Linking Land and Soil to Climate Change : The UNCCD in the Context of Global Environmental Governance

In this day and age, it is a well-known fact that the interrelated processes of desertification, climate change and biodiversity loss are negatively affecting ecosystems upon which societies depend for their livelihoods. At the same time, human's pressure on natural resources such as land and water is steadily increasing. Serious challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, conflict and migration arise from these human-environmental interactions. Against this background, the present volume explores the relationship between the global governance of desertification and climate change. The central question it addresses is how the "United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification" (UNCCD) can streamline its policies and better integrate the biophysical and socio-economic aspects of desertification, land degradation and drought into the ongoing climate change negotiation process. Particular emphasis is given to understanding the role of ecosystem-based approaches and payments for ecosystem services in promoting synergies between relevant actors. Furthermore, a case study of the biofuels sector will be used to demonstrate the interdependent feedback loops between human well-being, energy security, food security and environmental change.