Situating China in the Global Effort to Combat Desertification

Zheng-Hong Kong, Lindsay Stringer, Jouni Paavola and Qi Lu
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Zheng-Hong Kong: Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
Lindsay Stringer: Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
Jouni Paavola: School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Qi Lu: Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: International efforts to tackle desertification led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) support participatory approaches. The emphasis has been on dialogue between different perspectives, which are often grounded in individualism rather than prioritizing society as a whole, and as a result progress in implementation has been slow. China has made substantial progress in tackling desertification, but its approaches have been controversial, and the sustainability of its achievements has been questioned. While China has been active in UNCCD processes, its approach to addressing desertification has differed from those of other countries. China can thus offer important insights into the international campaign, while acknowledging that China can also learn from the efforts of others. We compare the UNCCD’s “bottom-up” approach and China’s “top-down” approach to better understand the challenges of tackling desertification. We examine the evolution in how desertification has been addressed and shed light on the context behind the changes, focusing on the role of science, policies, and public participation. We find a convergence between top-down and bottom-up approaches and that similar challenges have been experienced. Constant communications with outsiders have enabled adjustments and changes in both China and the international community, even though their approaches remain distinct. We conclude that both approaches are moving toward solutions that start from proactive investments of governments in financial, legal, institutional, and organizational aspects, draw on scientific insights, and which are grounded in the motivated and voluntary participation of non-state actors. Improved sharing of lessons across these approaches would help to create a better enabling form of environmental governance that contributes to tackling desertification.

Keywords: land degradation; UNCCD; bottom-up; top-down; environmental governance; science into policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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