Global land restoration falls far short of pledged targets, IUCN report shows

According to a study released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, nations have restored approximately 124.3 million hectares of degraded terrain under UN-supported initiatives, a modest share of the 1.2 billion-hectare target outlined in four United Nations frameworks. The report notes that land degradation—exacerbated by wildfires, drought and climate-induced changes—impairs food production, water supplies and employment, with the UN estimating that up to 40% of the planet’s land is affected and Mongolia facing nearly 77% degradation due to overgrazing and desertification.

The publication coincides with a conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, scheduled to run through August 28, focusing on restoration as part of broader UN efforts to combat drought and desertification. IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar emphasized that restoration offers both biodiversity protection and economic returns, describing it as a smart investment. The study underscores the gap between current restoration achievements and the ambitious targets set for around 2030.