During the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, a significant side event took place on August 20. Co-hosted by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the session focused on "Integrated Landscape Investment: Complementary Financing from CIF and GEF."

Jamie Ferguson, the World Bank Group's Climate Business Leader, addressed the gathering, explaining that integrated landscape investment, which involves the coordinated planning and funding of land, ecosystems, resources, and communities within a specific area, is a powerful tool for job creation, enhancing food and water security, and revitalizing rural economies. However, Ferguson candidly noted that while the concept is straightforward to articulate, its implementation is fraught with complexity, as responsibilities, funding sources, and execution duties are often fragmented across different sectors, making unified action difficult.

Ferguson emphasized that landscapes are the connective tissue linking land, water, food, biodiversity, and resilience, ultimately tying back to jobs and livelihoods. He pointed to stark global figures: 1.2 billion jobs depend on ecosystem services, yet 40% of the world's land is already degraded, with an additional 100 million hectares lost or degraded each year. From his perspective, healthy landscapes are not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental economic and employment agenda.

However, the path to integrated landscape management is riddled with hurdles. Ferguson acknowledged that the term "integration" is easy to pronounce but difficult to execute, as it requires reconciling the differing mandates, authorities, budgets, timelines, and stakeholders involved. He proposed that advancing this agenda necessitates strong national-level leadership and a shared vision, bringing together ministries of finance, planning, agriculture, water, environment, and infrastructure, alongside local governments, communities, herders, land users, and the private sector.

To unite these diverse actors, Ferguson highlighted "catalytic capital" as a crucial instrument. He explained that funding from multilateral development banks and concessional sources like the CIF and GEF can act as a lever to incentivize cooperation and integration. This capital can also support the coordination and capacity-building needed among institutions, communities, and financing partners. He stressed that integration does not need to be achieved all at once; it can be advanced incrementally, provided it is coordinated within a larger strategic framework.

Ferguson then showcased a concrete example of this approach in action: the World Bank Group's ongoing efforts to develop the "Sustainable Mongolia Integrated Landscape and Economy" (SMILE) initiative. This program aims to steer Mongolia's economy towards eco-tourism and sustainably produced land-based products through foundational green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, integrated landscape management, and green value chains. The initiative is designed to connect these efforts with market-based financing while fostering a supportive policy environment.

Broadening the perspective, Ferguson underscored the World Bank Group's overarching goal of promoting multi-sectoral, integrated landscape management that converts natural capital into tangible opportunities across food systems, water security, rural economies, and resilience. He articulated that the institution's contribution extends beyond financial resources to include convening power at both national and cross-border levels, as well as knowledge sharing. To this end, the World Bank is launching a "Living Landscapes Academy" globally to build capacity in this field.

In his concluding remarks, Ferguson reiterated that successful integrated landscape investment demands political leadership, patient coordination, and sustained financial support. The ultimate payoff, he affirmed, is healthier landscapes that yield a rich dividend of employment opportunities and community vitality.