Even though there are several such best practices, we need to identify, compile and scale up the efforts. We need to start thinking about eco-restoration solutions that have multiple co-benefits with the primary being that of creating livelihood opportunities.
This surge in growth is going to impact the ecosystem as fast development would mean the destruction of ecosystems for more resources.Īlso read: UN India's 'We The Change' campaign showcase climate solutions pioneered by young Indians Create jobsĬonsidering these factors, we need to design solutions that help governments create job opportunities, build resilience, boost the economy but at the same time support eco-restoration.
As we have adapted to the situation, governments across the globe are now focusing on boosting the economy. One of the main reasons has been the economic slowdown which left millions of people jobless and nations struggling to support their people. Fast-paced restoration efforts could help in combating climate change, ending poverty, and preventing mass extinction.ĬOVID-19 pandemic has halted several efforts across the globe for local governments, state governments, and civil society organizations. We need to restore and protect wetlands, forests, peatlands, oceans, water bodies, and all surrounding ecosystems and their species. According to the United Nations, it is estimated that the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded land and aquatic ecosystems from now could generate $9 trillion in ecosystem services and eliminate up to 26 GtC of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The UNEP has declared 2021-30 as the United Nations Decade of Eco Restoration to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The world has now begun to realize the need to preserve ecosystems in their natural form.
Due to anthropogenic influences and accelerated changes in climate, the health of the ecosystem is being impacted especially at a time humanity can least afford it. A major chunk of the greenhouse gas emissions is sequestered by oceans, wetlands, and forests. A human being would have to spend three trillion dollars to pollinate manually. They are called ecosystem services and unlike the services we pay for, we do not value the services freely provided by our ecosystem.Īlmost 80 percent of the food we consume is pollinated by honey bees and other insects and their service is valued at around three trillion dollars.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, - all of these are a result of the various free services we obtain from our natural environment. The foundation of humanity's survival is based on the health of our surrounding environment. They are all working towards various Sustainable Development Goals as prescribed by the UN. However, the relationship is complex, and this study contributes with an overview of national-, market-, industry-, and firm-level factors that have a moderating or mediating effect on the relationship.Editor's Note: As COP26 looms, we are sharing articles authored by Indian youth leaders who have been selected as part of the United Nations India's We The Change campaign.
Hence, the findings support the revisionist view that sustainability innovations can create win-win situations for a firm. The study concludes that a vast majority of studies found positive relationships. We examine the studies’ methodology, industry, sustainability innovation terms, sustainability innovation variables, competitiveness variables, and findings to investigate if, and under what circumstances, there is a positive relationship between sustainability innovations and firm competitiveness. The present study is a systematic literature review that includes 100 relevant peer-reviewed publications. The purpose of this article is to map out the currently available research concerning the relationship between sustainability innovations and competitiveness and to identify the contextual factors that mediate and moderate this relationship.