UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

What UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration does

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a United Nations-mandated global initiative proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2021 and running through 2030, co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The initiative was proposed by more than 70 countries and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its core mission is to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems across every continent and ocean, targeting the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2030, with participating countries collectively committing to restore 1 billion hectares.

The initiative operates as a coordination, advocacy, and mobilization platform rather than a commercial product. Its core technology consists of a digital ecosystem anchored by the public-facing website (decadeonrestoration.org) and the Restoration Implementers Hub (hub.decadeonrestoration.org), supported by social media campaigns under the #GenerationRestoration brand, a monthly newsletter, the Let's Talk Ecosystems podcast, the RESTORE documentary series, the Ecosystem Restoration Playbook available in eight languages, the World Restoration Flagships recognition program, the Generation Restoration Cities knowledge platform, the Restoration Academy workshop format developed by GIZ, and large-scale street murals in partnership with Street Art for Mankind.

The business model is non-commercial. All resources, publications, communication materials, educational content, and platform access are provided at no cost to users. Funding flows from UN member state contributions and institutional partners rather than paying customers. The initiative serves a broad stakeholder base spanning restoration implementers (NGOs, community groups, indigenous peoples, local communities), national and local governments, youth and educators, researchers, the private sector, and the general public, with no single paying customer segment and no revenue target tied to commercial growth.

Name

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Legal name

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Website

https://decadeonrestoration.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a UN-mandated 2021-2030 initiative co-led by UNEP and FAO that coordinates global efforts to restore 350 million hectares of degraded ecosystems, serving implementers, governments, cities, educators, and the public through free digital platforms, content, and programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration Coordination

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

Keywords

• Ecosystem restoration coordination
• Global conservation initiative
• Restoration education resources
• Nature-based solutions platform
• Environmental advocacy programs

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Not Applicable - UN Initiative: The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a United Nations initiative led by UNEP and FAO. It does not generate revenue. It operates as a coordination, advocacy, and mobilization platform for ecosystem restoration efforts globally. Funding comes from member states and partner organizations through the UN system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a United Nations-led global coordination, advocacy, and mobilization initiative (2021-2030) co-led by UNEP and FAO. It functions as a free public platform providing multilingual educational resources, a Restoration Implementers Hub connecting on-the-ground practitioners, recognition programs (World Restoration Flagships), and awareness campaigns under the #GenerationRestoration movement to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation worldwide.

Product overview

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) is a United Nations initiative led by UNEP and FAO that functions as an informational platform and movement-building initiative rather than a unified software product. The core offering is a web platform (decadeonrestoration.org) that provides educational resources, connects restoration implementers, and supports the #GenerationRestoration movement. Key products include the Restoration Implementers Hub (a project submission and discovery platform), the Ecosystem Restoration Playbook (a practical guide covering 8 ecosystem types), educational tools like the Play to Fight the Nature Crisis game, documentary series (RESTORE), podcasts (Let's Talk Ecosystems), and awareness campaigns including murals. Supporting programs include the Generation Restoration Cities platform, World Restoration Flagships recognition program, Restoration Academy workshops, Nature Positive Universities, and Schools/Educators resources. The initiative serves as a coordination hub rather than a technical SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Generation Restoration Cities: A UNEP project (2023-2025) in which 24 cities worldwide piloted and showcased the implementation of urban nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.
• World Restoration Flagships
• Restoration Academy

