46 Dieter van der Broeck & Pieter Ploeg Commonland Mission Commonland is a fierce believer that the world needs viable solutions based on social and ecological needs, science, and entrepreneurship. However, for this to happen, one needs a practical holistic approach that everybody understands. Therefore, Commonland has developed the ‘4 Returns framework’ to be that common language. Commonland is on a mission to transform degraded landscapes into thriving ecosystems and communities based on concrete business cases and aligned with international policies and guidelines. Commonland and its partners are committed to transforming 100 million hectares of degraded land into thriving ecosystems and communities by 2040. Additionally, Commonland thinks it can significantly contribute to all UN Sustainable Development Goals and Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (20212030) by supporting on-the-ground initiatives with the 4 Returns framework. Impact & 4 returns Inspiration Commonland has inspirational impacts on the landscape by connecting the various people aware of landscape restoration, participating in the 4 returns approach, and starting 4 returns initiatives. Social Capital Thanks to Commonland, (in)direct employment rates, entrepreneurial skills, and social landscape network(s) have increased and improved. In 20182019, 264 direct and indirect jobs were created and supported in total. Natural Capital Financial Capital Commonland has seen an increased flow of funds Thanks to Commonland, several hectares have been regenerated under improved management (aggregating the progress made on soil, water, biodiversity, and carbon). In 2018-2019, 60 000 ha were under direct regeneration/restoration with early ripple effects to 2 million ha across 4 landscapes. toward 4 returns initiatives in the landscape (grant and commercial). In 2018-2019, 40 4 returns business cases were identified or set up in total. Together with our landscape partners we develop business cases built on regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and rotational grazing – from pilot to scale.
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