**While there is no fixed definition of regenerative agriculture, its goal is to enhance the ability of agricultural ecosystems to renew themselves—in other words, to help them thrive again. Within corporate value chains, Reforest'Action's regenerative agriculture projects address environmental, social, and economic challenges. These challenges are deeply interconnected: drought, flooding, extreme heat, soil salinization, fluctuating markets, and seed availability all threaten crop sustainability, putting the entire supply chain at risk. Our interventions aim to build long-term ecosystem resilience while maintaining the economic viability of our activities. “The idea behind a regenerative agriculture project is to create a balanced and sustainable model that generates alternative and complementary income while preserving the integrity of the agroecosystem,” explains Jean-Christophe, Project Manager at Reforest'Action. Reforest'Action's approach supports the continuation of existing agricultural production, the development of new crops within the same area, as well as the generation of positive environmental and social impacts. Achieving these outcomes requires the right approach.**

Designing a regenerative agriculture project is a complex process with many variables. The goal is to identify ways to optimize the natural dynamics of the ecosystem. The feasibility of this optimization is evaluated during the planning and experimentation phases, which take place before field implementation and ensure the project's long-term sustainability. For Jean-Christophe, who is responsible for designing and implementing regenerative agriculture projects in tropical regions, the key is aligning the practical experience of farmers with the scientific framework: "Although our assessments, studies, and forecasts are grounded in scientific data and methods, the goal is to develop proposals tailored to the local context and approved by those most affected—the farmers. Without their full commitment, no transition is possible." This behind-the-scenes work follows a pragmatic approach, rooted in local realities and focused on delivering measurable benefits. 

## Understanding the Local Context: A Science-Based Approach

The main steps in designing a regenerative agriculture project are often grouped into what's known as the "feasibility study," a crucial first milestone. From a scientific perspective, this study assesses the project's overall viability and evaluates potential solutions. It covers key elements such as the goals to be achieved, potential challenges, an analysis of the farm and its environment, hypotheses to be tested, proposed actions, and the metrics for tracking progress. The feasibility study is summarized in a report that presents both the results of preliminary assessments and recommendations for possible solutions. However, behind this report lies a significant amount of groundwork, closely tied to the field and involving all stakeholders. “The feasibility study is about understanding the overall dynamics of the area to create a solid implementation plan,” explains Jean-Christophe. The success of a project is much more likely, and the positive impacts are maximized when a feasibility study is carried out early in the process. 

![EN_designing stages.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/EN_designing_stages_fcea34f256.jpg)
An infographic outlining the steps involved in designing a regenerative agriculture project, as summarized in the feasibility study.

### Assessment of Key Factors

Once the project’s objectives are established, a detailed analysis of the local context is essential. Understanding how agricultural production operates, considering its environmental, social, and economic aspects, is a crucial step in project design. This helps us identify strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and potential threats that need to be addressed. The first section of the feasibility study focuses on various assessments, or audits, grounded in scientific methodology. The specific factors examined depend on the project’s goals, but they typically include the following:

**1. Farm Assessment:** The project must be integrated into an existing production system. This is why farming practices, technical processes, and any transformation activities are assessed. The goal is to evaluate the farm's current sustainability and conservation levels, its capacity for adaptation, and any potential risks associated with changes in practices. 

**2. Ecosystem Assessment:** By analyzing various aspects of the project area, we can gain an understanding of the socio-ecological dynamics that shape the environment in which the farm operates. This assessment focuses on the key pillars of a regenerative project: water, soil, biodiversity, and socio-economic factors. The results of these analyses help identify past and potential future climatic changes, characterize available resources, and pinpoint priority areas for restoration.
  
**3. Value Chain Assessment:** Reforest'Action works within companies' value chains, specifically focusing on the sourcing of raw materials for regenerative agriculture projects. This assessment involves conducting a market study of the agricultural production in the relevant region or country to highlight the economic potential of the project. The purpose is to guide the development of alternative, regenerative value chains that align market needs with production goals, ultimately fostering sustainable incomes and better conservation of natural resources.

These analyses can be conducted either in the field during short trips, sometimes referred to as audits, or remotely through a literature review. In both cases, strong collaboration among the various stakeholders is essential. This involves sharing knowledge between the agricultural supplier and Reforest'Action, the project developer. Time is also an important factor in these diagnostics. As Jean-Christophe notes, the goal of this preparatory phase is "to understand past dynamics to predict their evolution five, ten, or even twenty years into the future, over the lifespan of the project." Following a scientific methodology, establishing a baseline helps narrow down the regenerative models to be developed in the feasibility study, focusing on those best suited to the environment and current farming practices.

#### Perfume Flower Cultivation in Northwest Morocco

In Khémisset, northern Morocco, Reforest'Action is developing a regenerative agriculture project in partnership with a Parisian perfume house and its supplier of essential plant oils. In the face of growing climate challenges, the project's primary goal was to explore sustainable practices for cultivating perfume flowers.

