organisations that took part in the process.

In addition, a public consultation was held between 21 January and 31 March 2026, during which 26,543 contributions were received.

The contributions received contributed to the drafting of the project and made it possible to incorporate diverse perspectives regarding ecosystem restoration needs and priorities in Spain.

Restoration of terrestrial and marine ecosystems

The project covers all the areas set out in the European regulation and includes measures aimed at improving the condition of habitats and ecosystems and restoring those that are degraded.

The planned measures include those aimed at improving the condition of Habitats of Community Interest (THIC), one of the main areas of application of the regulation.

In this area, the work carried out with the regional governments enabled the compilation of action proposals covering a combined area of 9,475 km² of HTCI, along with habitat restoration for nearly 200 species of Community interest.

In marine ecosystems, the plan outlines actions covering an area of 288 km² by 2030, as well as 12.3 km² identified for the restoration of seagrass habitats.

The project also includes measures relating to the restoration of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as initiatives aimed at improving ecological connectivity and promoting the recovery of species and populations.

Urban, riverine and agricultural ecosystems, and pollinator populations

The Plan also incorporates the European objectives relating to urban ecosystems, featuring measures designed to maintain and increase the extent of green spaces and tree cover in cities. The Plan outlines municipal-level measures covering over 200 km² by 2030 to prevent the net loss of green spaces and tree cover, as well as strategic actions across more than 10,000 km² by 2050 to expand these areas.

Another priority area is the restoration of freshwater ecosystems, with measures aimed at improving the condition of rivers, promoting longitudinal connectivity and restoring the ecological functions of river systems.

In this context, the Plan includes measures to progress towards the removal of artificial barriers and the restoration of connectivity in watercourses, in accordance with the objectives set out in the regulations. To restore connectivity between rivers and floodplains, the plan is to restore 65 km of free-flowing rivers and more than 120 km² of floodplains by 2030.

It also includes measures to support the recovery of pollinator populations through measures designed to halt their decline and aid their recovery. This area involves measures covering 576 km² by 2030 and a minimum of 1,079 km² by 2050.

In agricultural ecosystems, the Plan includes measures to enhance biodiversity by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the conservation of landscape features and the maintenance of agricultural systems of high natural value.

Measures are planned for an area of 1,982 km² by 2030 and around 2,363 km² by 2040 and 2050.

In forest ecosystems, measures are planned to improve biodiversity, structure and naturalness, thereby strengthening resilience against climate change and forest fires. Interventions are planned for 3,241 km² before 2030, with strategic actions covering 3,242 km² through 2050, contributing to biodiversity conservation, water regulation, carbon storage and climate change adaptation.

Furthermore, the Plan will contribute to the European target of planting three billion additional trees, with an initial estimate of around 3.5 million trees. The Plan also incorporates the principle of no significant deterioration of restored ecosystems or those in good condition, and includes measures to improve the knowledge base and the monitoring of restoration activities.

A common framework for nature restoration

The National Nature Restoration Plan will provide a common framework to coordinate actions carried out by various administrative bodies and to jointly monitor progress towards meeting the targets set by the Regulation.

Planning will also make it possible to identify funding requirements and prioritise restoration work on the basis of environmental, territorial and effectiveness criteria.

Ecosystem restoration is a key tool for restoring biodiversity and strengthening regions' capacity to cope with the effects of climate change, whilst also helping to improve essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, protection against extreme weather events, soil fertility and pollination.

Next steps

The submission of the draft to the European Commission marks the start of the next stage of the procedure set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1991.

The European Commission will examine the draft submitted by Spain and may make comments on its content. This process will pave the way for the subsequent approval of the final version of the National Nature Restoration Plan, which is intended to serve as the framework for implementing the obligations and objectives set out in European legislation in Spain, and which must be submitted to the European Commission by 1 September 2027.

The presentation of the project thus marks a further step in Spain's commitment to ecosystem recovery and biodiversity conservation, enabling coordinated progress in restoring degraded habitats and enhancing their resilience to climate change.

As a tool to support ecosystem restoration in Spain, MITECO is developing a repository of restoration projects, which will enable the collection and showcasing of - as well as easier access to - initiatives and experiences carried out across the country, thereby fostering knowledge exchange and the identification of solutions applicable to future restoration projects.

Non official translation