Is existing scientific knowledge sufficient to provide the basis for reliable monitoring of achieving land degradation neutrality?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Land Restoration ◽  
Degraded Land ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Dry Areas ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Environmental Concepts

<p>A goal of Land Degradation Neutrality by the year 2030 was agreed by the Rio+20 conference in 2012, and subsequently included in the Sustainable Development Goals. It dilutes earlier goals of unrestricted control of desertification, for example, by proposing that the rate of land degradation should be reduced and the rate of restoration of degraded land increased so they offset each other by 2030. As with many environmental concepts that have emerged in recent decades, Land Degradation Neutrality was proposed in the political arena, and scientific study is only now starting to evolve. Yet distinct positions are already forming within the scientific community, for example, on the feasibility of monitoring land degradation neutrality in dry areas when there are no reliable estimates for the rate of desertification, and on what constitutes land restoration in dry areas. Land degradation neutrality is also yet to be put in the wider context of environmental degradation as a whole, e.g. how does it relate to the forest degradation component of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to degradation of biodiversity which the Convention on Biological Diversity is seeking to reduce. This session will allow scientists working in the field of land degradation neutrality to share their perspectives in this emerging field.</p>

Land Degradation

2019 ◽  
pp. 437-459
Author(s):  
Ben Boer ◽  
Ian Hannam
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Legal Responses ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Land Farming ◽  
Laws And Policies

This chapter examines the international legal regime on land degradation. It first provides a brief overview of land degradation as a complex environmental issue around the world before discussing the causes and effects of land degradation. It then analyses a variety of legal responses to land degradation, from global initiatives such as the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the IUCN Covenant on Environment and Development; regional initiatives such as the World Soil Charter 2014 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015; and national laws and policies. The chapter also explores some of the main elements that need to be taken into consideration when designing legislation to address land degradation, including land tenure, access to land, farming systems and land use, the role of protected areas, and physical planning.

Sustainable Development, Ocean Governance and Marine Protected Areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-141
Author(s):  
David Freestone
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Aichi Biodiversity Targets

By 2020, at least ten percent of the global oceans should be subject to area-based protection according to the target agreed by the parties to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 (Aichi Biodiversity Targets) and reiterated in 2015 Sustainable Development Goal 14.5. This paper looks at the Sustainable Development Goals and the evolution of the concept of Sustainable Development, distinguishing it from international environmental law. Then it looks at the way in which the goals relate to ocean governance and the current lacunae in the system established by the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and the negotiations within the UN to address the issue of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in area beyond national jurisdiction. In particular, it looks at the sectoral approaches to area-based protection in areas beyond national jurisdiction, where currently iucn reports that only 1.18% is protected.

Learning to Innovate

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
Casey Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Governance System ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Aichi Biodiversity Targets ◽  
Taking Action ◽  
Biodiversity Governance

What is the likelihood of science and technology progress for biodiversity from the sustainable development goals? This chapter argues that it is higher than it may seem as a result of scientific developments ready for wide application and a structure of biodiversity governance able to spread innovation. The chapter initially argues that there are three potential fields for innovation under the specific targets of the sustainable development goals: integration of biodiversity with other spheres, ecosystem-based management, and remote sensing. Next, it argues that innovation is likely because the biodiversity governance system has developed localized centers for developing innovation with a system for transferring those findings across scales. It focuses specifically on the importance of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans developed under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the expert systems developed at the international level, and the ability of international organizations to implement innovative approaches to biodiversity governance. The conclusion is that there is a high potential for innovation, but that taking action after the Aichi biodiversity targets end in 2020 will be key.

scholarly journals Apples for Oranges: Disparities in Offset Legislation and Policy among Jurisdictions and its Implications for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Linda Abdo ◽  
Sandy Griffin ◽  
Annabeth Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Agenda 21 ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
International Obligation ◽  
Biodiversity Offsets ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
Development Goals

As a signatory to Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (including the Sustainable Development Goals) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Australia has an international obligation to ensure sustainable development. Biodiversity offsets are one tool used by Australian regulators to allow development to continue, whilst ensuring international obligations for sustainable development are met. In this study, legislation, policy and published guidelines for the Australian Commonwealth, states and territories were analysed to determine if the application of biodiversity offsets was consistent with the principles of sustainable development (environmentally, socially, economically) and if the allowance of biodiversity offsets in different jurisdictions created gaps in biodiversity and environmental protection across Australia. Regulation of biodiversity offsets was found to be inconsistent between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, with most jurisdictions having less than 50% similarity. This inconsistency in offset policy and legislation between jurisdictions could lead to loss of biodiversity. Additionally, jurisdictions did not adequately consider the social and economic aspects of sustainability in relation to biodiversity offsets, meaning that, through the allowance of biodiversity offsets, Australia may not be meeting their international obligations related to sustainable development. Further legislative development for biodiversity offsets is required in Australia to improve environmental protection and to adequately consider all aspects of sustainability. The Council of Australian Governments is a mechanism that could be used to ensure all jurisdictions consider the aspects of sustainability consistently in relation to biodiversity offsets.

scholarly journals “Large Ocean States”: Sovereignty, Small Islands, and Marine Protected Areas in Global Oceans Governance

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Chan
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Small Island ◽  
International Affairs ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecological Responsibility ◽  
Island States ◽  
Small Island States

Abstract Small island states are typically portrayed as vulnerable and insignificant actors in international affairs. This article traces the emerging self-identification of “large ocean states” that these small island states in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are now employing, juxtaposing their miniscule landmass and populations with the possession of sovereign authority over large swathes of the world’s oceans. Such authority is increasingly being exercised in the context of biodiversity conservation through expanding marine protected areas (an element of both the Sustainable Development Goals and the Aichi Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity) as an expression of “ecological responsibility.” This new exercise of green sovereignty reinforces state control over spaces previously governed only at a distance, but control made possible only through compromises with nonstate actors to fund, monitor, and govern these MPAs.

