Nature Restoration Law barely survives as 1.5C threshold breached in hottest June ever

Global average temperatures this month have exceeded pre-industrial average temperatures by more than 1.5C. Stock picture

The first few days of June saw global average temperatures rise more than 1.5C higher than pre-industrial averages — the threshold beyond which climate scientists say temperature rises could precipitate the worst effects of climate change.

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said the first 11 days of June registered the highest temperatures on record for this time of the year. And University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann said 2023 will almost certainly be the warmest year on record.

The warnings come as the most comprehensive proposal to protect nature in Europe in 30 years barely survived to fight another day in the European Parliament.

The Nature Restoration Law proposed by the European Commission aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

The parliament’s environment committee yesterday voted 44 in favour and 44 against a European People’s Party motion to reject the law. The tie means the proposed law remains in play.

Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan and Independent MEP Mick Wallace, both representing Ireland South, voted in support of the law in the committee.

The proposal has led to division in Europe, including within the Coalition, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar saying it goes too far, while ministers Eamon Ryan, Charlie McConalogue, and Darragh O’Brien hit out at “scaremongering” and urged their colleagues to support it.

A new vote on the proposal will take place in the European Parliament’s environment committee on June 27. It will then be voted on by the entire parliament in July.