The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) aims to restore at least 20 per cent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

It sets specific, legally binding targets and obligations for nature restoration in each of the listed ecosystems – from terrestrial to marine, freshwater and urban ecosystems.

Alasdair Allan, the acting minister for climate action, said: “Scottish government officials are currently conducting an analysis of the newly-passed EU Nature Restoration Law to identify where it intersects with existing Scottish government policies and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

“The Scottish government remains committed to maintaining alignment with the EU, where possible.”

He added: “The recent consultation on our biodiversity strategy and delivery plan set out an ambitious range of actions which aim to tackle the nature crisis.

“We have already invested heavily in tackling the nature crisis such as through our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund which has funded a wide range of projects across Scotland and our £250 million commitment to restore degraded peatlands.”

The NRL received final approval in June despite becoming hugely divisive, especially in the wake of European Parliament elections which saw losses for Europe’s green parties amid gains for far-right parties broadly opposed to climate and environmental measures.

Having been approved by MEPs in February, it subsequently stalled among member state leaders in the European Council.

It only cleared that hurdle because of a dramatic decision by Austria’s environmental minister to defy her own prime minister by voting in favour instead of abstaining.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer threatened to go to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to have the decision annulled, but climate protection minister Leonore Gewessler insisted she had legal advice allowing her to make the decision, POLITICO reported at the time.