Global Land Programme

The Global Land Programme (GLP) is an interdisciplinary community of science and practice that aims to advance understanding of land system change as a cause and consequence of global change and as a sustainability solution. GLP is a Global Research Programme of the Future Earth initiative and represents the largest international research network in this field.

GLP programme activities and network organization

Land system science is still evolving as an “interdiscipline” with strong connections between scientific understanding and the communities of practice and policy that govern and manage the use of land. In this context, GLP supports synthesis and agenda-setting activities, while serving as a platform for exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

The International Programme Office (IPO) was hosted by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern, Switzerland from 2016 until 2023. The IPO is the central organizing hub of the programme, supporting the work of the Scientific Steering Committee and the GLP members throughout the world to implement GLP’s Science and Implementation Plan.

The Nodal Offices support regional activities of the GLP community, while working groups bring together participants from diverse institutions and countries to undertake initiatives that advance the study of land system science and help to unlock transformative pathways to sustainability. Contributing projects provide a space to highlight research being carried out by scientists in the GLP community. Anyone can become a member of GLP; joining is free and open.

Looking back on the 4th Open Science Meeting

Every two to three years, GLP holds an open science meeting. In April 2019 it took place at the University of Bern and brought together over 600 participants. Its overarching theme was “Transforming Land Systems for People and Nature”. Click the links below to access reviews, interviews, and more:

Blog

Interview with Ariane de Bremond on the 4th OSM

Videos of the key notes