#Sustainability #Saudi Arabia #KAUST #Thuwal #ClimateAction

Urgent Call for Action on Land Restoration

In a significant move to address the pressing crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), alongside the Aeon Collective, have issued a stark warning urging global leaders to prioritize land restoration and sustainable food systems. This initiative was outlined in a comprehensive policy paper titled "Bending the Curve: A Call to Action on Land Restoration and Sustainability."

The paper, unveiled at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, sets an ambitious target to halve the amount of degraded land by 2050. The dire implications of land degradation include not only increased food insecurity but also diminished water resources and intensified climate change due to reduced carbon sequestration capabilities.

Understanding Land Degradation
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Land degradation is not only a consequence of climate change but a significant contributor to it as well. As critical land areas lose their ability to sequester carbon effectively, global temperatures continue to rise, exacerbating the situation. Furthermore, degraded land often results in lower agricultural yields, necessitating unsustainable farming practices that further harm the ecosystem.

According to the UN, desertification affects roughly 3.6 billion people worldwide, highlighting the urgency for a multidimensional response that addresses both environmental and human needs.

The paper's launch during COP16 marks a historic moment as it is the first time a Middle Eastern country has hosted this vital international event, illustrating the region's crucial role in global sustainability discussions.

Key Recommendations for Action
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The policy paper outlines several key strategies for reversing land degradation and promoting sustainable practices:

1. Strengthening International Collaboration: Enhancing synergies across various UN Conventions for climate, biodiversity, and land, ensuring that joint policy recommendations are put into action. Establishing an Integrated Conventions Panel could enhance accountability and monitor progress.

2. Leveraging Technology and Data: Integrating AI and earth observation technology in monitoring land health in real-time to improve governance and ensure global data access.

3. Empowering Local Communities: Fostering inclusive governance frameworks that integrate indigenous knowledge while supporting smallholder farmers with access to land, markets, and sustainable agricultural technologies to boost productivity.

4. Promoting Sustainable Food Systems: Transforming food production to minimize environmental impacts through regenerative agriculture practices. This involves reducing food waste by 75% by 2050 and shifting diets towards more sustainable options, such as plant-based foods.

5. Setting Post-2030 Land Degradation Targets: Aiming to reduce degraded land by 50% by 2050 and achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030 in alignment with global climate policies.

6. Mobilizing Innovative Financing: Establishing initiatives like Green Bonds and Sustainable Land Investment Funds to attract private capital for large-scale restoration efforts and exploring debt-for-nature swaps to support sustainable land management in developing nations.

The importance of international agreements in restoring ecosystems cannot be overstated; these restorations play a vital role in capturing carbon dioxide, supporting biodiversity, and improving water management. As these initiatives unfold, they are expected to significantly mitigate climate-related risks and improve resilience against extreme weather conditions.

The Voices Behind the Movement
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Professor Fernando Maestre, a prominent figure in desertification studies and a contributor to the paper, elucidated the critical intertwining of food systems with broader environmental issues. He noted, "Food systems are central to our global challenges of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, and remain fundamentally essential for our development."

Additionally, Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud and Princess Mashael bint Saud AlShalan of the Aeon Collective highlighted their vision of making sustainability a tangible reality within Saudi Arabia, advocating for a harmonious integration of economy, ecology, and culture.

COP16 serves as a key global platform for leaders to engage in meaningful dialogues and establish actionable strategies aimed at combating desertification. As discussions evolve, the researchers from KAUST and their collaborators emphasize the need for immediate and sustained action to secure a sustainable and equitable future for all.