As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of land degradation, the United Nations has issued a stark warning: an additional £200 billion is needed annually to address this pressing issue. Currently, only £56 billion is being mobilised, leaving a significant gap that poses threats to global food security, increases the risk of conflict, and endangers millions of lives.
The Scale of the Crisis
Yasmine Fouad, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) executive secretary and former Egyptian environment minister, has stressed the dire need for innovative financing solutions. “Today, there is a massive gap between the finance available and the finance required,” she stated in an exclusive interview. “Closing that gap cannot rely on public budgets alone.”
The latest UNCCD report reveals that a staggering $355 billion (£261 billion) is needed each year to combat land degradation, with only $77 billion currently mobilised. Of this funding, approximately 72 per cent originates from the nations most affected, while only a meagre 6 per cent comes from private sector investments. With international aid budgets shrinking, Ms Fouad emphasises the urgency of attracting private capital to address this crisis.
Understanding Land Degradation and Desertification
Land degradation encompasses a decline in land quality and productivity due to factors like soil erosion, deforestation, and overgrazing. Desertification, a more severe form of degradation, leads to persistent land loss in arid regions, resulting in diminished agricultural productivity and the spread of desert-like conditions.
The implications of this crisis are profound. “The risks of inaction are no longer confined to environmental concerns,” Ms Fouad explained. “Land degradation and drought are already contributing to food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, forced migration, rising inequality, and instability in vulnerable regions.”
As of 2019, 15.4 per cent of the world’s land was classified as degraded, marking a worrying 4 per cent increase over just four years. This degradation translates to the loss of approximately 100 million hectares of productive land annually, affecting the livelihoods of 1.3 billion people worldwide.
A Call for Global Action
The economic impact of land degradation is staggering, costing affected countries around 2 per cent of their GDP—equivalent to $878 billion each year—through losses in food availability, soil fertility, and groundwater replenishment. Ms Fouad’s urgent plea has been echoed by G7 environment ministers, who recently labelled desertification and drought as “systemic global challenges” that exacerbate security risks.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. Ms Fouad noted that with adequate funding, viable solutions already exist. Initiatives such as watershed management projects in Ethiopia and Kenya, alongside the ambitious Great Green Wall project aiming to plant 100 million trees across the Sahel by 2030, are just a few examples of what can be achieved.
Upcoming Conference and Future Prospects
The UNCCD is gearing up for its “Conference of Parties” (Cop 17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, scheduled for August this year. This pivotal gathering will focus on generating finance to combat desertification. While scepticism surrounds the efficacy of such conferences, Ms Fouad remains hopeful. “I see Cops as more important than ever, as they are critical to bringing together countries from both the global North and the global South,” she asserted.
The urgency of this upcoming conference cannot be overstated. With millions at risk from the impacts of land degradation, the world must unite to forge a path towards sustainable solutions.
Why it Matters
The repercussions of failing to address land degradation extend far beyond environmental degradation. The potential for increased food insecurity, forced migration, and socio-political unrest could destabilise entire regions. Investing in land restoration is not merely an act of charity; it is an essential strategy for fostering global resilience and stability. As the UN calls for decisive action, the future of countless communities hangs in the balance, underscoring the critical need for immediate and substantial financial commitments.
