Land

Life on land is increasingly under threat. Tackling the unprecedented challenges people and planet face as landscapes are transformed is vital to IUCN’s Nature 2030 Programme.

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Biodiversity is vanishing faster than at any other time in human history. Around one quarter of species in assessed animal and plant groups are now threatened with extinction. Approximately three quarters of land surface is significantly altered, mostly for food production and forestry. One third of land is degraded or degrading, which harms biodiversity and jeopardises essential ecosystem services such as carbon storage. The growing impact of cities and infrastructure exacerbates these pressures, increasing the risk of extinctions and the breakdown of ecosystems.

Our Ambition

By 2030, the status of biodiversity is stabilised across intact landscapes, areas where economic activities take place, and urban environments. Conventional models of land and natural resource exploitation, and perverse incentives including property rights without recognition of environmental obligations, are replaced by integrated conservation and sustainable use frameworks that effectively respect and balance the needs of people and nature.

Impact Targets
1

Ecosystems are retained and restored, species are conserved and recovered, and key biodiversity areas are safeguarded.

2

Thriving production landscapes are sustainable, and nature’s value and benefits are safeguarded in the long term.

3

Nature and people thrive in cities while delivering solutions for urban challenges and a sustainable ecological footprint.

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Other Nature 2030 priorities