All publications and documents

Quantification of land cover and vegetation state and its changes over time is of primary importance in satisfying the ever-increasing demand for reliable data and information to support studies, research and sustainable development policy at various scales. The availability of adequate information on land cover assessment and monitoring of its dynamics are essential requirements in understating…

Assessing land cover of our world’s natural resources contributes to promoting sustainable land resources management that increases production, makes efficient use of resources and sustains ecosystem services addressing food security and agro-environmental threats. FAO supports national, regional and global land resources assessments and databases, so that policies and decisions can be based on…

The links between the environment and the economy have risen on policy and academic agendas. This paper scopes out the linkages between resource degradation and socio economic outcomes, focusing on land and water degradation. ( Land for forest, land for agriculture, land for biodiversity, land for agriculture, land for human settlements). The overall research aims to address some of the…

The report -- the third in a series of analyses tracking the transition in statutory forest tenure since 2002 -- finds that not only has the recognition of local land rights slowed considerably since 2008, but the few land tenure laws that have been passed in the last six years are weaker and recognize fewer rights. This slowdown is particularly sobering given the high hopes that recent…

The report argues that integration of REDD+ into all economic planning processes is essential, as deforestation and forest degradation are driven by consumption patterns in virtually every sector of the economy. Green Economy innovations resulting from REDD+ have the potential to increase the resource efficiency of many of these sectors. The report outlines how integrating REDD+ programmes into…

This briefing paper identifies the major inequalities that persist in the water and sanitation sector today. It contrasts these inequalities with the latest data on Official Development Assistance and shows that the greatest volume of aid rarely goes to the places where there is the greatest need. The report, Bridging the divide, highlights that out of the world’s 48 poorest nations (categorised…