D4.4 – Pathways for Meeting Sustainable Land Use Strategies in 2050

Deliverable 4.4 – Pathways for Meeting Sustainable Land Use Strategies in 2050, was submitted by CzechGlobe, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, and the Baltic Studies Centre in January 2026. The description of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable is at the end for download.

This Deliverable is part of Task 4.4 ”Identifying measures that can create multi-scale behaviour change throughout land use systems” within Work Package 4.

Land use is central to many global sustainability challenges, requiring a delicate balance between food security, resource provision, biosphere integrity and climate action. Looking ahead to 2050, transitioning to sustainable land use strategies is critical yet inherently complex due to diverse regional pressures and competing demands. This report aims to navigate this complexity by providing concrete, policy-relevant insights derived from extensive research undertaken across the project’s work packages (WP).

The overarching objective of this deliverable is to synthesise diverse findings to guide the development of effective, robust land use policies for the mid-century. To achieve this, the report does not present new primary empirical data but rather employs a methodology known as a second-order meta-analysis. In essence, this approach involves systematically reviewing and synthesizing the key policy messages, quantitative modelling results, and qualitative case study conclusions already generated by previous work packages (WP1, WP2, and WP3). By treating these existing project outputs as data, this synthesis allows for the identification of overarching patterns, common challenges, and high-level opportunities that might not be visible when looking at individual studies in isolation.

A central focus of this synthesis is the identification of ‘context-sensitive pathways’ towards sustainability. This concept acknowledges that regarding land use policy, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is rarely effective and often counterproductive. Context-sensitive policies are therefore defined as those specifically tailored to account for unique local realities, including varying environmental baselines, specific socio-economic structures, cultural values, and existing institutional frameworks.

Through this methodical synthesis, the report presents an analysis of barriers and drivers affecting implementation, an examination of policy synergies and trade-offs, and the mapping of these context-sensitive pathways. The synthesis of drivers and barriers suggests that institutional capacity, regulatory coherence, and prevailing economic conditions are the primary factors influencing whether sustainable land use strategies can be successfully implemented.

Furthermore, the analysis of policy synergies and trade-offs highlights a critical dynamic for decision-makers. While some policy interventions can generate positive reinforcing effects across multiple sustainability objectives (synergies), others may lead to conflicting outcomes where progress in one area hinders another (trade-offs), requiring careful negotiation and management. Finally, the analysis emphasises that successfully tailoring policies to local conditions requires a participatory approach that actively involves diverse stakeholders in the design and implementation phases.

Overall, this report provides a comprehensive overview of the critical challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable land use strategies in 2050, offering actionable, evidence-based insights for policymakers.