Global Report on the Economics of Rangelands Restoration
About the project
Rangelands, covering 54% of the world’s land surface, are vital economic assets yet severely undervalued. They support 60% of global food production and provide livelihoods for up to 500 million pastoralists, many of whom live in poverty. Despite their economic importance, up to 50% of rangelands are degraded, threatening one third of the planet’s carbon reservoirs and one sixth of global food supply.
The economic costs of mismanaged rangelands – from ineffective grazing practices to conversion for agriculture or mining – are mounting. Shifting focus from short-term gains to sustainable rangeland management is crucial to preserving these critical landscapes and their economic value.
RANGELANDS RISING - Investing in Sustainable Global Restoration
As a joint effort by UNCCD, ELD, IUCN, GIZ and ILRI, the global rangelands flagship report is set to be published for UNCCD COP 17 in Mongolia providing vital insights into scaling and financing the restoration of rangelands as a critical economic asset.
Rangelands are globally important ecosystems that support livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, yet their economic values are often poorly understood. Knowledge of the costs of their degradation, the benefits of restoration, and the risks associated with investments remains limited. As a result, investment in rangeland restoration is low, policy attention limited, and governance gaps continue to constrain effective action.
The flagship report will address these gaps making a strong economic case for investing in sustainable rangeland management. It will build on a wealth of evidence and case studies from multiple countries and contexts.
To be published at the UNCCD COP17
The final report will be launched at UNCCD COP17 in August 2026 in Mongolia. It aims to inform stakeholder discussions and negotiations and strengthen the global momentum for sustainable rangeland management. It will also support the emerging UNCCD Rangelands Flagship Initiative. Ultimately, the report demonstrates how restoring rangelands delivers economic, social, and environmental returns—contributing to poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation.
Key challenges addressed by the report include:
- Limited understanding of the costs of rangeland degradation
- Poor recognition of the economic, social, and environmental values of rangelands
- Insufficient knowledge of restoration approaches and sustainable rangeland management
- Low appreciation of the benefits of rangeland restoration
- Limited awareness of resilience factors in rangeland systems
- Challenges in measuring progress and impact of restoration
- Risks associated with rangeland investments, including potential impacts on pastoralists’ rights
- Governance gaps that impede investment and constrain restoration approaches
Discussion paper: The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration
The flagship report draws on the discussion paper The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration, which highlights the global importance of rangelands, and provides first insights into the economic rationale for investing in their restoration, and key enabling conditions for scaling up finance. The discussion paper also outlines concrete recommendations for policymakers, investors, and practitioners, and identifies areas where further research is needed - topics that the flagship report will explore in more depth.
> Access the report: Download <
This flagship report and discussion paper are a partnership effort of UNCCD, IUCN, GIZ, ILRI and ELD.
The flagship report and discussion paper receive generous financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
