United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)
GIAHS Online Workshop on Ecosystem Restoration, 26 January 2021
➢ UNGA Resolution A/RES/73/284 adopted 1 March, 2019
➢ FAO and UNEP asked to lead implementation of the Decade
➢ Focus 2019/2020 on consultations and partnership building
➢ Advisory Board, and Task Forces on Best Practices, Finance, Monitoring, Science and Youth
➢ Strategy and visual identity released 15 September, 2020
➢ Builds on existing restoration commitments and supports implementation of Rio Conventions,
SDGs
www.decadeonrestoration.org
Prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide
The objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will
not be achieved without large-scale restoration of degraded terrestrial,
freshwater & marine ecosystems globally.
Problem
A world where — for the health & wellbeing of all life on Earth & that of
future generations —the relationship between humans and nature has
been restored, where the area of healthy ecosystems is increasing and
where ecosystem loss, fragmentation and degradation has been ended.
Vision
1. Enhance global, regional, national & local commitments & actions to prevent, halt & reverse
the degradation of ecosystems
2. Increase our understanding of the multiple benefits of successful ecosystem restoration
3. Apply this knowledge in our education systems and within all public and private sector
decision-making
Source: Greenpop Source: IUCN
Three Goals
1. A global movement
• Digital hub
• Awareness
• Education
• Ethics
• Economics
• Financing mechanisms
2. Political will
• Leaders as
champions
• Legislation and policy
• Cross-sectoral
dialogues
• Redirect subsidies
3. Technical capacity
• Design, implement,
monitor & sustain
• Long-term research
• Lessons learned
• Indigenous knowledge
• Land tenure and FPIC
Pathways to overcome barriers
10 years to restore planet Earth. 10 actions that matter. Every day.
6. Invest in research
7. Build up capacity
8. Celebrate a culture of restoration
9. Build up the next generation
10. Listen and learnSource: Crowther Lab Source: The Guardian
1. Empower a global movement
2. Finance restoration on the
ground
3. Set the right incentives
4. Celebrate leadership
5. Shift behaviours
Upscaling and replicating existing restoration projects in oceans,
forests, grasslands, estuaries, mangroves, wetlands and
savannas. Shifting to regenerative agriculture is critical! Role of
GIAHS sites?
Source: Texas Community Watershed
Partners
Source: The Nature Conservancy
Building on existing efforts and experiences
85 members from 32organizations
Operationalization of Task Force1
Prioritization of ecosystems2
Identification of key resource partners3
Capacity needs assessment4
Development of knowledge and learning plan5
Drafting ToRs of Decade flagship products6
Collection of good practices7
OU
TPU
TS
Task Force on Good Practices
Monitoring Task Force
Terrestrial
ecosystems
e.g. Forests,
Pasture,
Croplands
Aquatic and
transitional
ecosystems
e.g. Coastal,
Seagrass, Tidal
marshes, Coral
reef, Mangroves,
Peatlands, Lakes
and rivers
Socio-
economic
e.g. drivers,
impacts,
effectiveness
of restoration
from socio-
economic
aspect
212 experts from 82 organizations
Monitoring and Evaluation of Restoration sites• Land preparation detection using optical and radar-
based remote sensing• Detection of vegetation growth using indices of
vegetation (NDVI), remote sensing-based
Values > 0.2 indicate presence of vegetation (from grass to trees)
Communication Strategy
A networked approach that…
Connects hundreds of selected global partners…
To thousands of local implementers…
Reaching hundreds of millions across the globe.
Building on insights from New Power to strengthen ownership and celebrate existing efforts by and within countries
Messaging: Positive and inclusive antidote to climate anxiety while inspiring a new #GenerationRestoration
Innovations: An interactive digital home for the Decade to communicate, support and scale action on the ground.
Resources
Visit www.decadeonrestoration.org for background information, news, and communication resources in up to 8 languages
Kindly approach us for original files if you intend to adapt resources for use in your country
Steps to launch
Public-facing launch during World Environment Day 2021 (5 June)
Before the launch and in preparation of it, countries are invited to:
• Show their support and link existing efforts to the UN Decade by:
• Using the visual identity
• Identify restoration sites to be showcased as early successes
• Using #GenerationRestoration on social media to ensure posts are featured on the website
• Preparing information and tools adapted to national contexts, such as websites, brochures, campaigns
• Prepare new contributions in time for the launch such as:
• Restoration commitments and announcements
• Reports, policies, guidelines and frameworks in support of restoration
• Events – local or online – in line with COVID-19 guidance