Aerial view of a winding river. — Krupa River UNCCD Cop16 represents a moonshot moment to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach. © Ciril Jazbec

The Nature Conservancy at UNCCD COP16

November 26, 2024 | Last updated December 03, 2024

TNC at UNCCD
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Aerial view of winding patterns created by a river surrounded by a lush green landscape. — A River of Life Complex patterns created by the river in the so-called "salt flats" of the south of the Isle of Harris, Scotland. © Eva Lepiz

The sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)—billed as the largest UN land conference to date—is focused on raising global ambition and accelerating action on land and drought resilience.

Hosted by Saudi Arabia between December 2-13, 2024, UNCCD COP16 is the third UN “COP” of the year following similar summits focused on biodiversity and climate change.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is on the ground advocating for nature as a key solution because we know that healthy lands, food and freshwater systems are key to building drought resilience for people and nature.

Aerial view of colorful boats transporting fruit and vegetables on a river. — Full loaded Floating Market Traditional Festival, on the Lok Baintan River Kab. Banjar, South Kalimantan. © Eva Lepiz

COP16’s focus on the interconnected challenges of drought, desertification and land degradation are at the center of the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises and core to TNC’s mission. At UNCCD COP16 we’re focused on the following priorities:

Underwater view of fish swimming in a creek.

Freshwater Biodiversity Caroline Springs produces 3,000 to 5,000 gallons per minute of fresh water, flowing into Independence Creek to add about 25 percent to the creek’s flow, Texas. These pristine waters are located in the desert oasis of the Conservancy’s Independence Creek Preserve in West Texas. The Springs and the Creek make a substantial contribution to the Lower Pecos River corridor wildlife community. © Erika Nortemann/The Nature Conservancy

Aerial view of a single boat floating on a lotus pond.

Summer on the Lotus Pond Summer is coming, the lotus ponds across the country are entering the growing season, flourishing. The moment of seasonal transition is the time for this "National Flower" © Manh Cuong Vu/TNC Photo Contest 2021

A hand holds a native seedling ready for planting.

A man crouches to use shovel to plant seedling.

Community Conservation Planting and maintenance of restoration projects in Salesópolis, São Paulo, Brazil. © Felipe Fittipaldi

A fisherman casts a large net over a body of water.

Fishing Life Supporting leadership from Indigenous Peoples and local communities is key to efforts for stewarding land and freshwater systems. © md.Shakib Hossain/TNC Photo Contest 2021

1

Build momentum for impact

We must accelerate collaborative action to meet the vital goals of the UNCCD and build linkages across biodiversity and climate agendas.

2

Mainstream nature

We must mainstream nature-positive solutions to address land degradation and drought through terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem protection, management and restoration.

3

Mobilize investment

We must build more catalytic finance mechanisms that reverse land degradation and enhance drought resilience with nature-positive, equitable solutions.

Community Conservation Planting and maintenance of restoration projects in Salesópolis, São Paulo, Brazil. © Felipe Fittipaldi

4

Scale up regenerative food systems

We must mainstream sustainable water management and regenerative soil health and grazing solutions to build climate-resilient communities.

Fishing Life Supporting leadership from Indigenous Peoples and local communities is key to efforts for stewarding land and freshwater systems. © md.Shakib Hossain/TNC Photo Contest 2021

5

Prioritize people, inclusivity and equity

We must support leadership from Indigenous Peoples and local communities who steward water and lands.

TNC will be tracking specific policy actions throughout the negotiations and how they compare to our recommended actions in our UNCCD Scorecard.

Download TNC's UNCCD scorecard.

A list of TNC's priorities and recommended actions for UNCCD COP16. — **UNCCD COP16 Scorecard** TNC's priorities and recommended actions for UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. © The Nature Conservancy

Aerial view of a glacier with blue and white patterns. — Blue Glacial rivers from above, Iceland. This aerial image was taken from a small plane. © Eva Lepiz

Join The Nature Conservancy and partners on the ground at the Nature Hub (located in the UNCCD COP16 Blue Zone). Explore our calendar of official and unofficial events throughout the weeks and connect with us at the Nature Hub.

Blue Zone Sessions

Wednesday, December 4

Title: Resilient Watersheds: Sustainable Finance Mechanism for Protecting and Restoring Africa’s Water Towers

Day: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: Blue Zone, Action Dome MET-08; 329

Thursday, December 5

Title: The Role of Soil Health in Promoting Resilient, Multifunctional Landscapes under Climate Change

Day: Thursday, December 5

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: Blue Zone, MET-07; 333

Friday, December 6

Title: Valuing Grasslands: Critical Ecosystems for Nature, Climate and People

Day: Friday, December 6

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Location: Blue Zone, MET-06; 327
Title: Land Tenure Rights, Governance, Degradation & Restoration - Kenya Perspective

Day: Friday, December 6

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Location: Blue Zone, MET-08; 328

Tuesday, December 10

Title: The Essential Role of Nature in Drought Resilience

Day: Tuesday, December 10

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: Blue Zone, MET-04; 331

Nature Hub Pavilion

Tuesday, December 3

Title: Networking for Nature Coffee Hour

Day: Tuesday, December 3

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: Securing our Future: Expanding the Scope of Land Restoration Funds to Impact All Geographies

Hosted by Conscious Planet

Day: Tuesday, December 3

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion

Wednesday, December 4

Title: Fireside Chat with Danone - Henri Bruxelles

Day: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: Sharing Actions Live: Unlocking Finance to Transition the Real Economy to Land, Soil, Nature, and Climate Positive Actions

Hosted by Ambition Loop

Day: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: Fireside Chat with Justin Mundy

Day: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: The Economics of Water: Planetary Health and Our Future

Day: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion

Thursday, December 5

Title: Fireside Chat with Wael

Day: Thursday, December 5

Time: 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion

Friday, December 6

Title: Fireside Chat with Bayer

Day: Friday, December 6

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: Networking for Nature Coffee Hour

Day: Friday, December 6

Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion
Title: Fireside Chat with Rabobank

Day: Friday, December 6

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion

Monday, December 9

Title: Nature-based Solutions and Drought Resilience: Policy Brief Launch

Day: Monday, December 9

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Place: Blue Zone, Nature Hub Pavilion

Stay in Touch

Reach out to TNC at UNCCD

Please direct your media questions to: media@tnc.org

Aerial of dense forest carved by a curving blue river. — Crooked Creek Mukwonago River, also known as Crooked Creek, winds through Lulu Lake Preserve and connects many of the lakes within the area. © Fauna Creative

Fast moving water splashes in whitewater rapids.

Conserving Fresh Water for Life on Earth

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Aerial view looking straight down on a bridge that crosses a wide river.

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Mongolia has long had some of the most ambitious conservation goals in the world. Now it has a plan to achieve those goals and the funding to match.

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Nature-Based Solutions Are Protecting Cape Town’s Water Supply

After five years, the Greater Cape Town Water Fund is returning billions of liters of water to the city and surrounding areas.

The Nature Conservancy at UNCCD COP16