CNN —The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of legally binding targets to protect and restore nature in the European Union, despite strong opposition from some policymakers. The flagship EU nature law will also require countries to introduce measures to restore nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030. It is the first major piece of legislation to protect biodiversity in the EU in the last 30 years, according to Greenpeace. Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg reacts as she attends a voting session on EU nature restoration law during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty ImagesEU lawmakers and member countries will now negotiate the final text, aiming for a deal before EU Parliament elections in 2024.

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Persons: what’s, Špela, Manfred Weber –, Manfred Weber, Mykhaylo Palinchak, ”, Ireland’s Frances Fitzgerald, “, ” Fitzgerald, Greta Thunberg, Frederick Florin Organizations: CNN, European Union, Greenpeace, Greenpeace’s, European People’s Party, EPP, EU Parliament’s, Twitter, Socialists, Democrats, Greens, Getty, European Environment Agency Locations: EU, Greenpeace’s Central, Eastern Europe, Europe, Swedish, Strasbourg, AFP