to act as a carbon sink.
34 Taking into account the inherent vulnerability of most soils
in Africa, reliance of smallholder farming, low adaptive capacity, and generally
higher vulnerability of Africa to the impacts of climate change, there is need for soils
to be managed sustainably. This means ensuring that economic activities do not
harm soil capability to provide the provisioning, regulating, supporting, cultural
ecosystem services. In addition, the outcomes of sustainable soil management in
Africa should enhance soil carbon capture capacity, on land and ocean environments. This helps regulate GHG emissions, and enhances resilience of soils, which
can then contribute to fulfilment food security, and the various SDG commitments.
The world currently has an enhanced focus on climate change actions, and therefore
integrating sustainable soil management into climate change priorities of African
nations utilizes a valuable window of opportunity.
3 Assessment of the African Approach to Soil Governance
At the continental level in Africa, there are various legal instruments whose provisions govern, or impact governance of soil. The 1968 African Convention on the
Conservation Nature and Natural Resources
35 (Algiers Convention) contains
explicit provisions on soil governance.
It requires States to take effective measures for conservation and improvement of
soil, with a particular focus on combating erosion and misuse of the soil.
36 The
Algiers Convention requires African States to do this by establishing land-use plans
based on scientific investigations (ecological, pedological, economic, and sociological) and, in particular, classification of land-use capability.
37 The Algiers Convention is cognizant of the role of agriculture in Africa, and requires African States to
take certain actions when implementing agricultural practices and agrarian reforms,
as follows:
1. Improve soil conservation and introduce improved farming methods, which
ensure long-term productivity of the land, and;
2. Control erosion caused by various forms of land-use which may lead to loss of
vegetation cover.
It is important to highlight that the fundamental principle of the Algiers Convention is adoption of the necessary to ensure conservation, utilization and development
of soil, water, flora and faunal resources in accordance with scientific principles, and,
34 UNEA (2017) Managing soil pollution to achieve sustainable development - UNEP/EA.3/
Res.6, p. 1.
35 1968 African Convention on Nature and Natural Resources.
36 1968 African Convention, Article 4.
37 1968 African Convention, Article 4(a).
20
R. Kibugi
34 Taking into account the inherent vulnerability of most soils
in Africa, reliance of smallholder farming, low adaptive capacity, and generally
higher vulnerability of Africa to the impacts of climate change, there is need for soils
to be managed sustainably. This means ensuring that economic activities do not
harm soil capability to provide the provisioning, regulating, supporting, cultural
ecosystem services. In addition, the outcomes of sustainable soil management in
Africa should enhance soil carbon capture capacity, on land and ocean environments. This helps regulate GHG emissions, and enhances resilience of soils, which
can then contribute to fulfilment food security, and the various SDG commitments.
The world currently has an enhanced focus on climate change actions, and therefore
integrating sustainable soil management into climate change priorities of African
nations utilizes a valuable window of opportunity.
3 Assessment of the African Approach to Soil Governance
At the continental level in Africa, there are various legal instruments whose provisions govern, or impact governance of soil. The 1968 African Convention on the
Conservation Nature and Natural Resources
35 (Algiers Convention) contains
explicit provisions on soil governance.
It requires States to take effective measures for conservation and improvement of
soil, with a particular focus on combating erosion and misuse of the soil.
36 The
Algiers Convention requires African States to do this by establishing land-use plans
based on scientific investigations (ecological, pedological, economic, and sociological) and, in particular, classification of land-use capability.
37 The Algiers Convention is cognizant of the role of agriculture in Africa, and requires African States to
take certain actions when implementing agricultural practices and agrarian reforms,
as follows:
1. Improve soil conservation and introduce improved farming methods, which
ensure long-term productivity of the land, and;
2. Control erosion caused by various forms of land-use which may lead to loss of
vegetation cover.
It is important to highlight that the fundamental principle of the Algiers Convention is adoption of the necessary to ensure conservation, utilization and development
of soil, water, flora and faunal resources in accordance with scientific principles, and,
34 UNEA (2017) Managing soil pollution to achieve sustainable development - UNEP/EA.3/
Res.6, p. 1.
35 1968 African Convention on Nature and Natural Resources.
36 1968 African Convention, Article 4.
37 1968 African Convention, Article 4(a).
20
R. Kibugi