Question map
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
Explanation
The Nature Restoration Law was approved in the European Union.[1] The NRL provides a framework aimed at halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss across the EU.[2] The NRL is a pioneering effort to ensure the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy and halt and reverse the ongoing loss of natural environments and the accompanying ecosystem services at an international scale via supranational legislation.[3] Additionally, the NRL contributes to other GBF targets, such as climate mitigation and adaptation (Target 8)[4], demonstrating its role in tackling climate change alongside biodiversity loss.
The other organizations listed—the World Bank, OECD, and FAO—are not associated with enacting the Nature Restoration Law according to the available documents. This is a significant piece of EU environmental legislation that represents intensified action toward meeting international biodiversity and climate goals.
Sources- [1] https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/agricultural-policy-monitoring-and-evaluation-2025_a80ac398-en/full-report/developments-in-agricultural-policies-and-support-by-country_411a0245.html
- [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-025-00213-z
- [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-025-00213-z
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a pure Current Affairs question derived from major global environmental headlines (2023-24). While static books cover biodiversity concepts, they cannot predict specific foreign legislation. The key is recognizing the EU's role as a global regulatory trendsetter (like GDPR, CBAM).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Has the European Union enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Statement 2: Has the World Bank enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Statement 3: Has the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Statement 4: Has the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Explicitly states the Nature Restoration Law was approved in the European Union.
- Describes concrete restoration requirements (habitats, pollinators, peatlands) that address biodiversity loss and related climate-relevant ecosystems.
- Describes the NRL as a pioneering effort to implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy to halt and reverse loss of natural environments.
- States the NRL provides a framework for Member States to initiate effective restoration measures across the EU, tying it to biodiversity recovery.
- Connects the NRL to global biodiversity targets and explicitly notes the law contributes to climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Frames the NRL as a binding framework for national restoration plans, linking biodiversity restoration to climate objectives.
Shows climate change and biodiversity are treated as linked issues by international treaties and coordinated secretariats.
A student could check whether the EU, as a party or actor in those international processes, has turned such coordinated aims into regional legislation (e.g., by searching EU legislative records).
Describes explicit policy mechanisms and government engagement to ensure conservation and restoration of ecosystems (coastal Blue Carbon).
One could infer that restoration is a recognized policy approach and then look for EU-level laws or proposals that adopt similar restoration mechanisms.
Defines restoration and management of natural resources as a main objective of biodiversity conservation strategies.
A student could use this definition to interpret a law titled 'Nature Restoration' as fitting established conservation objectives and then verify whether the EU has formalized such objectives in legislation.
Identifies the European Commission/EU as an active initiator of climate initiatives (the GCCA), showing the EU engages in supranational climate actions.
Knowing the EU can launch and administer climate programs, a student could search EU Commission proposals, directives, or regulations for a Nature Restoration Law.
States that climate change causes biodiversity loss, implying that policies addressing restoration could plausibly be framed to tackle both problems together.
A student could use this linkage to assess whether any EU law's stated goals include both climate mitigation/adaptation and biodiversity restoration.
- Explicitly identifies where the NRL was approved — locating it in the EU rather than with the World Bank.
- Describes NRL requirements aimed at habitat restoration and biodiversity (showing its purpose relates to biodiversity loss).
- States the European Union has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL).
- Describes the NRL as a framework aimed at halting and reversing ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss.
- Frames the NRL as a proposal from the European Commission to implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
- Describes the NRL's aim to halt and reverse the ongoing loss of natural environments and ecosystem services across the European Union.
Shows the World Bank administers climate/biodiversity financing instruments (BioCarbon Fund), indicating the Bank acts via funds and programs rather than national law-making.
A student could check whether the World Bank typically issues binding 'laws' or instead provides financing/guidance to countries, which would make the existence of a Bank-enacted law less likely.
Describes international policy goals and mainstreaming biodiversity into government planning, illustrating that biodiversity action often takes form of targets/strategies integrated into national systems.
One could use this to infer that major biodiversity measures are commonly adopted as international targets or national laws rather than unilateral laws by multilateral banks.
References multilateral summits where many countries commit to protection targets, showing climate/biodiversity responses are often state-led international agreements.
A student could contrast the role of summits and national commitments with the institutional role of the World Bank to judge whether the Bank would 'enact' a law.
