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] Many models used to map paths for stabilizing global temperatures assume northern forests will be used more heavily, especially for bioenergy. SciTechDaily
• [New] Land allocation for Kazakh citizens will continue to be regulated under existing legislation. The Astana Times
• [New] For the first time in more than 40 years, rhinos are roaming Uganda's Kidepo Valley national park again thanks to a conservation effort that will help restore the wider ecosystem. Positive News
• [New] An additional area of land twice the size of Wales will be needed by 2050 to meet the UK's targets for net zero and biodiversity alone. farminguk
• [New] Nature-positive means halting and reversing biodiversity loss so that nature is in a measurably better state by 2030 than it was in 2020. Voice of Environment
• [New] The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation identifies biodiversity loss as one of the most significant long-term threats to global food system stability. Voice of Environment
• [New] The GBF introduces the concept of nature-positive development, a paradigm shift from slowing biodiversity loss to actively reversing it by 2030 and achieving full recovery by 2050. Voice of Environment
• [New] By 2026, spodumene mining could affect over 15,000 hectares of agricultural and forest land globally. Farmonaut
• [New] Forest Fire Risk: Drought significantly increases the frequency and severity of forest fires, particularly in temperate forests in states like Durango and Chihuahua. The Yucatan Times
• [New] By 2040, farmers here will have to cut their groundwater use by anywhere from half to three-quarters, which means they will probably have to stop growing crops on most of their land. NPR
• [New] Deep sea mining threatens one of the planet's most important and fragile ecosystems with large-scale and irreversible destruction. Greenpeace
• [New] As global agriculture transitions toward climate-resilient production systems, regenerative agriculture is expected to play a critical role in restoring degraded land, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable rural economies. openpr
• [New] Global agricultural land values are projected to rise by 8% by 2026, reflecting increased focus on sustainability and climate resilience. Farmonaut
• [New] Strengthening circular ecosystems in Latin America will be crucial for reducing single-use plastics and cutting reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastic resins. ScrapMonster
• [New] Six critical ecosystem regions - including the Amazon Rainforest - could collapse by mid-century, threatening the security of the UK and other countries. Deutsche Welle
• The scope of inheritance tax will be expanded so that UK agricultural land will always be subject to inheritance tax, even if it is held through a non-UK entity. Baker McKenzie
• By 2026, US lithium mining is projected to affect over 150,000 acres of rural and forestry land. Farmonaut
• Land overlap: Over 150,000 acres of rural and forestry lands are projected to be directly impacted by lithium mining activities by 2026. / USA Farmonaut
• The Department of Energy has projected more than 10 million acres of land will be needed for solar farms by 2050. DTN Progressive Farmer
• The long-term implications of the shifting weather patterns could be profound, potentially leading to the collapse of entire ecosystems, disruptions to global supply chains, and significant economic and social upheaval. UPI News
• Extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, and critical change to Earth systems rank among the most severe long-term risks. Newswise
• Any illegal fishing within its marine protected area is not only a violation of Guinean law, but a direct threat to biodiversity, and local communities' food and livelihoods. The Guardian
• Coordinated national efforts will be essential to mitigate the long-term impacts on Turkey's biodiversity and ecosystems. Blog |

Last updated: 23 March 2026