![Tractor trailer loaded with tagete at distillation unit-Loïsa-Morocco-9_10_23.jpg](/uploads/Tractor_trailer_loaded_with_tagete_at_distillation_unit_Loisa_Morocco_9_10_23_1f60bb1199.jpg)
Perfume flower distillation unit, Morocco
![Essential oil Biolandes-Loïsa-Morocco-10_10_23.jpg](/uploads/Essential_oil_Biolandes_Loisa_Morocco_10_10_23_98621cab1b.jpg)
Essential oil extracted from perfume flowers after distillation, Morocco

The first step was to assess the farm's operations, identifying areas for improvement. We analyzed each stage of the flower-growing process for our client’s perfumes, including fertilization, seed preparation, and the technical steps involved (sowing, transplanting, hoeing, irrigation, and harvesting). Next, we reviewed the value chain for essential oil production, looking at distillation techniques (steam and solvent), energy needs, and the potential use of residual biomass*. Finally, an analysis of the ecosystem and local climate helped us evaluate how water scarcity impacts perfume flower production. Water stress in the region, largely due to a significant drop in rainfall, has directly affected water availability on-site, which in turn impacts irrigation. For example, the choice of species for agroforestry is based on this critical assessment, as only drought-resistant species will survive such conditions. As Jean-Christophe notes, the key challenge of this diagnostic phase is clear, though complex: “Here, the project is primarily about selecting plant species suited to the severely limited water resources, within the framework of essential oil production.” 

_*Biomass refers to organic plant or animal material that can be used as an energy source or soil enhancer. In this case, the plant residues left after distillation serve as a valuable source of biomass._

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Uprooted trees on parched ground after an extended drought, Morocco
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Harvesting perfume flowers on a farm in Morocco

## Validating Hypotheses: An Experimental Approach

Regenerative agriculture aims to both restore agricultural ecosystems and sustain economically viable yields. This holistic approach relies on experimentation and encourages learning and adaptation as key drivers of change.  

### Identifying Strategies to Be Tested in a Pilot Phase

After the findings, we move on to potential solutions. What strategies are Reforest'Action and the agricultural partner considering addressing the challenges identified, while aligning with the local context? The second part of the feasibility study focuses on identifying practical regenerative processes that could be implemented on-site, forming the foundation of the project design. These strategies are outlined as follows: 
 
**1. Hypotheses:** Following a scientific approach, we start by developing a set of hypotheses aimed at identifying causal links—essentially, how the potential solutions could lead to positive outcomes. These hypotheses are then turned into scenarios, which are tested through field experiments during the initial "pilot phase." 
 
**2. Developing Scenarios (Levers):** Next, we create a variety of scenarios using different agroecological techniques. These are tested to see which best supports the earlier hypotheses. The aim is to identify the most effective strategies, chosen for both their environmental benefits (ecosystem resilience, climate change adaptation) and their agronomic and socio-economic advantages (higher yields, product diversity, reduced inputs, increased income), ranging from the plot level to the landscape scale. Local stakeholders are involved to ensure their needs and priorities are factored into the decision-making process.    

**3. Monitoring Indicators:** Each selected strategy is then tied to specific performance indicators that will measure its impact. While environmental strategies often provide quantitative data, others, like improvements in community or farmer well-being, may require more qualitative assessment. 
 
**4. Pilot Phase:** The project starts with an experimental phase, which can last several years depending on the project. During this time, the chosen scenarios are tested on a small scale to determine if they are feasible and scalable before rolling them out on a larger scale. This phase is critical for fine-tuning solutions, determining actual costs, timelines, and evaluating the skill levels of project partners. In some cases, the feasibility study and the pilot phase happen simultaneously. This stage also helps expand our understanding of the region and its dynamics through hands-on experience. Success in the pilot phase is tracked using key indicators, which provide the foundation for measuring the project's long-term impact.

In practical terms, there are a variety of agroecological strategies that can be applied in a regenerative agriculture project. Reforest'Action helps its clients optimize their value chains by focusing on living systems, offering customized recommendations. We provide a wide range of techniques, including agroforestry within plots, planting tree and shrub borders, creating woodland islands, soil conservation practices, and using biochar.
At its core, regenerative agriculture places a strong emphasis on soil restoration—a critical priority as 90% of the world’s soils are projected to be degraded by 2050.* Reforest'Action also aims to implement strategies at the landscape level, beyond the production system itself. For instance, restoring nearby forests to connect farms with continuous ecological corridors can lead to significant improvements in both production quality and the livelihoods of the communities that rely on it.

_*FAO, Saving our Soils by all earthly ways possible, Highlighting some key achievements of the FAO-led Global Soil Partnership, Case Studies, 2022._

#### Organic Cotton Production in Eastern India

The production of synthetic fibers and fabrics is one of the world’s most polluting industries, negatively impacting both human health and the environment. For farmers, growing natural fibers like cotton in a sustainable and economically viable way remains a challenge. Since 2020, Kiabi has been committed to supporting forests, driven by the desire to make a difference where its business has the greatest impact. Wanting to take this commitment even further, the company recently turned to Reforest'Action for expertise, specifically within its cotton production chain in India. India is the world’s leading producer of organic cotton, and the project is being implemented with several of Kiabi's indirect suppliers, including the Pratima Organic Growers group, which represents over 9,000 cotton farmers and 10,000 hectares of organic or transitioning farms. In partnership with the growers' cooperative, the project has four main goals: to improve the economic viability of cotton farming, empower the farmers, promote ecological sustainability, and restore the ecological corridors that shape the landscape. 

