This emerges from a joint study by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) together with WUR-Wageningen on nature policy over the past ten years.
In 2013, the national government and provinces agreed on the so-called 'Nature Pact': a decentralization of nature policy from the national government to the provinces. The aim was to improve biodiversity. According to projections, the target will not be met by the end of 2027. This is partly because the realization of new nature is based on voluntariness and willingness.
For nature restoration, it was agreed that a greater focus on restoring the ecological system is necessary. However, the recent accumulation of policies in the National Rural Area Program (NPLG) has complicated and even delayed the implementation of nature policy, the researchers conclude.
Nature restoration requires, besides good management and expansion of the area, a greater focus on restoring the ecological system. This includes a shared future vision that still needs to be developed in many areas.
Achieving nature targets through area-based processes will demand 'administrative commitment and political courage' from provinces and the national government due to many conflicting interests, as other goals must be met simultaneously (climate, agriculture, water).
To reach the Natura 2000 goals, a profound change in agricultural management is necessary, for example towards extensive or nature-inclusive farming, according to one of the recommendations.
Farmers need not only clarity regarding what is expected from them but also financial support and adjusted regulations from the national government or provinces. This especially applies to agricultural businesses near nature reserves, the researchers from PBL and WUR conclude.