Land use generates a variety of socioeconomic benefits, and as a foundation for socioeconomic activities, it plays a major role globally in addressing population growth and reducing poverty. However, both socioeconomic activities on land and changes in land use create core global environmental challenges, such as greenhouse-gas emissions and the depletion of ecosystem services. Drastic improvements in land use and management practices, such as sustainable intensification, are required in certain geographic areas. For example, changing the sites or methods of land use in rural or urban areas can enhance ecosystem services, flood control capacity, and soil carbon sequestration, while stimulating the deployment of renewable energy. These science-based innovations are urgent, as the remaining time is limited.

Challenges must be confronted to substantially improve land use. One is to resolve the conflict between regional collective actions and the actions of individual actors, including private sectors in the current socioeconomic system. Another challenge is the need to develop strategies and organizations that address issues arising from the varied relationships between socioeconomic activities and natural capital in diversified contexts and geographical areas. Furthermore, there are additional perspectives to coordinate in new strategies. As examples, land use forms the basis of local culture, and rural and urban areas further complement and interlink with each other as well.

This program aims to propose initiatives for improving the use of land and its associated water resources, as well as the institutional frameworks and policies for scaling them up. Additionally, it should contribute to the establishment of international standards for institutional frameworks and policies. The program will do so by facilitating an international policy ecosystem for the exchange and generation of innovative ideas.

Mission Statement