Richard J. Schenk

Abstract
This paper explores how the EU’s evolving climate regime complex impacts cultural landscapes,
focusing on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and the revised LULUCF Regulation. Using Multi-
Level Governance (MLG) and regime complex theory, it analyzes how these policies, now legally
binding, influence governance across multiple levels. Through case studies on the transformation
of the Habitats Directive into the NRL and the 2023 LULUCF revision, the study highlights the
pivotal role of NGOs in integrating climate, biodiversity, and land-use goals. The findings
underscore the ongoing challenges in balancing EU-wide directives with local adaptation needs