Launched in March 2022, this regenerative agriculture project in the central Indian states of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh entered a pilot phase in 2023, with the full feasibility study completed by Reforest'Action in 2024. Jean-Christophe explains: "This project in India perfectly illustrates the core goal of regenerative agriculture: building resilience in production systems in the face of climate change. It requires adapting to new scenarios projected through science and the work of the IPCC." 

![Champ coton Odisha.jpg](/uploads/Champ_coton_Odisha_1ee60c9dd4.jpg)
Cotton field, Odisha state, India
![Coton Odisha 23.jpg](/uploads/Coton_Odisha_23_9acd9fc69c.jpg)
Harvested cotton fiber, Odisha state, India 

**Assessment:** The climate assessment of the region revealed longer drought periods, higher temperatures, a shorter monsoon season, and more intense rainfall. As a result, the area, located in the Tel River watershed, is facing water shortages that are affecting cotton crop irrigation. Other environmental challenges in the region include biodiversity loss, largely due to the clearing of the surrounding Tikhari forest reserve for agricultural purposes. The farmland involved in the project is organically certified, which provides a production framework with recommended practices, guidance on crop varieties, and farmer training. On a socio-economic level, farmers—most of whom rely on the cotton market for their livelihood—are struggling with worsening climate conditions that increase their vulnerability. Additionally, local communities face poor sanitary conditions, leading to a rise in serious diseases like malaria. Plastic pollution in the villages is also degrading the quality of drinking water and posing a threat to agricultural land.

**Hypotheses and Strategies Considered:** Agroforestry is already familiar to farmers in the region and offers a promising way to diversify crops, restore biodiversity, improve water infiltration in sandy and rocky soils, boost alternative income for farmers, and improve livelihoods in a reasonable timeframe. To support organic cotton cultivation, fruit and timber trees will be planted alongside the crops. The pilot phase, which started in June 2023, involves setting up agroforestry plantations in a test area. By 2024, additional strategies focused on soil conservation will be put in place. The project also includes a socio-economic element, providing farmer training and support with market access. Plans to improve hygiene in the surrounding villages are also part of this phase.

![Coopérative coton Odisha.jpeg](/uploads/Cooperative_coton_Odisha_ed5de73484.jpeg)
Cotton growers' cooperative, Odisha state, India

**In conclusion, a regenerative agriculture project extends beyond just field implementation. The diagnostic and experimental phases, which shape the project's final design, follow a scientific approach that is as thorough, inclusive, and rigorous as possible. To ensure the success of this approach, Reforest'Action has developed in-house expertise and works with respected global partners in sustainable agriculture.
Are you interested in developing regenerative agriculture within your value chain and positively impacting soil health, climate, biodiversity, and society? Learn more about how we can help, with over a decade of experience in agroforestry.**

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Core elements of designing a regenerative agriculture project

**In the heart of Mount Kenya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, the third season of the project developed by Reforest'Action, and supported by Maison Hennessy for the past two years, was completed at the end of 2022. Hennessy has been a partner of Reforest'Action since 2020, funding numerous local initiatives over the long term. Through its multidimensional scope, this project aimed at restoring forest and agricultural ecosystems in Kenya is a concrete illustration of our shared regenerative, impact-oriented approach. Thanks to two waves of planting, in spring and autumn, the year 2022 made it possible to plant 250,000 trees on 500 hectares of land divided between the project's various activities.** 

![Kenya1.jpeg](/uploads/Kenya1_2dc4dd7b3e.jpeg)

In recent years, drought has hit East Africa particularly hard, including Kenya: rainfall has been below average for five consecutive rainy seasons. By January 2023, it was estimated that more than 20 million people were facing acute food insecurity in the region, mainly as a result of drought*. In this rapidly changing socio-climatic context, the project led by the local association Trees for Kenya focuses on restoring Mount Kenya's natural ecosystem and improving the food security of the people who live in this area. 

*World Meteorological Organization (WMO), _State of the Global Climate report,_ 2022.

## The project's objectives: a three-fold approach

The plots targeted by the project's third season are located in three counties in eastern Kenya: Kirinyaga, Embu and Tharaka Nithi. The typology of ecosystems covered and the actions implemented vary according to altitude, rainfall regime and soil quality. In the highlands, the project is helping to restore the forest of [Mount Kenya National Park,](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/800/) which is essential to the proper functioning of the water cycle. Downstream, in the middle and lowlands cultivated with tea and coffee plantations, the creation of agroforestry garden forests aims to support the socio-economic development of farming communities. In addition to forestry work, the project also raises awareness among farming communities about the many benefits of planting trees on their land. Thirdly, by distributing trees to schools in the area, the project includes an educational dimension designed to involve the younger generation. Let's take a look at the progress made by this multi-faceted project. 

![Kenya0 Project Map.jpg](/uploads/Kenya0_Project_Map_e3075b3aaf.jpg)

## Mount Kenya forest restoration: promoting the regeneration of a crucial ecosystem

The first part of the project involves reforesting 60 hectares of degraded forest land which, although protected, is unable to regenerate on its own. More than 300,000 people - including members of the Masai and Kikuyu ethnic groups - depend on the Mount Kenya forest for their daily livelihoods: it provides them with water, fruits, and medicinal plants. As a result of deforestation for agriculture and charcoal production, the drastic reduction in the region's forest cover has led to a change in local weather patterns, with rainfall becoming more irregular and scarcer, causing the rivers originating from Mount Kenya to dry up and no longer flow sufficiently to irrigate crops.

