Note 225 PC/100/ADD.7: Desertification unced 2:24 am Jan 16, 1992 From: UNCED Subject: PC/100/ADD.7: Desertification PC/100/ADD.17: DESERTIFICATION Distr. GENERAL A/CONF.151/PC/100/Add.17 11 December 1991 Original: ENGLISH PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT Fourth Session New York, 2 March-3 April 1992 Item 2 (c) of Plenary Session Item 3 (c) of provisional agenda of Working Group I PREPARATIONS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ON THE BASIS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 44/228 AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OTHER RELEVANT GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS: MANAGING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT (Section II, Chapter 4 of Agenda 21) Report of the Secretary General of the Conference INTRODUCTION 1. **(A/CONF.151/PC/WG.I/CRP.12/Rev.1, para.11)< Fragile ecosystems are important ecosystems, with unique features and resources. Fragile ecosystems include deserts, semi-arid lands, mountains, wetlands, small islands, and certain coastal areas.>** This chapter addresses land resources issues in deserts and arid and semi-arid areas. The issue of mountains is addressed in the Agenda 21 Chapter on Sustainable Mountain Development.1/ The subject of small islands and coastal areas is presented in the Agenda 21 Chapter on Oceans.2/ 2. **(A/CONF. 151/PC/62, para.5)< Desertification is land degradation in arid, semi arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from adverse human impact.>** Desertification affects about a sixth of the world's population, 70 per cent of the total drylands amounting to 3.6 billion hectares, and one quarter of the total land area of the world. The most obvious impact of desertfication, in addition to widespread poverty, is the degradation of 3.3 billion hectares of the total area of rangelands, constituting 73 per cent of the rangelands which have low potential for human and animal carrying capacity; decline in soil fertility and soil structure on about 47 per cent of total area in the drylands which constitutes marginal rainfed croplands, and the degradation of irrigated croplands amounting to 30 per cent of the total area on drylands which have high population density and agricultural potential. 3. The first priority in combating desertification should be the implementation of preventive measures for lands that are not yet degraded, or which are only slightly degraded. This is recognized in the United Nations Plan of Action to Combat Desertification. In combating desertification and drought, the participation of local communities, rural organizations, national Governments, NGOs and international and regional organizations is essential. 4. Discussion on A/CONF.151/PC/WG.I/L.29 showed the national, regional and global nature of the desertification problem and the important developmental and environmental implications that need investigation and immediate action. There was broad agreement on the content of this document and the proposed programme areas for Agenda 21 which were annexed to the decision in A/CONF.151/PC/WG.I/L36/Rev.1. This decision also requested a further elaboration of the proposed programme areas and action for consideration by the Preparatory Committee at its fourth session. 5. Programme areas included in this chapter include: A. Strengthening the Knowledge Base and Developing Information and Monitoring Systems of regions prone to desertification and drought as well as the economic and social aspects of these systems. B. Combating Land Degradation and Intensifing Afforestation and Reforestation Activities C. Developing and Strengthening Integrated Programmes for Eradication of Poverty and Promotion of Alternative Livelihood Systems in Areas Prone to Desertification. D. Developing and Integrating Comprehensive Anti-desertification Programmes into National Development Plans and National Environmental Action Plans. E. Developing Comprehensive Drought Preparedness and Drought Relief Schemes for Drought Prone Areas and Design Programmes to Cope with Environmental Refugees. PROGRAMME AREAS A. STRENGTHENING THE KNOWLEDGE BASE AND DEVELOPING INFORMATION AND MONITORING SYSTEMS OF REGIONS PRONE TO DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THESE SYSTEMS. Basis for Action 6. The global assessments of the status and rate of desertification conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] in 1977, 1984 and 1991 have revealed insufficient basic knowledge of human-induced desertification processes and their interactions between climate fluctuations and recurrent droughts in world drylands. The absence of an adequate world wide monitoring system severely restricts the development and implementation of effective anti-desertification programmes. The capacity of existing international, regional and national institutions, particularly in developing countries, to generate and exchange relevant information is limited. An integrated and co-ordinated information and monitoring system based on advanced technology and embracing global, regional, national and local levels is essential for understanding the dynamics of desertification and drought processes. It is also important for developing adequate measures to deal with desertification and drought and improving the socio-economic conditions. Objectives 7. By 1996, establish means for the accounting of economic as well as social consequences of desertification/land degradation. 8. By 2000, establish within EARTHWATCH a permanent monitoring of desertification/land degradation and human conditions in affected areas. 9. By 2000, finalize national and local assessments of the status and rate of desertification/land degradation in countries affected. Activities Management: 10. National Governments should: a. Provide access to the EARTHWATCH database and other information on desertification by strengthening appropriate institutional and technical resources at the national and local level. b. Promote and support national and local assessment at an appropriate scale of the status and rate of desertification/land degradation based on the existing national institutions and international technical assistance with a view to finalizing this assessment. Data and Information: 11. An international study team co-sponsored by UNEP in cooperation with relevant national institutions should: a. Undertake a study of the means for measuring the economic and social consequences of desertification and land degradation, and introduce internationally the results of this study into the practice of desertification and land degradation assessment. b. Undertake a study of interactions between climate, drought and desertification and utilize the results of this study in the refinement of desertification definitions and corresponding desertification assessment methodology. 