Land management: Is the solution to be found or to be remembered?

Land management: Is the solution to be found or to be remembered? | Photo: USGS

Land degradation and drought pose formidable threats to global ecosystems, undermining food security, exacerbating poverty, and intensifying the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The recent UN Conference on Land Degradation, Desertification, and Drought, held in Riyadh in early July 2025, spotlighted these challenges, urging global cooperation to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land. This goal seeks to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halt desertification, and reverse biodiversity loss.

With natural disasters linked to extreme weather causing 475,000 deaths and $2.6 trillion in economic damages over the past two decades, the urgency of sustainable land management cannot be overstated. Addressing these issues is critical to fostering resilient communities, safeguarding natural resources, and ensuring a sustainable future for global society.

The triple planetary crisis and SDG 15

The convergence of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, collectively termed the triple planetary crisis, has placed unprecedented pressure on terrestrial ecosystems. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, directly impacting 3.2 billion people, particularly in vulnerable regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This degradation drives species extinction, reduces agricultural productivity, and amplifies climate risks, with 100 million hectares of healthy land lost annually. SDG 15, specifically target 15.3, aims to combat desertification and restore degraded land by 2030, striving for a land degradation-neutral world. Failure to act risks exacerbating food insecurity, forced migration, and economic instability, particularly for indigenous and rural communities.

Innovative solutions driving global action

Global initiatives are paving the way for sustainable land management. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) champions efforts like the Global Landscapes Forum, which fosters community-driven reforestation and soil restoration. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, for instance, has planted over 32.5 billion trees since 2019, sequestering carbon and restoring degraded landscapes. This ambitious programme demonstrates how national policies can align with SDG 15 to deliver measurable outcomes.

Similarly, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, launched at the 2025 UNCCD COP16, secured $12.15 billion to bolster drought resilience in 80 vulnerable countries, underscoring the power of multilateral investment in addressing land-based challenges.

Indigenous knowledge: An overlooked asset

Local and indigenous communities offer invaluable insights into sustainable land management, yet their contributions often remain underreported. In Kenya’s arid regions, indigenous groups employ traditional water harvesting and agroforestry techniques to restore degraded lands. These low-cost, community-led approaches align with SDG 15’s emphasis on inclusive ecosystem management.

The integration of indigenous knowledge into global policies is gaining traction, as evidenced by the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples at COP16. By blending ancestral wisdom with modern tools like satellite data for monitoring desertification, these efforts enhance land stewardship and promote equity. The World Meteorological Organization’s support for early warning systems further complements these strategies, enabling proactive responses to drought and sandstorms.

Satellite data and technology: A new frontier

The use of satellite data to monitor desertification marks a significant advancement in achieving SDG 15. Tools like the Global Ecosystems Atlas, launched at COP16, provide high-resolution data to track land degradation and restoration progress. These technologies empower governments to prioritise interventions and report on SDG indicator 15.3.1, which measures the proportion of land that is degraded. With droughts increasing by 29% since 2000 due to climate change and poor land management, such data-driven approaches are critical. The International Drought Resilience Observatory, an AI-driven platform introduced in Riyadh, further enhances global capacity to anticipate and mitigate drought impacts, ensuring sustainable land use for future generations.

A global call to action

The UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh underscored that achieving SDG 15 requires unprecedented investment and collaboration. The UNCCD estimates that $2.6 trillion is needed by 2030 to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land, an investment equivalent to $1 billion daily. Current funding, at $66 billion annually, falls short, with private sector contributions accounting for only 6%. Closing this gap demands innovative financing, public-private partnerships, and greater inclusion of marginalised communities.

The Riyadh Action Agenda and the Rio Trio Initiative, linking the UNCCD with climate and biodiversity conventions, offer a roadmap for unified action. By prioritising sustainable land management, global society can secure food, water, and economic stability while combating the triple planetary crisis.

Join the movement for sustainable land

The challenges of land degradation and drought are daunting, but solutions are within reach. Readers are encouraged to explore the UNCCD’s resources at www.unccd.int for insights into global restoration efforts.

The Global Landscapes Forum (www.globallandscapesforum.org) offers opportunities to engage with community-driven initiatives, while the World Meteorological Organization’s drought monitoring tools (www.wmo.int) provide technical insights. By supporting these efforts, individuals and policymakers can contribute to a land degradation-neutral world, ensuring a sustainable future for all.