UN Talks in Riyadh: Addressing Global Land Degradation and Aridity

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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has highlighted the alarming trend of global land degradation due to climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity. A recent UN report presented at the summit warns of dire consequences for biodiversity, agriculture, and human survival if these issues are not urgently addressed.

UN Report on Land Degradation:

Over three-quarters of the world’s land experienced drier conditions between 1970 and 2020 compared to the previous 30 years.
Drier climates are now irreversible, fundamentally altering ecosystems and redefining life on Earth.
By the end of the century, 5 billion people across regions like Europe, the western U.S., Brazil, eastern Asia, and central Africa could face severe drying conditions.
Currently, a quarter of the global population is already affected.
Water Scarcity: Increased evaporation due to rising global temperatures has reduced water availability for humans, plants, and animals.
Biodiversity Loss: Plant and animal species struggle to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Farming Productivity: Drier lands result in reduced crop yields and lower availability of food for livestock.

Food insecurity is likely to worsen globally, affecting vulnerable communities the most.

Degraded lands force communities to migrate, especially in southern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, exacerbating social and economic challenges.

Causes of Land Degradation:

Human-Caused Climate Change: Emissions from burning coal, oil, and gas are driving temperature increases, leading to more evaporation and reduced soil moisture.
Deforestation: The removal of trees exacerbates soil erosion and reduces the ability of land to retain water.
Unsustainable Water Usage: Over-extraction of groundwater and poor irrigation practices worsen arid conditions.

About Riyadh UNCCD (COP 16) Summit:

COP16 features a Negotiation Track for formal decisions and a parallel Action Agenda for voluntary commitments across thematic areas.
The summit, described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a “moonshot moment,” seeks to promote drought resilience and land restoration.
Discussions aim to build on agreements reached at the previous summit in Ivory Coast in 2022.
COP16 has seen its largest-ever attendance, including delegates from governments, private sectors, and civil society.
The summit emphasizes achieving land and drought goals as a critical step toward global climate and biodiversity targets.
Saudi Arabia launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, aiming to mobilize public and private finance to assist 80 of the most vulnerable and drought-affected countries.

About the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):

Adopted in 1994, it is the only legally binding international agreement connecting environmental management to sustainable land use.
Objective: Aims to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD) while promoting land degradation neutrality (LDN) and improving livelihoods globally.
Scope: Focuses on areas vulnerable to DLDD, particularly arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions.
Key Initiatives:
- LDN: Encourages countries to maintain a balance between degraded and restored land.
- Science-Policy Interface (SPI): Supports data-driven policymaking.
- Global Collaboration: Engages with organizations like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to promote capacity building and effective land management practices.