Marrakech: Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Champion for COP28, emphasized the critical need for collective action to meet the global goals for 2030, which include reclaiming and developing at least 350 million hectares of degraded land and ensuring a systematic qualitative shift in land use, food, energy, and industry systems to protect Earth’s ecosystems. This message was delivered during her speech at the event organized by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, titled ‘Achieving a Paradigm Shift in Land Use: Developing Land and Protecting Ecosystems to Support Nature by 2030.’
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Mubarak highlighted the significance of this stage in global climate efforts, noting the concurrent meetings of the parties under the three Rio Conventions on biodiversity, climate, and desertification this year. She underscored the importance of channeling global climate action to support the ‘Climate Breakthroughs for 2030’, which offer a crucial path for progress in implementing la
nd-based climate solutions, aligned with the ‘Global Biodiversity Framework’ aiming to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
Al Mubarak, alongside High-Level Champion Nigar, is committed to collaborating with leading non-state actors and the Marrakesh Partnership to expedite the transition away from fossil fuels, enhance nature restoration, and boost financial flows for ground-level actions. COP28, she said, represents a pivotal moment in acknowledging the essential role of nature in combating climate change, marked by a global consensus on achieving zero deforestation by 2030. However, she acknowledged that current progress is insufficient, with deforestation rates rising by 2% last year, instead of the required 10% reduction.
The UN Climate Champion stressed the necessity of restoring at least 350 million hectares of degraded land to safeguard livelihoods, enhance carbon sequestration, and generate up to $9 trillion in ecosystem services. Presently, global efforts are falling short, with only 6.5 millio
n hectares of tree cover being restored annually against the needed 22 million hectares per year. Al Mubarak warned of the risk of irreversible ecological damage if action is not taken.
She advocated for nature-based solutions grounded in scientific evidence and traditional ecological knowledge to drive effective actions and implementations. However, she noted that existing monitoring and accountability systems for these solutions are inadequate. Establishing rigorous frameworks to track progress is critical to achieving the 2030 restoration and deforestation targets, to avoid making empty promises.
Al Mubarak also called for systemic transformation in land use systems for a nature-positive 2030, requiring breaking down silos and strengthening the science-policy-practice interface. This transformation demands collective collaboration among policymakers, investors, financial institutions, businesses, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and grassroots communities.
While acknowledging the power of knowledge and c
ollaboration, Al Mubarak pointed out that overcoming resistance and vested interests is crucial. Transforming food, energy, and industry systems is vital to protect terrestrial ecosystems. She emphasized the role of Indigenous Peoples, who, despite representing less than 5% of the global population, manage one-quarter of Earth’s terrestrial surface and 37% of natural lands. Inclusion and recognition of their rights in nature-based solutions are essential.
She concluded by stressing the importance of acting on all levers of change while the three Rio Conventions hold their COPs this year. Scientific evidence shows that non-state actors, driven by nature-based solutions, can address these interconnected crises. The 2030 Climate Breakthroughs, with clear mitigation and adaptation goals, offer a vital pathway for advancing land-based climate solutions aligned with the “30×30” target.
Al Mubarak concluded by stating that now is the time to enhance these efforts with adequate and accessible financing and strong s
cientific foundations, working closely with communities on the ground.
