Thematic Takeaways
Beyond strategic partnership, the discussions were both broad and urgent. A major insight was the sheer scope of land demand needed to meet global goals, from carbon markets to energy infrastructure, agriculture to conservation. Much of this demand is concentrated in regions where land governance frameworks are either weak or poorly integrated into national planning.
The climate nexus dominated conversations: for example, data presented by GIGA and the Land Matrix showed that land already claimed for the voluntary carbon market equals the size of Austria, amounting to a quarter of land acquired during the global land rush of the 2010s. The Just Energy Transition also demands land, not just for renewable energy infrastructure, but for the mining of raw materials needed for green technologies.
At the same time, participants reiterated that these global land demands only become a risk where land governance is weak. Implementing land reforms, especially to safeguard the land access for vulnerable groups, like women and smallholder farmers, is still fundamental to addressing today’s global challenges.
The path forward is clear: meaningful change in land governance requires strategic partnerships and inclusive coordination. With Land for Life, we will continue to:
- Support inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue on land governance.
- Promote locally led land rights reforms, especially for vulnerable groups.
- Push for better coordination between governments, donors, and civil society.
In a world of shrinking resources and growing challenges, collaboration is no longer optional – it is essential. We look forward to working with our partners to create a more just and sustainable land future.
