The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have awarded Mexico, Spain, and East Africa for their large-scale ecosystem restoration programs, recognizing them as the first three regions to receive the prestigious World Restoration Flagships award.
East Africa’s Coral Reef Conservation
In East Africa, the Northern Mozambique Channel is home to 35% of the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania are working together to manage, protect, and restore over 87,000 hectares of interconnected land and seascapes. Their efforts include:
– Restoring Blue and Green Forests:
Creating interconnected restoration corridors, mangroves, and coral reef ecosystems to enhance biodiversity and support local communities.
– Improving Fisheries Management: Implementing sustainable fishing practices to protect marine life and promote eco-tourism.
Mexico’s Island Restoration
Mexico has made significant strides in restoring its islands, which were threatened by invasive species. Key achievements include:
– Removing Invasive Species:
Over 60 populations of invasive species have been removed, allowing at least 85% of seabird populations to return.
– Restoring Ecosystems:
Efforts are underway to restore over 100,000 hectares of ecosystems, securing populations of 300 endemic mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Spain’s Mar Menor Lagoon Conservation
In Spain, the Mar Menor lagoon, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, has been granted legal personhood, allowing a group of activists, scientists, and legal officials to represent it. Conservation efforts include:
– Cleaning Polluted Sites:
Abandoned and polluted mining sites are being cleaned up to reduce pollution and protect biodiversity.
– Sustainable Agriculture:
Initiatives promote sustainable agriculture practices to reduce nitrous discharge and protect the lagoon’s ecosystem.
A Global Commitment to Ecosystem Restoration
These awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which aims to halt and reverse the degradation of global ecosystems. The program recognizes national and regional ecosystem restoration efforts, providing additional UN support to successful initiatives.
The World Restoration Flagships award demonstrates that concerted efforts can lead to significant positive change, protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable development, and supporting local communities. As Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, noted, “These World Restoration Flagships show how biodiversity protection, climate action, and economic development are deeply interconnected.”
