Our Scans · (LF.15) 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] The additions to South Australia's park network align with the state and federal governments' 30 by 30 commitment, which aims to protect 30% of Australia's landmass and marine areas by 2030 in an effort to halt further biodiversity loss. Department for Environment and Water
• [New] Pollution, including from chemicals, is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and is an increasingly relevant global risk. ShareAction
• [New] With more than half of the world's GDP highly or moderately dependent on nature and biodiversity, ecosystem losses pose a systemic risk to companies and their shareholders. ShareAction
• [New] A 2025 study of Australia's east coast found that by avoiding just 30% of the most ecologically important land, up to 90% of habitat for threatened species could be protected. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Ecosystems in Palau are of great value yet under threat. The Times Of India
• [New] Denver-based Lux Aeterna announced its plan to land its inaugural reusable satellite at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, following an early 2027 launch on a SpaceX rideshare mission. KeepTrack
• [New] By using InSAR to track land subsidence caused by aquifer depletion in New Mexico, as well as slow ground movement related to the rift and deep magma body inflation beneath Socorro, researchers can help state officials better plan for future risks. ScienceDaily
• [New] New Jersey finalized updates to land use and development standards to protect communities and ecosystems from growing risks, particularly inland and coastal flooding. Governing
• [New] The global production of 460 million tonnes of plastic annually, with 20 million leaking into the environment, is expected to grow sharply by 2040, causing climate change and loss of biodiversity, and ecosystems. ET Edge Insights
• [New] Africa holds some of the richest biodiversity on Earth, but that also means we face higher risks if we keep losing natural habitats. Businessday NG
• [New] Tourism destinations around the world face increasing challenges from climate change, whether it's rising sea levels, extreme weather events, or disruptions to biodiversity. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the United Nation sets a reduction target of 50% for overall pesticide risks by 2030. Nature
• [New] 1,000 dead and close to 1 million displaced from rains as a report points at the threat posed by climate change and ecosystem decline across Asia. Al Jazeera
• [New] Changing climate patterns, unpredictable rainfall, and water scarcity are no longer hypothetical risks - they are reality for farmers and land managers worldwide. Farmonaut
• [New] Building back soil health takes years, and in the US, land must be free of any chemical residues for at least three years before the USDA will even consider certifying it for organic production. AgFunderNews
• [New] By 2030, the global goal is to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. Credibl ESG
• [New] In Colombia, CAFOD is supporting human rights defenders and Indigenous communities in the unique ecosystem of the Siera Nevada de Santa Marta where they are at risk of physical and cultural survival due the ongoing armed conflict and the illicit economies that fuel it, as well as climate change. cafod.org.uk
• [New] A critical component to the Sustainable CAP program is the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program a five-year, $56.7 million program that supports land uses that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. Ontario.ca
• [New] The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, a five-year, $56.7 million program funded through Sustainable CAP that supports land uses that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. Ontario.ca
• [New] Large, localized investments by global tech firms produce ecosystems where startups and incumbents can innovate faster, creating regional winners that could export solutions globally. News, Events, Advertising Options
• [New] Land transport is expected to grow only 0.3% in 2026 after a modest 0.4% increase in 2025. / USA atradius
• [New] The Forestry Commission is keen to work with farmers, land managers and communities to help manage existing woodlands to make them more resilient to threats such as wildfire, pests and diseases. GOV.UK

Last updated: 29 December 2025