# Scaling Land Restoration

A call for solutions that accelerate and commercialize terrestrial ecosystem restoration. From post-mining recovery and soil rehabilitation to landscape monitoring, this Challenge targets technologies and business models that make land restoration financially viable and attractive to private capital.


## Overview

Land underpins everything the global economy depends on — food, water, minerals and the ecosystems that regulate the climate. Yet, it is among the most systematically degraded assets on the planet.Up to 40% of land globally is degraded, threatening half of global GDP. Inaction could cost $23 trillion by 2050, while a $278 billion annual financing shortfall persists for meeting restoration targets. Private finance covers just 6% of what is needed, far short of what the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework demands if the world is to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. Three structural barriers explain why restoration is not working at scale: capital does not reach projects when needed; outcomes cannot be measured reliably enough to attract investment-grade finance; and restoration is still treated as a compliance cost rather than a commercial opportunity.Pressure is accelerating. The energy transition is straining land and water resources, agricultural practices drive 80% of deforestation and 60% of biodiversity loss and soils are eroding 100 times faster than they can be replenished. Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) requirements and COP16 commitments are making these risks visible on corporate balance sheets.The Scaling Land Restoration Challenge responds to this moment. Led by UpLink and Mercuria, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum's Nature Positive Transitions Initiative, it will mobilize early-stage innovation across post-mining site recovery, soil rehabilitation and landscape intelligence: the three areas where better solutions would most directly unlock private capital and measurable restoration outcomes.Winners will gain access to a global network of corporates, investors and policymakers to support deployment and scale. Learn more about our nature and biodiversity innovation ecosystem. This Challenge is part of the UpLink Innovation Challenge Series – Spring 2026, a global call for early-stage solutions ready to move from innovation to real-world deployment at scale, shaping the markets, industries and systems of tomorrow.


## Focus areas


### Making ecological restoration of mined land commercially viable at scale

Innovations accelerating rehabilitation of disturbed and contaminated land, including technologies, business models and financing structures that make progressive restoration investable beyond regulatory compliance.


### Restoring degraded soils to unlock food security and supply chain finance

Innovations that restore the biological health of degraded agricultural and industrial soils, making soil carbon and biodiversity outcomes measurable, financeable and embedded within supply chains. It includes addressing the growing threat of invasive species — from aggressive root-competing plants to soil-disrupting organisms.


### Making restoration outcomes trackable and investable using data and decision tools

Technologies improving land assessment, restoration planning and outcome tracking at landscape scale, providing the data infrastructure that underwrites nature investment and corporate nature-risk disclosure.


## Selection criteria


## Frequently Asked Questions

*Common questions and answers*


### This challenge is now closed for new applications.

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## Benefits for selected UpLink Ventures

Approximately 10 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as UpLink Ventures and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecosystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc.,which provides:


### Access

Participation in World Economic Forum and partner-led events, projects and communities.


### Visibility

Global exposure via the Forum’s and UpLink’s digital media channels.


### Connections

Strategic introductions to select organizations in the Forum’s and UpLink’s network.


### Targeted support

Programming and support on technical, business and operational matters.


## Expectations of selected UpLink Ventures

Once selected, UpLink Ventures are expected to actively contribute as members of its Innovation Ecosystem, including:Events: Participating in UpLink and partner-led programming and events.Marketing and media: Sharing relevant information and assets for marketing campaigns and media requests.Impact reporting: Engaging in regular communication touchpoints, including meetings and surveys, to assess needs and impact.


## Challenge timeline


## Timeline

*Chronological events and milestones*


## Partners

This Challenge was made possible by the generous support of our partners.


## Funded by


*Partner organizations and sponsors*


## In collaboration with the World Economic Forum's Nature Positive Transitions Initiative


## Ecosystem partners


## Members

*Browse and filter community members*