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44-474: At the Earth Summit, the decision-making process was tailored to promote a sustainable planet for future generations. The key message entailed the idea that changes in behaviour could be the foundation needed for progress toward the desired transformation for the environment. The resulting documentation from the two-week deliberations and meetings included the following: Agenda 21 (a non-binding action plan of

88-445: A cause; however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and wildfires . One of the impacts of land degradation is that it can diminish the natural capacity of the land to store and filter water leading to water scarcity . Human-induced land degradation and water scarcity are increasing the levels of risk for agricultural production and ecosystem services. The United Nations estimate that about 30% of land

132-427: A target to restore degraded land and soil and achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030. The full title of Target 15.3 is: "By 2030, combat desertification , restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world." Increasing public awareness about the importance of land conservation, sustainable land management, and

176-746: Is a potential hazard that was identified in a 2007 IPCC report. As a result of sea-level rise from climate change, salinity levels can reach levels where agriculture becomes impossible in very low-lying areas. In 2009 the European Investment Bank agreed to invest up to $ 45 million in the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDN Fund). Launched at UNCCD COP 13 in 2017, the LDN Fund invests in projects that generate environmental benefits, socio-economic benefits, and financial returns for investors. The Fund

220-450: Is degraded worldwide, and about 3.2 billion people reside in these degrading areas, giving a high rate of environmental pollution. About 12 million hectares of productive land—which roughly equals the size of Greece —is degraded every year. This happens because people exploit the land without protecting it. Estimates from 2021 say that two thirds of Africa's productive land area are severely affected by land degradation. In addition to

264-537: Is degraded worldwide, and about 3.2 billion people reside in these degrading areas, giving a high rate of environmental pollution. Land degradation reduces agricultural productivity , leads to biodiversity loss , and can reduce food security as well as water security . It was estimated in 2007 that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded. As per the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005, land degradation

308-467: Is in defined as "the reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity of drylands ". A similar definition states that land degradation is the " degradation, impoverishment and long-term loss of ecosystem services ". It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. According to the Special Report on Climate Change and Land of

352-475: Is not always related to land degradation. Rather, it is the practices of the human population that can cause a landscape to become degraded. Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands, decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. As the land resource base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and competition for dwindling resources increases,

396-744: Is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.” Following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and previously the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the UNFCCC Secretariat works to maintain the goals and objectives of the Convention, as the primary United Nations body whose role functions to address the threat of climate change. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) functions as an international agreement that ties

440-583: Is that what one group of people might view as degradation, others might view as a benefit or opportunity. For example, planting crops at a location with heavy rainfall and steep slopes would create scientific and environmental concern regarding the risk of soil erosion by water , yet farmers could view the location as a favourable one for high crop yields . Land degradation is mainly derived by numerous, complex, and interrelated anthropogenic and/or natural proximate and underlying causes. For example, in Ethiopia

484-577: The Cold War . Due to issues relating to sustainability being too big for individual member states to handle, Earth Summit was held as a platform for other member states to collaborate. A key achievement of the 1992 conference was the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established in part as an international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with

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528-502: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2019: "About a quarter of the Earth's ice-free land area is subject to human-induced degradation (medium confidence). Soil erosion from agricultural fields is estimated to be currently 11 to 20 times (no-tillage) to more than 100 times (conventional tillage) higher than the soil formation rate (medium confidence)." The United Nations estimate that about 30% of land

572-590: The environment . Malaysia was successful at blocking the US-proposed convention on forests and its prime-minister Mahathir Mohamad accused later the global North of exercising eco-imperialism at this summit. According to Vandana Shiva , Earth Summit create a "moral base for green imperialism" . Green Cross International was founded to build upon the work of the Summit. The first edition of Water Quality Assessments, published by WHO/ Chapman & Hall ,

616-530: The polluter pays principle . The issues addressed include: An important achievement of the summit was an agreement on the Climate Change Convention which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement . Another agreement was to "not to carry out any activities on the lands of indigenous peoples that would cause environmental degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate". The Convention on Biological Diversity

660-503: The Convention works to prevent species extinction and maintain protected habitats. As well, the CBD promotes the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and works to maintain the environmental and sustainable process of access and benefit sharing, derived from genetic resource use. Established on December 29 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity works to maintain the following three objectives: The CBD currently follows

