UN Report: 252 Million Hectares Under Restoration, Creating 1 Million Green Jobs Across 149 Countries

A new United Nations report reveals that 252 million hectares (623 million acres) of degraded land are now under restoration across 149 countries, marking the largest documented global restoration effort to date. This initiative has generated more than 1 million green jobs, underscoring the economic benefits of ecosystem recovery alongside environmental gains. The report highlights that while progress is significant, the pace must accelerate to meet international targets such as the Bonn Challenge and Sustainable Development Goal 15. Key regions include Africa’s Great Green Wall and Latin America’s Initiative 20x20, where community-led projects are reversing deforestation and soil degradation. The findings emphasize that restoration is not just an environmental imperative but a driver of livelihoods, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. However, the UN warns that current efforts fall short of the 350 million hectares pledged for restoration by 2030, urging governments and private sectors to scale up investment and policy support. The creation of green jobs—ranging from tree planting to sustainable agriculture—demonstrates that restoration can be a cornerstone of a just transition to a greener economy. Moving forward, the report calls for enhanced monitoring, financing, and local engagement to ensure that restoration efforts deliver lasting benefits for people and the planet.