UN calls for billions in investment: This is how we save our soil!

UN calls for billions in investment: This is how we save our soil!

On June 20, 2025, the UN called on international communities to make significant investments in restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land. This call is part of a comprehensive plan to secure a sustainable future and combat ongoing land degradation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the global economy will be costed $880 billion annually if land degradation continues. By 2050, an additional area of ​​16 million square kilometers could be degraded if no targeted measures are taken.

On the same day, global Desertification and Drought Day celebrations were held in Bogotá, Colombia, under the theme "Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities". UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw highlighted the benefits of revitalizing soils, particularly as the world's population grows. UNCCD analysis shows that restoring 1 billion hectares could potentially generate up to $1.8 trillion annually, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.

Causes of land degradation

The causes of increasing land degradation are diverse. The main factors include deforestation, unsustainable agriculture and urban sprawl, which are further exacerbated by climate change. In sub-Saharan Africa, South and West Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, degradation is progressing faster than the global average. Particularly alarming is the fact that about 70 percent of the world's ice-free land has been altered, according to a report from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The negative changes in the provision of ecosystem services, which include, but are not limited to, biological, water and land-related social and economic services, are profound. Over three billion people have already been affected by the impacts, largely due to intensive agriculture. The forecast of 32 billion tonnes of carbon lost from soils between 2015 and 2030 highlights the urgency of reversing degradation.

Global goals and challenges

The challenges are enormous: achieving global land restoration goals by 2030 requires daily investments of $1 billion. This could represent a significant change in the fight against land degradation. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes particularly strongly to the global problem, as it accounts for 45% of the world's degraded land. More than 440 million hectares are already earmarked for land restoration projects to promote sustainable agriculture and watershed projects.

Additionally, Latin America and the Caribbean have set over 220 million hectares as a restoration target. West Asia and North Africa follow with more than 150 million hectares earmarked for restoration. Colombia itself has 30% of its territory affected by land degradation, with more than 560,000 hectares currently being restored.

The need to combat land degradation and promote sustainable practices is becoming increasingly undeniable. The dialogue and actions currently being initiated at the global level offer the hope of a fairer and more sustainable future for generations to come. For further information on this topic, those interested can: Sunny side and Welthungerhilfe consult.