Saturday, 20 Sep 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • đŸ”„
  • Trump
  • House
  • VIDEO
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Environment > Unlevelling the land
Environment

Unlevelling the land

Last updated: June 1, 2025 11:55 pm
Share
Unlevelling the land
SHARE

Land Grabbing and the Concentration of Global Farmland

There is a concerning trend of land grabbing by a few transnational companies, including financial investors like Blue Carbon from the UAE, Australia-based Macquarie, and Canada’s Manulife, as well as agribusiness giants like Olam and Wilmar from Singapore. This accumulation of land in the hands of a select group of elite entities has been on the rise since the 2008 financial crisis, with transnational investors acquiring an estimated 65 million hectares of land—twice the size of Germany since 2000.

As a result, one percent of farms now control 70 percent of global farmland, posing a threat to the livelihoods of 2.5 billion smallholder farmers and 1.4 billion of the world’s poorest individuals who rely on agriculture for sustenance.

Communities like Angelim face devastating consequences due to land grabbing and concentration, with reports linking top global landowners to forced displacements, environmental degradation, and violence against local populations.

Biodiversity Concerns

Land concentration not only exacerbates inequality and social conflict but also undermines states’ ability to ensure that land tenure serves the public good and facilitates a transition to sustainable economic models. This is particularly crucial in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.

While transnational landowners are associated with practices like industrial monoculture plantations and deforestation, Indigenous Peoples and rural communities manage up to 80 percent of intact forests, supporting higher biodiversity and sustainable food production on just 35 percent of global cropland.

Dispossession and “Green Grabs”

The rise of “green grabs,” where land is acquired for purported environmental purposes, accounts for about 20 percent of large-scale land deals. This includes the acquisition of over 5.2 million hectares in Africa for carbon offset projects since 2016.

See also  Mock Champions League draw results: Arsenal get Real Madrid, Bayern land Liverpool and Man City

With the global carbon market expected to quadruple in the next seven years, half of the top ten global landowners are involved in carbon and biodiversity markets, using “net zero” initiatives as a pretext to displace communities from their lands.

Addressing Land Inequality

Efforts to tackle land grabbing and concentration must shift from regulation to redistribution. Redistributive policies are essential to reversing the trend of massive land and wealth transfers to corporations and the ultra-rich.

International cooperation is crucial in addressing land inequality, with the upcoming International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD) in Colombia presenting a crucial opportunity for governments to agree on measures to end land grabbing, reverse land concentration, and ensure sustainable resource distribution.

Promoting Sustainable Land Practices

Global initiatives on a tax convention and an international mechanism to address sovereign debt can empower states to implement redistributive policies and just transitions. Binding legal provisions are also needed to prevent transnational corporations from exploiting national rules for profit.

In a world facing multiple crises, there is an opportunity to move towards a more just and sustainable future by departing from neoliberal policies that have benefited only a few. It is essential to create a global future that prioritizes equity and sustainability for all.

About the Authors

Shalmali Guttal is a senior analyst focusing on the Global South and a member of IPES-Food, while Philip Seufert coordinates FIAN International’s land program. The authors reached out to the companies mentioned in the report for their input, incorporating relevant information into their research findings.

TAGGED:landUnlevelling
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article How Climbing Structures Help Children’s Cognitive Development How Climbing Structures Help Children’s Cognitive Development
Next Article Paul Krugman warns of a greater than 50% chance of recession Paul Krugman warns of a greater than 50% chance of recession
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

42 Thoughts I Had While Watching ‘And Just Like That
’ Season 3, Episode 8

Season 3, Episode 8 of And Just Like That
: A Detailed Review As a die-hard…

July 17, 2025

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

An FBI analyst in Houston, Brian Vincent Rausch, was arrested in Cypress, Texas after authorities…

May 28, 2025

Clone Rumble LTM, Galacta’s Cosmic Adventure event, and more

The latest Marvel Rivals patch notes are set to go live on March 6, 2025,…

March 6, 2025

Netflix Q1 2025 Earnings Preview

Netflix, the leading subscription-streaming service, is set to report its Q1 2025 earnings this week…

April 16, 2025

Dean Ambrose suddenly referenced by top star on SmackDown before WrestleMania 41

In a thrilling segment on SmackDown the night before WrestleMania 41, fans were treated to…

April 18, 2025

You Might Also Like

How climate change is fueling your sugar addiction
Environment

How climate change is fueling your sugar addiction

September 20, 2025
Climate Adaptation: Moving in Your Region to Avoid Sea Level Rise and Wildfire
Environment

Climate Adaptation: Moving in Your Region to Avoid Sea Level Rise and Wildfire

September 20, 2025
The climate squeeze
Environment

The climate squeeze

September 20, 2025
Ask an Expert: Heading into Election Season 2025, What Are the Obstacles to All Votes Being Counted?
Environment

Ask an Expert: Heading into Election Season 2025, What Are the Obstacles to All Votes Being Counted?

September 20, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?