Land degradation and international environmental law

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of international environmental law in the prevention of land degradation. By the mid-1970s many environmental strategies and conventions began to emerge following a number of global conservation fora that specifically discussed the state of the human and physical environment, including: The Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment 1972; The World Commission on Environment and Development 1987; The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development 1992; and The Commission on Sustainable Development 1993. Specific environmental law instruments include: The World Soil Charter 1982; The Convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity 1992; The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1995; The Global Governance 1995; and The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 1995. These fora and the ensuing instruments draw attention to a variety of environmental problems, including soil and land degradation. The characteristics of various international environmental law instruments that can assist with the control and management of soil and land degradation and biodiversity management are discussed. Some suggestions are made for nations to follow when considering transposing international environmental law grand strategies into national and local environmental laws, policies, and plans. The decision by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to prepare a global ‘sustainable soil’ instrument is an important step forward, and when implemented will enhance the capacity of nations to develop and implement environmental law necessary to control and manage soil and land degradation.