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This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the evolution of international land governance, focusing on the transition from top-down desertification efforts to the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It details the drivers of land degradation, the role of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the socio-economic barriers—such as land tenure and gender inequality—that hinder restoration efforts.

This case study document describes the Land Accelerator South Asia program, a World Resources Institute (WRI) initiative launched in 2020 to support entrepreneurs developing sustainable business models for restoring degraded forests and farmlands. The document details the program's growth from a 2020 cohort of 15 businesses to a 2021 cohort of 58, and provides detailed profiles of 11 specific restoration startups operating across India and Sri Lanka.

The 2020 assessment of NYDF Goal 5 finds that the target of restoring 150 million hectares of forest by 2020 is not on track, with only 18% of the goal met since 2000. While some Central American countries like El Salvador and Costa Rica show net tree cover gains, others like Nicaragua and Honduras show net losses. The report highlights significant challenges in monitoring restoration due to satellite data limitations and emphasizes the need for better financial transparency and planning to scale forest landscape restoration (FLR).

This case study by Natural Justice describes the illegal expansion of salt pans by Kurawa Industries Limited in Magarini Sub County, Kilifi County, Kenya. The expansion has caused water salinity that destroyed the coconut crops of a local family, while government agencies and the company have failed to provide licenses, permits, or compensation reports, a situation exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Bellagio Statement, published in March 2019 by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP), outlines a strategic framework for transforming food systems in vulnerable and fragile regions. It identifies three critical action areas—halting land degradation, promoting diverse food landscapes, and linking food system resilience to regional stability—to address rising global food insecurity and meet climate mitigation targets.

This guide, prepared by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), and SouthSouthNorth (SSN), translates the findings of the 2019 IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land specifically for African policymakers. It examines the bidirectional relationship between land and climate, the risks of desertification in arid zones, and the resulting impacts on food security and poverty. The document outlines sustainable land management techniques, the importance of gender-inclusive policies, and the need for integrated governance to enhance resilience across the continent.

This guide, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and partners, distils the 2019 IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land specifically for decision-makers in Latin America. It examines the reciprocal relationship between land and climate, the risks of desertification and land degradation to food security and livelihoods, and the potential for sustainable land management and integrated governance to mitigate these threats.

This guide, prepared by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and partners, distils the IPCC's Special Report on Climate Change and Land specifically for decision-makers in South Asia. It examines the reciprocal relationship between climate change and land degradation, the specific vulnerabilities of South Asian drylands, and the socio-economic implications for food security and livelihoods. The document outlines sustainable land management practices, the role of gender and marginalised groups in adaptation, and the necessity of integrated governance and cross-sectoral emissions reductions to protect land resources.

This guide, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and partners, translates the findings of the 2019 IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land specifically for policymakers in Latin America. It examines the reciprocal relationship between land and climate, the risks of desertification and land degradation in the region, and the socio-economic barriers—particularly gender inequality—that hinder sustainable land management. The document advocates for integrated governance and coordinated action across food systems to achieve climate mitigation and adaptation while ensuring food security.

This case study describes the use of community radio in Niger to promote farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR), a technique used to restore degraded land by nurturing old tree stumps and roots to improve soil fertility, water availability, and crop yields.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues for the mainstreaming of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in South Africa to address risks to food security, water supply, and rural employment. The document proposes a transition toward agro-ecology and conservation agriculture (CA) to restore degraded land and protect strategic water source areas, suggesting that these labour-intensive practices can create new jobs in a 'Catchment Economy' and within the biofuel sector.

This report assesses progress toward Goal 5 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to restore 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands by 2020 and an additional 200 million hectares by 2030. The assessment focuses on pledges made under the Bonn Challenge and commitments within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC.

This policy brief examines the challenges of managing natural resources in three Rwandan districts—Rutsiro, Bugesera, and Kirehe—amidst national goals to modernize agriculture and increase energy output. It highlights a critical tension between national development targets and local resource scarcity, particularly regarding water and woody biomass, and recommends tailored local actions supported by national policy and financial incentives to ensure sustainable growth.

This policy briefing examines the impact of invasive plant species on food security in Africa and advocates for the use of Earth Observation (EO) data to map and manage these species. It highlights gaps in current policy frameworks and recommends that international and regional bodies integrate EO tools to protect agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

This fact sheet by WWF South Africa outlines the organization's strategy to support smallholder farmers in adopting conservation and climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, restore natural landscapes, and meet national and international climate commitments.

This report provides an overview of climate change risks, vulnerable sectors, and adaptation policies in Burkina Faso, highlighting the government's efforts to mainstream climate considerations into priority sectors and the role of international funding.

This briefing describes the Restoration Diagnostic, a structured method developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) to identify key success factors (KSFs) necessary for the effective implementation of forest landscape restoration (FLR) projects.

This technical annex assesses progress toward Goal 5 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to restore 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands by 2020 and an additional 200 million hectares by 2030. The report uses restoration pledges from the Bonn Challenge and the UNFCCC's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) as proxies to measure progress toward these targets.

This research paper examines strategies to address biomass scarcity in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on moving from cycles of over-exploitation and degradation to sustainable production. Using the Lake Tana sub-basin in Ethiopia as a case study, the authors analyze the impact of supply and demand strategies, emphasizing the importance of soil productivity and integrated natural resource governance.

This case study examines the restoration of the Loess Plateau in north-central China between 1994 and 2005. The initiative, involving the Chinese government and the World Bank, focused on curbing soil erosion and improving food security through terracing, afforestation, and the 'Grain for Green' program. While the project achieved significant reductions in sediment runoff and increased per capita grain output, the document highlights long-term sustainability challenges related to species selection, water shortages, and the reliance on government subsidies.