The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Riyadh with a focus on the theme, “Our Land, Our Future.” The conference underscored the urgent need to address land degradation, which threatens the stability of seven out of nine planetary boundaries, posing a significant challenge to the Earth’s sustainability.
During the event, John Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, presented a special report highlighting land restoration as a key strategy for stabilising planetary boundaries. Major outcomes included the introduction of the Global Drought Resilience Partnership and the Global Drought and Resilience Fund, as well as defining regenerative agriculture practices aimed at combating land degradation.
Among the initiatives showcased at COP16 was Meghalaya’s pioneering approach to sustainable land management. Represented by Joint Secretary Gunanka D.B., the state shared its comprehensive three-pronged strategy, which involves:
- Community Engagement: Empowering local communities as primary stakeholders in natural resource management.
- Technology Integration: Using advanced tools to innovate and monitor restoration projects.
- Adaptability: Customising solutions to address region-specific challenges.
Meghalaya’s initiatives focus on Payment for Ecosystem Services, organic and natural farming, land reclamation using Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, water security enhancement, bamboo resource management, and the restoration of degraded landscapes.
Earthbanc AB also presented its innovative methodologies for making land restoration economically viable. Using geospatial data science and AI, Earthbanc monitors critical indicators such as soil organic carbon, land cover, and productivity. These tools help in the development of Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects, which create pathways for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)-based carbon credits.
Rishabh Khanna, CEO of Earthtree, a subsidiary of Earthbanc, stressed the importance of land restoration within the global sustainability framework. “Despite its critical importance, less than 1% of global carbon financing is directed towards land restoration. Accurate and credible Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems are essential to meet investor demands,” he stated.
A collaborative effort between Earthbanc and the Meghalaya government, the Regeneration Meghalaya project aims to restore degraded landscapes through regenerative agroforestry. Over the next four decades, the project seeks to:
- Enhance land cover and productivity.
- Boost annual income for local communities.
- Conserve critical habitats within a global biodiversity hotspot.
- Sequester carbon at scale through landscape restoration.
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This initiative aligns sustainable development with carbon sequestration and aims to establish a global model for landscape restoration.
COP16 served as a crucial platform for policymakers, scientists, and innovators to align strategies for addressing land degradation and ensuring a sustainable future. The contributions of Meghalaya and Earthbanc were recognised as exemplary efforts in tackling this global challenge and advancing the vision of a resilient planet.
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