Explains the link between climate change and biodiversity loss, clarifying the subject matter that a 'Nature Restoration Law' would address and why international actors engage on it.
Knowing the policy area, a student might look up which institutions (governments, conventions, or finance institutions) normally create binding legal instruments in this domain.
Defines biodiversity conservation objectives (protection, restoration, management), indicating typical policy tools and objectives used to tackle such problems.
A student could use this to assess whether the World Bank's usual tools (funding, projects, policy loans) align with creating an independent law named 'NRL' or with supporting national laws and restoration projects.
- Directly states the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an action of the European Union, not the OECD.
- Describes the NRL's purpose as halting and reversing ecosystem and biodiversity degradation across the EU.
- Refers repeatedly to the 'EU Nature Restoration Law' and discusses its role in fighting biodiversity and climate crises.
- Supports that the NRL is EU legislation and framed as a tool to address biodiversity and climate issues.
Describes OECD's mandate, headquarters and role as an international organisation and UN observer focused on economic progress and policy guidance.
A student could combine this with the basic fact that international organisations that 'stimulate economic progress' typically issue guidance/reports rather than enact binding laws, so they should check whether NRL is a law from a national/regional authority instead.
Gives an example of OECD's activity — launching a policy/analytical project (Decarbonising Transport) with national partners rather than creating laws.
Use this pattern to infer OECD more commonly runs projects and provides analysis; verify whether the NRL was produced as a project/report or as legislation by a government/union.
Explains that parties develop, adopt and implement national biodiversity strategies and action plans as policy instruments — showing that biodiversity measures are often adopted by Parties (states) not by international secretariats.
Combine with the fact that 'Parties' refers to treaty members (states) to check whether NRL is a treaty obligation or domestic/regional law rather than an OECD enactment.
States a strategic goal to mainstream biodiversity across government and society, illustrating the typical content and objectives of biodiversity policy instruments.
A student could compare the objectives and scope described here with the text/source of the NRL to see if it matches OECD guidance or national/regional legal language.
Notes the three Rio conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) and coordination between their secretariats, showing that international treaties and their parties coordinate biodiversity and climate actions.
Use this to suspect that major binding measures on biodiversity/climate originate from treaties or national laws linked to those conventions, so check whether NRL is linked to CBD/UNFCCC processes rather than the OECD.
- Explicitly states the Nature Restoration Law was approved in the European Union, attributing the law to the EU rather than FAO.
- Describes legal requirements and national regulation adoption as parts of EU implementation, showing the NRL is an EU instrument.
- Identifies the NRL as a legislative action by the European Union, describing it as a framework for Member States.
- Frames the NRL as part of the EU's Biodiversity Strategy, indicating it is EU legislation rather than an FAO enactment.
- Discusses implementation and support for the EU's proposed Nature Restoration Law, noting European Commission involvement and EU-focused scientific contributions.
- Shows the NRL is linked to EU institutions and projects, not enacted by FAO.
Shows FAO acts as one of multiple UN agencies collaborating on international programmes (UN-REDD) focused on forest/deforestation mitigation rather than as a national law‑maker.
A student could use this pattern (FAO as programme partner) plus basic knowledge that international agencies typically run programmes/guidelines to infer FAO is more likely to support/advise than 'enact' a law, and then check which institution passed the NRL.
States FAO is 'involved in implementation' of initiatives alongside a national ministry, indicating a supporting/implementing role in national programmes.
Use this example to reason that FAO participates in implementation with governments, so the formal enactment of laws likely rests with national authorities — prompting verification of the NRL's legislative origin.
Describes the Government of India taking 'enactments of laws' for conservation, highlighting that governments enact laws for biodiversity protection.
Combine this rule (governments enact conservation laws) with the question to check whether the NRL is a national/legislative act rather than an FAO action.
Explains links between biodiversity loss and climate change, establishing the substantive policy area the NRL would address (biodiversity + climate), useful for checking mandates of organizations involved.
A student could match this policy area to FAO's stated mandates/programmes to see if issuing laws fits FAO's typical activities.
Gives an example (Koronivia-KjWA) of a climate/agriculture decision reached within UNFCCC where countries agreed on actions, illustrating that international climate measures are often decisions by states/UN processes, not agency‑enacted laws.
Use this pattern to infer that major policy instruments addressing agriculture/climate come from intergovernmental decisions or national lawmaking, so one should check whether NRL originated from a government or an international agency like FAO.
