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The Convention to Combat Desertification: Lessons learned for sustainable development

Auteur
Chasek P.S.
Périodique/Collection
The Journal of Environment & Development | Vol. 6(2); 147 - 169; 24 p.
Date
1997
Source
IUCN (ID: ANA-060804)
Éditeur | Lieu de publication
University of California | San Diego, CA, USA
Langue
Anglais
Champ d'application
International
Sujet
Terre et sols
Mot clé
Conservation du sol/amélioration du sol Désertification
Aire géographique
Afrique
Résumé

The 1994 UN Convention to Combat Desrtification is considered to be the first ' sustainable development ' treaty because it considers economic and social developmentt needs while also addressing a serious environmental problem. The challenge during the negotiations was to ensure that the convention addresses socioeconomic concernss without losing sight of its mandate to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa. This article examines how delegates grappled with the multifaceted causes of desertification within the context of sustainable development, which is viewed quite differently by developed and developing countries, and identifies some lessons that can be applied to future negotiations. These lessons address the difficulty of incorporating the cross-sectoral nature of environmental issues in a legally binding instrument, implementing the goals of sustainable development within the context of current North-South relations, and working under the principle of ' common but differentiated responsibilities '' for global environmental degradation