Over the last few decades, several global policies and agreements aimed at addressing desertification and land degradation have been established. Whether they are effective or not, these initiatives often linked to broader environmental and sustainable development goals are a good place to start when trying to understand the scale and urgency of the issue. Here are some of the key global policies and agreements related to desertification:
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): This is one of the most significant international agreements addressing desertification. Adopted in 1994, the UNCCD is a legally binding treaty with the goal of combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. The UNCCD promotes sustainable land management and the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, includes several goals related to combating desertification and land degradation. Goal 15, in particular, calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including combating desertification and halting land degradation.
Paris Agreement: While primarily focused on climate change, the Paris Agreement also recognizes the importance of addressing land degradation and desertification as part of efforts to combat climate change. Sustainable land management is mentioned as a means of enhancing climate resilience.
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets: Part of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), these targets include elements related to combating desertification and land degradation. Target 15 calls for the restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: Adopted in 2015, this framework emphasizes the importance of managing land and ecosystems sustainably to reduce disaster risk. It recognizes that land degradation, including desertification, can increase vulnerability to disasters.
The African Union's Great Green Wall Initiative: This is a regional effort to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought in the Sahel region of Africa. The initiative aims to create a mosaic of green and productive landscapes across the Sahel and Sahara regions.
The Global Soil Partnership (GSP): While not a formal treaty, the GSP was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It seeks to promote sustainable soil management to address issues like land degradation and desertification.
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