Global Scans · Life on Land · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss,

• [New] Regulatory Policy: Changes to Australian land taxes or security requirements could structurally depress net property income margins. Bingx Exchange
• [New] Planetary crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are impacting human health and threatening previous gains in global health. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In recent years, a growing number of pests have begun spreading faster and farther, affecting crops, ecosystems and livelihoods across regions and in some cases posing risks of global concern. International Plant Protection Convention
• [New] Enhancing measures to limit the increase in global temperatures could significantly progress toward many other SDGs, such as reducing poverty and hunger, increasing water availability, and protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Scientific Research Publishing
• [New] Virginia tracks invasive plants, animals and insects that threaten ecosystems and agriculture. FOX 5 DC
• [New] The increasing adoption of electric vehicles globally, driven by stringent environmental regulations and growing consumer awareness of sustainable practices, is creating a substantial opportunity for V2G technologies to become a cornerstone of the future energy ecosystem. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Land surface temperatures are expected to be above-normal almost worldwide during the May-July 2026 period. Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sc
• [New] As global oceans continue to warm, the risks to ecosystems, economies and vulnerable communities are expected to intensify, underscoring the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies. Healthwise
• [New] In Europe, species such as ragweed with its highly allergenic pollen and black locust, which invades forests and grasslands, are expected to become more widespread under a warming climate. EurekAlert!
• [New] The Harpoon Coastal Defence System is a land-based variant of the Boeing Harpoon Block II missile, designed to target a range of maritime and land-based threats, including coastal defences, surface-to-air missile sites, ports, and moored ships. EurAsian Times
• [New] Forest restructuring could threaten Wisconsin-based research, advocates say: The Trump administration's recently announced plans to radically restructure the U.S. Forest Service have raised concerns among advocates that forest land across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest could suffer. Civic Media Today
• [New] By 2050, public and private investment will be driving landscape scale restoration, supporting large, connected and resilient ecosystems valued for their ecosystem services. GOV.UK
• [New] By 2050, agricultural land will be managed to prioritise sustainable food production and environmental benefits. GOV.UK
• [New] By 2030, farmers and land managers will have clarity on the long-term opportunities for their land and policy on food production. GOV.UK
• [New] Most of the near-term growth will come from land-based wind, with around 24 GW expected between 2026 and 2028. Find EV Charging Stations, Read Reviews & Rate Your Exp
• [New] Developers of major infrastructure projects in England - such as roads, railways, and energy networks - will be required to meet new requirements around biodiversity net gain from later in 2026, the UK government has confirmed. Pinsent Masons
• [New] The frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events have risen sharply over the past half century, and the risks to agrifood systems and ecosystems are set to soar in the future. World Meteorological Organization
• [New] Disruption would spread across food webs and ecosystems in the ocean and on land - for example, the amount of land available for growing wheat and maize, which supply two-fifths of global calories, would be cut by more than half. Live Science
• [New] 43% of the new renewable infrastructure needed to meet federal targets could be located on land held collectively by First Peoples in Australia. SBS News
• [New] Singapore has evolved into a global benchmark for urban innovation by transforming developmental challenges - such as water scarcity and land constraints - into lucrative business opportunities through progressive leadership and a commitment to life-ability. Science Publishing Group
• [New] Nature underpins food systems, clean air and water, energy, climate and disaster resilience, and Canada's identity-yet it faces mounting threats from climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss. Mirage News
• [New] Taxing South Korean land values could generate an enormous amount of revenue, and a modest LVT could easily raise enough for a meaningful UBI with no risk of evaporating the tax base. Progress and Poverty
• [New] The Lyme Timber Company is looking at how it could leverage the data it has collected from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology - which maps a portion of land with more granularity than field mapping - to carry out nature-based carbon projects. Environmental Finance

Last updated: 03 May 2026