Report on Forest Restoration as a Nature-Based Solution for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: The Critical Role of Forests in the 2030 Agenda

Nature-based solutions, particularly forest restoration, are identified as powerful and cost-effective strategies for addressing global challenges. Forest ecosystems are fundamental to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as vital pillars for climate action, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. This report outlines the contributions of forests to the SDGs, the risks posed by deforestation, and the impact of global restoration initiatives.

2.0 Forests’ Contribution to Environmental and Socio-Economic SDGs

Forests provide essential services that directly support numerous SDGs, from poverty alleviation to climate change mitigation.

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Forests are critical carbon sinks.
  1. Through carbon sequestration, forests absorbed an estimated 18% of human-caused emissions annually between 2001 and 2019.
  2. The world’s forests store approximately 662 gigatonnes of carbon in their biomass, representing 44% of the total carbon in the global forest ecosystem.
  3. Deforestation undermines this function, contributing to nearly 15% of global carbon emissions and jeopardizing the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Forests are hotspots of biodiversity.
  1. Covering one-third of the Earth’s land, forests provide habitats for 80% of all terrestrial species.
  2. Restoration of degraded forests replenishes soils, improves water cycles, and restores wildlife habitats.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Forests are a foundation for human livelihoods.
  1. Approximately 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, water, and employment.
  2. An estimated 90% of people living in extreme poverty rely on forest resources for survival.
  3. The economic value of forests is estimated at US$150 trillion, supporting industries such as timber, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Forests support public health.
  1. Forests regulate rainfall and water cycles, preventing disasters and ensuring clean water for millions.
  2. They provide medicinal plants and act as natural buffers against zoonotic diseases.

3.0 Analysis of Global Forest Restoration Initiatives and SDG Impact

Large-scale restoration efforts, recognized by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, demonstrate tangible progress toward the SDGs.

• Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact (South America): This initiative has restored over 700,000 hectares across Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, directly contributing to SDG 15 by creating wildlife corridors and SDG 6 by enhancing water security.
• The Great Green Wall (Africa): Aiming to restore 100 million hectares, this project supports SDG 8 by creating green jobs and SDG 13 through climate change mitigation. To date, 30 million hectares have been restored, though funding gaps threaten the 2030 target.
• Namani Gange Initiative (India): By restoring 30,000 hectares in the Ganges River basin, this project advances SDG 13 with a target of reducing 7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative (Kazakhstan): The revival of 5 million hectares of steppe habitats has restored the Saiga antelope population, marking a significant achievement for SDG 15.
• Other Initiatives: Projects in Central America (agroforestry), Indonesia (mangrove regeneration), and China (Shan-Shui Initiative) are boosting soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, contributing broadly to environmental and economic SDGs.

4.0 The Role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as Stewards of Forests

IPLCs are vital partners in forest conservation, leveraging traditional knowledge to achieve outcomes that align with global sustainability targets.

• Guardians of Biodiversity (SDG 15): An estimated 36% of the world’s remaining intact forests are on Indigenous lands. A 2000-2012 study of the Amazon found that deforestation rates on these lands were two to three times lower than outside them.
• Catalysts for Sustainable Development (SDG 1 & SDG 8):
  1. In Canada, First Nations and Métis communities co-manage forests, combining traditional knowledge with modern practices to support biodiversity and economic development.
  2. In Nepal, the Terai Arc Landscape Initiative engaged local communities to restore 66,800 hectares of forest, reviving tiger populations (SDG 15) and improving livelihoods for nearly 500,000 households (SDG 1).
• Advancing Justice and Governance (SDG 16): The adoption of Article 8(J) at the UN Biodiversity Conference formally recognizes IPLCs as stewards of biodiversity, securing their rights and reinforcing their role in collaborative governance.

5.0 Conclusion and Path Forward

Forest restoration is an indispensable strategy for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It offers an integrated approach to confronting the climate crisis, halting biodiversity loss, and promoting inclusive economic growth. To accelerate progress, the following actions are recommended:

1. Increase public and private investment in nature-based solutions.
2. Empower IPLCs as key partners in conservation and sustainable forest management.
3. Strengthen international collaboration and knowledge sharing on successful restoration models.

