As governments and organisations discuss the implementation of solutions to mitigate climate change, much of the focus is on reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and developing carbon capture technologies. However, there is another critical area that deserves far more attention: regenerative multi-solving.
Regenerative multi-solving aims to revive ecosystems that are damaged or destroyed in the process of serving human needs, such as enhancing well-being and generating revenue or solving some complex issues. This requires a transdisciplinary approach, focused on restoring nature’s ability to perform critical functions such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, resource renewal, and mitigating climate change impact. This approach differs from traditional plantation-based models or sustainable development by achieving economic benefits while rejuvenating nature’s processes and functions.
The world urgently needs to shift to restorative, regenerative processes - not only to reforest or replant, but to re-build entire ecosystems that are resilient, biodiverse, and capable of adapting to climate change while delivering economic gains.
What is Regenerative Multi-solving?
Regenerative multi-solving is about finding solutions that address seemingly disconnected but fundamentally related issues. The process yields solutions that help regenerate life-supporting systems, making it far more effective than conventional sustainable solutions. For example, if we wish to turn an ecologically fragile area into a world-class tourist destination, a host of interconnected challenges would need to be addressed: infrastructure, waste management, transport, and tourist experience, to name a few. A foundational aspect of regenerative multi-solving is restoring nature’s genius.
Ecological restoration is about bringing back natural ecosystems, particularly their composition and functionality. It aims to rebuild the ecology of an area in all its complexity by reintroducing native plant and animal species, rehabilitating soil health, and restoring natural water and nutrient cycles.
Studies indicate that ecological restoration can significantly enhance biodiversity, carbon storage, and resilience to climate change. For example, Chazdon (2008) found that tropical forests undergoing restoration demonstrated a 30% increase in biodiversity alongside notable improvement in carbon sequestration. These findings highlight the advantages of restoration efforts over plantation-based models, which often overlook broader ecosystem functions.
Research by Seddon et al. (2020) reveals that reforestation prioritising carbon sequestration without considering ecological complexity often fails to achieve long-term sustainability.
Regenerating Ecological Functions
What the world needs is a shift from conventional carbon capture to restoring regenerative ecological functions. This approach ensures the health and resilience of the ecosystems, enabling them to deliver services critical for our development aspirations. Regenerative restoration goes beyond simple tree planting or habitat creation. It focuses on creating ecosystems that are resilient, self-sustaining, and capable of adapting to future environmental changes.
At the heart of regenerative restoration is the principle of working with natural processes. This involves understanding the historical context of ecosystems and the roles of natural disturbances such as fire, flooding, and grazing within them. Another important step is understanding succession, that is the sequence in which plants and animals, including insects, birds, and others follow one another over time. For example, in some ecosystems, fire is a natural process that clears out dead plant material, encourages biodiversity, and fosters new growth. Pioneer species then take root, followed by other species until the system stabilises and begins providing vital services essential for thriving life. Regenerative restoration seeks to reintroduce such natural processes, where appropriate, rather than suppressing them as plantation forestry often does.
Soil health is another core focus of regenerative restoration. Healthy soils are essential for robust ecosystems—they retain carbon, filter water, and provide nutrients for plants and animals. The importance of soil restoration in mitigating climate change is supported by Lal (2020), who found that soil carbon sequestration could play a critical role in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Does this mean that every parcel of land and water needs to be restored to the ‘original’ habitats? Not necessarily. Instead, the idea is to address various issues at the planetary systems level to create conducive environments for human development. This approach is relevant across all fields of human intervention.
For example, regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, which integrate biodiversity restoration into farming practices, offer promising alternatives to the challenges of farming and food security in our country. Teixeira et al. (2017) found that agroforestry systems, which combine trees with crops or livestock, significantly enhance soil carbon storage compared to conventional monoculture farming. Moreover, these systems are more resilient to climate shocks, such as droughts and floods. This approach not only supports farming and enhances livelihoods but also strengthens food security and builds resilience to climate change, addressing multiple challenges simultaneously.
Why Afforestation Models Are Inadequate in the Age of Climate Change
As the climate crisis intensifies, the world can no longer afford to rely on afforestation-based solutions that are primarily focused on carbon sequestration or quick economic returns. While planting trees may be important, it’s not enough to restore the broader ecological functions necessary for long-term climate resilience.
In fact, planting ‘native’ trees in the wrong locations can have adverse impacts. For instance, savannas (open grassland ecosystems) constitute 24 per cent of India. Planting trees in such areas reduces carbon capture, disturbs water rejuvenation cycles, and causes biodiversity loss and thus resilience.
Ecological restoration, on the other hand, focuses on rebuilding various kinds of ecosystems in a way that supports biodiversity, improves soil health, and strengthens natural water and carbon cycles. In comparison, afforestation models often fall short, as they fail to restore the full functionality of ecosystems. While afforestation may provide some short-term carbon storage, it does not address these broader, larger issues.
A Global Shift Towards Regenerative Restoration
For ecological restoration to succeed on a global scale, it will require a paradigm shift. Governments, businesses, and local communities need to embrace the idea that restoration is not just about planting trees—it’s about restoring ecological functions at every level. Policymakers need to prioritise regenerative land management strategies that focus on the health of ecosystems, not just carbon markets or economic output.
Costa Rica’s reforestation efforts, for example, demonstrate the success of integrated restoration strategies. Pagiola in 2007 highlighted that Costa Rica’s payments for an environmental services programme, which combines reforestation with sustainable agricultural practices, have not only restored biodiversity but also improved local livelihoods through eco-tourism and sustainable timber production.
Imagine a world where clean, safe water is accessible to everyone, and drinkable straight from the source without the need for large filtration systems. A world where food is rich in nutrition, and the quality of life is truly fulfilling. Envision an environment so pristine and balanced that it accentuates human potential to achieve its highest aspirations. In our high-tech era, challenges can be transformed into opportunities. This can only be achieved through regenerative ecological practices that do not merely address isolated issues but provide multi-solving solutions by restoring ecosystems to their full functionality. By focusing on improving soil health, fostering biodiversity, and reintroducing natural processes, we lay the foundation for a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future, ensuring that humanity and nature flourish together.
(Rushikesh Chavan is Head, The Habitats Trust. Views expressed are personal)
