Nature Restoration Regulation: Dutch government promises municipalities new tasks only with sufficient funding |
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Administrative agreements aim to clarify implementation, division of responsibilities and funding
The Dutch government, provinces and municipalities have reached agreements on the implementation of the European Nature Restoration Regulation. A key principle is that municipalities will only be given new tasks if sufficient funding is available and implementation is feasible. Minister Jaimi van Essen of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature has published the administrative agreements.
| Image for illustration: a woodpecker at a bird feeder in an urban garden in Nijmegen |
The European Nature Restoration Regulation entered into force in 2024. The Netherlands must submit its final national restoration plan to the European Commission by 1 September 2027. The plan will set out the measures the Netherlands intends to take to restore and improve nature. The national government is responsible for this, working together with provinces and municipalities.
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New tasks for municipalities only if sufficient funding is available
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Clarity on responsibilities and funding
The administrative agreements stipulate that municipalities will only become responsible for new tasks if sufficient funding is available and the rules are feasible to implement. It has also been agreed that Dutch implementing legislation will not go beyond the European requirements. This is intended to prevent additional national requirements from being imposed on top of the European rules.
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Nature restoration targets will be developed on an area-by-area basis
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Area-based approach
The nature restoration targets in the regulation will be developed for individual areas. Public authorities will specifically look for opportunities to combine different functions, for example by integrating housing development and green space development within a single project. They have also agreed to take active measures to prevent further deterioration of nature outside Natura 2000 areas.
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The European regulation also addresses nature restoration in urban areas
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Impact on public space
Urban areas are particularly relevant for municipalities. Among other requirements, the European Nature Restoration Regulation stipulates that urban nature must not decline further. Biodiversity must also improve, for example through the recovery of insect populations. This means that municipalities will increasingly have to incorporate nature restoration into the design and management of public spaces in the coming years, with green infrastructure, climate adaptation and spatial development becoming increasingly interconnected.
This article was previously published on 6 August 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen.
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