From Science to Policy: Progress and Scientific Engagement in the National Nature Restoration Plan Restoration Ecology

The biodiversity crisis and widespread ecosystems degradation have placed nature restoration on the political agenda. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation, adopted in August 2024, establishes legally binding obligations for all Member States, including the preparation of a National Nature Restoration Plan in a standardized format, with the first submission due by August 2026. In Portugal, an interministerial working group has been established to coordinate the development of the national plan, that must be grounded in the body of scientific knowledge generated nationally and internationally over recent decades, ensuring ecological coherence, methodological rigor, and effectiveness in defining targets, indicators, and restoration measures. This communication provides an update on the progress of the ongoing work and outlines the mechanisms for scientific engagement. This process also represents an opportunity to strengthen the science–policy interface, fostering informed decision-making and active participation of the scientific community in the implementation of evidence-based restoration policy.

Online access* • LINK

* To access the meeting in the app without using the link, use the meeting ID 375 769 945 702 86 and access code QN9pn2nE