12. National Government with the support of the international community should: a. Support GLASOD PHASE 2 and SOTER/UNEP/FAO/ISRIC/ISSS projects on global assessment of soil degradation with a view to obtaining a reliable and complete picture of the status of the world's land resources, particularly soils. b. Undertake a study of the world status of vegetation cover and the rate of its degradation. c. Develop and incorporate a comprehensive desertification database component that includes both physical and socio-economic parameters into EARTHWATCH. This should be based on the existing facilities of UNEP, FAO, WMO and other information systems of international, regional and national institutions strengthened for this purpose. d. Strengthen global meteorological and hydrological networks and monitoring systems to ensure adequate basic information collection and communication among national, regional and international centres. International and Regional Cooperation and Coordination: 13. National Governments and the International Community should strengthen regional programmes and international cooperation such as the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the Inter Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC), and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). Means of Implementation: Financing and Cost Evaluation: 14. The total financing required to implement this programme area is about US$ 350 million a year, while the average annual financing required from international sources is about US$ 175 million. From this international figure, the average annual costs related to accelerated development would be about US$ 165 million and the costs for strengthening the capacity of international institutions would be about US$ 10 million a year. Scientific and Technological Means: 15. National Governments in cooperation with the international and regional organizations working on the issue of desertification and drought should: a. Draw on existing inventories of natural resources, such as energy, water, soil, minerals, plant and animal access to food, housing, employment, health, education and demographic distribution in time and space. b. Develop integrated information systems for environmental monitoring, accounting and impact assessment. Human Resource Development: 16. National Governments in cooperation with the international and regional organizations working on the issue of desertification and drought should develop technical and professional skills of people engaged in monitoring and assessment of the issue of desertification and drought. Capacity Building: 17. National Governments in cooperation with the international and regional organizations working on the issue of desertification and drought should strengthen national and local level institutions by providing adequate staff equipment and finance to monitor and assess desertification. B. COMBATING LAND DEGRADATION AND INTENSIFYING AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION ACTIVITIES Basis for Action 18. Desertification affects about 3.6 billion hectares which is about 70 per cent of the total area of the worlds's drylands or nearly one quarter of the global land. The first priority is to protect and take preventive measures in areas which are not yet affected or only slightly affected by desertification. This includes more than 1,2 billion hectares of rangeland (about 27 per cent of the total area of rangeland), 240 million hectares of rainfed cropland (about 53 per cent of the total area of rainfed cropland) and 100 million hectares of irrigated cropland (about 70 per cent of the total irrigated land). The second priority would involve implementation of corrective measures to sustain the productivity of moderately desertified drylands. This includes about 1,250 million hectares of rangeland (about 28 per cent of the total area of rangeland), 180 million hectares of rainfed cropland (about 40 per cent of the total area of rainfed cropland) and 35 million hectares of irrigated cropland (about 23 per cent of the total irrigated area). The third priority would consist of rehabilitation or protection for natural recovery of severely or very severely desertified drylands. These include over 2 billion hectares of rangeland, 33 million hectares of rainfed cropland and 9 million hectares of irrigated cropland. 19. An increasing vegetation cover would promote and stabilize the hydrological balance in the dryland areas and maintain land quality and land productivity. Prevention of not yet degraded land and application of corrective measures and rehabilitation of moderate and severely degraded drylands through the introduction of environmentally sound, socially acceptable and fair, and economically feasible land use systems. This will enhance the land carrying capacity and maintenance of biotic resources in fragile ecosystems. Objectives 20. By 2010 halt the spread of desertification by effectively protecting areas that are not yet affected or only slightly affected by desertification and sustain their productivity for agricultural development. 21. By 2020, rehabilitate moderately to severely desertified drylands for productive utilization and sustain their productivity for agricultural development. 22. Increase the vegetation cover and support management of biotic resources in regions affected or prone to desertification and drought. 