A Strategic Pivot for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Promise

Inclusive land governance is critical to securing land rights and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Secured land rights are foundational for sustainable development, with the access, control and use of land presenting significant responsibilities for governments and their legal systems. Equitable land governance ensures fair access to land, which drives economic growth, reduces poverty, and promotes environmental sustainability.

The objective of this blog is to highlight the importance of inclusive land governance in fostering sustainable development, emphasizing how fair land administration practices, recognition and protection of land rights can significantly contribute to the realization of the SDGs.
 
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by United Nations member States in 2015, were a bold universal call to action aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all by 2030. However, with only six years left to achieve these goals, the world is significantly off track. Of the 169 SDG targets, 135 can be assessed using available global trend data from the 2015 baseline, with 34 targets lacking sufficient trend data or additional analysis. Among the assessable targets, only 17 per cent display progress sufficient for achievement by 2030 (UNSD, 2024). Progress has been significantly hindered by various factors including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and the intensifying climate crisis (UNSD, 2024). In 2023 alone, global temperatures reached record highs, nearing the critical 1.5°C threshold set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These crises have exacerbated existing challenges, pushing an additional 23 million people into extreme poverty and displacing millions from their homes due to conflicts and climate-related disasters.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative that strategies and plans to achieve the SDGs undergo significant shifts
to accelerate progress and ensure no one is left behind. Central to this accelerated action is the strategic pivot towards inclusive land governance and secure land tenure rights, which are foundational for eradicating poverty, ensuring food security, combating climate change, and fostering peaceful and inclusive societies. 

Context of the 2024 High Level Political Forum (HLPF)

The 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), held from July 8-17, was themed “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions.” The forum provided governments and other stakeholders with the opportunity to share progress on the SDGs, explore innovative solutions to accelerate achievement, and address the challenges and uncertainties compromising their efforts. Governments reaffirmed their commitment to the SDGs while recognizing that achieving these goals requires a renewed focus on improving land tenure and governance processes.

The HLPF highlighted the critical role of land governance and tenure security in achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and its interconnectedness with other SDGs, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Cities and Human Settlements), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). While most strategies have acknowledged the nexus between people, planet, peace, and prosperity, many have overlooked the importance of land tenure rights and good governance of land as prerequisites for achieving these goals at scale.

Secure land tenure rights mean more food-secure families, more resilient climate adaptation and mitigation measures, restoration of land, and water, among other ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, and resilient and peaceful communities. In addition, secure land rights empower women, men and indigenous communities, thereby promoting gender equality  (SDG 5) and cultural diversity (SDG 11) that fosters inclusive and sustainable urbanization. Furthermore, tenure security enhances access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and energy, contributing to sustainable cities and communities. The 2024 HLPF emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to secure land tenure and improve land governance as fundamental steps towards achieving the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind.

By focusing on these critical aspects, the global community can leverage the full multifaceted potential of land governance and tenure security to drive progress across multiple SDGs, addressing the root causes of poverty, hunger, and conflict, and paving the way for sustainable development.

 

Accelerating SDGs Through Inclusive Land Governance and Secure Tenure Rights

SDG 1: No Poverty

Inclusive land governance and secure tenure rights are crucial for eradicating multidimensional poverty, as they enable access to and enhancement of both agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods. Secure land rights encourage investments in land, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve access to financial services, particularly for marginalized population groups such as women, youth, and indigenous communities. This, in turn, reduces multidimensional poverty, which encompasses income deprivation as well as lack of or inadequate access to essential services, education, and housing. Land rights have been shown to provide poor people in rural areas with a first layer of social protection, acting as a safety net against income shocks and ensuring food security (ILC, FAO and GLTN, 2021).

The gender dimension of poverty and vulnerability is particularly stark, as women often face greater challenges in accessing land and resources. Secure land tenure translates to improved household welfare and gender equality, enabling women to invest in their land and enhance their economic opportunities (FAO, 2011). This empowerment is essential for reducing gender disparities and achieving sustainable development.