704-801: The Earth Summit established the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). In 2013, the CSD was replaced by the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that meets every year as part of the ECOSOC meetings, and every fourth year as part of the General Assembly meetings. Critics point out that many of the agreements made in Rio have not been realized regarding such fundamental issues as fighting poverty and cleaning up

748-515: The Earth Summit. Youth concerns were consolidated at a World Youth Environmental Meeting, Juventud (Youth) 92, held in Costa Rica, before the Earth Summit. "The involvement of today's youth in environment and development decision-making...is critical to the long term success of Agenda 21" (UNCED 1992). Parallel to UNCED, youth organized the Youth '92 conference with participation from around

792-606: The Middle East including the Arabian Peninsula (low confidence). Other dryland regions have also experienced desertification. People living in already degraded or desertified areas are increasingly negatively affected by climate change (high confidence)." Additionally, it is reported that 74% of the poor are directly affected by land degradation globally. Significant land degradation from seawater inundation , particularly in river deltas and on low-lying islands,

836-527: The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets , used as a vehicle to maintain synergies at National levels. Its mission is to “take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity to ensure that by 2020, ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet’s variety of life, and contributing to human well-being, and poverty eradication.” With 197 ratified parties,

880-475: The UNCCD is committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and combat pressing environmental issues of Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) through a newly created 2018-2030 Strategic Framework, consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development This framework follows the 10-year strategic plan and framework for 2008-2018 that aimed to establish global partnerships in working toward

924-536: The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). With 196 ratified parties, the Convention on Biological Diversity aims to conserve and protect biodiversity, biological resources and safeguard life on Earth, as an integral part of economic and social development. Considering biological diversity as a global asset to current and future generations and populations across the planet,

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968-491: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is committed to the objective of “[stabilizing] greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change , to ensure that food production

1012-746: The United Nations promoting sustainable development), the Statement of Forest Principles, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the following Conventions were formed: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, the Rio Summit, the Rio Conference, and the Earth Summit, took place in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to 14th in 1992. The conference

1056-802: The climate system" and to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. It was signed by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). By 2022, the UNFCCC had 198 parties. Its supreme decision-making body, the Conference of the Parties (COP) meets annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. Since the creation of the UNFCC many related environmental conferences, climate-related forums, and ongoing scientific research initiatives in

1100-870: The community. It also refers to the ability of the region to return to its original state after being changed in some way. The resilience of a landscape can be increased or decreased through human interaction based upon different methods of land-use management. Land that is degraded becomes less resilient than undegraded land, which can lead to even further degradation through shocks to the landscape. Actions to halt land degradation can be broadly classified as prevention, mitigation, and restoration interventions. Sustainable land management has been proven in reversing land degradation. It also ensures water security by increasing soil moisture availability, decreasing surface runoff , decreasing soil erosion , leading to an increased infiltration, and decreased flood discharge. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 has

1144-539: The conference were difficult to negotiate and the agency's international results were mixed, including the U.S. failure to sign the proposed Convention on Biological Diversity. Twelve cities were also honored with the Local Government Honours Award for innovative local environmental programs. These included Sudbury in Canada for its ambitious program to rehabilitate environmental damage from

1188-441: The country has been affected by chronic and ongoing land degradation processes and forms. The major proximate drivers are biophysical factors and unsustainable land management practices, while the underlying drivers are social, economic, and institutional factors. Land degradation is a global problem largely related to the agricultural sector, general deforestation and climate change . Causes include: High population density

1232-557: The effects of drought.” Earth Summit The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development ( UNCED ), also known as the Rio de Janeiro Conference or the Earth Summit (Portuguese: ECO92, Cúpula da Terra), was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. Earth Summit was created as a means for member states to cooperate together internationally on development issues after

1276-420: The fields of sustainability, climate, and environmental security have continued to develop these intersecting issues. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and educational institutions have been prominent participants. The Earth Summit played an influential role in diffusing several key principles of environmental treaties , such as the precautionary principle, common but differentiated responsibilities , and

1320-516: The local mining industry, Austin in the United States for its green building strategy, and Kitakyūshū in Japan for incorporating an international education and training component into its municipal pollution control program. The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents: Moreover, important legally binding agreements ( Rio Convention ) were opened for signature: At Rio it

1364-510: The natural capacity of the land to store and filter water leading to water scarcity . The results of land degradation are significant and complex. They include lower crop yields, less diverse ecosystems , more vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and droughts, people losing their homes, less food available, and economic problems. Degraded land also releases greenhouse gases, making climate change worse. Further possible impacts include: Sensitivity and resilience are measures of

