Addressing Land Degradation for a Sustainable Future – Food and Agriculture Organization

Report on Land Degradation and its Implications for the Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), referenced as the #SOFA2025 interactive story, highlights a critical global challenge: land degradation is actively undermining food security and sustainable development. Approximately 1.7 billion people reside in areas where diminishing crop yields due to land degradation pose a direct threat. This report analyzes the profound impact of this issue on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and outlines the broader consequences for the 2030 Agenda.

The Direct Impact of Land Degradation on Key SDGs

Threat to SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Land degradation directly compromises the global objective of achieving Zero Hunger. The reduction in agricultural productivity has severe consequences:

• It diminishes food availability for local populations, increasing the risk of malnutrition and famine.
• It threatens the livelihoods of small-scale farmers who depend on productive land for their sustenance and income.
• It jeopardizes the stability of food supply chains, affecting nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

Violation of SDG 15: Life on Land

The persistence of land degradation is in direct opposition to the targets set forth in SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, it undermines Target 15.3, which calls for achieving a land degradation-neutral world by 2030. The continued loss of fertile land exacerbates desertification, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse.

Broader Ramifications for the 2030 Agenda

Socio-Economic Consequences

The effects of land degradation extend beyond environmental concerns, creating significant socio-economic barriers to sustainable development.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): By reducing agricultural output, land degradation entrenches rural poverty and limits economic opportunities for vulnerable communities.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The decline of the agricultural sector in affected regions leads to job losses and economic instability, hindering progress towards sustainable economic growth.

Environmental and Climate Implications

Degraded land loses its capacity to perform essential ecosystem functions, with far-reaching environmental consequences.

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Healthy soil is a critical carbon sink. Land degradation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The process of degradation impairs the land’s ability to filter water and regulate water flows, leading to water scarcity and reduced water quality.

Strategic Pathways to a Sustainable Future

Recommendations for Action

Addressing land degradation is imperative for achieving the SDGs. A multi-faceted approach is required, focusing on restoration, sustainable management, and policy integration.

1. Promote Sustainable Land Management (SLM): Implement agricultural practices that conserve soil health, improve water efficiency, and enhance biodiversity, directly supporting SDG 2 and SDG 15.
2. Invest in Land Restoration: Scale up initiatives for reforestation, soil rehabilitation, and ecosystem restoration to reverse degradation and contribute to SDG 13 by increasing carbon sequestration.
3. Strengthen Governance and Policy: Develop and enforce policies that protect land rights, incentivize sustainable practices, and integrate land degradation neutrality targets into national development plans.
4. Foster Global Partnerships (SDG 17): Enhance international cooperation to share knowledge, technology, and financial resources dedicated to combating desertification and restoring degraded land.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on land degradation directly addresses and connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most direct SDG connection. The article’s central theme is “addressing land degradation,” which is a core component of SDG 15. The goal aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article explicitly links land degradation to food security by stating it is “cutting crop yields and threatening food security.” SDG 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Addressing land degradation is crucial for maintaining the agricultural productivity needed to achieve this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 15.3 (under SDG 15)

  This target aims to “by 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.” The article’s entire focus on “tackling land degradation” aligns perfectly with the objective of this target.

• Target 2.4 (under SDG 2)

  This target seeks to “by 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality.” The article’s concern over “cutting crop yields” due to land degradation directly relates to the need for sustainable agricultural practices that improve soil quality and ensure food production, as outlined in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress, even if it does not cite the official UN indicator codes:

• Indicator for Target 15.3

  The article mentions that “nearly 1.7 billion people live in areas where land degradation is cutting crop yields.” This implies an indicator related to the human impact of land degradation. While the official indicator (15.3.1) is the “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area,” the article uses the number of people affected as a powerful, tangible metric to convey the scale of the problem.

• Indicator for Target 2.4

  The article’s statement about land degradation “cutting crop yields” directly points to crop yield or agricultural productivity as a key performance indicator. A decline in crop yields is a clear sign of unsustainable practices and degraded land, while an increase would signal progress towards Target 2.4.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fao.org