In a recent United Nations report released on Monday, troubling findings revealed that over 75% of the world’s land has undergone permanent drying in the past three decades. This concerning trend has been attributed to increasing temperatures and the exacerbation of drought conditions due to climate change. The report was unveiled during the COP16 summit on desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where global leaders convened to address this pressing issue.
Led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the summit’s primary objective is to reclaim 1.5 billion hectares of desertified land by the year 2030. This ambitious goal comes with a hefty price tag of $2.6 trillion, earmarked for the restoration of salvageable lands and the protection of regions at risk of further degradation.
A representative from the UNCCD expressed relief at the report’s findings, stating that it dispels any lingering uncertainty surrounding global drying trends. The loss of arable land resulting from desertification poses an existential threat to billions of people worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for action.
The report highlighted that a staggering 2.3 billion individuals reside in expanding drylands, with countries such as South Sudan, Tanzania, and China bearing the brunt of the impact. Saudi Arabia, as the host nation of the summit, finds itself in a peculiar position following accusations of obstructing key resolutions at the recent COP29 climate conference.
Despite being the world’s largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia is not immune to the effects of desertification, given its vast desert landscapes. The kingdom’s precarious exposure to this environmental threat has prompted some observers to note a potential shift in its stance on climate issues.
While Riyadh has been reluctant to directly link desertification to climate change, observers warn that evading this connection could lead to increased international scrutiny. The country’s environment minister emphasized that COP16’s focus extends beyond Saudi Arabia to encompass global challenges, signaling a broader perspective on the issue at hand.
In line with previous climate conferences, COP16 delegates are engaged in negotiations over funding for land restoration and desertification prevention in severely affected countries. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of UNCCD, stressed the need for a reevaluation of private and public investments in land protection, noting the critical role of the private sector in addressing land degradation.
As the summit grapples with ambitious targets, experts caution against expecting immediate solutions to the complex challenges posed by desertification. The Sahel region, among the most vulnerable to desertification, has experienced a surge in instability, with ongoing conflicts exacerbating the environmental crisis.
African countries in the region have faced a cascade of challenges, including political upheaval and the diversion of significant portions of national budgets to address climate emergencies. Initiatives like the Great Green Wall reforestation project, aimed at combatting desertification in the Sahel, are struggling to maintain momentum in the face of mounting obstacles.
