Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal. Photo credit: UNEP, 2023; Todd Brown
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a global initiative aimed at protecting and revitalising ecosystems worldwide for the benefit of both people and nature. Its goal is to stop ecosystem degradation and restore them to meet global objectives.
Healthy ecosystems are essential for improving livelihoods, combating climate change, and preventing biodiversity loss. This initiative spans from 2021 to 2030, coinciding with the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the critical period scientists have identified to avert severe climate change. The United Nations General Assembly declared the UN Decade after over 70 countries from various regions proposed the action. You can view the resolution here.
Governance
The United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations are leading this effort, creating a widespread global movement to accelerate restoration efforts and guide the world towards a sustainable future. It draws together political support, scientific research and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration, launching numerous initiatives covering terrestrial as well as coastal and marine ecosystems. Through communications, events, and a dedicated web platform, the UN Decade will serve as a central hub for those interested in restoration, offering access to projects, partners, funding, and the necessary knowledge to ensure their restoration activities succeed. To discover how you can participate in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and to find out more about the initiative, please visit: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org
Fatoumata plants a tree during a training with other community members on Jendarques forest garden in Fatick, Senegal. Photo credit: UNEP, 2023; Todd Brown
The World Restoration Flagships
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration supports the World Restoration Flagships—a series of pioneering initiatives—that demonstrate how restoration delivers a wide range of environmental benefits, including increased productivity, carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation.
With the World Restoration Flagships, the UN is honouring the best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration in any country or region, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade.
Get inspired and join #GenerationRestoration.