Land degradation is more than an environmental concern since it is a proven profound challenge that threatens human health, exacerbates poverty, and drives social and economic instability. It is a root cause of forced migration, conflicts over scarce resources, and biodiversity loss.
40% of the world’s land is already degraded, and with an annual loss of 100 million hectares of productive land between 2015 and 2019, the stakes are high. Addressing land degradation is central to achieving sustainable development and mitigating climate change.
Land degradation is the decline in the quality of land that diminishes its productivity and capacity to support ecosystems. Hence, vegetation loss further fuels the loss of ecosystems and essentials like fresh water.
In drylands, this phenomenon is referred to as desertification, a critical issue since these regions account for 45% of the Earth’s land surface and support nearly half of global agriculture and livestock. If unchecked, land degradation could displace 700 million people by 2050 due to insufficient access to food and water.
The primary drivers of land degradation include unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, urban sprawl, mining, and pollution. A lack of land tenure security, especially for women in many regions, exacerbates the problem, as it discourages long-term sustainable practices like agroforestry and crop diversity.
One of the most significant contributors is deforestation, which leads to soil erosion and reduced fertility. Inadequate land management and excessive use of agrochemicals further deteriorate the land. Addressing these issues requires integrated global and local strategies.
The Role of the UNCCD in Addressing Land Degradation
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), established in 1994, marked a turning point in addressing land degradation. Its mission goes beyond conserving land; it aims to enhance ecosystems, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable land management practices. The Convention emphasizes the active participation of local populations and stakeholders, making it a pioneering “bottom-up” approach.
Key milestones under the UNCCD include the adoption of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) as a global target under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). LDN seeks to balance land degradation with restoration, ensuring that land remains productive to support ecosystems and food security. To date, 131 countries have committed to setting LDN targets, with over 100 already establishing actionable plans.
Hows Building Momentum Towards COP16 Crucial
The upcoming 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a critical juncture in the fight against land degradation. Scheduled for December 2024, COP16 will celebrate the UNCCD’s 30th anniversary under the theme “Our Land. Our Future.”
This conference aims to accelerate land restoration, strengthen resilience against drought, and promote sustainable land governance. For this improvement in averting the climate change crises, we must act as a collective unit and that is where the theme of our land our future meets its role.
For the first time, COP16 will feature an Action Agenda, including thematic days such as Land Day: Highlighting nature-based solutions and private sector engagement, Agri-food System Day: Promoting sustainable farming and soil health, People’s Day: Focusing on the roles of youth, women, and civil society in decision-making, Science, Technology, and Innovation Day: Exploring innovative solutions for land resilience, and the Finance Day: Showcasing funding mechanisms for land restoration initiatives.
A Unified Approach to Sustainability
The efforts at COP16 will build on recent conferences addressing biodiversity and climate change, promoting synergy among the Rio Conventions. This integrated approach recognizes that the global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are interconnected and must be tackled collectively.
As UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw aptly stated, “Achieving climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals is impossible without healthy land.” COP16 provides a platform for countries to reaffirm their commitment to reversing land degradation and ensuring a sustainable future for future generations.
The path forward is clear: restoring degraded land, strengthening drought resilience, and promoting inclusive governance can pave the way for a healthier planet and a brighter future. The time to act is now.
