A national plan to restore habitat on marginal farming land would fight climate change, prevent species loss and put money in farmers’ pockets, according to a scientists.

The team said its proposal would cost 0.1 per cent of GDP each year, restore habitat and meet one-sixth of Australia’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Climate Agreement.

UQ PhD candidate Bonnie Mappin said the incentivised program would also put cash into the hands of willing farmers via stewardship payments.

«This plan is a win-win for the environment and rural communities,» Ms Mappin said.

«We’ve outlined a pathway to achieve 30 per cent native vegetation coverage of almost all of Australia’s degraded terrestrial ecosystems on marginal farming land.

«Marginal land is ripe for revegetation.

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