UNEP outlines steps to restore degraded land
By Abdullahi Lukman
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has called for urgent global action to reverse land degradation, warning that more than two billion hectares of land worldwide have been damaged, affecting over three billion people and threatening biodiversity, food security and water resources.
In a new publication, We Are #Generation Restoration, UNEP outlined seven key measures governments, businesses and individuals can adopt to restore ecosystems and combat the effects of climate change, drought and desertification.
According to UNEP, forests, farmlands, savannahs, wetlands, peatlands and mountains are essential for sustaining life, providing food, water and raw materials. However, increasing land degradation and rising temperatures are placing immense pressure on these ecosystems.
Doreen Robinson, Deputy Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, said restoring damaged ecosystems is critical to humanity’s future and requires collective action from governments, businesses and citizens.
The agency identified sustainable agriculture as one of the most effective tools for ecosystem restoration. It urged governments to redirect agricultural subsidies towards environmentally friendly farming practices and support small-scale farmers.
Businesses were encouraged to develop climate-resilient crops and reduce excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, while consumers were advised to adopt more plant-based and locally sourced diets.
UNEP also stressed the importance of protecting soil health, describing soil as one of the planet’s most biodiverse habitats and a major carbon sink.
Recommended measures include organic farming, zero-tillage practices, composting and efficient irrigation systems to improve fertility and conserve moisture.
The report highlighted the need to safeguard pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds and bats, which play a crucial role in global food production.
It called for reduced pollution, responsible pesticide use and the preservation of natural habitats that support pollinator populations.
Freshwater ecosystems were identified as another priority area.
UNEP warned that rivers, lakes and wetlands are disappearing due to pollution, climate change and overexploitation.
The organisation urged countries to improve water management, restore degraded waterways and support initiatives such as the Freshwater Challenge aimed at accelerating ecosystem restoration by 2030.
The report further emphasised the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs and salt marshes, which provide livelihoods for billions of people while helping to mitigate climate change.
Governments were encouraged to strengthen pollution controls and implement global biodiversity commitments to protect these ecosystems.
UNEP also called for greater integration of nature into urban development. With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, the organisation recommended expanding urban forests, preserving water bodies and increasing rooftop and vertical gardens to improve biodiversity, reduce heat and enhance environmental resilience.
To support these efforts, UNEP stressed the need for increased investment in nature-based solutions. It estimated that global financing for ecosystem restoration must more than double to $542 billion annually by 2030 to meet climate, biodiversity and restoration targets.
The organisation urged governments, businesses and individuals to contribute by funding restoration projects, supporting sustainable enterprises and investing in innovative solutions that protect ecosystems and promote long-term environmental sustainability.