- [THE VERDICT]: Current Affairs Sitter. Covered extensively in The Hindu, DownToEarth, and major monthly compilations under 'International Environment'.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: GS III Environment > International Conventions & Legislations. Specifically, the 'EU Green Deal' ecosystem.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR); Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM); 'Fit for 55' package; Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 2 on restoration); High Seas Treaty (BBNJ).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about global environment news, filter for 'Binding Laws' vs. 'Voluntary Pledges'. The EU is currently the only major bloc turning voluntary biodiversity targets into binding hard law.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are mutually reinforcing: climate change drives species and ecosystem loss, while loss of biodiversity amplifies climate impacts.
High-yield for UPSC because many questions link environmental degradation to socio-economic impacts and policy responses; connects to topics on ecosystem services, mitigation/adaptation, and sustainable development; enables answers that integrate physical processes with policy implications.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 20: Impact of Climate Change > 20.4" ECOSYSTEMS AND BIO.DIVERSITY > p. 276
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > IntroductIon. > p. 4
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Rio Conventinns > p. 427
Global treaties (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) address interconnected issues of climate, biodiversity and desertification and coordinate actions among their secretariats.
Important for GS and essay papers: helps situate national/regional laws within multilateral regimes, shows institutional linkages and policy coherence; useful for questions on international cooperation, treaty mechanisms, and multilateral diplomacy.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Rio Conventinns > p. 427
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > Global Climate Change Alliance > p. 346
Biodiversity conservation emphasizes protection, preservation, management and restoration of natural resources alongside stewardship and sustainable use.
Directly relevant for policy questions on restoration laws and programs; equips aspirants to discuss objectives, instruments (restoration, protected areas, payment schemes) and implementation challenges; connects to topics on environmental governance and ecosystem services.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > strAtegIes for conservAtIon of BIodIversIty. > p. 29
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use > Responsible and Wise Use of Natural Resources: Stewardship > p. 12
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > causes of Biodiversity loss > p. 28
Rising temperatures, habitat destruction and other climate-linked processes directly increase species extinctions and degrade ecosystem services.
High-yield for environment questions because it links climate policy to biodiversity outcomes and development impacts. Mastering this helps answer questions on mitigation vs adaptation, ecosystem services, and human-wellbeing consequences of environmental change.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 20: Impact of Climate Change > 20.4" ECOSYSTEMS AND BIO.DIVERSITY > p. 276
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > IntroductIon. > p. 4
- FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation > LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY > p. 117
Multilateral finance mechanisms support reducing deforestation and integrating sustainable forest management with climate mitigation approaches.
Important for questions on institutional responses to climate change, financing mechanisms (e.g., World Bank-administered funds), and policy instruments like REDD+. Understanding this enables analysis of implementation challenges and financing options for nature-based solutions.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > Biocarbon Fund > p. 344
International targets and strategies aim to reduce biodiversity loss by integrating biodiversity values into national planning and protecting significant portions of land and sea.
Crucial for UPSC because it connects international conventions and summits to national policy priorities, helps answer questions on strategic goals (e.g., 30% protection) and mainstreaming biodiversity into development and accounting frameworks.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > One Planet Summit > p. 348
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Strategic Goal A: > p. 394
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > strAtegIes for conservAtIon of BIodIversIty. > p. 29
Understanding OECD's remit clarifies whether it can enact environmental laws like a 'Nature Restoration Law'.
High-yield for questions on international institutions and policy authority; helps distinguish between organizations that set guidelines versus those that create binding legal instruments. Useful in comparative questions on global governance and which bodies can enact or enforce laws.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) > p. 533
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It mandates that products like coffee, cocoa, and palm oil sold in the EU must not come from deforested land. This directly impacts Indian exports and is the 'logical sibling' to the NRL.
Focus on the word 'Enacted' and 'Law'. The World Bank provides 'Funds' or 'Loans'. The OECD publishes 'Guidelines' or 'Reports'. The FAO runs 'Programmes'. Only the European Union (a supranational legislature) has the power to 'enact' a binding 'Law' across multiple nations.
Links to GS II (IR - Trade Agreements) and GS III (Economy). The NRL and EUDR are often viewed by developing nations (like India/Brazil) as 'Green Protectionism' or Non-Tariff Barriers that complicate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.