Drought costs the global economy over $300 billion annually, according to a United Nations report unveiled during international talks on desertification in Saudi Arabia. The crisis, driven by human-induced environmental destruction and climate change, could impact 75% of the world’s population by 2050.
The report estimates that drought already incurs $307 billion in annual costs worldwide. These figures encompass more than agricultural losses, affecting supply chains, GDP, livelihoods, and human security while exacerbating hunger, migration, and unemployment.
As COP16, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference, continues in Riyadh, experts emphasize nature-based solutions such as reforestation, grazing management, and watershed conservation as key to mitigating drought’s effects.
“Managing our land and water resources in a sustainable way is essential to stimulate economic growth and strengthen the resilience of communities trapped in cycles of drought,” Andrea Meza Murillo, a senior UNCCD official, stated.
The report follows a year marked by devastating droughts in Ecuador, Brazil, Namibia, Malawi, and Mediterranean nations. Fires, water shortages, and food crises have compounded the damage during 2024, which is projected to be the hottest year on record.
UN officials are urging world leaders to prioritize sustainable land management as a means of addressing drought. Talks during COP16 aim to produce landmark agreements to combat desertification and secure human development within environmental limits.
