A Conceptual Approach towards Improving Monitoring of Living Conditions for Populations Affected by Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought

David López-Carr (), Narcisa G. Pricope, Kevin M. Mwenda, Gabriel Antunes Daldegan and Alex Zvoleff
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David López-Carr: Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 94607, USA
Narcisa G. Pricope: Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Kevin M. Mwenda: Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Gabriel Antunes Daldegan: Conservation International, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Alex Zvoleff: Conservation International, Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Addressing the global challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), and their impacts on achieving sustainable development goals for coupled human-environmental systems is a key component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3 aims to, “ 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” . Addressing this challenge is essential for improving the livelihoods of those most affected by DLDD and for safeguarding against the most extreme effects of climate change. This paper introduces a conceptual framework for improved monitoring of DLDD in the context of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Strategic Objective 2 (SO2) and its expected impacts: food security and adequate access to water for people in affected areas are improved; the livelihoods of people in affected areas are improved and diversified; local people, especially women and youth, are empowered and participate in decision-making processes in combating DLDD; and migration forced by desertification and land degradation is substantially reduced. While it is critical to develop methods and tools for assessing DLDD, work is needed first to provide a conceptual roadmap of the human dimensions of vulnerability in relation to DLDD, especially when attempting to create a globally standardized monitoring approach.

Keywords: sustainable development goals; desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD); UNCCD Strategic Objectives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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