CLIMATE, ECOSYSTEMS & BIODIVERSITY
SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL GOALS
CONTRIBUTING TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS & KUNMING-MONTREAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK TARGETS
THE EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIALIZATION –
THE DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
THE NATURE CRISIS – AFRICA PAYS AN INORDINATE PRICE FOR NORTHERN EXTERNALITIES
THE COST OF INDUSTRIALIZATION AND CLIMATE IMPACTS:
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Ecosystem degradation affects the well-being of an estimated 3.2 billion people (40% of the world population).
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Each year we lose ecosystem services worth >10% percent of global economic output (UNEP).
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From 1997 to 2011 alone, the world lost an estimated $4-20 trillion per annum in ecosystem services due to land-cover change and USD 6-11 trillion per annum due to from land degradation (OECD).
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In Africa alone, ~65% of productive land is now degraded and ~45% is affected by desertification (FAO).
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Global terrestrial restoration costs (not including marine ecosystems) are estimated to exceed USD 200 billion per year by 2030 (UNEP).
THE ECONOMICS OF MITIGATION, REGENERATION, AND ADAPTATION:
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Every $1 invested in ecosystem regeneration creates up to $30 in economic benefits (UNEP).
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Meeting the 2030 Bonn Challenge to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land would create in excess of $170 billion in net benefits annually (IUCN).
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The restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, by 2030, could generate $9 trillion in ecosystem services and remove 13 to 26 GtC from the atmosphere.
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The economic benefits of such actions exceed 9x the cost of investment.
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The cost of inaction is at least 3x more that of than ecosystem restoration (UNEP).
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Climate, social, and environmental justice all require economic action and equity – the best way to do this is by regenerating natural capital, creating abundant power and food, and putting carbon back into the earth and in plants.
BENDING THE CURVE OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS
THE PROJECT ADDRESSES BIODIVERSITY IN A HOLISTIC AND SYSTEMATIC MANNER VIA INTERLINKED REGENERATION AND RESTORATION INITIATIVES:
ORGANIC AGROFORESTRY
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Prioritizes biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, and restoration of all trophic levels
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Reduces erosion and floods, preventing habitat degradation
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Establishes ecological corridors for wildlife
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Catalyzes smallholder farmer education and training – which restore the human covenant with nature
SOIL BIODIVERSITY
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Agroforestry sustainably manages water and nutrients, controls erosion, and maintains cover crops.
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Soil is enriched by plant litter, compost, mulching, and restoration of detrivore habitat.
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High microbial biomass controls the proliferation of pest populations.
WATER BIODIVERSITY (HYDROLOGIC CYCLE)
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Freshwater habitats promote high levels of sub-aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
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Cycling moves nutrients, pathogens, and sediments in and out of aquatic ecosystems.
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Riparian Buffer Zones regulate water flow and catalyse nutrient transport.
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Submerged aquatic vegetation supports biodiversity.
TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY
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Vermiculture (worms) and pollinators (bees and flies) promote soil and plant health.
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Wildlife corridors solve for habitat and ecosystem fragmentation – restoring the complex web of trophic levels and of flora and fauna that are critical to a healthy natural environment.
REGENERATING BIODIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS AND PROGRESSING TOWARDS 2030 GOALS
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND TARGETS – CO-BENEFITS RELATIVE TO THE 2030 GOALS & KUNMING-MONTREAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK
WE ADHERE TO STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES INCLUDING:
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
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The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
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The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol
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The Oxford Principles for Net Zero-Aligned Carbon Offsetting (Net Zero)
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The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
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The International Finance Corporation - Environmental and Social Performance Standards (IFC)
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The Equator Principles (Equator).
