Global Scans · Life on Land · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss,

• [New] Ecosystems worldwide are on trajectories toward failure, with cascading risks for geopolitical stability, food and water systems, public health and global supply chains. Innovation Zero 2025
• [New] €30 billion will be needed for infrastructure, €21 billion for ecosystems and €12 billion for food security. Portal of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Chang
• [New] The migration of population to cities is one of the factors driving agricultural land abandonment, which is expected to reach 4.2 million ha net over the period 2015-2030, bringing the total abandoned land to 5.6 million ha by 2030, the equivalent of 3% of total agricultural land. / UK Knowledge for policy
• [New] The Nuclear Scaling Initiative is a collaborative effort of Clean Air Task Force, the EFI Foundation, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative to build a new nuclear energy ecosystem that can quickly and economically scale to 50+ gigawatts of safe and secure nuclear energy globally per year by the 2030s. The Nuclear Threat Initiative
• [New] Woodside Energy and Recfishwest have collaborated to install the Dampier Artificial Reef off the Western Australian coast; a purpose-built reef designed to enhance marine biodiversity and create new recreational fishing opportunities in the Pilbara region. Ipieca
• [New] Unprecedented recognition of the ocean as a global system essential for climate regulation, biodiversity and human well-being brings hope for constructive action. SEI
• [New] The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming places in North America, threatening the future of its coastal forest ecosystems. Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability So
• [New] Climate change poses a critical threat to forest ecosystems, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Nature
• [New] The International Union for Conservation of Nature has repeatedly warned about the loss of biodiversity in conflict areas, particularly isolated, insular ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to exploitation during periods of weak governance. Ediciones EL PAIS S.L.
• [New] Significant disruption to international markets as a result of ecosystem degradation or collapse will put UK food security at risk. World Energy Data
• [New] Some ecosystems, such as coral reefs and boreal forests, may begin collapsing from around 2030, with rainforests and mangroves potentially following from 2050. Altiorem
• [New] Ecosystem degradation is highly likely to continue beyond 2050. Altiorem
• [New] With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, pressure on land, water and ecosystems will intensify. Altiorem
• [New] Severe degradation or collapse would likely result in water insecurity, sharply reduced crop yields, fisheries collapse, loss of arable land, altered global weather patterns, release of stored carbon and heightened pandemic risk. Altiorem
• [New] Degradation is widespread, with potential ecosystem collapse from 2030-2050, intensifying migration, conflict, supply chain disruption and strategic competition without decisive intervention. / UK Altiorem
• [New] Africa holds over 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, yet contributes less than 10% of global agricultural output highlighting the scale of opportunity ahead. Indepth Research Institute
• [New] India's participation is a milestone as a total of 161 exhibitors will showcase India's agri-food ecosystem. PendulumEdu
• [New] By 2026, Hanoi aims to have over 1,000 supporting industry enterprises by the end of 2026 and approximately 1,200 by 2030, gradually forming a production ecosystem that connects domestic and FDI enterprises. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
• [New] Fundo Pucheguin will become part of a 4-million-acre swath of conservation land across Chile and Argentina - a victory for nature, people and wildlife. Patagonia Works
• [New] The carbon dioxide removal industry - tied to biodiversity and nature-based solutions - could grow to $1.2 trillion by 2050. Council Fire
• [New] Invasive plants threaten native plant health and biodiversity in both agricultural and natural systems in Maryland. Maryland.gov Enterprise Agency Template

Last updated: 01 February 2026