Feedback of The Finnish Association For Nature Conservation about the uniform format for the National Restoration Plans 

The Finnish Association For Nature Conservation appreciates the opportunity to give feedback about the uniform format for the National Restoration Plans. 

The final reporting template should make sure that all legal requirements within the Nature Restoration Regulation are mandatory to include in the National Restoration Plan. This would ensure full legal compliance, transparency and public participation. Effective and actually inclusive public participation of all stakeholder groups and general public is crucial in the making of NRPs and for strong implementation of the NRL. All the conditions on stakeholder participation in the NRL should be included in the uniform format. 

The National Restoration Plans should be science-based in order to achieve the goal of stopping biodiversity loss. Decision making must be based on the best available scientific knowledge and this should be clearly reported by Member States. The scientific underpinning should also be the base of stakeholder participation and discussions. 

Financing of restoration will be and is one of the key topics when making the National Restoration Plans and implementing NRL. It is important to have the sections on finance in the format, including on the estimated financial needs to implement the restoration measures. 

Restoration is a long process and in order to stay committed and plan for the 2050 targets more emphasis on the long term planning could be included in the uniform format. 

Lisätietoja: Liisa Toopakka, monimuotoisuusasiantuntija, liisa.toopakka@sll.fi