Soil and Rangeland Restoration Policy Brief for IYRP 2026 and UNCCD COP17

Policy Support and Integration
Written By CA4SH Coordination

Background

Healthy soil underpins global food and nutrition security, with 95% of food production depending on soil resources. It is also central to ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection, and resilient livelihoods. Yet over one-third of the Earth’s surface is degraded, threatening agricultural productivity and community resilience worldwide.

As the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) unfolds and momentum builds toward UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, there is a timely opportunity to elevate soil and rangeland health within global land restoration and food systems agendas.

This policy brief builds on discussions initiated at UNFSS+4 and subsequent dialogues and aims to provide actionable recommendations for decision-makers in the lead-up to UNCCD COP17.

Members have already contributed to a first draft of this brief. CA4SH is now inviting additional inputs to:

  • Strengthen the evidence base

  • Incorporate pastoralist perspectives

  • Refine policy recommendations

  • Align messaging with IYRP 2026 and COP17 priorities

How to Contribute

Please submit:

  • Written inputs

  • Case studies

  • Data or evidence

  • Suggested policy recommendations

Timeline

  • Deadline for contributions: 26 February 2026

  • Launch: Ahead of UNCCD COP17

Contact

For access to the latest draft or to contribute, please contact:

Dr Leigh Winowiecki
Co-Lead, CA4SH
L.A.Winowiecki@cifor-icraf.org

Daniela Solis
Coordination & Events Lead, CA4SH
coordination@coalitionforsoilhealth.org

CA4SH Coordination
Previous

Youth-Led Soil Data Brief: Demystifying Soil Health Data