Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia’s leading applied research university, in collaboration with Aeon Collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development and environmental innovation, have made an urgent appeal to world leaders the world to prioritize restoring land and food systems as a key strategy to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
A new strategy paper, “Bending the Curve: A Call to Action on Land Restoration and Sustainability“, outlines a comprehensive framework for halving degraded land by 2050. This initiative aims to reverse the negative impacts of land degradation, which include increasing food insecurity, depletion of water resources and exacerbation of climate change due to reduced ability to Carbon binding includes.
The deterioration of soil quality is not only a consequence of climate change, but also a major cause of it. Degraded soils lose their ability to effectively sequester carbon, increasing global warming. They also produce lower crop yields, leading to increasingly unsustainable agricultural practices.
The paper was presented at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. It is the first time a Middle Eastern country has hosted the event, underscoring the region’s importance to the global sustainability discussion.
The event’s goal of combating desertification highlights the importance of investing in land and unlocking opportunities. KAUST’s new research highlights the need for accelerated conservation efforts, innovative financing mechanisms and increased international collaboration.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening international cooperation: Strengthen synergies between the UN Conventions on Climate, Biodiversity and Land to provide common policy recommendations and monitor implementation. This includes establishing an integrated convention body to ensure accountability and track progress.
- Use of technology and data: Using AI and Earth observation technologies for real-time monitoring and accountability. Develop a global standard for soil health monitoring to improve management and ensure consistent data access worldwide.
- Empowering local communities: Incorporating indigenous knowledge and promoting an inclusive governance framework. Supporting smallholder farmers to access land ownership, markets and sustainable agricultural technologies to increase productivity and resilience.
- Promoting a sustainable food systems: Transforming food production practices to reduce environmental impact, with a focus on regenerative agriculture and reducing food waste by 75% by 2050. Promoting a shift in diet towards more sustainable options, e.g. B. increased consumption of plant-based foods and sustainably produced seafood.
- Setting ambitious targets for land degradation after 2030: Commit to reducing degraded land by 50% by 2050 and achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) by 2030, aligning efforts with global policies on climate, biodiversity and food systems.
- Mobilizing innovative financing: Establish green bonds and sustainable land investment funds to attract private capital for large-scale redevelopment projects. Furthermore, debt-nature swaps and mixed financing models should be introduced to support sustainable land management in developing countries.
International agreements are critical because they focus on restoring ecosystems that sequester carbon, support a diverse range of species and improve water management. Such restoration measures play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening resilience to extreme weather conditions. The paper calls on policymakers to raise the policy profile of land degradation and ensure that future policies are based on scientific assessments and participatory processes.
KAUST-Professor Fernando Maestre renowned expert on desertification and one of the authors of the papersaid: “Food systems are not just another environmental issue; they are central to the global challenges of climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss and fundamental to our development. While there are already international agreements for climate protection and biodiversity, food systems still receive far too little attention from the international community.”
Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud and Princess Mashael bint Saud AlShalan, co-founders of Aeon Collective, added: “Our vision at Aeon is to transform sustainability from an aspiration into a reality, with Saudi Arabia leading by example. By integrating economics, ecology, heritage and culture, we aim to create vibrant communities that thrive in harmony with nature. Collaborating with KAUST is a testament to our commitment to developing groundbreaking solutions that balance these elements and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
COP16, taking place December 2-13, will provide a platform for world leaders to discuss and commit to strategies to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management.
Notes to the editor:
Über KAUST
KAUST, Saudi Arabia’s leading research university of science and technology, brings together the best minds in a culture of invention and is a catalyst for discoveries, innovations and technologies that will shape the future for the benefit of Saudi Arabia and the world. KAUST is on the path to creating a new university model for the 21st century, based on global partnerships, research and invention. KAUST attracts world-leading talent from science and research and offers them unique opportunities to realize innovations.
As part of Vision 2030 and the Research, Development and Innovation (FEI) ecosystem, KAUST plays an active role in accelerating impact and innovation in the areas of health and wellness, energy and industrial leadership, sustainable environment and essential goods supply and Economies of the future.
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