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1408-463: The period 1961–2013, the annual area of drylands in drought has increased, on average by slightly more than 1% per year, with large inter-annual variability. In 2015, about 500 (380–620) million people lived within areas which experienced desertification between the year 1980s and 2000s. The highest numbers of people affected are in South and East Asia, the circum Sahara region including North Africa, and

1452-409: The reversal and prevention of desertification and land degradation. The UNCCD aims to restore the productivity of degraded land, while improving livelihoods and aiding populations that are vulnerable because of environmental destruction. “The Convention’s 197 parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate

1496-413: The seeds of famine and potential conflict are sown. According to the Special Report on Climate Change and Land of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change is one of the causes of land degradation. The report state that: "Climate change exacerbates land degradation, particularly in low-lying coastal areas, river deltas, drylands and in permafrost areas (high confidence). Over

1540-438: The sustainability of land management and the issues of land degradation to the environment. Among the areas of consideration, the Convention focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems found in dryland areas. The UNCCD, consisting of 197 parties works towards creating “a future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification /land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels.” Legislatively,

1584-494: The two-week deliberations and meetings included the following: Agenda 21 (a non-binding action plan of the United Nations promoting sustainable development), the Statement of Forest Principles, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development , and the following Conventions were formed: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and

1628-518: The usual types of land degradation that have been known for centuries (water, wind and mechanical erosion , physical, chemical and biological degradation ), four other types have emerged in the last 50 years: Overall, more than 36 types of land degradation can be assessed. All are induced or aggravated by human activities, e.g. soil erosion , soil contamination , soil acidification , sheet erosion , silting , aridification , salinization , urbanization, etc. A problem with defining land degradation

1672-440: The vulnerability of a landscape to degradation. These two factors combine to explain the degree of vulnerability. Sensitivity is the degree to which a land system undergoes change due to natural forces, human intervention or a combination of both. Resilience is the ability of a landscape to absorb change, without significantly altering the relationship between the relative importance and numbers of individuals and species that compose

1716-495: The world. Organising took place before, but also afterwards. Many youth participants were dissatisfied with the rate of change. Land degradation Land degradation is a process where land becomes less healthy and productive due to a combination of human activities or natural conditions. The causes for land degradation are numerous and complex. Human activities are often the main cause, such as unsustainable land management practices. Natural hazards are excluded as

1760-531: Was agreed that an International Negotiating Committee for a third convention the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification would be set up. This convention was negotiated within two years of Rio and then open for signature. It became effective in 1996 after receiving 50 ratifications. In order to ensure compliance to the agreements at Rio (particularly the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21 ), delegates to

1804-501: Was initially capitalized at US$ 100 million and is expected to grow to US$ 300 million. In the 2022 IPCC report, land degradation is responding more directly to climate change as all types of erosion and SOM declines (soil focus) are increasing. Other land degradation pressures are also being caused by human pressures like managed ecosystems. These systems include human run croplands and pastures. Land degradation takes many forms and affects water and land resources. It can diminish

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1848-917: Was launched at the Rio Global Forum. At this stage, youth were not officially recognised within climate governance. Although youth were not given specific recognition, there was a significant youth turnout at UNCED. Youth were involved in negotiating Chapter 25 of Agenda 21 on Children & Youth in Sustainable Development. "25.2 It is imperative that youth from all parts of the world participate actively in all relevant levels of decision-making processes because it affects their lives today and has implications for their futures. In addition to their intellectual contribution and their ability to mobilize support, they bring unique perspectives that need to be taken into account." Two years prior to UNCED youth organized internationally to prepare for

1892-467: Was opened for signature at the Earth Summit and made a start towards a redefinition of measures that did not inherently encourage the destruction of natural ecoregions and so-called uneconomic growth . World Oceans Day was initially proposed at this conference and has been recognized since then. Although President George H. W. Bush signed the Earth Summit's Convention on Climate, his EPA Administrator William K. Reilly acknowledges that U.S. goals at

1936-419: Was unprecedented and aimed to reassess economic development to preserve natural resources and discuss the problem of pollution. The decision-making process was tailored to promote a sustainable planet for future generations. The key message entailed the idea that changes in behaviour could be the foundation needed for progress toward the desired transformation for the environment. The resulting documentation from

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