A major new global effort, the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme, has been launched to advance the twin goals of climate mitigation and biodiversity restoration. Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with international partners, the initiative aims to restore millions of hectares of degraded land, enhance ecosystem resilience, and support countries in meeting their net-zero commitments.
The programme integrates climate action with nature-positive strategies, emphasizing that restoring forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal ecosystems is essential not only for biodiversity but also for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. By accelerating funding, technical assistance, and cross-sector collaboration, the initiative seeks to help governments and communities scale up proven nature-based solutions.
Officials highlight that the programme will support climate-vulnerable nations, boost sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen monitoring systems to track environmental progress. UNEP notes that aligning biodiversity and climate goals is critical to keeping the world on a pathway compatible with the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The launch has been welcomed by environmental groups, who say it represents a pivotal opportunity to embed ecological restoration into global climate strategies. The coming years will determine how effectively the programme can translate ambition into measurable impact.
