The genuine expenses associated with worldwide land rehabilitation pledges
In an era of mounting land degradation, a collective effort to restore a billion hectares of degraded land has been pledged by governments and organizations worldwide. However, the uncertainty surrounding the financial implications of restoration remains a significant impediment to realizing these commitments. A recent study published in Land Degradation & Development offers valuable insights into global restoration costs, providing essential guidance for policymakers, investors, and conservationists.
Assessing Land Restoration Expenses
Land degradation impacts around 2 billion hectares globally, primarily driven by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and climate-induced drought. Reactions to this crisis have been significant, with pledges made under initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). To transform promises into action, substantial financial investment is required, yet reliable cost estimates have been sparse until now.
The study analyzed data from 243 restoration projects worldwide, casting a clearer light on the financial demands associated with various restoration strategies. The costs vary significantly based on the restoration approach, location, and regional economic conditions.
Examining the Figures
The research disclosed that the median land restoration cost per hectare spans from $185 for forest management to $3,012 for silvopastoral systems. The overall estimated cost for meeting global restoration promises ranges between $311 billion and $2.1 trillion over a ten-year period, contingent on the type and scale of interventions.
In monetary terms, this equates to between 0.04% and 0.27% of annual global GDP - an investment that, while substantial, pales in comparison to the estimated $6.3 trillion in yearly losses resulting from land degradation, caused by diminished ecosystem services[1].
Factors Influencing Costs
Restoration costs are shaped by multiple variables, including:
- Type of restoration: Interventions necessitating physical infrastructure, such as irrigation and silvopastoral systems, are typically more costly than passive regeneration or assisted natural regeneration.
- Geographic and economic context: Costs escalate in wealthier nations due to higher labor and material costs.
- Project scale: Larger projects can benefit from economies of scale, thereby reducing per-hectare costs compared to smaller, community-based initiatives.
A Concern for Developing Nations
The study emphasizes a critical equity issue: most restoration commitments stem from developing nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Given their lower GDPs, the relative financial burden for these countries can be disproportionately high - ranging from 6% to 38% of GDP in some instances. Without robust international financing mechanisms, these obligations risk remaining unfulfilled.
Advocating for International Assistance
For the transformation from pledges to tangible restoration to occur, substantial financing must be provisioned from both public and private sources. Possible solutions include:
- International climate finance: Utilizing funds from climate adaptation and mitigation programs to back land restoration.
- Public-private partnerships: Encouraging businesses to invest in restoration as part of their sustainability commitments.
- Innovative financial mechanisms: Developing ecosystem service markets, debt-for-nature swaps, and carbon credits to fund restoration efforts.
A Wise Investment
Research consistently indicates that the advantages of restoration surpass the costs. Every dollar spent on forest restoration, for example, generates economic returns worth between $7 and $30 through improved biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
With a clearer grasp of restoration costs now at hand, it is crucial that the global community shifts its focus from commitment to action. By ensuring adequate funding and equitable cost-sharing, we can restore degraded lands, strengthen climate resilience, and build a more sustainable future for all.
[1] Source: World Bank Group (2016). Land Degradation and Economic Loss SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounts (LEox) Technical Report. https://open knowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/24625
You might find interesting
- One Earth and Resolve release 'Conservation Imperatives' - a map of safe havens harboring rare and threatened species
- Wildlife's contributions to people: A vital yet underappreciated role in conservation
- The study published in Land Degradation & Development highlights the financial requirements for various restoration strategies, revealing that the median cost per hectare ranges from $185 for forest management to $3,012 for silvopastoral systems.
- To meet global restoration commitments, between $311 billion and $2.1 trillion is estimated to be needed over a ten-year period, with the costs varying significantly based on the type, location, and scale of interventions.
- The research underscores an equity issue, as most restoration efforts are pledged by developing nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Relative to their GDPs, the financial burden for these countries can be disproportionately high, potentially risking unfulfilled obligations without international financing mechanisms.
- For restoration pledges to be transformed into action, the global community needs to focus on securing adequate funding from both public and private sources, employing strategies such as international climate finance, public-private partnerships, and innovative financial mechanisms. Every dollar spent on restoration could generate up to $30 in economic returns through improved biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods, making it a wise investment.
