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The Urgent Call for Land Restoration and Food Systems Reforms

Researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have issued an urgent plea to global leaders to prioritize the restoration of degraded lands and reforms of food systems as essential strategies to tackle the intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. This call to action is backed by their newly released guideline paper titled "Bending the Curve: A Call to Action for Land Restoration and Sustainability," which outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at halving degraded lands by 2050.

The degradation of land not only exacerbates climate change by diminishing the ability of soils to sequester carbon but also leads to increased food insecurity and reduced freshwater resources. This decline in soil health results in lower yields and less sustainable agricultural practices, creating a compounding problem that threatens food systems worldwide.

Launched during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this initiative marks a pivotal moment as it is the first time a Middle Eastern country is hosting this significant event. This reflects the region’s growing importance in global conversations on sustainable development. The objective of COP16 is to combat desertification, underscoring the necessity of investing in terrestrial ecosystems and unlocking sustainable opportunities.

Key Recommendations

KAUST's research emphasizes several strategic recommendations to accelerate restoration efforts and enhance environmental sustainability:

1. Enhancing International Collaborations: The researchers propose strengthening synergies among UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and land use to establish common policy recommendations and monitor implementation effectively. This entails creating an integrated convention body that ensures accountability and tracks progress.

2. Leveraging Technology and Data: By utilizing artificial intelligence and earth observation technology for real-time monitoring and accountability, researchers advocate for developing global standards in land health monitoring, improving governance, and ensuring equitable worldwide data access.

3. Empowering Local Communities: The integration of indigenous knowledge and the promotion of inclusive governance frameworks are essential. Supporting smallholder farmers with access to land rights, markets, and sustainable agricultural technologies is crucial for improving productivity and resilience.

4. Promoting Sustainable Food Systems: The shift towards regenerative agricultural practices is critical in mitigating environmental impacts. This includes reducing food waste by 75% by 2050 and encouraging dietary changes favoring plant-based foods and sustainable seafood.

5. Setting Ambitious Soil Degradation Goals: The researchers call for a commitment to reducing land degradation by 50% by 2050 and achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030, aligning these efforts with global policies on climate, biodiversity, and food systems.

6. Mobilizing Innovative Financing: They emphasize the creation of green bonds and investment funds directed towards sustainable land projects, alongside implementing debt-for-nature swaps and blended finance models to bolster sustainable land management in developing countries.

International agreements play a vital role in focusing on restoring ecosystems that sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and enhance water management. The restoration efforts proposed in the guideline aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change and better bolster resilience against extreme weather conditions.

Prof. Fernando Maestre from KAUST, a renowned expert on desertification and co-author of the paper, pointedly states, "Food systems are central to the global challenges of climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. They are foundational to our development. Existing international accords address climate action and biodiversity; however, food systems have not been given adequate consideration by the international community."

The co-founders of Aeon Collective, Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud and Princess Mashael bint Saud AlShalan, emphasized their vision to transform sustainability from mere aspiration to reality, showcasing Saudi Arabia as a role model. They expressed their commitment to finding innovative solutions that harmonize the economy, ecology, heritage, and culture to ensure sustainable communities for future generations through their collaboration with KAUST.

The ongoing COP16, running from December 2 to 13, serves as an invaluable platform for world leaders to deliberate and engage in actionable strategies against desertification while promoting sustainable land management.