Combatting Desertification
Desertification involves the deterioration of land in regions with arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid climates. This process is driven by multiple factors, such as climate change, human activity, and unsustainable land management. To address this issue, various initiatives have been developed to prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation.
Key initiatives include:
- Sustainable Land Management: Techniques like crop rotation, agroforestry, and conservation tillage are employed to maintain and improve land productivity.
- Restoration and Rehabilitation: Strategies such as reforestation, afforestation, and soil conservation help to restore degraded lands, enhancing vegetation and soil quality.
- Water Management: Efficient water conservation and irrigation practices are crucial to prevent soil erosion and ensure proper water usage.
- Policy and Governance: Developing and enforcing policies that advocate for sustainable land use and protect vulnerable areas from overexploitation are essential.
- Awareness and Education: Raising awareness among communities and stakeholders about the causes and impacts of desertification promotes the adoption of sustainable practices.
These measures aim to bolster the resilience of affected areas, support the livelihoods of people living in those regions, and improve overall environmental health.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
The UNCCD, established in 1994, is an international treaty focused on addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). Its primary mission is to safeguard and rehabilitate land, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future.
Key objectives of the UNCCD:
- Combat Desertification: The primary aim is to tackle desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, particularly in African nations.
- Sustainable Land Management: Promoting sustainable practices to prevent land degradation and restore affected areas.
- Global Cooperation: Encouraging international collaboration and partnerships to address the challenges posed by desertification.
Significant features of the UNCCD:
- Legally Binding Framework: The UNCCD is the only international framework specifically focused on desertification and drought that holds legal binding status.
- Participation and Partnership: The convention emphasizes participation, partnership, and decentralization, involving governments, scientists, policymakers, the private sector, and communities.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Member parties are required to develop national action programs and report on their progress in combating desertification and land degradation.
The UNCCD boasts 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union, making it a global initiative addressing land degradation and drought.
Key initiatives and recent developments:
- Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN): The UNCCD promotes achieving a balance between healthy, productive land and degraded land.
- Drought Resilience: Emphasizing the need for early warning systems, risk assessments, and sustainable water management to build resilience against drought.
- Support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: Recognizing the essential role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in preserving biodiversity and involving them in decision-making processes.
The 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-13, 2024. The conference focused on raising global ambition and accelerating action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.
Source | UNCCD