Restore 30% of all Degraded Ecosystems
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.
Why is this target important?
Every target in the framework is crucial for our survival. The first calls for an immediate halt to the destruction of high-biodiversity areas. Unfortunately, the damage we’ve already inflicted is severe. We have bulldozed fragile habitats, turning vibrant ecosystems to wastelands. Time and again, we have treated nature as something disposable. When a habitat disappears, we simply shrug and move on.
But as the most powerful species on the planet, we have a moral imperative to do better. If we crashed a car into a neighbor’s house, we wouldn’t just walk away. Taking responsibility means fixing what we break—no matter the cost. We hope everyone can agree and commit to restoring the vital ecosystems we have damaged.
Target 2 asks us to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems. That’s letting ourselves off easy. We should aim higher.