ADB mobilises $2bn to tackle land degradation across Asia-Pacific

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a $2 billion financing initiative designed to accelerate efforts against land degradation and desertification affecting millions across Asia and the Pacific. The FIELD initiative, developed in partnership with international organisations and regional stakeholders, represents a coordinated approach to mobilising capital for land restoration and sustainable land management practices.

Land degradation poses a significant threat to food security, water availability, and livelihoods across the region. Desertification and soil deterioration have intensified pressure on agricultural productivity and threaten vulnerable communities reliant on natural resources. The new initiative seeks to bridge the funding gap that has historically limited restoration efforts at scale.

The FIELD framework aims to combine concessional and commercial financing mechanisms to attract investment from both public and private sources. By structuring financial instruments tailored to the needs of member countries, the initiative targets large-scale land restoration, reforestation, and sustainable agricultural practices that can generate economic returns while restoring ecosystems.

Participating countries and development partners view the initiative as a critical step toward meeting regional commitments on environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The programme is expected to demonstrate viable models for financing land restoration that can be replicated across multiple jurisdictions, strengthening the region's capacity to address one of its most pressing environmental challenges.