UN CONVENTION ON COMBATING DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)

2. About the UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD)

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a global agreement addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought. It was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1996. The Convention focuses on the sustainable management and restoration of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, which are particularly vulnerable to desertification and degradation.

The function of the UNCCD

The primary function of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to address land degradation and desertification, particularly in drylands (arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas). It focuses on promoting sustainable land management practices to combat land degradation and desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.

• The UNCCD helps countries develop and implement national action programs tailored to address their specific challenges related to land degradation and desertification.
• The convention promotes scientific cooperation and knowledge sharing among countries. This facilitates the exchange of best practices in sustainable land management techniques.
• The UNCCD works to facilitate access to financial resources for affected countries. This allows them to implement the necessary programs and projects to combat land degradation.
• The UNCCD plays a significant role in raising public awareness about the importance of healthy land**. This fosters a global understanding of the environmental, social, and economic consequences of desertification and land degradation.

3. What are COPs?

COP stands for Conference of the Parties. It's a supreme decision-making body established by an international treaty, typically focusing on environmental issues.  Review the implementation of the convention or treaty they represent and make decisions necessary to promote its effectiveness. All member states (or "Parties") to the convention come together as representatives at COPs. This allows for a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing global challenges.

1. COP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)  is the annual conference where countries discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change. (e.g. COP27 refers to the 27th Conference of the Parties)
2. COP to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) focuses on issues related to biodiversity and the conservation of biological resources.
3. COP to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in endangered species to ensure their survival.

COPs play a critical role in international environmental governance. They provide a platform for countries to:

• Share best practices and knowledge
• Address emerging environmental challenges
• Strengthen international cooperation
• Make progress towards achieving the goals of the convention

4. The causes of extreme weather events

Extreme weather events can have various causes, often influenced by natural processes and human activities. The key factors contributing to extreme weather events include

Climate Change

• Climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, is altering weather patterns worldwide.
• Rising global temperatures lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires, as well as changes in precipitation patterns, including heavier rainfall and increased frequency of intense storms.

Natural Climate Variability

• Natural climate cycles, such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), can influence weather patterns on regional and global scales.
• Variations in ocean temperatures, atmospheric pressure systems, and wind patterns associated with these climate oscillations can lead to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes.

• Atmospheric circulation patterns, such as jet streams and atmospheric rivers, play a crucial role in shaping weather systems and influencing the distribution of precipitation and temperature.
• Changes in these circulation patterns, caused by factors like sea surface temperatures, land surface characteristics, and topographic features, can result in prolonged periods of extreme weather, such as droughts or heavy rainfall.

Topography and Geography

• Local topography and geographic features can contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events. For example, mountain ranges can enhance orographic lifting, leading to heavy rainfall and flooding on windward slopes and dry conditions on leeward slopes.
• Coastal regions are susceptible to tropical cyclones, storm surges, and coastal flooding, particularly in areas prone to sea level rise and land subsidence.

Land Use and Land Cover Changes

• Human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture can alter local weather patterns and exacerbate the risk of extreme weather events.
• Urban heat island effect, where urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas, can intensify heatwaves and exacerbate air pollution.
• Deforestation can disrupt local hydrological cycles, leading to changes in precipitation patterns, soil moisture levels, and runoff characteristics, which can increase the likelihood of floods and landslides.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution, particularly from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and biomass burning, can influence weather and climate by affecting cloud formation, atmospheric stability, and the distribution of heat and moisture.
• Aerosols and pollutants can interact with clouds and precipitation, altering their properties and influencing precipitation patterns, intensity, and duration.

5. The effects of extreme weather events on the Economy

Extreme weather events can have significant economic impacts, affecting various sectors of the economy and leading to direct and indirect costs. 

Infrastructure Damage

• Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and storms can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, and utilities.
• Repairing and rebuilding infrastructure can entail significant costs for governments, businesses, and households, diverting resources from other priorities and investments.

• Droughts, heatwaves, floods, and severe storms can damage crops, reduce yields, and destroy livestock, leading to agricultural losses.
• Crop failures and livestock losses can result in reduced agricultural output, lower incomes for farmers, higher food prices, and disruptions in supply chains, impacting both agricultural producers and consumers.

Disruption of Business Operations:

• Extreme weather events can disrupt business operations, leading to production delays, supply chain interruptions, and temporary closures.
• Businesses may incur additional costs for repairing damaged facilities, replacing equipment, and meeting insurance deductibles, as well as lost revenue from decreased sales and customer demand.

Impact on Tourism and Recreation:

• Extreme weather events can affect tourism and recreational activities, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters or seasonal weather extremes.
• Beach closures, damage to tourist attractions, and transportation disruptions can deter visitors, leading to reduced tourism revenues and employment opportunities in affected regions.

Healthcare Costs

• Extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and air pollution events can increase healthcare costs by exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, heat-related illnesses, and injuries.
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities may experience higher demand for medical services, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations during extreme weather events, straining healthcare resources and budgets.

Insurance and Financial Losses

• Insurance companies may face significant payouts for property damage, crop losses, business interruptions, and liability claims resulting from extreme weather events.
• Reinsurance costs may rise in response to increased frequency and severity of weather-related losses, leading to higher premiums for policyholders and reinsurers.

Loss of Life and Human Suffering

• Extreme weather events can result in loss of life, injuries, displacement, and psychological trauma for affected individuals and communities.
• Human suffering and loss of productivity can have long-term social and economic consequences, including increased healthcare costs, reduced workforce participation, and loss of human capital.

6. Way Forward

The international community can work towards achieving the goals of the UNCCD and safeguarding land resources for current and future generations. Collaboration, innovation, and collective action are essential to combat desertification, preserve ecosystems, and promote sustainable development worldwide.