 

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Secure land tenure is crucial for achieving food security as it empowers farmers to invest in their land and adopt improved agricultural practices, thus enhancing productivity. Considering over 100 million more people suffered from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019 (UNSD, 2024) underscores the urgent need for effective interventions that halt and reverse that trend. Inclusive land governance and secure land rights provide the stability necessary for sustainable agricultural development, thereby playing a critical role in reversing the trend of increasing hunger and ensuring enhanced food security globally. Land tenure is equally important to technology adoption in agriculture as it can both affect access to finance and shape producers’ attitudes towards taking risks. Agricultural mechanization tends to be first adopted by large farms characterized by better tenure security, easier access to credit, extension and markets, and the ability to take risks (FAO, 2022).

Moreover, secure tenure rights facilitate access to natural resources, enabling farmers to implement sustainable practices that boost productivity and contribute to food security. For instance, investments in irrigation systems and high-value crops are more likely when land tenure is secure, ultimately leading to increased food production and reduced hunger (FAO, 2020a). Additionally, gender-sensitive tenure security ensures that women, who are often primary food producers, can effectively contribute to and benefit from agricultural development, further strengthening food security (FAO, 2020b).
 

SDG 13: Climate Action

Land tenure security plays a pivotal role in climate resilience by encouraging sustainable land management practices. Evidence shows that secure land rights incentivize landholders to invest in long-term sustainability measures, such as soil conservation and reforestation, which are crucial for both climate adaptation and mitigation. According to the 2024 SDGs Progress Report, 2023 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures approaching the critical 1.5°C threshold. In this context, inclusive land governance and secure land tenure become vital tools in the fight against climate change as they enable communities to adapt to climate change by managing natural resources sustainably and implementing mitigation strategies. Secure land rights provide landholders with the stability and confidence needed to adopt and sustain climate smart practices such as tree planting, integrated land use planning, and soil management practices that contribute to global climate action efforts. With only six years left to the 2030 deadline, governments have an opportunity to better articulate the nexus between land rights and climate change in their national and subnational strategies including in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and their implementation.

 

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The need for inclusive land governance and secure land tenure rights is more urgent than ever, as evidenced by the escalating conflicts driven by resource scarcity and climate change. As noted in the 2024 SDGs Progress Report, the number of forcibly displaced people has soared to nearly 120 million by May2024, largely due to wars exacerbated by these  very issues. Resource scarcity and climate change serve as “threat multipliers,” intensifying existing vulnerabilities such as weak governance structures and poverty (UNDP, UNODC, and OHCHR, 2024). This complex interplay often results in
violent conflicts, particularly over scarce resources like land and water.

One stark example is the situation in western and central Nigeria, where over 1,700 violent deaths occurred between January and September 2018 due to conflicts between farmers and pastoralists over limited water and land resources (UNDP, UNODC, and OHCHR, 2024). This tragic outcome underscores the critical importance of effective land governance and secure land tenure without which, individuals and communities are left vulnerable to displacement and conflict, and unable to invest in sustainable land management practices that could mitigate resource scarcity. Moreover, as resource scarcity and climate change continue to escalate, the risk of strategic resource competition not only between individuals and communities but also between states will also rise, potentially leading to international conflicts (Evans, 2011).

Inclusive land governance ensures that all stakeholders, including marginalized groups, have a voice in decision-making processes. This inclusivity can prevent conflicts by addressing the needs and rights of all parties involved. Secure
land tenure provides individuals and communities with the confidence to invest in their land, promoting sustainable use and reducing the likelihood of disputes. In the event of disputes over land and other resources, it is crucial that individuals have fair access to justice for effective conflict resolution. By establishing robust and inclusive land governance systems founded in the rule of law and dispensed through strong institutions increases the chances of creating a foundation for peace and stability that can withstand the pressures of a changing climate and growing resource demands.
 

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The urgency of a 500 billion dollars annual stimulus to accelerate SDG progress (UNSD, 2024), underscores the critical need for increased financial resources and fiscal space for developing countries. This collaboration and investment are essential to
address – among other pressing challenges – the complex challenges of land governance and tenure security, particularly enabling developing nations to unlock the potential to achieve sustainable development and reduce inequalities.

Effective land governance and tenure security demand robust partnerships, as emphasized by SDG 17. This goal highlights the importance of multi- stakeholder collaborations, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations, to share best practices, enhance accountability and support capacity- building. Enhanced collaboration ensures that lessons learned, and successful strategies are widely disseminated and adopted, facilitating global progress towards sustainable land governance and secure land rights. 
 

