Our Goals for 2030

Tackling the climate and biodiversity crises over the next decade is a massive undertaking and it involves countless partners, communities, funders, governments and businesses. With a grounding in rigorous science, we take innovative conservation approaches from idea to impact, scaling to achieve system change.

Global Ecology Restoration Foundation’s belief that if Tanzania does not quickly and directly tackle issues surrounding conservation and development  while the continent is still in these formative stages of economic development  then the potential positive socioeconomic, political, and environmental gains, could be short-lived.

The outcome of the discussion about whether to link conservation and development or not will determine what will be left of wildlife and the wild lands on the continent.The rapid changes impacting modern country dictate that GERF must focus and redefine our vision, evolve strategic approaches and adapt purposeful Country ownership to deliver sustainable conservation impacts.

In GERF’s new ten-year strategic vision, we hope to change the debate, proposing that Tanzania government do not have to choose conservation over development or vice versa. This is a false choice. The correct question is how to embrace the future and create a country that makes wildlife and wild lands the centrepiece of sustainable development recognizing their unique and inherent value.

Climate change is here now. We can limit further warming and the dangers it poses  if we act now. 

Taking action on climate change means adopting and implementing ambitious programs to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to levels compatible with the well-being of the ecosphere, while supporting communities around the world to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of the climatic changes that are already being observed. It also means embracing the potential of the green economy a more sustainable way of life that balances economic, social and environmental priorities. Every fraction of a degree matters.

We can mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of ways. These include promoting greater energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, as well as building more sustainable urban transport. Since land, forests, and oceans store carbon, we need to adopt smarter ways to preserve and restore them. 

What we do between now and 2030 will determine whether we can slow warming enough to avoid climate change's worst impacts. We must drastically cut emissions and remove some carbon from the atmosphere. Fortunately, plants naturally absorb and store carbon. By protecting natural habitats and carefully managing farmland and forests, we can store billions of tons of this “living carbon.”

We’re facing dual threats with the climate crisis and extreme loss of biodiversity, and we need clean water and healthy lands.

In the next decade, we're working to protect ourselves and our planet by conserving 10 Million hectares of healthy land, 30 million hectares of freshwater, and 5 million hectares of oceans. Through protected areas, sustainable fishing, forest management, and working with Indigenous peoples, we're taking action to shape a better future for people and the planet.