23. Improve management of forest resources and promote alternative energy sources other than wood-fuel. Activities Management: 24. National Governments with support of the International Community should: a. Implement urgent direct preventive measures in so-far non- affected but vulnerable or only slightly desertified drylands, by introducing (i) improved land use policies and practices; (ii) appropriate, environmentally acceptable and economically feasible agricultural and pastoral technologies, (iii) afforestation and reforestation where appropriate; and (iv) improved management of water resources. b. Implement direct corrective measures in moderately desertified drylands in addition to the measures listed in (a) above with a view to restoring and sustaining their productivity. c. Implement direct rehabilitation or protection measures, as appropriate in severely and very severely desertified drylands with a view to restoring their productivity, where this is ecologically and economically feasible, or effectively protecting them for natural recovery, as appropriate. d. Establish improved land/water/crop management systems in existing irrigated croplands. Stabilize rainfed croplands and introduce improved soil/crop management systems into land use practice. e. Establish improved rangeland/husbandry management systems based on innovative or adapted indigenous technologies. Data and Information: 25. National Governments should develop land-use models based on the improvement of local practices with a focus on preventing land degradation. The models should give a better understanding of the interaction of new as well as traditional practices and the resilience of the whole ecological and social system. International and Regional Cooperation and Coordination: 26. The appropriate United Nations agencies, NGOs and bilateral agencies should: a. Co-ordinate their role in combating land degradation and promoting reforestation, agro-forestry and land management systems in affected countries. b. Support regional and subregional activities in technology development and dissemination, training and programme implementation to arrest dryland degradation. Means of Implementation Financing and Cost Evaluation: 27. The total financing required to implement this programme area in developing countries is about US$ 6,000 million a year, while the average annual financing required from international sources is about US$ 3,000 million. From this international figure, costs related to accelerated development would be about US$ 2,600 million a year, the requirements for global environmental issues would be about US$ 370 million a year, and the amount for strengthening the capacity of international institutions would be about US$ 30 million a year. Scientific and Technological Means: 28. National Governments and local communities should: a. Integrate indigenous knowledge related to forest, forest lands, rangelands and natural vegetation into research activities on desertification and drought. b. Promote integrated research programmes on protection, restoration and conservation of water and land resources and land-use management based on traditional approaches where feasible; Human Resource Development: 29. National Governments and local communities should: a. Establish mechanisms which ensure that land users both women and men are the main actors in implementing improved land-use, including agro-forestry systems, in combating land degradation. b. Strengthen existing extension services in areas prone to desertification and drought particularly for training of farmers and pastoralists on improved management of land and water resources in dry land. Capacity building: 30. National Governments and local communities should: a. Develop and adopt, through appropriate national legislation, and introduce institutionally, new and environmentally sound development oriented land use policies. b. Support community based people's organizations, especially farmers and pastoralists. C. DEVELOPING AND STRENGTHENING INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY AND PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD SYSTEMS IN AREAS PRONE TO DESERTIFICATION. Basis for Action 31. Current livelihood and resource use systems are not able to maintain living standards in areas prone to desertification and drought and the growing population is increasing the pressure on the resource base. Poverty is a major factor in accelerating the rate of degradation and desertification. In many of the marginal drylands, the existing livelihood system, based largely on subsistance agriculture and livestock are inadequate to be used on a sustainable basis. Measures listed in Programme Areas A, B, D, and E will help but they should be complemented by additional social, political and economic national actions directed to alleviating poverty, generating alternative livelihoods, adjusting existing land tenure, promoting small-scale enterprises in rural areas and adjusting demographic policies. Objectives 32. By 2000, provide households below the poverty line in drylands affected by, or prone to, desertification and drought with an opportunity to earn a sustainable livelihood. 33. **(A/CONF.151/PC/WG.I/CRP.12/Rev.1, para.14i)< Promote alternative uses for land such as cottage industry, livestock, wildlife, and marine based income generating activities in fragile areas where traditional agricultural uses are not viable.>** Activities Management: 34. National Governments with the support of the International Community should: a. Develop, establish and implement programmes for alternative livelihood opportunities at the national level, integrating individual and household opportunities with the community in general. This should build upon traditional occupations and, in particular, be implemented in marginal areas. b. Establish national, intersectoral mechanisms to handle environmental and developmental consequences of land tenure expressed in terms of land use and land ownership. Particular attention should be given to protecting the property rights of women and pastoral and nomadic groups living in rural areas. c. Develop infrastructure, and local production and marketing capacity by involving the local people to promote alternative livelihood systems and alleviate poverty. Data and Information: 35. National Governments should promote an exchange and sharing of information concerning development of alternative livelihoods with other agro-ecological regions. International and Regional Cooperation and