Bonn Challenge: pledges to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
- International bodies IUCN Barometer (2019, as reported by IUCN and the Global Landscapes Forum): In 19 countries 71.11 million of 97 million pledged hectares (73%) were under restoration as of 2018, country-reported; the Barometer covers 19 of 57 committed countries. Global Landscapes Forum
- Researchers NYDF five-year assessment (2019): A systematic global literature review documented 26.7 million hectares of forest restored in 2000–2019, 18 percent of the 2020 goal. Forest Declaration Assessment
- Researchers 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment: By 2022 only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress, covering 2.6 percent of the 2020 target; Restor project data show about 4 million hectares of forest under restoration. Forest Declaration Assessment Partners (Climate Focus, coordinator)
- Government and regulators Government of India (2026): 21.76 million hectares brought under restoration against a pledge of 26 million. IUCN
Launched in 2011 by Germany and IUCN with goals of 150 million hectares by 2020 and 350 million by 2030, the Bonn Challenge records pledges of 210 to 257 million hectares depending on the page and date. Country-reported progress covers a small share of pledgers; independent assessments documented 26.7 million hectares restored in 2000–2019, 18% of the 2020 goal, and found only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress by 2022.
Pledges, not restored area; the goal is 350 million hectares by 2030. The Bonn Challenge website's 'about' page gives 257 million hectares (77 pledges, 75 countries) without a date.
Status As of November 2025: over 210 million hectares pledged against a 350 million hectare goal for 2030; independent assessments (2019, 2024) found documented restoration far below the 2020 goal and progress disclosed by 18 of more than 60 pledging countries.
- Pledging governments — 77 pledges from 75 countries recorded on the Bonn Challenge website; India holds the largest at 26 million hectares Bonn Challenge (IUCN and the German government)
What happened
The Bonn Challenge was launched in 2011 by the Government of Germany and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with a goal of bringing 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes into restoration by 2020; the 2014 New York Declaration on Forests endorsed it and extended it to 350 million hectares by 2030, according to a 2017 evaluation of IUCN's role funded by the UK's Department for International Development. Regional platforms include Initiative 20x20 in Latin America and AFR100 in Africa. The Bonn Challenge website states that the 150-million-hectare pledge milestone was surpassed in 2017 and, on its 'about' page, that 257 million hectares have been pledged in 77 pledges involving 75 countries. Another page of the same site, copyrighted 2020, gives more than 70 pledgers from more than 60 countries restoring 210 million hectares. At COP30 on 17 November 2025 IUCN and Germany stated that over 210 million hectares had been pledged by more than 60 countries, subnational governments and private partners, and German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth said Germany launched the Bonn Challenge with IUCN as a call to restore the world's degraded lands.
Progress has been reported through IUCN's Barometer, developed in 2016 (the 2022 edition is titled the Restoration Barometer). The second Barometer report, released on 28 June 2019, covered 19 countries: five assessed in depth (Brazil, El Salvador, Rwanda, Mexico and the United States) and 14 under a rapid application of the protocol. IUCN reported that the five in-depth countries had commitments of 30.7 million hectares with 89% under restoration, that 354,000 jobs had been created, and that the United States, which pledged 15 million hectares by 2020, had reached 17 million hectares as of June 2019. A Global Landscapes Forum article of August 2019, updated in September 2020, gave 71.11 million of 97 million pledged hectares (73%) under restoration as of 2018 across the 19 countries, which were 19 of the 57 countries that had committed, so the other 38 had no Barometer data; it added that total restored area was hard to determine. IUCN's 2022 Restoration Barometer report included data from 18 of the 22 countries that submitted it; the UNCCD library page for the report gives a headline figure of 14 million hectares under restoration. India announced on 17 June 2026, in its second national progress report on the Bonn Challenge, that it had brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration against a pledge of 26 million hectares, using data collected from 36 states and union territories; IUCN's article does not describe any independent verification.
Independent assessments found much less documented restoration. The 2019 five-year assessment of the New York Declaration on Forests (Climate Focus and partners) stated that a systematic global literature review found only 18 percent of the 2020 goal, 26.7 million hectares of forest, documented as restored since 2000, and that deforestation exceeded forest restoration in the Mekong region (net loss of natural forests of 0.3 million hectares since 2010); it concluded "we are not on track to meet the 2020 goals". The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment, an independent civil-society report, stated that by 2022 only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress, covering 2.6 percent of the 2020 target, that country reporting under the Bonn Challenge indicated 4 million hectares under restoration across 18 countries and that project-level data on the Restor platform showed about 4 million hectares of forest under restoration, 2.7 percent of the 2020 target and 1.2 percent of the 2030 target; it noted that project data are voluntary and often not externally validated. Fagan and colleagues (Conservation Letters, 2020) found that commitments are generally large (median 2 million hectares), that one third of countries committed more than 10% of their land area, and that reported progress was limited; a University of Maryland, Baltimore County release on the study said Rwanda had pledged 81 percent of its land area and Burundi 79 percent.