Products and services

• Restoration Implementers Hub An online platform connecting on-the-ground restoration implementers (NGOs, community groups, indigenous peoples, local communities) to the global vision of the UN Decade, allowing them to share projects, find partners, and access resources worldwide.
• Ecosystem Restoration Playbook A 21-page practical guide covering approaches to restoring eight key ecosystem types (forests, farmlands, grasslands, savannahs, freshwaters, oceans and coasts, peatlands, mountains, urban areas), published by UNEP and FAO and available in 8 languages.
• Play to Fight the Nature Crisis Game An interactive educational game designed to help players learn about the nature crisis while taking action to restore ecosystems. Available in multiple languages.
• RESTORE Documentary Series Documentary series showcasing ecosystem restoration efforts and featuring UN World Restoration Flagships initiatives across multiple seasons. Season III features the 2025 UN World Restoration Flagships.
• Let's Talk Ecosystems Podcast Podcast series featuring interviews with young environmentalists making positive changes for the planet, with new episodes released every Wednesday by UNEP and FAO.
• Generation Restoration Cities Platform A knowledge platform consolidating learnings from the Generation Restoration Cities initiative, featuring examples, guides, and opportunities for scaling nature restoration in urban environments, developed with 24 pilot and role model cities.
• World Restoration Flagships Recognition Program A program recognizing outstanding examples of large-scale, long-term ecosystem restoration initiatives worldwide that incorporate the 10 Principles of Ecosystem Restoration, honoring the best examples from countries and regions.
• Restoration Academy A flexible, interactive workshop format connecting local restoration implementers to the global UN Decade vision, providing tailored knowledge, peer learning opportunities, and practical tools to scale ecosystem restoration. Developed by GIZ on behalf of BMUV.
• Nature Positive Universities A global initiative engaging universities in nature restoration by involving students, researchers, staff, and faculty members in ecosystem restoration activities and curriculum.
• Schools and Educators Resources Educational materials, resources, and programs for schools and educators to integrate ecosystem restoration into classrooms and communities, including the Ecosystem Restoration Playbook and the Generation Restoration Schools program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 billion hectares committed to restoration by countries globally
• +4 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• UN Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2021UNEP is one of the two lead agencies for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. As co-lead, UNEP provides overall coordination, technical expertise, communications support, and hosts the decade's secretariat. The organization brings its environmental mandate and global network to advance restoration goals.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2021FAO is the second co-lead agency for the UN Decade, contributing expertise in agriculture, forestry, and sustainable land management. FAO brings technical knowledge on ecosystem restoration practices and works to integrate restoration into food systems and agricultural policies globally.
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBD partners with the UN Decade to align ecosystem restoration efforts with the Global Biodiversity Framework targets. The partnership ensures restoration initiatives contribute to biodiversity conservation goals and vice versa.
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNCCD collaborates on restoration efforts particularly related to combating desertification and land degradation. The partnership supports the Great Green Wall initiative and other dryland restoration programs.
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership aligns ecosystem restoration with climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. Restoration is recognized as a key nature-based solution for achieving Paris Agreement targets.
• UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO supports the Decade through its expertise in education, science, and cultural heritage. The organization contributes to restoration education initiatives and knowledge sharing.
• UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNECE supports the Decade's activities in the UNECE region, contributing to restoration efforts across Europe, North America, and Central Asia.
• German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGIZ developed the Restoration Academy on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and funded through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). GIZ provides implementation support and technical assistance to the Decade's capacity building initiatives.
• CIFOR-ICRAFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry provides research expertise, technical knowledge, and field implementation support for forest and landscape restoration initiatives under the Decade.
• Conservation InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation International partners with the Decade to advance marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystem restoration globally, contributing scientific expertise and on-the-ground implementation capacity.
• IUCN - International Union for Conservation of NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN contributes its expertise in conservation, ecosystem management, and restoration standards. The organization developed the 10 Principles of Ecosystem Restoration that guide the Decade's work and provides technical oversight through its Commission on Ecosystem Management.
• Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER provides technical standards and best practices for ecological restoration. The organization published the International Principles & Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, a foundational document for the Decade.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNC partners with the Decade to scale ecosystem restoration globally, leveraging its extensive network of conservation projects and scientific expertise in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF collaborates on ecosystem restoration initiatives worldwide, contributing conservation expertise, funding, and on-the-ground project implementation capacity.
• Plant for the PlanetflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlant for the Planet collaborates on youth engagement and restoration initiatives, contributing to the #GenerationRestoration movement and youth-focused restoration campaigns.
• Trillion TreesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrillion Trees partners on forest restoration initiatives, contributing expertise in tree planting, forest conservation, and restoration monitoring. The partnership supports large-scale forest restoration projects.
• Wetlands InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWetlands International contributes expertise in wetland and coastal ecosystem restoration, including mangrove restoration and building with nature approaches. The organization published technical guidelines for the Decade.
• Street Art for MankindcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStreet Art for Mankind collaborates with the Decade to create large-scale murals in cities worldwide (New York, Chicago, London, Seattle, Detroit, Houston, Brussels) to raise awareness about ecosystem restoration through public art.
• ICLEI - Local Governments for SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICLEI's Cities Biodiversity Center coordinated the Generation Restoration Cities initiative (2023-2025), supporting 24 cities worldwide to pilot urban nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.
• Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGLF partners to promote restoration through its global forum platform, hosting events, sharing knowledge, and building the restoration community through its digital and in-person platforms.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): FSC sets standards for sustainable forest management and is thematically adjacent to ecosystem restoration. While it does not directly restore ecosystems, its certification frameworks overlap with the Decade's forest restoration objectives and partner ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Trillion Trees: Trillion Trees is a flagship partner focused on forest restoration, contributing expertise in tree planting, forest conservation, and restoration monitoring. It is a direct peer in the forest restoration sub-segment of the Decade's ecosystem portfolio.
• Global Landscapes Forum (GLF): GLF is a core GTM partner that promotes restoration through its global forum platform, hosting events and building the restoration community. It is a direct peer operating as a movement-building and knowledge-sharing platform analogous to the Decade.
• Wetlands International: Wetlands International is a core partner contributing wetland and coastal restoration expertise, including mangrove restoration. It is a direct peer focused on a specific ecosystem type intersecting with the Decade's broader scope.
• Society for Ecological Restoration (SER): SER is the leading scientific and professional organization for ecological restoration, providing the International Principles & Standards foundational to the UN Decade's 10 Principles. It is a direct peer in setting restoration standards and supporting practitioners globally.
• IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature: IUCN developed the 10 Principles of Ecosystem Restoration that guide the UN Decade's work and provides technical oversight through its Commission on Ecosystem Management. It is a core partner and direct peer in defining restoration practice at global scale.
• CIFOR-ICRAF: CIFOR-ICRAF is a core partner providing research expertise, technical knowledge, and field implementation support for forest and landscape restoration. It is a direct peer focused on forest ecosystem restoration with comparable global scope.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Conservation International is a flagship partner advancing marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystem restoration globally. As a broad incumbent it brings scientific expertise and direct on-the-ground implementation, complementing the Decade's coordination role.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): WWF is a flagship partner contributing conservation expertise, funding, and on-the-ground project implementation capacity for ecosystem restoration. As a broad incumbent, its portfolio overlaps with the Decade's goals across multiple ecosystem types.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): TNC is a flagship partner operating extensive conservation projects across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. It is a broad incumbent with comparable ecosystem restoration ambitions but at a directly implemented, project-based level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/UNDecade
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5mI52rd-sdK1LCqT5J4Z5A
• Facebookfacebook.com/UNEnvironmentProgramme
• Instagraminstagram.com/unep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/generation-restoration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration