The project addresses degradation across three critical biomes – grassland, savanna, and thicket – through nature-based solutions that deliver climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable livelihoods.
The objective of ReLISA is to address the degradation of grassland, savanna and thicket biomes in South Africa by making the economic case for restoration and creating the enabling conditions essential to mobilise investment at scale.
The intended outcome is that proven nature-based restoration solutions are implemented in grassland, savanna and thicket biomes by closing data gaps on socio-economic and environmental impacts, Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), impact monitoring, and leveraging finance from different private and public sources.
Through transformational, gender-responsive, large-scale restoration, ReLISA will contribute to South Africa’s sustainable economic development, land degradation neutrality, climate and biodiversity targets and global development goals, including the SDGs, Rio Conventions and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. ReLISA will also enhance the provision of vital ecosystem services – in particular hydrological services, carbon sequestration, soil health and biodiversity – and enhance livelihoods of local communities and farmers in strategic water source and other priority areas.
