Situated in Rome’s famous Appia Antica Park, the G20 Green Garden invites you to reflect on the future of our planet. This open-air museum celebrates biodiversity, nature and Rome’s ancient heritage while calling for global solidarity to create a sustainable future for all. This project is brought to you on the occasion of the Italian presidency of the G20 and as part of a multipartner initiative. It represents the countries’ joint commitment for ‘People, Planet, Prosperity’ – three core values inherently linked to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Explore the 17 giant SDG cubes sprouting from the grass or admire the iconic olive tree with messages for a brighter future, all while learning how your actions can make a difference.
If you can’t visit in person, have a virtual Green Garden experience by downloading the App.
The G20 Green Garden, in the heart of Rome’s ancient Appia Antica Park, invites you to discover how you can take action and create a sustainable future.
From the Church of Saint Urban to the SDG Cube Meadow, Sacred Wood, Nymphaeum of Egeria, Fruit Orchard and Riparian Grove, let nature be your guide and discover how you can play a part in building a more sustainable world.
If you are able to visit in person, find information here on how to reach the G20 Green Garden.
FAO GLOBAL GOALS INSTALLATION
The G20 Green Garden is calling for global solidarity to create a sustainable future for all. This project is brought to you on the occasion of the Italian presidency of the G20 and as part of a multipartner initiative. It represents the countries’ joint commitment for ‘People, Planet, Prosperity’ – three core values inherently linked to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to providing an educational experience, trees are being planted in various spaces to restore the rich biodiversity of the Caffarella Valley at the Appia Antica Park.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS GOALS (SDGs)
17 cubes sprouting from the Appia Antica Park are building blocks for a better future. They represent the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), actions we all need to take for people and the planet.
The world’s major economies play a key role in achieving the SDGs and supporting developing countries as they also work to achieve them. At their side, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reinforces efforts to ensure enough safe, diverse and nutritious food for all. FAO’s mandate is closely linked to SDG2, Zero Hunger, but food and agriculture lie at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda.
We all need to be part of this global effort and we can start by learning from nature. Let’s learn to respect the Earth’s resources and adopt a low waste lifestyle. The Educational Itinerary allows visitors to learn about actions related to each individual SDG.
URBAN TREES AND CONSERVATION
Imagine standing here hundreds of years ago in the midst of a Roman Lucus. A Lucus was a sacred wood that was protected by law.
Trees have long been considered culturally important, but they also regulate climate, store carbon and clean our air. In fact, forests and trees make cities more beautiful and keep our planet healthy.
In an effort to restore the Sacred Wood to its former glory, trees have been planted to symbolize the G20’s commitment to build a sustainable future for all. The stele standing here recalls the importance of protecting trees through the Lex spoletina. This is the earliest example of forest law which historically marked an Umbrian Lucus in the 3rd century B.C.
WATER
AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Reclining in the niche of the Nymphaeum of Egeria is a statue believed to be the deity of the River Almone that flows through the Appia Antica Park. The river gets its name from its nourishing and life-giving qualities, representing the link between water
and health, people and planet.
Legend has it that the deity Almone controlled the flow of the water – at times, providing it abundantly or causing droughts. Just as floods and water management were an issue for ancient Romans, they are an ever-growing global concern today with the effects of climate change. Our changing climate is leading to more extreme weather events that impact food production and people’s livelihoods.
Let’s not take our water for granted. It’s an irreplaceable source and it’s up to all of us to manage it sustainably, preserving it for generations to come.
BIODIVERSITY AND NUTRITION
For centuries, the agricultural land at the Appia Antica Park provided fruits and vegetables for the people of Rome, thanks to the fertile soil, good climate and abundance of water.
To safeguard the traditional varieties of the region and promote agrobiodiversity in the area, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working along with the park and other partners to plant a variety of fruit trees in the orchard, come autumn. Not only is biodiversity good for the environment, it is also important for nutrition. By producing a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, we can provide the food that is needed for a healthy diet.
TREES AND PLANT HEALTH
From the air we breathe to the food we eat, healthy trees and plants are the essence of life.
In the first decades of the 20th century, a fungus attack almost caused the disappearance of the Riparian Grove near the Almone River. To restore and reforest the grove, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), along with partners of the G20 Green Garden, is replanting trees in the area.
Together, we can protect and sustainably manage our forests and ecosystems. This year launches the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration – an initiative aimed at mitigating and reversing the degradation of ecosystems around the world. You can support reforestation efforts by joining local initiatives or change your habits to adopt a more sustainable and ecofriendly lifestyle. Our health depends on plant health.
