At UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, Parties moved rangelands, grasslands and food systems from the fringes to the front and centre of action plans, but they failed to agree a much-needed action plan for drought preparedness and management
Aligned with WWF expectations, UNCCD COP17 delivered much-needed structure and investment for previously overlooked solutions to the nature, climate and food security crises. Parties agreed to progressive decisions to protect, sustainably manage and restore once-ignored rangelands and grasslands, support underserved pastoralists and local communities, and transition to nature-positive agriculture. Concurrently, the COP17 Presidency harnessed multi-stakeholder energy to deliver a flagship Rangelands Initiative, with $1.2 billion of investment in these ecosystems and solutions.
However, not all actions WWF see as important were delivered. Despite the efforts of the Presidency and many willing countries, negotiators were unable to agree on a landmark protocol or framework to increase drought preparedness and resilience. Instead, Parties decided to continue the talks at COP18 in 2028, having already deferred a decision at COP16 in 2024. Unfortunately, divisions between Parties on several other issues meant the most ambitious collective set of decisions wasn’t realised.
Regarding overall outcomes at COP17, Joao Campari, Global Food & Agriculture Leader, WWF said: “The theme of COP17 was ‘restoring land, restoring hope’. While those countries and people facing the ever-worsening impacts of drought have been left short-changed, the elevation of rangelands, grasslands and nature-positive agriculture has created new hope for billions of people. Indeed, formal negotiations are just one part of the puzzle at a COP – everyone can take hope from the momentum generated across all key issues by the actions being taken by coalitions of determined stakeholders. Yet hope alone will not protect nature, limit climate change or put food on the table. COP17 has laid strong foundations but the focus must now shift to implementation on the ground and supporting local communities to deliver lasting benefits for all.”
Regarding drought, Christine Colvin, Global Head of Freshwater Policy, WWF said: “It is deeply disappointing that ambition on drought dried up. A meaningful outcome hasn’t been delivered, and we don’t have a stronger foundation from which to build action. But at least the critical conversations that happen outside negotiation rooms continued to flow. Whilst no substitute for a protocol or framework, the drive displayed by many governments, CSOs and finance institutions will ensure implementation can progress. Parties didn’t deliver the agreement we hoped for but with many countries around the world experiencing drought disasters, individual and regional stakeholders will get on with the task in hand – enhancing drought preparedness and resilience to protect people and nature.”
Regarding rangelands, grasslands and savannahs, Leonie Meier, Global Grasslands and Savannahs Lead, WWF said: “Grasslands, savannahs and rangelands cover more than half our land and are the source of most of the world’s food. Nature-positive food and agriculture systems are essential to maintaining these critical ecosystems. We must therefore change the way they are managed, governed and financed. From the Presidency to Parties to pastoralists, and all other stakeholders in between, COP17 has delivered for these once overlooked landscapes.”
Regarding synergies between land, nature and climate, Martina Fleckenstein, Global Head of Food & Agriculture Policy said: “People do not experience land degradation, nature loss or climate change as independent issues. A coordinated and integrated response is needed to address integrated impacts. It was disappointing that formal negotiations to integrate across Rio Conventions were blocked, but synergies are being created nonetheless. Presidencies of all three COPs are advancing this work and food and agriculture have emerged as a key opportunity.”
WWF calls on all stakeholders to now show ambition and urgency to implement solutions, and build on the momentum generated in Mongolia at the upcoming CBD and UNFCCC COPs in Armenia and Türkiye in the coming months.
