Land Sector’s Big Moment: 5 Crucial Shifts Needed to Save Our Planet

As we stand at the threshold of 2025, the land sector finds itself at a critical juncture. The past year has seen a commendable surge in reporting and action, yet key pieces of the puzzle remain frustratingly elusive. With only five years left until 2030, we’re slipping on numerous targets and pushing past planetary boundaries.

The time for decisive action is now—not when someone finally legislates “what’s right.” In this vein, here are my top 5 hopes for 2025.

1. Reporting Rules: The Moving Target
The ongoing delay of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG-P) guidelines continues to cast a long shadow over the land sector, especially given the key role these guidelines have to play in reaching our climate targets. This wouldn’t be such an issue if companies weren’t (incorrectly) using it as an excuse to delay action. To move forward, groups need to stop trying to implement policy desires within technical guidelines. While finalised guidelines will undoubtedly boost confidence, their absence is not the insurmountable obstacle some would have you believe.

2. Legislation: EUDR and Beyond

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) delay was, while not unexpected, disappointing. Despite the delay, the process has catalysed rapid changes throughout supply chains, even for products not destined for EU markets. As we enter 2025, companies have little excuse for inaction. The ripple effects are evident as businesses collaborate with governments to ensure compliance—a trend that must accelerate globally. And once deforestation has been tackled, we can rapidly move to other pressing issues.

3. National Reporting Standards

We’re witnessing an exciting global shift toward mandated reporting of climate and nature impacts. There are numerous drivers for this, but the greatest promise is the realisation that natural-capital accounting must be aligned and reported alongside financial reporting. In 2025, three key trends must gain momentum:

1. Broader and more consistent global implementation
2. Increased coverage within individual countries
3. Processes to drive action beyond mere reporting

4. Less Talk, More Action

With all the waffling and political hand-wringing, it’s easy to lose sight of the ultimate goal: tangible action. The “climate now, nature later” mentality is rapidly becoming obsolete, replaced by a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship. However, we must ensure this broader focus doesn’t lead to paralysis—adding critical focus areas should result in more action, not less.

5. Corporate & Governmental Commitments

The explosion of interest in the Biodiversity COP and the Global Nature Positive Summit is encouraging. We’re likely to see an increased focus on land and nature in the UNFCCC as well. Yet, despite these positive signs, there’s still a glaring lack of on-the-ground action and financial flow to the sector. 2025 will be the year to put these commitments to the test.

The Path Forward: Hope & Action

As we look to 2025, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Even in the face of electoral uncertainties, momentum continues to build. With a growing number of motivated actors and greater clarity on required actions, we’re poised to develop more effective solutions.

But we cannot afford to be passive observers! We must work together to drive these vital changes forward. The future of the land sector is the future of our planet, and it depends on our collective willingness to act swiftly and decisively.

We stand at a crossroads, with the potential to make significant strides toward a nature-positive future. But this potential will only be realised through immediate, concerted action.

The time for waiting is over. The time for transformative change is now.