Coordination: 36. National Governments and intergovernmental organizations should support the implementation of programmes and projects by organizations such as UNDP, FAO, IFAD, WFP, UNSO, the World Bank and relevant NGOs which are directed towards the alleviation of poverty and promotion of an alternative livelihood system. Means of Implementation Financing and Cost Evaluation: 37. The financing needed for anti-poverty/alternate livelihood programmes is estimated in programmes for resource management, for diversification of production systems along with the resources required for improving access of the poorer groups to development opportunities. In this context the costs shown under the chapter on Combating Poverty and Meeting Basic Needs and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (under the programme area entitled Improving Farm Production Systems through Diversification of Farm and Non-farm Employment and Infrastructure Development) are also relevant for this programme area. Scientific and Technological Means: 38. National Governments and the private sector should: a. Develop indigenous national and ecoregional scientific research and technology capabilities for sustainable livelihood systems. b. Encourage the use and development of improved indigenous techniques for alternative livelihood systems. Human Resource Development: 39. National Governments and private sectors should establish appropriate national systems for provision of necessary skills to maintain alternative livelihood systems such as cottage industries and local crafts. Capacity Building: 40. National Governments should establish and maintain mechanisms to ensure integration of strategies into sectoral and national development plans and programmes, for poverty alleviation among the inhabitants of lands prone to desertification. D. DEVELOPING AND INTEGRATING COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-DESERTIFICATION PROGRAMMES INTO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLANS. Basis for Action 41. In a number of developing countries affected by desertification the natural resource base is the main resource upon which the development process must rely. The social systems interacting with land resources make the problem much more complex, requiring an integrated approach to planning and management of land resources. Anti-desertification and drought action plans should be integrated to include management of the environment and development aspects as well, thus fitting into the approach of integrated national development plans and national environmental action plans. Objectives 42. By 1995, strengthen national institutional capabilities to develop appropriate anti-desertification programmes and to integrate them into national development plans and national environmental action plans for effective implementation. 43. By 2000, establish efficient public participation in development and implement national anti-desertification programmes. Activities Management: 44. National Governments should: a. Establish or strengthen, national and local anti-desertification authorities within government and local executive bodies as well as local land-users committees/associations in all rural communities affected, with a view to organizing working cooperation between all actors concerned, from the grassroots level of farmers/pastoralist through to the higher levels of Government. b. Develop national plans of action to combat desertification and incorporate them as appropriate as integrated parts of national development plans and national environmental action plans between 1993-1996. c. Implement policies directed to the improvement of land use, the appropriate management of common lands, the provision of incentives to small farmers and pastoralists, the involvement of women, and to the encouragement of private investment in the development of drylands. Data and Information: 45. National Governments should promote information exchange and cooperation with respect to national planning and programming among affected countries. International and Regional Cooperation and Coordination: 46. The relevant United Nations agencies, the World Bank and other regional Banks, NGOs and bilateral agencies should facilitate the integration of anti- desertification programmes into national plans and national environmental action plans. Means of Implementation Financing and Cost Evaluation: 47. The total financing required to implement this programme area is about US$ 180 million a year, while the average annual financing required from international sources is about US$ 90 million. From this international figure, costs related to accelerated development would be about US$ 80 million a year, and the costs for strengthening the capacity of international institutions would be about US$ 10 million a year. Scientific and Technological Means: 48. National Governments in cooperation with the appropriate international and regional organization should: a. Develop and introduce appropriate improved sustainable agricultural and pastoral technologies that are socially and environmentally acceptable and economically feasible. b. Undertake applied study of integrating environmental and developmental activities into national development plans. Human Resource Development: 49. National Governments should undertake nation wide major anti- desertification awareness/training campaigns within countries affected through existing national mass media facilities, educational networks and newly created or strengthened extension services. This should ensure people's access to knowledge of desertification and drought and to national Plans of Action to Combat Desertification. Capacity Building: 50. National Governments should establish and maintain mechanisms to ensure coordination of sectoral ministries and institutions including local level institutions and appropriate NGOs in integrating anti-desertification programmes into National Development Plans and National Environmental Action Plans. E. DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS AND DROUGHT RELIEF SCHEMES FOR DROUGHT PRONE AREAS AND DESIGNING PROGRAMMES TO COPE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REFUGEES. Basis for Action 51. Drought, in differing degrees of frequency and severity, is a recurring phenomenon throughout much of the developing world, especially Africa. Apart from the human toll - an estimated three million people died in the mid-1980s because of drought in sub-Saharan Africa - the economic costs of drought-related disasters is also high in terms of lost production, misused inputs and diversion of development resources. 