If we do not transform food systems it will be impossible to sustainably use our land and natural resources. Around 40% of all habitable land is used to produce food. This has come at the expense of nature, causing 80% of deforestation and 70% of biodiversity loss on land. Soil degradation has reduced the productivity of nearly a quarter of the global land surface, affected the well-being of about 3.2 billion people and cost about 10% of annual global gross domestic product in lost ecosystem services.  But food systems can be transformed from being the primary cause of degradation to the principle catalyst in restoration and recovery for a nature-positive future.

The UNCCD defines land degradation neutrality (LDN) as "a state whereby the amount and quality of resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhave food security remains stable or increases." Over 100 countries have set LDN targets, to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation at scale, with one billion hectares promised to be restored through quantitiative commitments under the Rio Conventions and the Bonn Challenge. But this is only possible if we transform the way we produce food - by tackling supply-side issues, changing food production practices, but also demand-side drivers like consumption and food loss and waste.

At the same time, restoring arable and pasture land is critical to food security. Our ability to produce healthy and nutritious food declines when land is degraded. We are pushing for the stronger inclusion of food systems in LDN targets, for the benefit of people and nature, but also for improved alignment across LDN targets, the Global Biodiversity Framework and Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement. Ecosystem restoration is key to delivering all these goals, with food systems an essential component for sustianable land use.