All publications and documents

Land degradation and drought are silently eroding human health. Each year, an Egypt‑sized swath of fertile land is lost, fuelling malnutrition, respiratory disease and the spread of infections from cholera to Ebola. Drylands—already 40  per cent of Earth—see rising child stunting, dust‑borne illness and mental‑health crises as crops fail and water disappears…

The UNCCD SPI frequently meets to work collaborativly on the production of the scientific reports as mandated by the Committee of Science and Technology.

Global climate patterns in 2023 and 2024 set the stage for severe drought impacts worldwide that are continuing into 2025. This report identifies the regions of the world that were most severely affected by droughts in 2023–2024, with some continuing into 2025. By examining the intersection of climatic drivers and underlying vulnerabilities, this report aims to reinforce the continued…

What’s good for land is good for people and economies.  But humanity is degrading land at an alarming rate, costing the global economy nearly $880 billion every year — far more than the investments needed to tackle the problem.  Droughts are forcing people from their homes and inflaming food insecurity – the number of newly displaced people is at its highest…

Healthy land underpins thriving economies, with more than half of global GDP dependent on natural capital. Standing at 51 per cent, the soil’s nutrient cycling provides the largest contribution of the total value of all ecosystem services provided each year. Yet we are depleting this resource at an alarming rate— approximately one million square km of healthy and productive lands are becoming…

Land degradation is a critical issue in Mexico, worsened by climate change. Rural women and Indigenous Peoples, using ancestral practices, play key roles in soil care but still face insecure land access. A joint initiative by UNCCD, FAO, and Mexico aims to integrate land tenure security for women into land degradation neutrality goals. The 2024 National Dialogue engaged stakeholders to enhance…