By investing in forests, we can restore the balance between people and nature and build a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on forest restoration as a nature-based solution addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to the multifaceted role of forests in environmental health, economic stability, and human well-being.

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article explicitly states that “approximately 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, water, wood, and employment” and that “roughly 90% of people living in extreme poverty depend on forest resources for their survival.” This directly links forest health to the livelihoods and basic needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The text highlights the economic importance of forests, valued at US$150 trillion, and their role in industries like paper, timber, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. It also mentions that restoration projects, such as the Great Green Wall and initiatives in small island states, are designed to create “green jobs.”
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • This is a central theme of the article. It emphasizes that forest restoration is a “powerful, cost-effective strategy to combat climate change.” It details the process of carbon sequestration, noting that forests absorb a significant percentage of human-caused emissions. Conversely, it warns that deforestation contributes to nearly 15% of global carbon emissions and jeopardizes the Paris Agreement target.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article is fundamentally about SDG 15. It discusses the importance of forests as habitats for “80% of all terrestrial species,” the threats of deforestation and land degradation, and the urgent need to “halt deforestation and reverse biodiversity loss.” The global restoration projects mentioned, from the Atlantic Forest to the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, are direct actions towards protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • While not explicitly named, this goal is strongly implied. The article describes large-scale, collaborative efforts like the “Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact” and the “Great Green Wall,” which involve multiple countries and organizations. It also stresses the importance of empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as “key partners” and calls for investment from both public and private sectors, highlighting the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and actions discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article’s focus on the 90% of people in extreme poverty who depend on forests connects restoration efforts directly to poverty reduction.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. This is relevant through the creation of “green jobs” mentioned in the context of the Great Green Wall and small island states’ restoration projects.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article presents forest restoration as a key strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving the Paris Agreement goals, which aligns with this target.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests. The entire article is about the importance of achieving this target, showcasing various global initiatives aimed at forest restoration.
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The article directly addresses this by discussing the problems of deforestation and highlighting projects that are actively restoring millions of hectares of forest land.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The restoration of wildlife corridors for endangered species in the Atlantic Forest and the revival of saiga antelope and tiger populations are specific examples supporting this target.
• Target 15.B: Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems. This is implied when the article mentions “funding gaps” as a reason the Great Green Wall project may miss its 2030 target, indicating the need for mobilized financial resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Area of forest restored (Indicator for Target 15.2): The article provides specific figures for various projects:
  • Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact: 700,000 hectares restored.
  • Great Green Wall: 30 million hectares restored out of a 100-million-hectare goal.
  • Namani Gange initiative: 30,000 hectares restored.
  • Small island states: Over 4,000 hectares restored.
  • Terai Arc Landscape Initiative: 66,800 hectares of forest restored.
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (Indicator for Target 13.2): The Namani Gange initiative in India has a stated target of “reducing 7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.” The article also notes that deforestation contributes to 15% of global emissions, so a reduction in this figure would be a key indicator.
• Number of green jobs created (Indicator for Target 8.5): The restoration projects in small island states are expected to create “1,800 green jobs by 2030.”
• Population of key species (Indicator for Target 15.5): The article mentions the successful revival of endangered species as a measure of success, such as the saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan increasing from “a low of 20,000 to over 2.8 million” and the revival of tiger populations in Nepal.
• Rate of deforestation (Indicator for Target 15.2): An implied indicator is the rate of deforestation. The article cites a study showing that deforestation rates on Indigenous lands were “two to three times lower,” which can be used as a benchmark for progress in sustainable forest management.
• Amount of carbon sequestered (Indicator for Target 13.2): The article states that forests absorbed “18% of all human-caused emissions per year” between 2001 and 2019 and store an estimated “662 gigatonnes of carbon.” Monitoring these figures would be a direct indicator of progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: earth.org