Afforestation, Reforestation and Restoration (ARR)

Why ARR: Afforestation, Reforestation, and Restoration


Forests are incredible carbon sinks, soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to ease climate change. When we lose forests, greenhouse gas emissions rise, making restoring and creating new forest areas even more essential for a healthy planet.

ARR is vital in fighting environmental decline and climate change through tree planting and restoring our precious natural ecosystems. It’s all about empowering nature with trees and rallying together for a brighter, sustainable future. 

Flourishing forests provide homes for various plant and animal species, safeguarding biodiversity. This is key for ecological balance, human health, and food security, as diverse ecosystems offer more resources and better resilience against pests and diseases.  

Benefits of ARR

Getting involved with ARR projects comes with many rewards, both for the environment and communities.

  • Climate Mitigation: By planting trees or supporting restoration efforts, you can help sequester carbon, lessening the impacts of climate change. 

  • Biodiversity Support: ARR projects create or restore habitats for countless animal species, promoting ecological diversity and resilience. 

  • Community Engagement: ARR initiatives involve local communities, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods, fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging sustainable practices. 

  • Improved Ecosystem: Healthy forests contribute to water purification, stabilise soil, and enhance air quality, benefiting both local populations and ecosystems

2.5 - 4 Gigatons of CO₂

Reforestation and afforestation can sequester about 2.5–4 gigatons of CO₂ per year if scaled up effectively. That would be the equivalent of 631 years of US’s emissions using 2021 as a baseline.

1 Billion Hectares

There’s estimated 1 billion hectares of degraded forest lands which could be restored globally.

190 Million Jobs

Forest restoration and management create jobs, especially in rural areas. For example, the restoration of 350 million hectares by 2030 could generate up to $9 trillion in ecosystem services and create around 190 million jobs globally.

Afforestation means planting trees in areas that have never seen a forest before, helping to create vibrant new forests. This can happen on barren lands or former farmlands, turning them green again.

Reforestation is all about replanting trees in places where forests have been lost due to logging or natural disasters. The aim here is to revive the original forest ecosystem, bringing back its amazing biodiversity. 

Restoration, closely linked to reforestation, focuses on healing damaged ecosystems. This often includes restoring natural tree species diversity and enhancing soil health so that ecosystems can thrive. 

Together, these strategies tackle deforestation, boost biodiversity, and support the climate system.