Living Land: New FAO publication explores how legal frameworks can support sustainable land management – Food and Agriculture Organization

FAO Launches “Living Land” Publication to Promote Sustainable Land Management in Support of SDGs

Introduction

In observance of the 2025 Desertification and Drought Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released Living Land – Taking a sustainable land management approach in law. This publication was developed by the Development Law Service of the FAO Legal Office and the Land and Water Division, in collaboration with the land rights organization Landesa.

Significance of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Legal Frameworks

The publication emphasizes the pivotal role of legal frameworks in enabling sustainable land management (SLM) and combating land degradation, especially in agricultural areas. These areas represent over 60 percent of human-induced degraded land globally.

As demand for land and natural resources grows, SLM provides an integrated solution to:

1. Promote sustainable agricultural production and productivity
2. Protect ecosystems
3. Support rural livelihoods

The publication offers practical legal guidance aligned with international law and standards, assisting governments and stakeholders in adopting legal and regulatory measures that empower tenure rights holders and responsible authorities to implement SLM practices effectively.

Legal Domains and Policy Coordination for SLM

Living Land explores the alignment of various legal domains to enhance SLM, including:

• Land tenure
• Soil conservation
• Environmental impact assessment
• Forest law
• Water governance
• Spatial planning

The publication addresses both sectoral and cross-cutting legal challenges, stressing the necessity for coherent and coordinated policies and regulations across different sectors and levels of government to support sustainable land use.

Practical Guidance and Innovative Legal Tools

Structured as a practical reference guide, the publication includes dedicated chapters on 13 legal areas and draws on legal instruments from countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and Zambia. It highlights innovative legal tools that can scale up land restoration and resilience-building efforts, including:

• Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
• Reforestation incentives
• Inclusive governance models

Inclusive Legal Reform and Community Engagement

The publication underscores the importance of inclusive legal reform by advocating for the meaningful involvement of:

• Local communities
• Indigenous Peoples
• Women
• Youth

in decision-making and implementation processes related to land management.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Living Land provides concrete legal approaches to prevent, halt, and reverse land degradation, thereby contributing significantly to global objectives, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The publication supports the achievement of the Land Degradation Neutrality target, which is integral to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and intersects with goals related to poverty eradication, food security, climate action, and sustainable communities.

Access to the Publication

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1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article focuses on sustainable land management, land degradation, and restoration, which are core aspects of SDG 15.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • By promoting sustainable agricultural production and productivity, the article connects to SDG 2.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Water governance and protection of ecosystems mentioned in the article relate to SDG 6.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Land restoration and resilience building contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The emphasis on legal frameworks, inclusive governance, and tenure rights relates to SDG 16.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 15
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
2. SDG 2
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
3. SDG 6
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
4. SDG 13
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
5. SDG 16
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 15.3
   • Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area (implied through focus on land degradation and restoration).
2. Indicator for SDG 2.4
   • Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (implied by sustainable land management practices).
3. Indicator for SDG 6.6
   • Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time (implied by water governance and ecosystem protection).
4. Indicator for SDG 13.1
   • Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies (implied through resilience building).
5. Indicators for SDG 16.7 and 16.3
   • Proportion of positions in public institutions filled by women, youth, and indigenous peoples (implied by inclusive governance emphasis).
   • Existence of legal frameworks supporting tenure rights and participatory decision-making (implied by legal reforms and governance models).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fao.org