A Return on Restoration: The case for fixing nature with nature

Nature-based solutions are actions that protect, manage and restore our ecosystems. They help address climate change, food and water insecurity, and increase biodiversity.

A study done by The Nature Conservancy shows that nature-based solutions can deliver up to 37% of the emission reductions required by 2030 to limit the global temperature rise to below 2°C. In addition to that, nature’s mitigation potential is estimated at 11.3 billion tons in 2030—the equivalent of stopping burning oil globally!

NbS such as restoring forests, rehabilitating degraded land and protecting wetlands are not only effective but also cost-efficient, scalable, and driven by local community involvement.

This is what makes them particularly unique  – the incredible range of benefits they provide:

1. climate mitigation

2. climate adaptation

3. increased biodiversity

4. socio-economic development

5. low-cost and scalability

And yet nature-based solutions remain on the margins of global finance. According to UNEP we need to more than double the current spend of USD 154 billion/year, with private capital representing just 17% of total investments into nature-based solutions.

Public funding from donors, Governments, and Development Finance Institutions dominate financing for nature-based solutions but the scaling of these solutions cannot be accomplished without the active support of the private sector, working in partnership with the public sector.

One of the most beneficial NbS strategies is land restoration. By investing in programmes that restore degraded land through sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, reforestation, and improved land management we can mitigate and adapt to climate change, support livelihoods, improve food security, create jobs, and strengthen our ecosystems.

Recent research has found that investing $1 in adaptation can deliver more than $10.50 in returns over 10 years.

In short, restoring land is not just good for the planet – it’s an investment in long-term economic stability.

At the Global EverGreening Alliance we work with over 100 NGOs, alongside governments and community groups to deliver land restoration on a massive scale.

1. Our comprehensive approach integrates land restoration with community engagement and livelihood improvement, providing a multifaceted impact on both the environment and local economies.

2. With over 100 members we boast one of the strongest sets of experienced NGOs capable of delivering projects at various scales. We’re also strongly supported by our fellows, who bring a wealth of international, regional, and local expertise.

3. We use evergreening and regenerative agriculture practices to promote sustainable and resilient agricultural systems that restore degraded lands effectively.

4. We place a heavy emphasis on working with local communities, including both women and men and other marginalised groups, to ensure inclusivity and to empower communities to take ownership of restoration efforts.

5. We’re committed to creating an agriculture sector with zero net GHG emissions, which will directly contribute to global climate change mitigation goals, making us a key player in environmental sustainability.

6. We have pioneered and proven effective an investable large-scale model for high-integrity community-led carbon removals programmes.

Our Restore Africa Programme is the world’s largest community-led, nature-based carbon removals programme.

By investing in nature and people we’re not only increasing biodiversity, boosting resilience against climate change and supporting sustainable agriculture, we’re also supporting the livelihoods of rural communities across the world!

It’s time to invest in us.