Land degradation neutrality under the SDGs: National and international implementation of the land degradation neutral world target

elni Review ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 2-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisatbeth Dooley ◽  
Ennid Roberts ◽  
Staphanie Wunder
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Global Soil ◽  
Preceding Discussion ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
International Year Of Soils ◽  
International Conventions

On World Soil Day, December 5, 2013, the UN General Assembly announced that 2015 marked the ‘International Year of Soils’. This announcement aimed to promote the protection of soil and increase awareness and understanding of its importance. It seems that soil is now, after decades defined by a lack of attention and awareness, finally receiving a greater degree of the much-needed consideration. Examples of this development include the establishment of the Global Soil Partnership (2012), the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (2013), the ‘Economics of Land Degradation’ publication (2013) and the annual organisation of the Global Soil Week (as of 2012). This article explores how the current momentum in international soil policy can be used to promote sustainable land use and reduce land degradation, particularly through the SDG process and using UN Conventions. It puts a special emphasis on the opportunities and challenges of the concept of “land degradation neutrality”. Firstly, this article addresses the background on the pressing issue of land degradation. Secondly, it deals with the adopted SDGs and the inclusion of a target for land degradation neutrality. Thirdly, national implementation of the SDGs are addressed including the need for countries to analyse their legislation and policies to determine whether they support land degradation neutrality. International conventions may direct more action toward and potentially increase the consistency and effectiveness of measures to accomplish the SDG targets, posing another avenue which could contribute to the achievement of land degradation neutrality. Particular emphasis is given to the UNCCD and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as the theoretically most appropriate conventions which may further the accomplishment of land degradation neutrality by adoption of stronger land-related obligations. Based on the preceding discussion, the paper concludes with issues, concerns and suggestions for the future to strive for land degradation neutrality.

scholarly journals Challenges of Gauging the Impact of Area-Based Fishery Closures and OECMs: A Case Study Using Long-Standing Canadian Groundfish Closures

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Shackell ◽  
David M. Keith ◽  
Heike K. Lotze
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Effective Area ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Population Growth Rates ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
The Impact

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1993. Canada is a signatory nation that has adopted, and exceeded, the UN Aichi biodiversity target to protect 10% of coastal and marine areas through marine protected areas or “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) by 2020. However, the science of OECMs as contributors to biodiversity conservation is relatively young and their definition and efficacy testing continue to evolve. Here, we examine whether areas closed to fishing on the Scotian Shelf in Atlantic Canada, where the groundfish community had collapsed in the early 1990s, have the potential to serve as OECMs for groundfish recovery. Using long-term research survey data, we show that three long-term area-based fishing fleet closures did not enhance per capita population growth rates of the majority of 24 common groundfish species. At a regional scale, 10 out of 24 species are currently at less than 50% of their pre-collapse (1979–1992) biomass, reflecting a sustained diminished productivity, even though fishing mortality has been drastically reduced through a moratorium in 1993. Additional measures are needed to protect severely depleted groundfish, especially when the causes of continued diminished productivity are still largely unresolved. The importance of OECMs as a risk-averse approach toward sustainability is globally accepted and they can be considered a tool toward the overarching UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-14). Our study provides further impetus toward articulating the criteria of OECMs and improving their design, monitoring, and testing, while placing OECMs within the broader context of sustainable ecosystem-based management.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and sustainability of remedial actions for land restoration in Abeokuta urban communities, Ogun state, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61
Author(s):  
Okanlade Adesokan Lawal-Adebowale
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Land Restoration ◽  
Degraded Land ◽  
Ogun State ◽  
Water Logging ◽  
Remedial Actions

Abstract The destructive impact of land degradation on social and economic endeavours of the residents of certain urban areas of Abeokuta communities in Ogun State, Nigeria calls for remedial actions to restoring the affected land areas. This becomes essential in order to ensure safe inhabitation and enhanced socioeconomic engagements of the residents. Taken remedial actions in this regard included the use of sandbags, debris and wood logs, rubbles and stones, construction of contours and drainages. While each of these actions, in one way or the other, effectively improves the degraded land, it was concluded that the use of rubbles and stones, and drainage construction were sustainably durable for land restoration on the premise that these actions does not allow for water logging or flooding in of the study area. It was however recommended that these sustainable remedial actions should rather be pro-actively taken for prevention of land degradation than being taken as degraded land restoration actions basically because it is much cheaper to prevent environmental degradation than to have the degraded land restored.

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