New Davos Initiative to Restore Degraded Land: What It Means for Investors and Businesses in Sustainable Development
DAVOS — The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat, in partnership with the UNCCD COP16 Presidency led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, officially launched the Business 4 Land (B4L) Champions’ Council during a high-level event at InTent, held as part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.
The B4L Champions’ Council unites global CEOs and senior executives from diverse sectors including agriculture, consulting, environmental services, fashion, food, pulp and paper, renewable energy, and technology. Its mission is to spearhead private sector leadership in restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, aligning corporate ambitions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and land degradation neutrality.
Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment of Saudi Arabia and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency, emphasized the critical importance of land, stating, “Half of global GDP depends on land—our freshwater, farms, forests, cities, villages, and infrastructure are all land-based. Yet, each year, 100 million hectares of land are degraded due to business as usual. We must shift to ‘business unusual.’ This transformation cannot happen without the active involvement of the business community. By investing in land restoration, there are only gains to be made—no losses.”
The Council supports actions tied to the Riyadh Action Agenda, which was launched at COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024. This agenda catalyzes private sector involvement, backed by over $12 billion pledged for land restoration and drought resilience. Key contributors include the Arab Coordination Group, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund, and the Government of Saudi Arabia. The B4L Champions’ Council aims to maintain momentum through coordinated business-led initiatives.
Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of UNCCD, highlighted the economic benefits: “Inaction on land degradation carries a high cost, while each dollar invested in land restoration can generate approximately 30 dollars in revenue. The B4L initiative is unique as the sole official private sector platform emerging from UN conventions—whether climate, biodiversity, or land—that mandates corporate engagement beyond voluntary contributions. It is an essential aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility.”
The Council’s objectives include mobilizing private capital and scaling regenerative, land-positive business models; advocating for investments that enhance land restoration, drought resilience, food security, and community well-being; fostering cross-sector business collaboration; and supporting policy coherence through structured public-private dialogues with governments and international organizations.
Additionally, the Council will play a crucial role in advancing the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP), a global initiative launched to address escalating drought risks through coordinated international efforts.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards sustainable land management, reflecting the critical role of the private sector in combating desertification and promoting environmental restoration.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The launch of the Business 4 Land (B4L) Champions’ Council signals a pivotal shift towards private sector-driven land restoration and sustainability, presenting Oman’s businesses with significant opportunities to tap into global funding and align with SDG goals. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should prioritize regenerative, land-positive ventures that not only mitigate environmental risks but also promise high returns—estimated at $30 for every $1 invested—while positioning Oman as a regional leader in sustainability and drought resilience.
