Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366566
Research Project: Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Land restoration for achieving the sustainable development goals

Author
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff
item ABRAHAMSE, T - Retired Non ARS Employee
item ABHILASH, P - Banaras Hindu University
item ALI, S - University Of Delaware
item ALVAREZ-TORRES, P - University Of Lisbon
item BARAU, A - Non ARS Employee
item BRANQUINHO, C - University Of Lisbon
item CHHATRE, A - Banaras Hindu University
item CHOTTE, J - Institute For Research And Development (IRD)
item COWIE, A - Nsw Department Of Primary Industries

Submitted to: United Nations Environment Programs (UNEP)
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2019
Publication Date: 9/5/2019
Citation: Herrick, J.E., Abrahamse, T., Abhilash, P.C., Ali, S., Alvarez-Torres, P., Barau, A.S., Branquinho, C., Chhatre, A., Chotte, J.L., Cowie, A.L. 2019. Land restoration for achieving the sustainable development goals. United Nations Environment Programs (UNEP). 135 p.

Interpretive Summary: This approximately 100 page review/synthesis is an product of the United Nations Environment Program's (UNEP) "International Resources Panel". This synthesis is published by UNEP as a Panel document.

Technical Abstract: Some 25 per cent of the world’s land is degraded. Land restoration and rehabilitation together represent one of three primary strategies for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 (Life on land), and particularly for meeting the land degradation neutrality target (15.3). This International Resource Panel (IRP) Think Piece explores the extent to which land restoration can also help to achieve other Sustainable Development Goals. The other two strategies – avoiding and reducing land degradation – may also have co-benefits, in addition to avoiding future costs of restoration or rehabilitation. The following conclusions are derived from individual chapters addressing each of the SDGs, together synthetic chapters: 1. Land restoration and rehabilitation can have significant co-benefits for all SDGs. 2. The extent of restoration co-benefits, and potential risks and trade-offs, vary widely among the SDGs and their respective targets. 3. The co-benefits of the restoration process are often very different to that of the restored land, and often work at different temporal scales. 4. Quantitative and qualitative modelling, including scenario development, at local to global scales, can help guide future investments. 5. An integrated landscape approach, including targeting investments, is key to increasing the total return on land restoration investments. Strategies to maximize cross-cutting opportunities across SDGs. Strategies to maximize cross-cutting opportunities for land restoration or rehabilitation across multiple SDGS include: (1) Complete holistic and systematic analyses to identify potential synergies and trade-offs. (2) Apply a landscape approach to planning and implementation – especially in landscapes with variable land potential. (3) Develop targeted solutions. (4) Invest in areas where persistence is likely.