Ensure that by 2030 at least 30 percent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration, in order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, ecological integrity and connectivity.
Introduction
Most of the nature in the Nordics has been altered by human activity in some way. Nature, which is degraded to the extent that it threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services should be restored. There is broad scientific consensus on this, supported by the International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The UN has declared 2021–2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
According to the UN Environment programme (UNEP) report from 2021, “Becoming #GenerationRestoration: Ecosystem Restoration for People, Nature and Climate”, we can prevent the loss of 1 million endangered species by halting and reversing the degradation of lands and oceans. By restoring just 15% of ecosystems in key areas, it is possible to reduce extinction by 60% through habitat improvement. Furthermore, the report states that ecosystem restoration is needed on a large scale in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and countries need to deliver on their existing commitments to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land in addition to making similar commitments for marine areas.
Restoring ecosystems involves various measures, from converting monotonous industrial forests to diverse old-growth forests, rewetting drained wetlands, removing fish migration barriers, and recreating species-rich cultural landscapes from overgrown areas, to re-establishing eelgrass beds and kelp forests, reducing nutrient and pesticides pollution, cleaning up contaminants, and minimising the impacts of invasive species.
There is a lack of understanding regarding the importance of restoration efforts, particularly in marine ecosystems. Legislation, political attention, increased knowledge of methodologies, actor involvement and public acceptance are all needed to establish the necessary frameworks facilitating restoration efforts on private land, encompassing areas such as forests, wetlands, and coastal regions. There is a legal gap in securing the conservation of restored habitats and keystone species against future development.
According to the IPBES report, restoration yields tenfold the monetary investment in the form of enhanced ecosystem services: by increasing carbon sequestration; reducing flood risks; supporting pollinators; and increasing fish populations. Restoration is essential for bolstering populations and increasing biodiversity, thereby enhancing the functioning of ecosystems. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCCs) Special Report on Climate Change and Land published in 2019, it is also crucial to preserve and enhance ecosystems' capacity to sequester and store carbon to achieve climate goals. Robust ecosystems are likewise vital for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Since the restoration of ecosystems represents a significant economic investment, funding allocations must be raised to a substantially higher level.
Policy Proposals for National Implementation
Adopt national legislation committing the government to have at least 30% of degraded ecosystems per main category of ecosystem under effective restoration by 2030.
Develop national restoration plans which outline the priorities, timelines, financing, monitoring and descriptions of the initiatives to achieve this restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems.
Establish sizable, long-term research programs to identify the best methods for restoration, including the knowledge and lived experience of Indigenous Peoples and women.
Prioritise restoration of ecosystems that are important for red listed species, rare or threatened species and nature types, carbon storage, ecosystem services and corridors between areas of intact nature.
Secure sufficient funds to invest in the restoration of ecosystems nationally.