About us
The Motivation
Preserving Rangelands for Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Climate Resilience
Rangelands cover over half of the Earth’s land surface and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They support biodiversity, sustain millions of livelihoods, and provide vital services such as carbon sequestration and water regulation. However, these ecosystems are under significant threat from habitat destruction caused by land conversion and overexploitation. Sustainable livelihoods and ancient pastoral land management practices are breaking down due to poverty and unemployment, further contributing to the degradation of rangelands.
Properly managed rangelands have the potential to provide food security and alleviate poverty for millions of people. They offer various ecosystem services, including food and fibre production, carbon storage (accounting for approximately 30% of the world's soil carbon), recreation, open space, and water supply. Improved rangeland management could enhance carbon sequestration, potentially sequestering an additional 1300–2000 Mt CO2e by 2030.
Safeguarding Against Land Degradation for a Sustainable Future
25–35% of rangelands globally are currently under some form of degradation. The conversion of rangelands to other uses has reduced the available area for livestock, leading to increased pressures on the remaining land. Inadequate government policies and the impacts of climate change, such as higher temperatures and more erratic rainfall patterns, have further exacerbated land degradation, resulting in bare soils, soil erosion, and compaction, along with losses in animal productivity, wildlife, and biodiversity.
To address these threats, the Rangeland Stewardship Council has been established to set global standards for equitable benefit sharing, sustainable livelihoods, and the biological conservation of threatened rangeland ecosystems. Through this collaborative initiative, the goal is to integrate private sector involvement and expedite investments in rangeland ecosystems. This approach seeks to generate opportunities for positive environmental outcomes while safeguarding the livelihoods of communities dependent on rangelands.
“More than half of the world’s land mass is rangeland – and yet these landscapes and the people who inhabit and manage them have been largely neglected. They are a main source of food and feed for humanity, and yet they are also the world economy’s dumping ground. It is time to shift perspective – from ‘a rangeland problem’ to ‘a sustainable rangeland solution’.”
Our Mission
Central to the Rangeland Stewardship Council’s (RSC) mission is the commitment to establish a global benchmark for responsible rangeland management through the creation of a unified rangelands standard. By developing this comprehensive standard, the RSC aims to encourage and promote best practices across diverse regions worldwide, encompassing core principles of herder representation, traceability, carbon sequestration, culturally attentive practices, human health and wellbeing initiatives, animal welfare standards, gender equality support, and land management strategies.
Our Vision
The Rangeland Stewardship Council’s vision is to foster regenerative farming, promote biodiversity conservation and enhancement, and safeguard local cultural heritage and diversity. Through the development of a comprehensive standard, the initiative aims to inspire and reward exemplary rangeland management practices that would benefit ecosystems and contribute to the well-being of communities globally. The aim is to establish a sustainable framework that harmonises environmental, social, and economic considerations.
Building a better future
Join us in making a difference by participating in our vibrant
community and helping foster positive change in global rangelands.
RSC Approach
Collaborative
The RSC embraces a collaborative approach by actively engaging with existing programs and groups in both the private and public sectors.
Regionally Specific
Recognising the diverse nature of rangelands, the RSC aims to provide guidance for regionally specific standards by coordinating with policies at local, national, and international levels.
One Health
In line with the World Health Organisation's 'One Health' approach, the RSC takes a holistic perspective, considering the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment.
Bottom-up Strategy
The RSC adopts a bottom-up strategy to encourages collaboration between organisations using rangeland products and the communities that produce these materials, thereby promoting conservation and sustainability from the grassroots level.
Transparent
Transparency is fundamental to the RSC to ensure accountability for all stakeholders, whether public or private. The RSC adheres to the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice, focusing on principles like engagement, impartiality, and transparency.
Get In Touch.
We look forward to engaging with like-minded individuals who share
our commitment to creating a better, more sustainable future.
