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UNDP highlights land restoration as more than an environmental priority—it can also be a peace building and resilience tool in communities facing climate stress, resource scarcity and conflict.
The article points to several examples:
Central Asia: In the Ferghana Valley, spanning Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, water scarcity, glacier melt and soil degradation are increasing pressure on farmers and herders. Restoration of pastures, reforestation, riverbed protection and water-efficient irrigation are being used to reduce resource competition and strengthen cooperation across borders.
Southern Iraq: The decline of the Mesopotamian Marshes has undermined fishing, buffalo herding and reed harvesting, contributing to displacement and placing greater burdens on women. Rehabilitation projects are helping women revive traditional crafts and climate-resilient livelihoods, allowing families to remain on their ancestral lands.
Mali’s Sahel: Drought and desertification are intensifying competition between farmers and pastoralists. UNDP-supported early-warning systems, climate information and community mediation are being combined with pasture and water restoration to help communities negotiate resource-sharing arrangements before tensions escalate.
The broader message is that healthy ecosystems, secure livelihoods and peaceful resource governance are closely connected. Restoring degraded land can reduce economic pressures, strengthen community resilience, limit climate-driven displacement and create opportunities for cooperation.
UNDP estimates that up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, affecting around 3.2 billion people. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, restoring land alongside inclusive governance and livelihood support can therefore serve as a practical form of conflict prevention.
Key takeaway: Climate adaptation does not have to be limited to infrastructure or environmental protection. When communities jointly manage land and water, restore ecosystems and protect resilient livelihoods, restoration itself can become an instrument for peace. Read the full UNDP article
