Land management, restoration and policies need to be tailored according to local conditions (well established). Experience has shown that ‘one-size-fits-all’ is not an option to promote sustainable land management worldwide. Success of policy implementation depends on a number of factors that consider an integrated landscape approach well-matched to socioeconomic and natural characteristics supported by good levels of governance and stakeholder engagement. {15.2.4, 15.2.5}
Implementing the right actions to combat land degradation and support sustainable land management policies has a direct effect on the livelihoods of millions of people across the planet (well established). This imperative will become more difficult and costlier if no action is taken urgently. Unfortunately, there is still a disconnect between consumers and the ecosystems that provide the food and other commodities they depend upon. {15.5}
Land is a finite resource that is under human pressure, especially from urban sprawl (established but incomplete). Chaotic urban expansion has been observed worldwide mostly on fertile and productive lands and, by 2050, about 80 per cent of the productive soils are at risk of being lost as each year about 20 million ha of agricultural land is converted into urban and industrial developments. The situation along the coastal areas is worst. It is therefore imperative that land-use policies should define a proper allocation of land resources between competing interests. Cities play a major role in land-use changes, so municipal and city planners need to coordinate their actions with a large number of stakeholders, including civil society and establishing public-private partnerships, to ensure sustainable spatial planning, policy coherence, implementation and conflict resolution for both urban settlements and responsible food systems. {4.2.5, 15.3.3}