52. Early warning systems to forecast drought will make possible the implementation of drought preparedness schemes. Integrated packages at the farm and watershed level such as alternative cropping strategies, soil and water conservation, and promotion of water harvesting techniques could enhance the land capacity to cope with drought and provide basic necessities, thereby minimizing the number of environmental refugees and the need for emergency drought relief. At the same time, contingency arrangements for relief are needed for periods of acute scarcity. Objectives 53. By 2000, provide early warning information to decision-makers and to land users to enable them to implement strategies for drought preparedness in the short and long term. 54. Develop and integrate into national and regional development planning drought relief schemes and means to cope with environmental refugees. 55. Establish contingency arrangements for drought relief in all areas prone to scarcity. Activities Management: 56. In all drought prone areas, national Governments should: a. Design strategies to deal with national food deficiencies in periods of production shortfall - these should deal with issues of storage and stocks, imports, port facilities, food storage, transport, and distribution. b. Strengthen national and regional capacity for agro-meteorology and contingency crop planning - agro-meteorology links the frequency, content, and regional coverage of weather forecasts with the requirements of crop planning and agricultural extension. c. Prepare rural projects for providing short-term rural employment to drought affected households - the loss of income and entitlement to food is a common source of distress in times of drought and rural works help to generate the income required to buy food for poor households. d. Establish contingency arrangements for food/fodder distribution and water supply. e. Establish budgetary mechanisms for providing resources at short notice for drought relief. f. Establish safety nets for the most vulnerable households. Data and Information: 57. National Governments of affected countries should: a. Implement research on seasonal forecasts to improve contingency planning and relief operations and allow preventive measures to be taken at the farm level, such as selection of appropriate varieties and farming practices, in times of drought. b. Support applied research on ways of reducing water loss from soils on increasing water absorption capacities of soils and on water harvesting techniques in drought prone areas. c. Strengthen national early warning systems with particular emphasis on the area of risk-mapping, remote sensing, agro-meteorological modelling, integrated multidisciplinary crop- forecasting techniques and computerized food supply/demand analysis. International and Regional Co-operation and Co-ordination: 58. National Governments, in co-operation with the appropriate intergovernmental organizations, should: a. Establish a system of stand-by capacities in terms of foodstock, logistical support, personnel and finance for quick international response to drought related emergencies. b. Support WMO Programmes on Agro-Hydrology and Meteorology (AGRHIMET) and the African Center for Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD). c. Support FAO's programme for the development of national early warning systems and food security assistance schemes. d. Strengthen regional programmes, the activities of appropriate United Nations Agencies such as WFP, UNDRO and UNSO as well as NGOs aimed to mitigate the effects of drought and emergencies. Means of Implementation Financing and Cost Evaluation: 59. This programme area requires two sets of cost evaluations. The first set deals with developing drought preparedness and drought relief schemes, the total cost of which is about US$ 200 million a year, with the average annual financing required from international sources amounting to about US$ 100 million. From this international figure, costs related to accelerated development would be about US$ 90 million a year and the amount for strengthening the capacity of international institutions would be about US$ 10 million a year. The second set deals with the cost required to cope with environmental refugees displaced from their homes by emergencies such as drought, disasters and other environmental reasons. The international financing required to cope with such emergencies is about US$ 1 billion a year. Scientific and Technological Means: 60. National Governments and drought prone communities should: a. Use traditional mechanisms to cope with hunger as a means of channelling relief and development assistance. b. Strengthen and develop national, regional and local interdisciplinary research and training capabilities for drought prevention strategies. Human Resource Development: 61. National Governments should: a. Promote training of decision makers and land users in the effective utilization of early warning system information. b. Strengthen research and national training capabilities to assess the impact of drought and to develop methodologies to forecast drought. Capacity Building: 62. National Governments should: a. Improve and maintain mechanisms with adequate staff, equipment and finances for monitoring drought parameters to take preventive measures at regional, national and local level. b. Establish interministerial linkages and coordinating units for drought monitoring, impact assessment, and management of drought relief schemes. EXPLANATORY NOTES 1. Section II, Chapter 6, Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development. 2. Section II, Chapter 9, Programmes Areas A and G: "Integrated Management and Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas, Exclusive Economic Zones and [Marine Ecosystems]" and " Sustainable Development of Islands", respectively. END OF DOCUMENT