The sources reviewed give no total of money moved under the Bonn Challenge. The Global Landscapes Forum article reported that the five countries assessed in depth averaged at least USD 235 per hectare in investment, and the IUCN statement of November 2025 identifies Germany as co-organiser and states that it remains committed to supporting countries and partners without giving an amount.
- 2011Bonn Challenge launched by Germany and IUCN with a goal of 150 million hectares by 2020
- 2014New York Declaration on Forests endorses the goal and extends it to 350 million hectares by 2030
- 2016IUCN develops the Barometer to track progress
- 2017Pledges pass 150 million hectares; Forest Declaration Assessment counts over 156 million hectares from 45 entities (1 November) and says it is unclear how much progress has been made
- 2019Second Barometer report covers 19 countries (28 June); NYDF assessment finds 18 percent of the 2020 goal documented as restored (1 November)
- 2020Fagan et al. published in Conservation Letters (16 January)
- 2022IUCN Restoration Barometer 2022 report (data from 18 countries); only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress
- 20242024 Forest Declaration Assessment reports about 4 million hectares under restoration
- 2025IUCN and Germany mark 15 years at COP30 with over 210 million hectares pledged (17 November)
- 2026India reports 21.76 million hectares under restoration against a 26 million hectare pledge (17 June)
What was said
“Fifteen years ago, Germany launched the Bonn Challenge with IUCN as a call to restore the world’s degraded lands.”
“The Bonn Challenge has proven that restoration works – for people, for nature and for the planet.”
“The Barometer fills a key gap on reporting on progress against commitments”
“The 19 countries covered in the report are just the first step.”
“It remains unclear how much progress has been made in the implementation of restoration pledges.”
“These results indicate that we are not on track to meet the 2020 goals.”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
In 19 countries 71.11 million of 97 million pledged hectares (73%) were under restoration as of 2018, country-reported; the Barometer covers 19 of 57 committed countries.
Global Landscapes ForumA systematic global literature review documented 26.7 million hectares of forest restored in 2000–2019, 18 percent of the 2020 goal.
Forest Declaration AssessmentBy 2022 only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress, covering 2.6 percent of the 2020 target; Restor project data show about 4 million hectares of forest under restoration.
Forest Declaration Assessment Partners (Climate Focus, coordinator)21.76 million hectares brought under restoration against a pledge of 26 million.
IUCN257 million hectares pledged in 77 pledges involving 75 countries (undated).
Bonn Challenge (IUCN and the German government)Over 210 million hectares from more than 60 countries, subnational governments and private partners.
IUCNPledges totalling 170.6 million hectares.
Forest Declaration AssessmentHow it looked
Shown
- The Bonn Challenge presented as having pledges of 257 million hectares from 77 pledges and 75 countries, and as having surpassed the 150-million-hectare milestone in 2017.Bonn Challenge website (IUCN and the German government) · Bonn Challenge (IUCN and the German government)
- The Bonn Challenge described as proof that restoration works, with more than 210 million hectares pledged.IUCN and Germany, COP30 statement · IUCN
- India presented as having brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration against its 26 million hectare pledge.Union Minister of India, as reported by IUCN · IUCN
Recorded
- IUCN's second Barometer report (2019) recorded 89% of the 30.7 million hectares pledged by five countries under restoration; the other 14 countries were assessed under a rapid application, and 38 of the 57 committed countries had no Barometer data.
- A systematic literature review in the 2019 NYDF assessment documented 26.7 million hectares of forest restored in 2000–2019, 18 percent of the 2020 goal.
- By 2022 only 18 of more than 60 pledging countries had disclosed progress, covering 2.6 percent of the 2020 target (2024 Forest Declaration Assessment).
- No source reviewed reports an independent measurement of ecological outcomes (biodiversity, survival or carbon) of restoration counted under the Bonn Challenge.
In nature's name
Promised
- “The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to restore 150 million hectares of the world's deforested and degraded land by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.” — KNOWFOR evaluation of IUCN's role, describing the Bonn Challenge (February 2017) KNOWFOR (funded by the UK Department for International Development), IUCN
- “The Bonn Challenge has proven that restoration works – for people, for nature and for the planet.” — Chetan Kumar, Global Head, IUCN Forest and Grasslands Team (17 November 2025) IUCN
What was measured
Independent assessments measured documented restoration area against the pledges and goals: 26.7 million hectares of forest in 2000–2019, 18 percent of the 2020 goal (NYDF literature review), and progress disclosed by 18 of more than 60 pledging countries, covering 2.6 percent of the 2020 target (2024 Forest Declaration Assessment). These measure area, not ecological benefit. IUCN's Barometer figures (73% of 97 million pledged hectares under restoration in 19 countries, 2018) and national figures such as India's are country-reported; no independent verification of them was found.
