Why the world still lacks a common system for preventing drought disasters
Governments ended COP17 in Ulaanbaatar on August 28 without agreeing on a global drought framework after two years of negotiations.
Countries at the UN desertification talks again left the proposed global drought framework unresolved, including options for a binding protocol, a voluntary instrument or another mechanism.[4] The framework was intended to shift drought policy from emergency response toward national planning, coord…
Countries at the UN desertification talks again left the proposed global drought framework unresolved, including options for a binding protocol, a voluntary instrument or another mechanism.[4] The framework was intended to shift drought policy from emergency response toward national planning, coordinated implementation and resilience finance.[4] Governments did agree to make drought a permanent standalone agenda item beginning at COP18 in Sharm El-Sheikh.[4]
Why it matters: Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, and drought is emerging in places not considered highly vulnerable a decade ago.[5] Yet the UNCCD estimates an annual gap of $278 billion between needed investment in land restoration and drought resilience and the amount currently invested.[4]
Key insights: A small group of countries led by the United States opposed both binding and voluntary instruments, citing concerns that included sovereignty, budgets and bureaucracy.[4] | A binding protocol could require governments to incorporate drought plans into national law and include financing obligations for developed countries.[4] | One in four people was affected by drought during 2022-23 as droughts increased in frequency, duration and severity.[4] | Giving drought its own recurring agenda item guarantees dedicated negotiating time instead of grouping it with migration, desertification, and sand and dust storms.[4]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: The framework remained blocked, but drought gained a permanent standalone place on the agenda at COP18 and subsequent ordinary sessions.[4] | Why now: Drought risks are intensifying as climate change and degraded land reduce landscapes’ ability to retain water and sustain food and livelihoods.[5] | Watch next: At COP18 in Sharm El-Sheikh, watch whether governments resolve the bracketed choices between binding, voluntary or alternative coordination mechanisms.[4]
Countries at the UN desertification talks again left the proposed global drought framework unresolved, including options for a binding protocol, a voluntary instrument or another mechanism.[4] The framework was intended to shift drought policy from emergency response toward national planning, coordinated implementation and resilience finance.[4] Governments did agree to make drought a permanent standalone agenda item beginning at COP18 in Sharm El-Sheikh.[4]
Why it matters: Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, and drought is emerging in places not considered highly vulnerable a decade ago.[5] Yet the UNCCD estimates an annual gap of $278 billion between needed investment in land restoration and drought resilience and the amount currently invested.[4]
Key insights: A small group of countries led by the United States opposed both binding and voluntary instruments, citing concerns that included sovereignty, budgets and bureaucracy.[4] | A binding protocol could require governments to incorporate drought plans into national law and include financing obligations for developed countries.[4] | One in four people was affected by drought during 2022-23 as droughts increased in frequency, duration and severity.[4] | Giving drought its own recurring agenda item guarantees dedicated negotiating time instead of grouping it with migration, desertification, and sand and dust storms.[4]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: The framework remained blocked, but drought gained a permanent standalone place on the agenda at COP18 and subsequent ordinary sessions.[4] | Why now: Drought risks are intensifying as climate change and degraded land reduce landscapes’ ability to retain water and sustain food and livelihoods.[5] | Watch next: At COP18 in Sharm El-Sheikh, watch whether governments resolve the bracketed choices between binding, voluntary or alternative coordination mechanisms.[4]