📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.90 | Classroom Explanation
(Environment & Ecology | Climate Change | Biodiversity Governance)

---

📌 Question

Q.90)
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

(a) The European Union
(b) The World Bank
(c) The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(d) The Food and Agriculture Organization

---

✅ Correct Answer: (a) The European Union

---

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a pure current-affairs + environment governance question. UPSC is testing whether you can distinguish between law-making political bodies and advisory/financial international organizations.

---

🌱 What is the Nature Restoration Law (NRL)?

• The Nature Restoration Law is the first continent-wide, legally binding environmental restoration law.
• It was enacted by the European Union and came into force in August 2024.

📜 Key Objectives

• Restore at least 20% of EU land and sea areas by 2030
• Restore all degraded ecosystems by 2050
• Strengthen climate resilience and halt biodiversity loss

---

🔍 Why Option (a) is Correct ✅

🔹 European Union

• Has legislative powers over its member states
• Can pass binding regulations and laws
• NRL is part of the EU Green Deal framework

📌 NRL is NOT a policy suggestion — it is enforceable law

---

❌ Why Other Options are Incorrect

🔹 World Bank ❌

• Financial institution
• Provides loans, grants, technical support
• Cannot enact laws

🔹 OECD ❌

• Policy think tank of developed economies
• Issues reports, best practices
• No legislative authority

🔹 FAO ❌

• UN body focused on food & agriculture
• Norm-setting and advisory role
• Does not pass binding laws

---

🧠 UPSC Elimination Trick

If it is called a “LAW” → Only a political union or sovereign body can enact it.

✔️ EU fits
❌ World Bank / OECD / FAO do not

---

🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Nature Restoration Law = EU’s Green Deal muscle, not UN advice.”

---

📍 GS Mapping

International Environmental Agreements

GS Paper III mains

Environment & Ecology

Climate Change Governance

---