It is clear from this that UNCCD, as a global process fashioned upon an
international agreement (namely the Convention itself), is truly the foundation on
which these focused efforts to protect soils (including in the legislative realm) are
being built both at the international and national levels. The international community
could not but acknowledge this fact when adopting the SDGs by including in the title
of Goal 15, “combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation,” which is
practically a quote on the very essence of the UNCCD.
3.3 The Evolution Continues: The Significance of Agenda
2030
As already noted, “The Future We Want” is a non-binding document. However, its
significance in driving the sustainable development process and all that it entails,
including the LDN process at all levels especially in the global policy spheres, is
evident. Indeed, it forms part of the fundamental basis for the adoption of SDG
15, and in relation to the specific subject of this essay, the adoption of Target 15.3.
Agreement on this target was a key piece of the puzzle as regards making LDN a
universal objective, which would be reflected in the behaviour of states both
internationally and nationally including in their legislation.
Since the adoption of SDG 15 and its Target 15.3, there has been and continues to
be great interest in its implementation.
While this implementation is possible without a legal framework, it is far better if
such a framework is established at all levels, that is to say international and national.
The framers of Agenda 2030 clearly understood that the adoption of Agenda
2030 must provide the international policy basis and general consensus on which
specific legal norms and frameworks can be and must be built in specific areas such
the protection of soils, if the goals are to be achieved. This postulation is confirmed
by taking a look at the sub-section entitled “Means of Implementation” and in
particular paragraph 45. Here, the intention to give legal sanction to these goals
and targets is made pellucid with the Parties declaring that, “We acknowledge also
the essential role of national parliaments through their enactment of legislation [. . .]
for the effective implementation of our commitments.” Herein then lies the importance of the adoption of the SDGs as an international policy document, which plays a
foundation role in the further development of legal frameworks to support sustainable development.
The agreement on Target 15.3 has had and continues to have a tremendous
positive effect on the developments in both science and policy/law as pertains to
the protection of soils.
33 Following the adoption of this target, Parties have determined that the UNCCD shall be the “custodian” for helping all countries in their
effort to achieve LDN.
33 See e.g. Decision 18/COP.14 of the final report of the UNCCD COP 14.
10
R. Byron-Cox
international agreement (namely the Convention itself), is truly the foundation on
which these focused efforts to protect soils (including in the legislative realm) are
being built both at the international and national levels. The international community
could not but acknowledge this fact when adopting the SDGs by including in the title
of Goal 15, “combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation,” which is
practically a quote on the very essence of the UNCCD.
3.3 The Evolution Continues: The Significance of Agenda
2030
As already noted, “The Future We Want” is a non-binding document. However, its
significance in driving the sustainable development process and all that it entails,
including the LDN process at all levels especially in the global policy spheres, is
evident. Indeed, it forms part of the fundamental basis for the adoption of SDG
15, and in relation to the specific subject of this essay, the adoption of Target 15.3.
Agreement on this target was a key piece of the puzzle as regards making LDN a
universal objective, which would be reflected in the behaviour of states both
internationally and nationally including in their legislation.
Since the adoption of SDG 15 and its Target 15.3, there has been and continues to
be great interest in its implementation.
While this implementation is possible without a legal framework, it is far better if
such a framework is established at all levels, that is to say international and national.
The framers of Agenda 2030 clearly understood that the adoption of Agenda
2030 must provide the international policy basis and general consensus on which
specific legal norms and frameworks can be and must be built in specific areas such
the protection of soils, if the goals are to be achieved. This postulation is confirmed
by taking a look at the sub-section entitled “Means of Implementation” and in
particular paragraph 45. Here, the intention to give legal sanction to these goals
and targets is made pellucid with the Parties declaring that, “We acknowledge also
the essential role of national parliaments through their enactment of legislation [. . .]
for the effective implementation of our commitments.” Herein then lies the importance of the adoption of the SDGs as an international policy document, which plays a
foundation role in the further development of legal frameworks to support sustainable development.
The agreement on Target 15.3 has had and continues to have a tremendous
positive effect on the developments in both science and policy/law as pertains to
the protection of soils.
33 Following the adoption of this target, Parties have determined that the UNCCD shall be the “custodian” for helping all countries in their
effort to achieve LDN.
33 See e.g. Decision 18/COP.14 of the final report of the UNCCD COP 14.
10
R. Byron-Cox