From December 2 to 13, 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, this milestone event aims to address the escalating global threats of desertification, land degradation, and drought.
Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 seeks to transform years of discussion into concrete actions. The conference introduces a novel dual-track approach: the Negotiation Track for binding decisions and the Action Agenda to highlight voluntary commitments. As global crises like forced migration, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss intensify, the stakes for COP16 could not be higher.
The Scale of the Crisis
Desertification and land degradation impact 3.2 billion people worldwide. According to the World Migration Report 2024, over 216 million people could be internally displaced by 2050 due to climate-related factors, including the loss of arable land. Droughts, which have increased by 29 percent since 2000, are now a leading cause of forced migration, particularly in regions where farming is already precarious.
The economic consequences are catastrophic. Land degradation has resulted in losses amounting to $11 trillion. Achieving land-degradation neutrality by 2030 requires the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land—an ambitious but necessary target to ensure global food security and ecosystem resilience.
In regions like North Africa and the Middle East, erratic rainfall and declining groundwater levels are pushing rural communities to abandon agriculture, exacerbating urban pressures. The challenge is monumental, but instances of progress offer hope.
Progress Amidst Challenges
China stands out as a global leader in combating desertification through large-scale initiatives that integrate environmental restoration with sustainable development. The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), launched in 1978, exemplifies China’s commitment to combating desertification. As one of the world’s largest afforestation projects, the program aims to create an ecological shield covering 42 percent of China’s landmass by 2050.
Moreover, China’s innovative use of agricultural waste in “checkerboarding” techniques has stabilized sand dunes, particularly in regions like Wuwei City in the Tengger Desert. This approach has transformed vulnerable desert landscapes into stable ecosystems, halting desert progression.
Between 2012 and 2022, China restored 64 million hectares of degraded land, rehabilitated 12 million mu (approximately 800,000 hectares) of wetlands, and improved 165 million mu of grasslands. These achievements highlight a multifaceted approach to addressing environmental challenges, combining ecological restoration with economic development.
China’s leadership extends beyond its borders. In collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, China has developed handbooks on coastal hazard mitigation and ecosystem restoration. These resources provide practical guidance for restoring ecosystems worldwide, from salt marshes to sandy coasts.
In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, desertification poses an existential threat, yet regional collaboration offers a model for progress. The NENA Regional Restoration Pledge and Investment Framework, developed by the UNCCD in partnership with several UN agencies and the League of Arab States, seeks to address land degradation while creating sustainable jobs and unlocking economic opportunities.
By integrating land restoration with sustainable development goals, the framework underscores the importance of collective action. It demonstrates how regional partnerships can amplify impact, particularly in areas where individual nations may lack the resources to combat desertification independently.
As COP16 approaches, the global community stands at a crossroads. The conference offers a pivotal opportunity to unite efforts, share innovative solutions, and commit to tangible actions that will shape the future of our planet. The challenges are immense, but with collaboration and determination, a sustainable future is within reach.
Reference(s):
Riyadh Action Agenda at COP16: A new era of global cooperation
cgtn.com
