Sustainable Energy

At the intersection of energy, land and biodiversity, the Rio Conventions offer complementary entry points for sustainable energy that amplify co-benefits across climate action, ecosystem health and land restoration.

The UNFCCC places sustainable energy at the center of climate action, as renewable energy expansion and efficiency improvements are essential for meeting global mitigation goals. Through Nationally Determined Contributions, many countries are committing to rapid energy transitions that cut emissions while advancing resilience and sustainable development.

The CBD highlights the importance of integrating biodiversity concerns into energy planning and infrastructure development. As the global shift toward renewables accelerates, the convention underlines the need for safeguards that protect habitats and ecosystems, and for national strategies that ensure the energy transition supports rather than undermines biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The UNCCD brings a critical land perspective into the energy debate. Expanding energy access can reduce dependence on unsustainable fuelwood, which eases pressure on fragile ecosystems. At the same time, choices about land allocation for biofuel production or large-scale renewable infrastructure directly affect soil health, water availability and food security. By promoting sustainable land management and restoration, the convention helps countries navigate these trade-offs and ensures that energy solutions contribute to land-based resilience and productivity rather than creating new pressures.

By aligning commitments across the three conventions, countries can do more to accelerate decarbonization, safeguard biodiversity and restore productive landscapes, creating lasting pathways for sustainable development that benefit people and nature alike.

Explore more

Integrated Land Use Planning

The integrated land-use planning and integrated landscape management (ILUP-ILM) are central to creating synergies and informing policies for reaching major internationally agreed sustainability goals, including the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

Food Systems: Nature-Positive Food Production

Explore how nature-positive food production aligns the goals of the Rio Conventions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation while advancing food security and livelihoods.

Gender Mainstreaming

COP requested the UNCCD secretariat to sustain its advocacy for the recognition and expansion of women’s land rights, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These efforts build on the global visibility and high-level advocacy achieved through the “Her Land”.