### Achievements: 65,000 trees planted in the Njukiini forest

In 2022, the project enabled the creation of three conservation sites in the Njukiini forest. The latter lies at the foot of Mount Kenya, between a dried-out wetland and a forest managed by the Kenya Forest Service for commercial purposes. The selected sites are made up of a few scattered trees and therefore have regeneration potential. Work began with the clearing of Lantana Camara, an invasive shrub species that was preventing native vegetation from developing and drawing on the water table, followed by the planting of a diverse range of native species, including Prunus Africana and Podocarpus. A total of 65,000 trees were planted, with the aim of restoring the degraded forest and initiating its future regeneration.  

The forestry work was carried out by the Community Conservation Association (CFA), a group of 50 casual workers from local communities, mostly young people and about half of them being women. More broadly, local people are involved in all restoration processes: they participate in the production of seedlings in twelve community nurseries set up as part of the project, as well as in soil preparation through the removal of brush and invasive species, and in the long-term maintenance of the planted trees. 

![Kenya3©TonyTei-2022.jpg](/uploads/Kenya3_Tony_Tei_2022_67e0e9487e.jpg)

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**At the end of 2022, Reforest'Action's field audit made it possible to assess the survival rate of the trees planted on the three conservation sites during the previous spring. Despite very limited water resources due to chronic drought, the shade provided by the existing trees and the high moisture level of the forest soil ensured the survival of 74% of the planted trees.**

### Expected impacts: increased water resources and biodiversity

The porosity created by the organic activity of the forest soil will reduce water runoff, encourage its infiltration into the soil and enable groundwater to be recharged. As a cornerstone of the water cycle, the forest will also help regulate the local climate, increasing the frequency of rainfall and, ultimately, the volume of water flowing into the surrounding rivers. In the long term, restored forests will therefore play an important role in the water resources available to the farming population. Let's not forget that 75%* of the world's fresh water for human and environmental needs comes from forest and mountain ecosystems. At the same time, biodiversity will increase as the forest grows, being home to elephants, monkeys, buffalo, and gazelles’ populations.

*FAO, IUFRO and USDA. 2022. _A guide to forest-water management. FAO Forestry Paper_ No. 185. Rome.

## Garden forests: improving food security among farming communities

The second part of the project aims to install agroforestry systems within the tea, coffee, macadamia, maize, bean, sweet potato and banana crops that cover the lower slopes of Mount Kenya. Most farmers in the region own one or two hectares of land at most, and use 75% of it for cash crop production. Almost all households keep livestock or goats on the remaining 25%, on which the family home is also located. While for 98% of them, agriculture is the sole source of income, local farmers are facing sharply reduced crop yields as a result of severe drought.

### Achievements: 165,000 trees planted on 434 farmers' land

In 2022, more than 430 new beneficiaries were given trees. They were recruited by a "leading farmers" team made up of local farmers who act as a link between Trees for Kenya's and the farming communities. Agroforestry species such as calliandra, markhamia and pink cedar were planted as hedges around the crops, meanwhile fruit trees were spread throughout the plots. Fruit trees are particularly valuable to farmers, as they will produce avocados, tree tomatoes, mangoes and oranges. Between January and December 2022, 165,000 trees were planted to create garden forests in the low and midlands of Mount Kenya.

Before each wave of planting, training and awareness-raising sessions were organized for farmers, including demonstrations of how to use the planting and monitoring equipment (spades, secateurs, tape and calipers to measure tree height and diameter, etc.). Beneficiaries were also trained in the manufacturing of plant-based organic fertilizers and pesticides, and made aware of the importance of conserving trees on their plots. 

![Kenya2.jpg](/uploads/Kenya2_1492d3fdbf.jpg)

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**The survival rate of trees planted in agroforestry in the spring of 2022 was evaluated at 65% by the end-of-year audit. The main challenge here relates to the lack of available water to irrigate the planted trees, causing them to dry out. It should be noted that trees affected by drought are systematically replaced during the next planting. A new field audit will be conducted by the beginning of 2024 in order to monitor the second wave of plantings that took place in autumn 2022.**  
 
During the audit, the testimonies of several beneficiaries were collected. All interviewees seemed now aware of the challenges raised by climate change and the importance of forest ecosystems. They thanked the support provided by the project, without which they would not have had the resources required to plant trees. Some of them revealed that the project not only helped them financially, but also socially, by enabling them to emerge from isolation.

### Expected impacts: strengthened food security for communities

The primary objective of agroforestry development on Mount Kenya is to protect and sustain the crops grown by local populations. Trees will provide shade for understorey plantations while acting as windbreaks, thus combating wind erosion. In addition, trees will have numerous benefits for degraded agricultural soils: they will promote nitrogen fixation and the restitution of organic matter through the creation of litter. It has been proven that farmers implementing agroforestry practices in East Africa have seen their yields increase by 100% compared to farmers using non-regenerative practices*. In the longer term, the return of rivers and rainfall, made possible by the restoration of Mount Kenya's forests, will facilitate crop irrigation and fertility.