Implications for Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups

Secure tenure rights are critical for the well-being and empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized groups. These groups often face disproportionate challenges in accessing and securing their rights to land, and are particularly susceptible to displacement, land grabbing, and exploitation. Lack of secure tenure rights can hinder their access to resources, economic opportunities, and essential services, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization. The 2024 SDGs Progress Report highlights the stark rise in global inequalities, which profoundly affect vulnerable groups. These inequalities underscore the transformative implications of secure land tenure for marginalized groups, such as indigenous people, children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Secure land rights empower these groups through legal recognition and protection, opening doors to economic opportunities, and fostering social inclusion.

For indigenous people, secure land rights mean the preservation of their cultural heritage, protection of their ancestral lands, and the ability to sustainably manage natural resources (Robinson et al., 2017) (Antonio & Griffith-Charles, 2019). This is crucial as indigenous communities typically have a special emotional, cultural, and spiritual relationship with the land they inhabit (Antonio & Griffith-Charles, 2019).

Similarly, secure land tenure is transformative for women, as it catalyzes improved household welfare and greater gender equality (Higgins et al., 2018). With secure land rights, women can participate more meaningfully in economic activities,  enhancing their financial autonomy and decision-making power within the household.

The youth also stand to benefit immensely from inclusive land governance and secure land rights. Secure tenure unlocks avenues for economic participation and sustainable development, which is crucial for the burgeoning youthful population in developing economies (Higgins et al., 2018). According to the World Economic Forum, Africa's youth are dynamically shaping their future, with vibrant start- up scenes in cities like Accra, Nairobi, Cairo, and Ben Guerir revolutionizing sectors such as agriculture, industry, and sustainability.

Ultimately, secure land rights provide a critical avenue to decisively address inequalities, ensuring that no one is
left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development (Hall et al., 2012). Investments in long-term improvements to farms and soils, as well as sustainable management of natural resources are enabled by secure land tenure, which is key to the livelihoods of millions of farmers around the world (Hall et al., 2012) (Nyantakyi‐Frimpong, 2020). 
 

Unlocking Progress: The Urgent Need for Enhanced Reporting on SDG Land Tenure Security Indicators

The 2024 SDG progress report underscores persistent challenges in the availability and timeliness of data for monitoring all 17 Goals. Despite advancements in the SDG indicator framework, significant data gaps remain, particularly in assessing progress towards inclusive land governance and secure land rights. This data scarcity hampers the monitoring of three core SDG land governance and tenure security indicators – 1.4.2, 5.a.1, and 5.a.2. According to the SDG Global Database,
33 countries have reported progress on Indicator 1.4.2, 49 on Indicator 5.a.1, and 80 on Indicator 5.a.2. However,
only 13 countries have reported simultaneously on all three indicators. The 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Progress Chart reveals that target 1.4, which includes Indicator 1.4.2, is severely/moderately off track, while target 5.a, encompassing indicators 5.a.1 and 5.a.2, lacks sufficient data for progress assessment.

Despite these challenges, custodian agencies such as the World Bank, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among other international partners are actively collaborating with national governments, their statistical offices, and land ministries aiming to build capacity for enhanced and consistent monitoring of land governance and tenure security.

This proactive approach aims to significantly improve the reporting status of progress against these indicators. Such collaborative efforts are essential to ensure countries adopt global methodologies for national monitoring and reporting, ultimately enhancing the accuracy and reliability of data on land governance and tenure security. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also play a pivotal role in this collaborative framework by ensuring accountability and advocating for the importance of inclusive land governance and secure land rights. Moreover, CSOs are critical partners in enhancing Citizen Generated Data (CGD) to help fill data gaps in the SDG framework and support comprehensive monitoring and reporting against SDG indicators. CGD provides valuable insights into local contexts and the lived experiences of marginalized communities, which are essential for crafting policies and reforms that truly address the needs of those most vulnerable (Collaborative on Citizen Data, 2024). Moreover, the participatory approach of CSOs involvement in data collection and reporting helps alleviate
the data collection burden from national agencies while maintaining transparency and integrity in the reporting process.

Through their advocacy work, CSOs raise awareness about the critical need for secure land tenure and push for
the adoption of best practices in land governance. Ongoing collaboration with CSOs is vital for comprehensive monitoring and reporting, facilitating an evidence base for land policy and practice reforms, securing land rights, and unlocking the multifaceted benefits for all. 

