Spatial Restoration

Spatial approaches are a key pillar of effective ecosystem restoration. Through the Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program (ERIP), countries are supported in identifying, accessing, exchanging, and strategically utilizing spatial information to guide effective, targeted, and aligned restoration actions that meet both national and global goals.

Photo credit: © Flavio Forner / Conservation International

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Why Spatial Restoration Matters

Spatial approaches are crucial for understanding how restoration efforts contribute to achieving global climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals. In ERIP, spanning 20 countries with diverse ecosystems, governance, and data systems, spatial restoration actions play a vital role in aligning information across scales and supporting a shared vision for impact. They enable transparent reporting, foster cross-country coordination, and provide a common foundation for decision-making. Without spatial tools and information exchange, restoration risks being fragmented, less inclusive, and less effective in the long term.

Photo credits: © Conservation International

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ERIP’s role & strategy

The spatial dimension of restoration helps align diverse country efforts under a shared vision. It offers technical guidance and promotes open-source platforms like Trends.Earth for tracking degradation and restoration, and facilitates exchanges to connect local insights with global frameworks.

By supporting the co-development of national spatial frameworks and promoting interoperability across data systems, ERIP helps countries articulate their progress in ways that are both nationally relevant and globally comparable. Workshops, regional dialogues, and peer exchanges serve as spaces for countries to share lessons, overcome common barriers, and co-create solutions to spatial challenges.  

Photo credits: © Jeremy Holden

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Our Vision for Success

- Spatial data informs decisions at national and program levels across all 20 countries.

- Countries report spatial progress transparently through platforms like Trends.Earth, which is being established as a framework that enables countries to align their data with national and global needs. 

- The exchange of spatial knowledge and the use of shared tools and platforms foster cross-country learning, collaboration, and regional innovation.

- A common foundation of spatial evidence supports national ownership and long-term sustainability.

Photo credit:  © CoAhsan Rabbani

Looking Ahead

Spatial approaches are more than technical; they are a foundation for scaling restoration in inclusive, adaptive, and impactful ways. ERIP is strengthening national capacities and fostering local ownership of spatial systems, ensuring countries can confidently use geospatial data now and in the future.

The spatial framework will deepen regional collaboration through thematic exchanges, case studies, and innovation pilots, building a shared culture of spatial evidence and learning to support more effective and accountable restoration across all 20 countries.

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