UN warns land degradation threatens livelihoods of 3.2 billion people

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has warned of increasing land degradation and drought worldwide, stating that around 40% of the planet’s land is affected, threatening the livelihoods of approximately 3.2 billion people.

Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the Convention, told the 17th Conference of the Parties in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, that land is fundamental to food and water security and stability. She cautioned that the consequences of land degradation are already directly impacting food, water, economies, and communities.

Major economic losses and risks to livestock

The United Nations reported that land degradation and drought cost the global economy about $900 billion each year. Droughts alone, which have increased by roughly a third since 2000, cause annual losses estimated at $300 billion.

The UN also noted that around 2 billion people rely on rangelands for food and livelihoods, with these lands supplying about 70% of the world’s livestock feed.

Calls for greater international cooperation and closing the funding gap

The two-week 17th Conference of the Parties is discussing measures to strengthen drought resilience, support sustainable agriculture, and protect soil, including developing early warning systems, risk assessments, and boosting international cooperation.

The Convention also stated that around $355 billion is needed annually to restore land and improve drought resilience, compared to current investments of just $77 billion, leaving a funding gap of $278 billion each year.