Operation Ongoing · Pledges continue; goal of 350 million hectares by 2030. IUCN
Findings on record
- Peer-reviewed study Fagan, Reid, Holland, Drew and Zahawi, Conservation Letters (2020-01-16) · How feasible are global forest restoration commitments?: “Restoration commitments are generally large (median: 2 million hectares)” Conservation Letters (record on Yale ELTI)
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- IUCN (2019; 17 November 2025): Reported that the Barometer fills a key gap in reporting on progress and that the 19 countries covered in 2019 are a first step; stated at COP30 that over 210 million hectares had been pledged. · IUCN
- Government of Germany (17 November 2025): State Secretary Flasbarth said Germany launched the Bonn Challenge with IUCN and is fully committed to supporting countries and partners. · IUCN
- Government of India (17 June 2026): Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that India had brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration against its 26 million hectare pledge. · IUCN
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
- Disputed How much of the pledged area has been restored
Accounts
- Disputed How large the pledges are
Record
- None on record None on record: a global total of hectares actually restored under the Bonn Challenge; the Forest Declaration Assessment states that data limitations make progress difficult to quantify.
- None on record None on record: the amount of money moved in support of the Bonn Challenge; the sources reviewed give only an average of at least USD 235 per hectare for five countries in 2018.
- None on record None on record: an independent measurement of ecological outcomes, survival or carbon, of the areas counted as under restoration.
- None on record None on record: independent verification of India's report of 21.76 million hectares; the IUCN article describes data collection from 36 states and union territories only.
- Disputed Conflicting: the total pledged. The Bonn Challenge 'about' page gives 257 million hectares (77 pledges, 75 countries); its other page and IUCN in November 2025 give 210 million; a 2020 university release says about 230 million; earlier assessments give 156 million (2017) and 170.6 million (2019).
- Disputed Conflicting: the Barometer's 2022 report. The UNCCD page gives a headline figure of 14 million hectares under restoration; the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment cites country reporting as 4 million hectares across 18 countries and says the overlap with project-level data is unclear.
- Disputed Conflicting: the in-depth countries' area under restoration in 2018 is 27.385 million hectares in IUCN's release and 27.835 million hectares in the Global Landscapes Forum article.
- Unclear Unclear: whether restoration counted by country reports consists of tree planting, natural regeneration or other practices; the Forest Declaration Assessment notes that regrowth is not equivalent to restoration.
Did the harm stop?
The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment states that ongoing high rates of deforestation and ecosystem degradation threaten to undo restoration gains; a 2019 assessment found net loss of natural forests in the Mekong region since 2010.
Who paid?
Not on record. Germany and IUCN are the co-organisers; the sources reviewed give no total of money paid by donors, governments or private pledgers, only an average investment of at least USD 235 per hectare in five countries in 2018.
Sources
Press and investigations
- 2020 is the first Bonn Challenge deadline: what does the Barometer say? (Natasha Vizcarra)Global Landscapes Forum · 2019-08-13
Researchers
- 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment: Forests under fire: Tracking progress on 2030 forest goalsForest Declaration Assessment Partners (Climate Focus, coordinator) · 2024-10
- Progress on the implementation of forest landscape restoration has been mixed (2019 NYDF assessment)Forest Declaration Assessment · 2019-11-01
- 2017 Goal 5 assessmentForest Declaration Assessment · 2017-11-01
- How feasible are global forest restoration commitments? (Fagan, Reid, Holland, Drew, Zahawi), Conservation Letters 13(3), doi 10.1111/conl.12700Conservation Letters (record on Yale ELTI) · 2020-01-16
- UMBC researchers find many countries will not meet ambitious forest restoration goals without supportUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County · 2020-01-17
International bodies
- About The ChallengeBonn Challenge (IUCN and the German government) · 2026-10
- ProgressBonn Challenge (IUCN and the German government) · 2020
- IUCN Restoration Barometer (2022 report entry)UNCCD library · 2022-12
- Performance Story Report: Exploring IUCN's influence on the development and growth of the Bonn Challenge (KNOWFOR evaluation, Tom Blomley)KNOWFOR (funded by the UK Department for International Development), IUCN · 2017-02
Connected cases
- African Parks Odzala-Kokoua abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2010–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022
- Asiatic cheetah conservation project in Iran: 25 years of funding and a count of 26 animals Iran · 2000–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Executing partner in the GEF database; hosts the 2025 monitoring report
- Baikal Natural Territory: expertise exemptions and clear-cutting rules Russia · 2020–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Joint reactive monitoring mission with UNESCO planned for August 2026
- CAMPFIRE and elephant trophy hunting Zimbabwe · 2010–2015
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Policy guidance
- Canaima National Park: fire suppression for the Guri catchment, mining pressure and the UNESCO decisions Venezuela · 1981–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Advisory body to the World Heritage Committee
- Caspian seal mass deaths, 2020–2025 Caspian Sea (Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan) · 2020–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Endangered listing since 2008
