FAO launches inclusive digital tools to support global efforts on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled two new online resources to support countries and stakeholders in restoring degraded ecosystems. An interactive digital version of the Resource Guide to Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and a complementary e-learning course aim to provide practical tools that make restoration planning, monitoring and reporting more accessible and actionable.

The digital guide transforms the original resource into a dynamic, user-friendly platform. Designed to simplify navigation and enhance engagement, the guide uses interactive features such as clickable visuals, embedded case studies, and linked references. These features allow users to explore restoration approaches while tailoring the guidance to their specific contexts. The digital format ensures wider accessibility, enabling policymakers, field practitioners, and technical experts to interact with content better.

The e-learning course complements the guide by offering an immersive learning experience. Through interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and scenario-based training, the course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and monitor restoration projects. It emphasizes practical application, providing tools that stakeholders can adapt to varying ecological and social conditions.

Julian Fox, FAO’s Team Leader for Forest Monitoring, highlighted the value of combining these tools: “FAO is committed to developing high-quality, practical resources that address the diverse needs of restoration stakeholders. By launching both the interactive digital guide and the e-learning course, we provide both accessible knowledge and resources to develop technical capacity to act on it. These tools, created with our partners, reflect our collaborative approach to tackling restoration challenges.”

Yelena Finegold, Forestry Officer at FAO, emphasized their technical relevance: “The digital guide and e-learning course are complementary tools that strengthen the ability of countries and practitioners to meet restoration goals. Together, they provide the comprehensive guidance and practical training needed to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets and advance the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. These resources translate ambition into tangible, effective action.”

Both initiatives are part of FAO’s Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) activities, the broader goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the FAO Forestry Roadmap. The decade seeks to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation globally, with restoration recognized as a vital solution to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development challenges. FAO’s Forestry Roadmap prioritizes transparency and equitable access of data through inclusive capacity development.

The new resources demonstrate FAO’s commitment to equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary for impactful restoration efforts. The interactive digital guide and e-learning course are now available on FAO’s platforms, offering opportunities for practitioners worldwide to build their restoration capacity:

Digital report:  https://openknowledge.fao.org/3/cd2925en/online/cd2925en.html

eLearning: https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=1195

For more information, please contact

Maryia Kukharava

Project Officer (Programme, Advocacy and Outreach)

Forestry Division, FAO