 

Recommendations

1. Strengthening Data Collection and Sharing Efforts:

Governments, regional surveying and data agencies, supported by international partners, must significantly enhance their efforts to collect and cross-share land governance and tenure data. This is crucial for facilitating an evidence- based approach to planning and decision-making. Accurate and up-to-date land data will enable better monitoring and evaluation of land governance policies and tenure security initiatives, ensuring these policies effectively address the needs of the most vulnerable while contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

To achieve this, it is essential to enhance collaboration by creating accessible platforms for sharing land tenure data. These platforms should be user-friendly and facilitate data exchange between researchers, governments, and civil society organizations. Furthermore, investing in training programs for local communities, government officials, and researchers can improve data collection methods and ensure consistent and accurate data on land tenure security. Lastly, developing and implementing standardized data collection methods and indicators is crucial for comparing data across regions, ensuring consistency and accuracy in analysis, and sharing best practices.

The adoption of these measures will enable building of a robust and reliable data infrastructure that supports sustainable land governance and the protection of tenure rights, ultimately fostering social and economic development.

2. Embracing Innovative Data Generation Approaches:

Adopting innovative approaches to data generation, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Citizen- Generated Data (CGD) strategies, can help fill data gaps and improve the accuracy and timeliness of land data. The Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data provides a robust model for involving citizens in data collection and land policy reforms. Such participatory approaches not only enhance data quality but also ensure that the data reflects the realities on the ground, leading to more effective and responsive policies.

Moreover, embracing remote sensing technologies, including satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is crucial. These technologies capture vast amounts of data, offering precise land use and tenure information. Integrating machine learning can further facilitate the development of algorithms that analyze large datasets to identify patterns and predict land tenure trends, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency.

Additionally, blockchain technologies can provide a secure and transparent record of land ownership and transactions, enhancing trust and accountability. By leveraging these innovative data generation approaches, we can create a comprehensive and reliable land information system that supports effective land governance and tenure security, ultimately contributing to sustainable development goals. policies.
 

3.  Data Disaggregation for Inclusivity:

There is a pressing need to disaggregate land data by various factors such as sex, rural and urban divide, and ecosystems occupied by Indigenous Peoples. This disaggregation is essential to understand the specific challenges and needs of different population groups, ensuring that policies and interventions are inclusive and equitable. For instance, addressing the gender dimension in land tenure can significantly improve women's access to land and resources, thereby enhancing household welfare and promoting gender equality. Moreover, prioritizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities is essential for rectifying historical injustices and fostering sustainable development practices. Collecting and analyzing data disaggregated by indigenous groups and disability status ensures that these communities are not excluded from the benefits of secure tenure rights. It also addresses their unique needs, promoting inclusivity and equity in land governance. Doing so, ensures that all voices are heard and that development initiatives are truly sustainable and just. addressed.

 

4. Enhancing Coordination for Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building:

Effective coordination mechanisms are crucial for capacity-building efforts related to monitoring and securing of land rights. National governments, international organizations, and civil society must collaborate to develop and sustain ongoing capacity-building programmes. These programmes should aim to strengthen the skills and capabilities of national and local institutions involved in land governance and administration to ensure that these institutions can effectively collect, manage, and utilize land data, leading to more informed and responsive land governance policies. This collaborative approach not only enhances institutional efficiency but also promotes sustainable development and equitable land rights for all.

 

5. Strengthening Financial Commitments for Data Generation and Uptake:

Governments, Governments, the donor community, and development partners must prioritize and significantly increase their financial commitments towards monitoring and enhancing land governance and tenure security. Adequate funding is crucial for establishing and maintaining a reliable evidence base that informs policy decisions and tracks progress towards the SDGs.

Financing should be commensurate with the evolving ecosystem of land governance and tenure security, particularly
in response to challenges posed by climate change, geopolitical tensions, population growth, and related development needs. Such funding should also focus on building the capacity of national and local land governance institutions through continuous training programs, technical support, and the provision of necessary infrastructure and tools.

Empowering these institutions ensures they possess the skills and resources needed to effectively collect, manage, and utilize land data. This approach not only enhances the overall quality and reliability of land governance monitoring but also supports resilient and adaptive land management practices that address the complex and dynamic nature of contemporary land issues.
 

By implementing these recommendations, the global community can ensure that inclusive land governance and secure land tenure rights are prioritized, thereby accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs and fostering a more just, peaceful, and livable world. 

 

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