41. It seems to be particularly promising to use the NDC as a means to promote soil
related actions in Africa. Drought, water scarcity and food security are major
challenges which all are based on soils. Soils are moreover of eminent importance for mitigating climate change. This is more so because, while under the
Paris Agreement, NDCs are voluntary for developing countries, the submission
of NDC targets by each country amounts to an international legal commitment.
This is, however, subject to provision of technical and financial support through
the Paris Agreement. However, there is need for African countries, when
addressing sustainable land and soil management, to also focus on the intersect
with contiguous neighbors in order to address land degradation across international borders, using the climate change legal framework.
Future of International Soil Regulations
42. Existing international soil regulation is very fragmented. Although UNFCCC,
UNCCD and CBD all deal with soil issues, no coherent concept exists. Based on
this assumption it was asked whether and what additional international soil
related provisions may be required or useful.
43. The need of an international soil regulation has been particularly promoted by
IUCN, providing several groundbreaking publications and draft international
instruments. The discussion has intensified since 2015 by the successive
“Global Soil Weeks”, having taken place in Berlin, and the newly agreed
objective of a “land degradation neutral world”.
44. Although soils are locally bound they carry various ecological services which
could have transboundary effects, such as being essential for food security,
climate change and biodiversity. Although not agreed in a legally binding
manner, the sustainable management of soils is de facto as a common concern
of humankind.
45. Technically speaking an international instrument on soil issues could be
established as a stand-alone treaty, as protocol to either the CBD, UNFCCC or
UNCCD, or as a non-binding instrument.
46. The necessary contents of such an international instrument must be further
discussed.
• The draft soil protocol lists, inter alia principles, rights and obligations of
states, technical cooperation, organizational structure and dispute settlement.
• There was a proposal to design the soil related obligations driver and thread
specific.
• It was discussed whether a compensation obligation of the Industry states for
the long-lasting negative effects of colonialism should be included.
• Further, measures for extra-territorial use of land were seen as necessary.
47. The LDN target setting program of UNCCD was introduced as an important tool
to promote LDN. 134 states are engaged in the program. First, experience needs
to be evaluated in order to improve the conceptual approaches.
48. The need of additional international soil related provisions was challenged
because the political will for an additional international treaty is lacking, the
negotiation of such provisions would be too time-consuming, the endeavor
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Annex: Outcome Document
related actions in Africa. Drought, water scarcity and food security are major
challenges which all are based on soils. Soils are moreover of eminent importance for mitigating climate change. This is more so because, while under the
Paris Agreement, NDCs are voluntary for developing countries, the submission
of NDC targets by each country amounts to an international legal commitment.
This is, however, subject to provision of technical and financial support through
the Paris Agreement. However, there is need for African countries, when
addressing sustainable land and soil management, to also focus on the intersect
with contiguous neighbors in order to address land degradation across international borders, using the climate change legal framework.
Future of International Soil Regulations
42. Existing international soil regulation is very fragmented. Although UNFCCC,
UNCCD and CBD all deal with soil issues, no coherent concept exists. Based on
this assumption it was asked whether and what additional international soil
related provisions may be required or useful.
43. The need of an international soil regulation has been particularly promoted by
IUCN, providing several groundbreaking publications and draft international
instruments. The discussion has intensified since 2015 by the successive
“Global Soil Weeks”, having taken place in Berlin, and the newly agreed
objective of a “land degradation neutral world”.
44. Although soils are locally bound they carry various ecological services which
could have transboundary effects, such as being essential for food security,
climate change and biodiversity. Although not agreed in a legally binding
manner, the sustainable management of soils is de facto as a common concern
of humankind.
45. Technically speaking an international instrument on soil issues could be
established as a stand-alone treaty, as protocol to either the CBD, UNFCCC or
UNCCD, or as a non-binding instrument.
46. The necessary contents of such an international instrument must be further
discussed.
• The draft soil protocol lists, inter alia principles, rights and obligations of
states, technical cooperation, organizational structure and dispute settlement.
• There was a proposal to design the soil related obligations driver and thread
specific.
• It was discussed whether a compensation obligation of the Industry states for
the long-lasting negative effects of colonialism should be included.
• Further, measures for extra-territorial use of land were seen as necessary.
47. The LDN target setting program of UNCCD was introduced as an important tool
to promote LDN. 134 states are engaged in the program. First, experience needs
to be evaluated in order to improve the conceptual approaches.
48. The need of additional international soil related provisions was challenged
because the political will for an additional international treaty is lacking, the
negotiation of such provisions would be too time-consuming, the endeavor
218
Annex: Outcome Document