Evaluating China's Ecological Restoration: Successes, Pitfalls, and Global Lessons

In recent years, China has made significant strides in ecological restoration, particularly within the framework of the "United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration" (2021-2030). This global initiative calls for concerted efforts worldwide to protect and restore ecosystems, and China has consistently allocated substantial funds annually to advance ecological restoration projects. Moreover, the country is actively learning from its experiences and lessons in this domain.

A noteworthy development occurred last month in January 2024 when China released the "Comprehensive Opinion on Promoting the Construction of Beautiful China," which explicitly emphasizes the need to navigate the relationship between natural recovery and artificial restoration. This stance is commendable, as in fact many ecological issues can be addressed through Nature-based Solutions, following the four principles of ecological restoration as Dr ZHOU Jinfeng suggested: the thrift principle(节约原则), natural principle（自然原则）, limitation principle（有限原则）, and systematic principle（系统原则）. This approach eliminates the need for extensive and potentially counterproductive "ecological restoration projects."

Conversely, misunderstanding "restoration" as "repair" could lead to inefficient use of funds and, in some cases, counterproductive outcomes. A recent study published on February 15, 2024, in the journal Science, highlighted challenges faced by ecological restoration and reforestation projects in Africa. Led by researchers from the University of Liverpool, the study revealed threats to an area equivalent to the size of France due to misguided forest restoration initiatives resulting from inappropriate tree-planting practices. This underscores the importance of distinguishing between genuine ecological restoration efforts and potentially misleading endeavours to ensure effective and sustainable outcomes.


Reported by Wendy

Editor: LYJ


Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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