From an economic point of view, the planted trees will be a source of fodder for livestock, of natural fertilizer for crops and of firewood for the local population. Through their sustainable management, they will thus prevent the harvesting of trees in the still intact primary forest. Furthermore, the fruit trees will help to boost the local population's livelihoods and to generate additional income through the sale of the fruits. Tea and coffee produced in shaded agroforestry systems, considered to be of better quality, will open the way to a new and more marketable value chain. Finally, awareness-raising sessions for farmers help prevent future deforestation while promoting the need to include and preserve trees as an integral component of their agriculture.

*Africa Regenerative Agriculture Study Group, _Regenerative Agriculture: An opportunity for businesses and society to restore degraded land in Africa,_ 2021.

![Kenya8©TonyTei-2022.jpg](/uploads/Kenya8_Tony_Tei_2022_89038ba919.jpg)
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Through its [Forest Destination program,](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/hennessy-forest-destination) Maison Hennessy is committed to promoting the regeneration of 50,000 hectares of forest in France and around the world by 2030, as a means of protecting biodiversity, enhancing the water cycle and responding to the climate emergency. This holistic project developed on the lands of Mount Kenya bears witness to the strong ambition shared by Reforest'Action and Hennessy: to preserve and restore forest ecosystems on a large scale.

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Maison Hennessy's commitment to restoring the land of Mount Kenya: a multi-faceted project

**Defined by the IUCN in 2009, the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) is founded on the idea that natural processes, and not just technological ones, can make a significant contribution to tackling major contemporary challenges such as climate change and biodiversity erosion. Nature provides vital services to all living things, and in particular to humankind. It is therefore essential to preserve, restore and manage it sustainably to ensure our future.**

![Nature-Based-Solutions-forest.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_Based_Solutions_forest_f54ea0ac1f.jpg)

## What are Nature-based Solutions?

Nature-based Solutions are defined by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an effective and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and producing benefits for biodiversity.”

This concept was formulated by IUCN at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009, when forests were proposed as a solution for mitigating climate change. It was at COP21 in 2015 that the place of Nature-based Solutions in climate action was recognized by States, notably via the Paris Agreement.

These are actions that aim to protect, restore and sustainably manage natural ecosystems - be they forests, rivers, wetlands or even bocage meadows - in a logic of mutual benefit, since these ecosystems generate benefits for humanity. Nature-based Solutions also bring benefits for [biodiversity](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/what-biodiversity-definition-and-issues), by integrating this objective into the very design and implementation of these actions.

![EN_NbS.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/EN_Nb_S_775d13cbc8.jpg)

## How are ecosystems and human societies interconnected?

### A multitude of services to humanity

Ecosystems are multifunctional by nature. The variety of ecosystem functions they produce are not man-made, but the result of slow, patient work shaped by Nature over millions of years. Today, [natural ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/reconnecting-living-sustainable-humanity) make vital contributions to people's lives, such as the production of food, energy and raw materials, as well as a multitude of ecosystem services. For example, forests store carbon, regulate the water cycle, limit local heat peaks, reduce the risk of soil runoff and landslides, and meet vital human needs such as the production of timber and energy, food and medicinal products, and places of well-being and recreation.

### Nature's services to human societies are not unlimited

The worldwide overexploitation of ecosystems leads to their degradation, and thus to their inability to provide resources in the long term. The Global Footprint Network's annual Earth Overshoot Day is a direct illustration of this idea. This date, which marks the day when humanity has consumed all the natural resources the Earth can produce in one year, is obtained by comparing mankind's ecological footprint (which measures the exploitation of the Earth's natural resources) with the planet's biocapacity (its capacity to replenish its reserves and absorb greenhouse gases). Still in surplus in 1961, with a quarter of its reserves unused, the Earth became in deficit in the early 1970s. This day was changed from October 10 in 1999 to August 1 in 2024.

In most regions of the world today, Nature has been significantly altered by multiple human factors, and the vast majority of indicators relating to ecosystems and biodiversity show a rapid decline. For example, the IPBES estimates that today :

- 75% of natural terrestrial environments are degraded;
- 66% of oceans have been altered;
- 85% of wetlands have disappeared;
- 5% of the world's animal and plant species are threatened.

Forests, which are home to 80% of the Earth's biodiversity and support 25% of the world's population, are in constant decline. On a global scale, forest area today represents around 68% of its estimated pre-industrial level. According to the FAO, 240 million hectares of forest were lost to deforestation in tropical zones between 1990 and 2015. In temperate zones, the effects of climate change are affecting forest health: 42% of tree species are now threatened with extinction in Europe, according to the IUCN. Forest animal biodiversity has fallen by [53%](https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-forest-animal-population-sinks-drastically-wwf-report/a-50015580) since 1970.

### Ecosystem degradation also weakens populations

Ecosystems, biodiversity and climate are interdependent. Ecosystems and their biodiversity influence climate, helping to regulate temperature and precipitation. They are essential players in the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles. They help absorb some of the heat and greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. These feedbacks between climate and biodiversity are at the origin of the dynamic balance of the environment in which human societies have developed, and which is today affected by both climate and ecosystem changes. Alterations to ecosystems and the climate-biodiversity pair make human beings more vulnerable, with the loss of food sources, the deterioration of water quality, the [development of new diseases](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/destruction-ecosystems-favours-rise-new-diseases-and-pandemics) and the exposure of societies to extreme climatic events (droughts, storms, etc.).

