Global Scans · Life on Land · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss,

• [New] As Mongolia faces mounting pressures from soil degradation, desertification and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, agroforestry is emerging as a practical mechanism to restore ecosystem health, improve farm productivity and build resilience. Agroforestry
• [New] A projected decline in the extent of permafrost will have a major impact on the Earth ecosystem, affecting global climate through the mobilization of carbon and nitrogen stored in permafrost. Arctic Portal - The Arctic Gateway
• [New] Over 70% of England's land is farmed, which means the choices farmers make and the support they receive will be central to meeting statutory biodiversity targets. GOV.UK
• [New] Land across England will be used for the outcomes it is best suited to deliver, guided by ongoing engagement with land managers on the LUF to balance food production, nature recovery and climate mitigation as well as demands from other sectors such as energy. GOV.UK
• [New] To deliver emissions reductions to achieve the Seventh Carbon Budget (2038 to 2042) and the 2050 Net Zero target, action needs to start now in agriculture and land use, aviation, and engineered removals. Climate Change Committee
• [New] The unchecked spread of synthetic industrial chemicals - particularly endocrine disruptors - is a growing yet underrecognized risk to human health, biodiversity, and the future viability of modern economic systems. The Idea Farm
• [New] The EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation revision and OEM net-zero 2040-2050 commitments are creating supply chain transformation requirements across the wiring harness ecosystem. IMARC Group
• [New] The European Commission aims to position the EU as a leader in biotechnology by advancing R&D, fostering an ecosystem where biotech innovation can thrive and boosting the growth potential of biotech companies in the EU. Public Health
• [New] The environmental organization Ecologistas en Accion is challenging the European Commission's decision to grant strategic project status to all six Spanish mines, arguing that it failed to properly consider risks to water resources, biodiversity and protected areas. The Guardian
• [New] Asia-Pacific will retain 45-48% regional share as China's recycling ecosystem scales, while North America grows to 22-25% driven by IRA-incentivized domestic capacity expansion. IMARC Group
• [New] In the Manombo forests in south-eastern Madagascar, a project led by GERP with support from SOS Lemurs is promoting beekeeping as a way to reduce pressure on forests threatened by bushfires, while creating sustainable incomes and supporting women's participation. IUCN
• [New] Leadership disruptions could slow development at a time when the Qwen model ecosystem was gaining global traction. Bingx Exchange
• [New] Growing volatility in the organized crime ecosystem will likely fuel an increase in violence throughout the rest of Trump's term, potentially undermining any short-term improvements achieved through hardline approaches. Acled
• [New] Land use near biodiversity risk zones: Near is now defined as 100 meters. / Mexico Watershed
• [New] The AfCFTA's 40% African content threshold will disproportionately benefit countries with mature automotive ecosystems, with South Africa and Morocco positioned as the primary near-term winners. Fitch Solutions
• [New] Southeast Asia's combination of biodiversity, urbanization, and climate vulnerability increases the risk of emergence of zoonotic diseases. Alliance magazine
• [New] Global demand for animal-based foods is projected to increase by nearly 70% by 2050 due to population growth and rising incomes, placing immense pressure on land and water resources. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Improved forest management has the potential to sequester an additional 267 million tonnes CO2e in forests of the United States, second only to reforestation among natural climate solutions. ACR
• [New] Forests and other nature-based solutions to climate change have the potential to sequester one-third of global emissions annually. ACR
• [New] In northwestern Ontario is Athena's Forester project, a 4,900-hectare land package located less than 30 km southeast of Orla Mining's Musselwhite Gold Mine, with historical drill intercepts showing strong potential for both high-grade, narrow-vein and low-grade, bulk-tonnage gold mineralization. TMX Newsfile
• [New] In the UK, 70% of land area is used for agriculture and declines in pollinators and other beneficial invertebrates that control crop pests (such as beetles, wasps and spiders) pose risks to crop yields. GOV.UK
• [New] Warmer climates are linked to the spread of pests and diseases that threaten yields making formerly productive land less reliable for food cultivation and increasing systemic risks to global food supply chains. GOV.UK
• [New] Climate and environmental pressures are expected to intensify, reshaping how and where goods are produced, the reliability of global transport systems, and the resilience of ecosystems that underpin supply chains. GOV.UK

Last updated: 28 June 2026