Finance mechanisms; UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration - Inger Andersen
With barely a month away from the UN decade on ecosystem restoration, all gears are high to save the planet from the seemingly devastating and projected forthcoming disaster. The United Nations General Assembly, on March 1st 2019 declared 2021-2030 a decade set a side for ecosystem restoration. The decade is set to focus and put much emphasis on reclaiming and regeneration of degraded ecosystems. Quite a number of ecosystems have been exposed to the vulnerability of depletion and destruction over the recent decades. The major predisposing factors being anthropogenic influences. Also faced by the threat of destruction are mangrove ecosystems, Savannah, peat lands, forests, marine ecosystems and many more.
Inger Andersen, the Executive Director at United Nations Environment Program unveils yet another financing mechanism ahead of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The Restoration Seed Capital Facility presents a public restoration financing strategies and instrument that leverages resources from the private finance to drive the protection and regeneration of degraded natural ecosystems, upon which ecosystem goods and services of man are highly dependent; also with a focus on nature-based solutions. This financing tool is primarily targeted to foster the restoration of forest and landscapes through the decade and beyond. It also draws attention to local actors at grass-root level.
The UN decade on ecosystem restoration is slated to spread a wave of collective action to all humans in the globe to engage actively in restoration initiatives through both action and activism. Local restoration actions nonetheless are already underway, though still lacking; as a result of minimal support to boost these restoration initiatives.
In addition to the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Carbon trade, the Restoration Seed Capital Facility is also identified as a strong complementary financing tool that will aid in attainment of the objectives as of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Local restoration heroes play significant roles in enhancing ecological integrity through complex interactions, interplay of bio-cultural diversity. Ecosystem restoration is by no doubt the most feasible method of action towards saving the planet from future crises, minimising risks, and ensuring adaptability and also minimising vulnerability of the environment to natural or human-induced catastrophes.
Decade on ecosystem restoration:
https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/
UNEP Restoration Seed Capital Facility
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/newsletter/restoration-seed-capital-facility