Strategies and actions to combat climate change must therefore not only drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also invest in protecting ecosystems. [Healthy ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/ecosystem-restoration-essential-climate-and-biodiversity) not only help mitigate climate change, but also enable human societies to adapt to its consequences.

![Wooded hills with women's tree-planting communities](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_communities_c9eebab421.jpg)

## Nature-based solutions for today's societal challenges

### Preserving nature is essential to ensure the future of human societies and businesses

According to the IUCN, the use of NbS would enable us to achieve current societal objectives such as :

- Reducing natural hazards
- Socio-economic development
- Food security
- Water and energy supply
- Health and well-being for all
- Adapting territories to climate change
- Mitigating the effects of climate change on populations (rising sea levels, fires, heatwaves...)

According to the IPBES, these natural solutions will account for 37% of the climate change mitigation measures needed by 2030 to achieve the goal of global warming below 2°C by 2100. But implementing NbS on the scale required to meet these societal challenges requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including private sector companies.

### Forests: a key component of Nature-based Solutions

NbS value the services provided by ecosystems that have been preserved, restored or sustainably managed, and are based on various underlying concepts listed by the IUCN. Among these Nature-based Solutions is the restoration of forest landscapes. This process aims to mobilize and involve local communities in restoring the multifunctionality of forests, in order to sustainably meet human needs. This type of project can be implemented through a variety of actions involving the preservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests. All these actions enhance forest biodiversity, and increase carbon capture, which helps mitigate the risks of climate change:
- Preservation of existing forests in good ecological condition
- Restoration of degraded forests or creation of forest ecosystems
- Adoption of sustainable forest management practices
- Creation of protected areas (national or regional parks, nature reserves, etc.) to protect associated territories and preserve ecosystem services
- Reforestation and ecological restoration of degraded forest habitats using adapted and diverse species, giving priority to indigenous species;
- Creation of hedgerows and [agroforestry systems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/agroforestry) to regulate climate and the water cycle, conserve soil and create biological corridors for flora and fauna;
- Exclusion of unsustainable practices such as monospecific plantations, clear-cutting that weakens soils and overexploitation of stands;
- Development of [Assisted Natural Regeneration](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/assisted-natural-regeneration-complementary-solution-tree-planting-restore-degraded-forests);
- Creation of islands of senescence, made up of ageing trees which, as they decompose, promote the fertility of forest soils, the main reservoir of biodiversity in the forest;
- Promoting wood products from sustainably managed forests.

![Nature-based-solutions-overview.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_overview_9e487805c8.jpg)

## Developing Nature-based Solutions with Reforest'Action

Reforest'Action offers Nature-based Solutions that enable companies to:
- Contribute to [global carbon neutrality](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/carbon-neutrality-solutions)
- Develop [regenerative agriculture](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/regenerative-agriculture) within their value chains 
- Support the [restoration of forest ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/ecosystems-restoration) 

Our mission: to regenerate terrestrial ecosystems on a large scale to meet global environmental challenges and support corporate climate and transformation strategies, drawing on our field experience, local communities, research and technology. 

Today, our 1,650 forest and agroforestry projects in 45 countries are creating multiple impacts, based on the stability of ecosystems over time, to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and support local communities. Each project financed by Reforest'Action is thus at the heart of global climate action and Nature-based Solutions. 

At the heart of our approach, monitoring the impact of our projects via our [Research & Development team](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/the-impact) also enables us to optimize their results and deliver reliable and transparent data to investors, by means of key performance indicators, regarding the value generated by our Nature-based Solutions.


**Drawing on the role of healthy ecosystems for human life and the well-being of all, Nature-based Solutions address both climate and biodiversity issues. It is crucial to encourage their development at all scales to meet the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the UN, and to direct more funds towards restoration in order to act more rapidly and effectively in favor of the climate and biodiversity at the service of all Living Things. If you're interested in Nature-based Solutions, and forestry in particular, please [contact us](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/contact).**



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What are Nature-based Solutions?

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Founded in 1991, MEGA International is a French software editor present on 5 continents, global market leader for over 10 years. MEGA accompanies organizations of all sectors in their business and IT governance and transformation projects. Through our software solutions and services teams, MEGA helps enterprises make the right decisions, leaning on the big picture view of how the organization operates, and a pragmatic approach for a rapid return on investment.

MEGA INTERNATIONAL

Restaurer les écosystèmes terrestres à grande échelle en recréant les meilleures conditions pour leur permettre d’être stable dans la durée dans un contexte climatique et sociétal en pleine transformation.

En savoir plus sur la mission de Reforest'Action

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The Seima Protection Forest (SPF)  is located in eastern Cambodia, mainly in Mondulkiri Province with a small area extending into Kratie Province. The REDD+ Project Area covers 166,983 ha of forest in the SPF Core Protection Area for a total amount of 14,266,485 tCO2 over 10 years. Local population directly depends of this forest as key source of income and play a main role in their spiritual beliefs. This forest is also a natural habitat for local fauna including Asian Elephants, primates, wild cattle, several carnivores and birds such as the Giant Ibis and Green Peafowl.

