When it started in 2007, the Great Green Wall (GGW) was envisioned as a tree-planting initiative to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel. Initially targeted across 11 Sahelian nations, the campaign was built to halt the progress of the Sahara desert, which has grown by 10 percent since 1920.

The goal was to plant billions of trees across 8,000 kilometers that would become a living symbol of Africa’s commitment to address the climate crisis and usher in a new era of sustainability and economic growth.

With the urgency of the climate crisis coming into focus, the initiative has significantly evolved in the past decade. They are planting trees but have also recognized that tree-planting alone is not enough.
The initiative also fully recognizes the importance of natural resources governance as a key tool for stabilization and peace in the region. This is reflected through its priorities of “growing a reason to stay to help break the cycle of migration” and “growing a symbol of peace in countries where conflict continues to displace communities.”

In recent years the initiative has received increased traction from the international community, donors and the UN system, with a clear understanding that the restoration of ecosystems and improved natural resources governance will have far-reaching environmental, social and economic benefits at both the local and global levels. And in turn, these benefits will serve as catalysts for the peace-building and sustainable development processes that are at the heart of a large range of initiatives and donor priorities across Africa, and the Sahel in particular.

SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVE
UNDP is supporting the countries connected with the Great Green Wall to advance climate change and natural resource governance priorities set by the initiative. With UNDP’s support, vulnerable nations across the region are designing innovative and far-reaching interventions that focus on landscape restoration and protection, the introduction of resilient and energy efficient practices to reduce pressure on natural resources in case of climate shocks, providing reliable access to water for agriculture, livestock and household consumption, improving transboundary water management, or sensitizing stakeholders and planning for the peaceful sharing of natural resources.

UNDP supported interventions are aligning with the expanded mandate of the Great Green Wall and are yielding important social and economic benefits by supporting the development of micro, small and medium enterprises and improving the access to financing mechanisms (such as loans and insurance) for vulnerable groups. In leaving no one behind, there is a strong focus on women and youth.

By relieving pressure on natural resources, mitigating risks from climate change, and providing new livelihood opportunities, these initiatives are reducing the causes of conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel, which can be directly linked to increased climate risks, poverty, insecurity, displacement and other factors.

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