The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): State of the Art and Future Challenges for Italian Water Resources

Antonio Manzoni (), Manal Hamam, Giulia Pastorelli, Luigi Servadei, Silvia Chiappini, Alessandra Pesce, Serena Tarangioli and Raffaella Pergamo
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Antonio Manzoni: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Manal Hamam: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Giulia Pastorelli: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Luigi Servadei: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Silvia Chiappini: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Pesce: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Serena Tarangioli: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy
Raffaella Pergamo: CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00187 Rome, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Among its various targets on restoring natural habitats and ecosystems in the EU, the recently adopted Nature Restoration Law (NRL) introduces ambitious targets for restoring surface water bodies (SWBs) as well. Simultaneously, the Italian CAP Strategic Plan for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 has been designed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices, including water resource management. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the synergies, gaps, and challenges between these two regulatory frameworks, focusing on sustainable water use in Italian agriculture. A two-level comparative matrix methodology is employed to evaluate the alignment between the NRL’s objectives for freshwater ecosystems and the measures taken by the Italian CAP Strategic Plan on water resources. The results highlight key areas of convergence, existing shortcomings, and necessary steps for aligning Italian agricultural policies with the EU’s water restoration goals. The findings offer insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders engaged in water governance, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural sustainability.

Keywords: nature restoration law; common agricultural policy; biodiversity; freshwater resources; sustainable water management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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