Key Impact Points
- Global land degradation crisis: 40% of the planet’s land is degraded, with 100 million hectares lost annually, threatening food security and biodiversity.
- Economic reliance on healthy soil: Half of global GDP, valued at $44 trillion, depends on healthy land, according to the UNCCD Global Land Outlook.
- Action at COP16: The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership aims to tackle drought, a major accelerator of land degradation, with leaders calling for increased funding and nature-positive investments.
The Growing Threat of Land Degradation
Healthy soil is the foundation of life on Earth, yet 40% of the planet’s land is degraded, with 100 million hectares lost annually. This decline threatens not only agriculture—95% of the global food supply relies on healthy soil—but also biodiversity and climate resilience. Key industries such as pharmaceuticals, clothing, and construction depend on nutrient-rich land and forest materials.
“Land degradation impacts almost every corner of our planet,” said Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Environment and COP16 Advisor.
“Be it the people fleeing drought and desertification, to consumers facing increased food prices, farmers suffering decreased yields or businesses facing supply chain instability—these are global crises that require international solutions.”
Urgency of COP16 in Riyadh
The UNCCD COP16, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2–13, brings global leaders together to address land restoration. The event highlights the economic urgency, with $44 trillion—half of the world’s GDP—dependent on healthy land.
Drought is a significant contributor to land degradation. Almost two-thirds of the world’s population currently face water scarcity, projected to rise to 75% by 2050. In 2022 alone, 1.84 billion people were impacted by drought.
“Drought is a pressing environmental and economic emergency. The international community must act decisively on an issue impacting the lives and livelihoods of so many around the world,” said Faqeeha.
Solutions for Land Restoration
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, guided by Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets. COP16 is a pivotal moment to urge more countries to adopt these targets and accelerate action.
“A priority at COP16 is to encourage more countries to adopt Land Degradation Neutrality targets,” Faqeeha emphasized. “The simple truth, however, is too few countries have took tangible actions; more commitments and resources are needed to have a global impact.”
Organizers also stress the need for increased investment in nature-positive solutions. Current funding for nature-based initiatives is $200 billion annually, but only $35 billion comes from the private sector. The UNEP estimates this funding must triple to $542 billion annually by 2030.
The Business Case for Land Investment
Leaders at COP16 are calling for a paradigm shift in how the private sector views investments in land restoration.
“We need to engage with financial leaders to say: Investing in land is a business and economic imperative, it is also an opportunity,” Faqeeha said. “Every dollar invested in land restoration and sustainable management returns up to $30.”
With global collaboration and increased commitments, COP16 seeks to turn the tide against land degradation, addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
