UNCCD stands for United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) primarily focuses on countries experiencing severe drought and/or desertification, especially in Africa. The UNCCD was established to safeguard a more secure, equitable, and sustainable future for all people. The topic “UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)” is an important part of the UPSC/IAS Exam Environment syllabus which is discussed in this article in detail.

UNCCD COP

• COP stands for Conference of Parties.
• COP is the assembly of the ratifying governments, which the Convention established as the principal governing body.
• From 1997 through 2001, the COP's first five sessions were conducted annually.
• Since 2001, sessions have alternated with the biennial meetings of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC), whose inaugural meeting took place in 2002.
• There have so far been 14 UNCCD COPs. The most recent was UNCCD COP14, which was held in New Delhi in 2019.
• Among the significant initiatives introduced by UNCCD COPs are
• The Prime Minister of India made an announcement at COP14 that the nation would restore an extra 5 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, bringing the total amount of land to be restored in India to 26 million hectares.
• The UNCCD COP 12 reiterated the UNCCD's aims and stated the Ankara Initiative of Turkey's introduction.
• The Republic of Korea's Changwon Initiative, which was unveiled during COP10 and attempts to improve the UNCCD's scientific procedure,

COP 15 of UNCCD

• The fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 15) will focus on the theme, ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity.'
• The fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
• It will bring together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and other key stakeholders from around the world to drive progress in future sustainable land management and to explore links between land and other key sustainability issues.
• Drought, land restoration, and associated factors such as land rights, gender equality, and youth development are among the Conference's primary goals.
• COP15 is intended to catalyze sustainable solutions for land restoration and drought resilience through the decisions reached by the UNCCD's 197 Parties, with a heavy emphasis on future-proofing land usage.

UNCCD and India

• In December 1996, India ratified the Convention to Combat Desertification.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is the key ministry for the convention in India.
• India has a severe desertification challenge. According to an ISRO assessment from 2016, 29% of India's land is degraded.
• In 2019, India hosted the 14th Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNCCD.
• The conference's theme was "Restore Land, Sustain Future," and it took place in Greater Noida.
• India is a participant in the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.

UNCCD - Major Initiatives

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target-Setting Programme

Over 120 countries are involved in the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target-Setting Programme, which unites them in setting voluntary goals to achieve LDN, safeguard and restore land resources, strengthen the resilience of communities that depend on their land, and encourage responsible land governance.

Drought Initiative

By assisting nations in creating national drought plans and creating an interactive drought toolbox that enables people to create unique drought solutions, the Drought Initiative supports a move to proactive drought management.

Great Green Wall

With the goal of restoring 100 million ha of damaged land, sequestering 250 million tonnes of carbon, and creating 10 million green employment, the Great Green Wall Initiative seeks to alter millions of lives while restoring Africa's ravaged landscapes.

Capacity Building

Users can share information and expand their network of collaborators in sustainable land management by connecting them to learning, funding, and employment opportunities through the Capacity Building Marketplace.

Conclusion

Thus, the UNCCD monitors global land changes in collaboration with scientists and governments and spearheads initiatives to prevent land degradation. They also concentrate on the incentives that encourage and drive consumers and producers to alter their behavior. In order to ensure that all land-based ecosystems around the world not only survive, but also thrive and contribute to the well-being of both present and future generations, UNCCD advises and promotes the development, adoption, monitoring, and assessment of policies.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the main focus of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)?

A) Climate Change
B) Deforestation
C) Desertification and land degradation
D) Marine pollution

2. Which of the following is an initiative under the UNCCD to combat land degradation?

A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Great Green Wall
C) Paris Agreement
D) Convention on Biological Diversity

3. Which country hosted the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNCCD in 2019?

A) India
B) South Africa
C) Brazil
D) China

4. What is the primary aim of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target-Setting Programme?

A) To increase carbon emissions
B) To set voluntary goals for land restoration and prevent land degradation
C) To promote industrial growth
D) To reduce biodiversity loss

5. When was the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) adopted?

A) 1992
B) 1994
C) 1996
D) 2000

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the role of the UNCCD in addressing land degradation and desertification.

Answer: The UNCCD plays a crucial role in addressing land degradation and desertification by providing a platform for international cooperation and promoting sustainable land management practices. The Convention focuses on arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, which are most vulnerable to desertification. Through initiatives like the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target-Setting Programme and the Great Green Wall, the UNCCD encourages countries to adopt policies and measures to restore degraded lands, prevent further degradation, and improve the resilience of affected communities. The Convention’s emphasis on integrating land management into broader development agendas helps to achieve environmental sustainability and poverty reduction.

Q2: Discuss the significance of COP15 in advancing the goals of the UNCCD.

Answer: COP15, held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 2022, was pivotal in advancing the UNCCD's goals of sustainable land management and combating desertification. The conference focused on the theme 'Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity,' addressing issues such as land restoration, drought resilience, land rights, gender equality, and youth development. COP15 brought together governments, private sectors, and civil society to create actionable commitments, mobilize resources, and enhance international collaboration. The outcomes of COP15 are expected to drive progress in achieving land restoration and improve the resilience of ecosystems and communities, particularly in regions vulnerable to desertification.

Q3: How does the UNCCD contribute to India's land restoration efforts?

Answer: India has been actively involved in the UNCCD's efforts to combat desertification and land degradation. The country ratified the Convention in 1996 and has since worked towards achieving land degradation neutrality. India’s participation in global initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and its commitment to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 reflect its determination to address land degradation. The UNCCD’s guidance and capacity-building support, including initiatives like the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) programme, have been instrumental in helping India develop and implement strategies for sustainable land management and restoration.

Previous Year Questions on UNCCD

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following is a focus of the UNCCD?

A) Mitigating climate change
B) Reducing land degradation and desertification
C) Protecting marine biodiversity
D) Combating air pollution

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The UNCCD primarily focuses on reducing land degradation and desertification, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, through sustainable land management practices.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: Discuss India’s efforts under the UNCCD to combat desertification and land degradation.

Answer: India has made significant efforts under the UNCCD to combat desertification and land degradation, including the establishment of the National Action Programme (NAP) for combating desertification. The country has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. India has also hosted COP14, where it reaffirmed its commitment to land restoration and sustainability. Through initiatives like the Bonn Challenge, India aims to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land use practices to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and enhance ecosystem services.