- Caspian sturgeon and caviar: trade suspensions, fishing bans and the move to farmed caviar Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran) · 1998–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Red List assessments of sturgeon
- Colossal Biosciences: de-extinction ventures, funding and the Burgum remark United States · 2022–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Its Canid Specialist Group stated the pups are not dire wolves
- Dalyan / Iztuzu Beach, Türkiye: Kaunos Beach Hotel project stopped (1987) Türkiye · 1987
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Protested
- Endorois and Lake Bogoria enzyme extraction (Kenya) Kenya · 1970–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Technical evaluator whose recommendation led to the 2011 World Heritage listing
- German ministry links Oder fish die-off to salt discharges and toxic algae Poland · 2022
- Federal Environment Ministry (BMUV) (Government) — here: German federal environment ministry; co-launcher and co-organiser; there: Ministry stating the cause
- Gold mining inside Canaima National Park Venezuela · 2016–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Recipient of the 2018 SOS Orinoco report
- Half-Earth and 30x30 advocacy funding (Wyss Campaign for Nature) Global · 2016–2026
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Co-author of the Protected Planet Report 2024
- IFFCO sells nano urea under a fertiliser subsidy; a Punjab trial reported lower yields India · 2021–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: fertiliser subsidy payer
- India approved clearing over 8,500 hectares of forest despite a Supreme Court order India · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Gave the nod to clear over 8,500 hectares
- India PMFBY crop insurance India · 2016
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Pays the premium share not paid by farmers; presented the scheme's figures
- India's 1975–77 Emergency sterilisation drive drew a $66 million World Bank loan India · 1975–1977
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Ran the sterilisation campaign
- India's National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission), 2015 to 2026 India · 2015–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Central government funding the mission
- India's scrap tyre imports reach 1.398 million tonnes in FY2024 India · 2021–2024
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Source of the import data cited in the report
- India's top court refuses more Bhopal compensation from Union Carbide successors India · 1989–2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: filed the curative petition; paid for the waste incineration
- Indian government paid Rs 126 crore to incinerate Union Carbide Bhopal waste India · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Paid for the incineration from the state budget
- Indus Waters Treaty suspension India / Pakistan · 2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Suspended the treaty
- Kaeng Krachan: Karen evictions and the disappearance of Billy Thailand · 1981–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Recommended against listing until Karen concerns were addressed
- Kerala endosulfan compensation delayed as producer's Shroff family sells stake India · 2011–2026
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Objected to listing endosulfan under the Stockholm Convention
- Kiribati opens Phoenix Islands protected area to fishing; trust dissolved Kiribati · 2015–2021
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: reports the area's status in 2025
- Kiribati PIPA opened to fishing Kiribati · 2015–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Assessed the property (World Heritage Outlook)
- Pacific tuna Vessel Day Scheme Pacific Islands (PNA members) · 2010–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Assessor of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area
- Paid markhor hunt in Surkhandarya, Uzbekistan Uzbekistan · 2024–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Lists the markhor on the IUCN Red List
- Rio Tinto Juukan Gorge destruction Australia · 2020
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Conservation body in a Collaboration Agreement with Rio Tinto (2010)
- Supreme Court dismisses Centre's bid for more Bhopal compensation from Union Carbide India · 1989–2025
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Paid the incineration cost; petitioner for more compensation
- Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve: 2019 boundary change around CNPC oil blocks Niger · 2012–2023
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Survey of 2016; mission of January 2020
- UNESCO World Heritage listings and Indigenous rights Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda · 1991–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Technical evaluator for natural sites
- US import ban on shrimp harvested without turtle protection: WTO dispute DS58 (US – Shrimp) United States · 1989–2001
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Complainant (consultations requested 8 October 1996)
- US withdrawal from 66 international bodies and Paris/UNFCCC United States · 2025–2027
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Body the US withdrew from
- Western gray whales off Sakhalin and the company-funded IUCN advisory panel Russia · 2004–2022
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Convened and hosted the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel
- Whale oil, kerosene and the 1986 whaling moratorium International · 1859–2022
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Co-launched and co-runs the Bonn Challenge; operates the Barometer; there: Assessed the humpback whale (2008)
- World Bank-backed dams displaced people, and reviews found incomes often not restored Global · 1985–2018
- Government of India (Government) — here: Holder of the largest pledge (26 million hectares); there: Host government for the Sardar Sarovar dam