Ecosystem Restoration Reaches 252 Million Hectares Worldwide, UN Report Says

Ecosystem Restoration Reaches 252 Million Hectares Worldwide, UN Report Says
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Around 252 million hectares across 149 countries are currently undergoing ecosystem restoration, creating more than one million green jobs, according to a report released by UN agencies at the COP17 biodiversity conference in Yerevan, Armenia.

The report, published by UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN biodiversity secretariat, says progress must accelerate to meet the global target of restoring one billion hectares by 2030. Annual restoration funding needs to rise from $64 billion to $296 billion, potentially generating up to 32 million jobs worldwide.

Restoration is essential for protecting biodiversity, strengthening food and water security and improving climate resilience. However, progress remains uneven, particularly in marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems. The report also calls on governments to tackle the causes of environmental degradation and ensure restoration efforts deliver lasting benefits for nature and communities.