ReLISA — Restoring Landscapes in South Africa — is an international initiative that supports large-scale ecosystem restoration through coordinated, science-based action. The initiative promotes nature-based solutions that address climate risks, reverse ecosystem degradation and support sustainable livelihoods throughout three of South Africa’s iconic biomes: grassland, savanna and thicket.

The initiative brings government, research organisations and technical partners together to restore priority landscapes in these biomes. It strengthens ecological integrity through activities such as invasive species management, wetland and catchment studies, and soil and vegetation recovery. These activities stabilise ecosystem function, improve climate resilience and increase biodiversity.

Through these improved ecosystem services, communities benifit from greater water security, reduced disaster risk and expanded livelihood opportunities. ReLISA also provides a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building and long-term monitoring, which enables adaptive management across landscapes.

ReLISA was formally launched during the recent G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group session in South Africa, where C4 EcoSolutions participated.