Since 2002, the Forest Administration (representative of the Royal Government of Cambodia) has collaborated with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and other local NGO partners to develop management systems for the SPF, both to conserve and restore the biodiversity values and to protect the livelihoods of local people.

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Preservation of local biodiversity by providing suitable habitats and resources.

Contributes to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect and influences precipitation patterns and the local microclimate.

Influences the quality and integrity of the soil-water system, and the cycling of water and nutrients.

Supports human well-being, by providing resources, income, education, empowerment, and supporting culture and spirituality.

The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary covers nearly 300,000 hectares in eastern Cambodia and is rich in natural and cultural wildlife, forests, landscapes and indigenous communities. Its forest is home to 75 threatened species (classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List), over 350 bird species, 7 primate species and a population of Asian elephants. It is currently threatened by accelerated deforestation for agriculture and unsustainable resource extraction (including hunting, logging and fishing). These activities damage both biodiversity and the livelihoods of local people who depend on the forest.

The Keo Seima REDD+ project in Cambodia aims to protect 166,983 hectares of tropical forest within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, restore the reserve's rich biodiversity and develop the livelihoods of indigenous communities. It is one of the most ambitious forest conservation programmes in Cambodia. The project, which is expected to avoid 14 million t CO2e per year, was validated by VCS as a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project in 2014. In 2015, 50,000 carbon credits were generated, corresponding to the amount of carbon stored. The project entered the scope of Reforest'Action in 2021 for the sale of carbon credits from 2015. 

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The Envira Amazonia project is a REDD+ project designed by VCS and CCBS in the state of Acre, Brazil, which aims to protect up to 39,300.60 hectares of tropical rainforest by engaging a large landowner willing to forgo conversion of forest land to a ranching operation.

In addition, the Envira Amazonia project will simultaneously conserve a rich biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystem services, providing direct benefits to local communities and mitigate the release of million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the years of the project.

The three main Project Proponents are CarbonCo, LLC (“CarbonCo”), Freitas International
Group, LLC (“Freitas International Group or Carbon Securities”), and JR Agropecuária e
Empreendimentos EIRELI.

Around 60 km southeast of Feijó town in the Brazilian state of Acre, the Envira Amazonia project runs along either side of the Jurupari river in the Amazon Basin. It takes roots on 200,000 hectares of land formerly owned by businessmen and sold in 2009 to forest management experts. The Envira Amazonia Property was historically used for rubber tapping and was an extractive area for natural forest products before these activities stopped due to the crash in rubber prices in the late 1980s. The paving of the main east-west highway in Acre in 2011 has greatly increased property values, and cattle ranching along this road corridor has thus expanded.

The Envira Amazonia REDD+ project is located in the state of Acre, Brazil, and aims to protect up to 200,000 hectares of tropical rainforest. By engaging landowners willing to forgo conversion of forest land to pastures, this project is expected to generate 1,2 million teq CO2 of annual emission reduction. The Envira Amazonia project also establishes alternative, sustainable economic opportunities for local communities that promote environmental stewardship and protect biodiversity. Moreover, rainforest conservation itself protects forest ecosystem services such as air and water filtration, water and nutrient cycle regulation, flood protection, and the spiritual and cultural value of tropical forests. Combined, these activities help discourage deforestation in the wider region.

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Spekboom

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting more than 500,000 seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

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Within the Eastern Cape, in South Africa, land desertification is due to the increasing pressure of livestock on pastureland. Nowadays, the increasing scarcity of vegetation cover and the degradation of local farmers’ land and surrounding reserves are causing many negative environmental effects, such as the drying up of water resources, loss of biodiversity and soil erosion. The plantation areas are made up of former degraded pastures, and are located close to areas that have been protected for several decades.

The project is led in the field by Anthony Mills, a geochemist and expert in environmental development projects. He is the founder of two companies, AfriCarbon in 2009 and C4 EcoSolutions in 2015, which ensure the technical and operational deployment of the project.

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

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À Saint-Aubin-Routot Rogerville, en Normandie, une friche agricole de 13 hectares située en bordure du Bois de la Côte Rogerville fait l’objet d’un projet de boisement labellisé Bas-Carbone. Créé par le ministère de la Transition écologique et de la Cohésion des territoires en collaboration avec de nombreux partenaires, le Label Bas-Carbone, qui s’applique notamment à des projets forestiers, contribue à la réduction de l’empreinte carbone nationale de la France. Afin de créer un peuplement pérenne et résilient, des essences variées ont été sélectionnées pour la plantation. Le massif en devenir constituera un corridor écologique, lieu de passage privilégié pour la faune. Ce projet permettra le stockage de plus de 3 400 tonnes équivalent CO2 sur les trente prochaines années, contribuant ainsi à l’atténuation du changement climatique.

Supports human well-being, by providing resources, income, education, and supporting recreation and heritage.

In Saint-Aubin-Routot Rogerville, Normandy, a 13-hectare agricultural wasteland on the edge of the Bois de la Côte Rogerville is the subject of a Low-Carbon label afforestation project. Created by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion in collaboration with numerous partners, the Low-Carbon label, which also applies to forestry projects, contributes to reducing France's national carbon footprint. In order to create a sustainable and resilient stand, a variety of tree species has been selected for planting. The future forest will form an ecological corridor, a privileged passageway for wildlife. The project will store over 3,400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the next thirty years, thereby helping to mitigate climate change.

