Climate Change and Land: An IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems

This IPCC report highlights the importance of our lands as both a source and a sink for GHGs. It estimates that around 23% of total GHG emissions are derived from the way we currently use land (agriculture, forestry, and other uses), while natural land processes absorb 29% of total CO2 emissions. The report assesses how various aspects of land use contribute to climate change and describes how rising global temperatures are increasing the vulnerability of socio-ecological systems through increased water scarcity and soil erosion and by undermining food security.

The report outlines response options and highlights the vital importance of Nature-based Solutions, in particular curbing deforestation and forest degradation as well as implementing reforestation and afforestation. However, it warns that such climate solutions around land use must not compromise food security, biodiversity and compromise the delivery of vital ecosystem services. To maximise climate buffering from land use, the report argues for large scale changes in the way we produce and consume food. See the Summary for Policymakers.