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Tree planting with villagers involved in the project.

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Niangon

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Fraké

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Tiama

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Petit kola

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Reforest’Action is joining forces with the Ivorian company Agro-Map to support cocoa producers in the forest of Séguié in the Agnéby-Tiassa region, Ivory Coast, in the restoration of the forest and in the creation of agroforestry systems, which will make it possible to reconcile trees and crops in order to maintain a microclimate favourable to the development of agriculture. Over 200,000 are planted on 450 hectares.

The main objectives of the project are the development of agroforestry, the restoration of a classified forest, the preservation of biodiversity and the economic development of the populations. By restoring their environment: the local communities of Agnéby-Tiassa will also improve their food security.

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Deforestation in Ivory Coast, if not halted, could lead to the total disappearance of the country's natural forest cover within the next twenty years. The 234 classified forests in the country, including the Séguié forest in the Agnéby-Tiassa region, where our project takes place, have lost more than 70% of their forest cover in half a century. This is due to extensive agriculture and cocoa production, which have gained ground on the primary Ivorian forests, and the unsustainable exploitation of these forests to meet the growing need for firewood. This loss of animal and plant biodiversity is now causing climatic changes throughout the region, in particular a reduction in rainfall and the appearance of increasingly long periods of drought, which often have a fatal effect on the crops of local communities. 

Agro-Map is an Ivorian company specialising in the development of sustainability projects in the agricultural, forestry and environmental fields. Its objective is to reconcile agriculture and forestry in order to maintain a microclimate favourable to the development of agriculture. The Agro-Map team is in constant contact with farmers and builds strong partnerships with local communities.

Reforest'Action is partnering with the Ivorian company Agro-Map to support cocoa farmers in the Séguié forest in restoring the forest and creating agroforestry systems, which will allow them to reconcile the trees with their crops. By restoring their environment, the local communities of Agnéby-Tiassa will also improve their food security and income.

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Juan-Carlos, the project implementer, and his wife 
Photo by Florian Pupat 

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Palo de Tinto shoots
Photo by Florian Pupat 

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Palo de Tinto wood, also known as "logwood", whose red fibers produce a black ink 
Photo by Florian Pupat 

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Bois bleu

Orme d'Amerique

Enterolobium cyclocarpum

Muntingia calabura

Mombin jaune

Texas palmetto

Attalea butyracea

Poirier rouge

Albizia guachapele

Brosimum alicastrum

Platymiscium yucatanum

Sapotiller

Reforest'Action is partnering with Planalto to restore "El Tintal", by planting 160 000 trees over 2 years and to establish a conservation area on former degraded agricultural lands. This approach will help replant native species of the region in order to reconstitute resilient ecosystems that will act as carbon sinks, but also to restore the multifunctionality of the spaces concerned.

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The project developed by our partner is part of the Laguna de Términos protected area, in the Mexican state of Campeche. The lagoon has been recognized as an area of high importance since 1994 by the Mexican government because of the richness of the biological ecosystems found in its estuaries. They are home to more than 130 species of mammals including the jaguar, today classified as “near threatened”. Between land and sea, the Tintal defines the ecosystem in which the Palo de Tinto, or logwood, grows within the lagoon. Emblematic of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Tintal has been severely degraded by human activities after the independence of Mexico: currently, nearly 80% of the Campeche state's land has been converted into grazing areas for cattle ranching or into crops for palm oil export. The project aims to restore this unique ecosystem.

Planalto is a rural production company located in the state of Campeche, one of the administrative divisions that make up the Yucatán Peninsula. As a productive and responsible business model, it works to implement forestry and permaculture practices in rural areas, emphasizing the use of native species and natural treatment products. Doing so, it helps promote a multifunctional reforestation model that benefits both the environment and the local communities, mainly composed of producers. During the project, Planalto will supervise the implementation of the selected seedlings in nurseries, the preparation of the soil, the planting sessions as well as the maintenance and monitoring of the planted trees.

Reforest'Action is partnering with the company Planalto to restore "El Tintal" ecosystem and to establish a conservation area for biodiversity. This multi-faceted project is located near the town of Palizada, southwest of the Mexican state of Campeche and concerns two areas located side by side. 

On the one hand, the project implementer Juan-Carlos is working to regenerate the Tintal by planting Palo de Tinto on the degraded pastures of his ranch. Palo de Tinto, also known as "logwood", is a small thorny tree from Mexico whose dark red fibers produce a black ink used for dyeing clothes and hair. Through the transformation of wood chip residues, the project aims to create its own circular bioeconomy system. 

On the other hand, Juan-Carlos has established a conservation area in the untouched jungle, with a dedicated area of 350 hectares that will serve as a refuge for native animal species such as the jaguar.

Bénéfices estimés des arbres plantés ou préservés

En savoir plus sur la mission de Reforest'Action

Actualités de Reforest'Action

Core elements of designing a regenerative agriculture project

Maison Hennessy's commitment to restoring the land of Mount Kenya: a multi-faceted project

What are Nature-based Solutions?