Progress in implementing Integrated Approaches to the
Planning and Management of Land Resources: Report to CSD-8 and Decision 8/3
Overview of the Task Manager's Report to CSD-8
Status of land resources and food, livelihood and environmental security
Land resources in many tropical, sub-tropical and dryland regions are seriously affected by degradation, with
severe impacts on 80% of the world’s populations and on the availability and quality of freshwater. Yields
and productivity are decreasing in many countries, thus threatening food security and health of the local
populations, especially the poor. Many of the world's 800 million people that struggle to meet their basic food
requirements rely on access to land resources for their subsistence. The scale of changes in land use and
land cover is very large and accelerating through deforestation, expansion of agricultural land (especially into
marginal lands and fragile ecosystems), intensification of agriculture, urban and peri-urban growth and
unsustainable use of freshwater resources. These changes have global impacts such as the build-up of
greenhouse gases, the loss of biodiversity, changes in climate and their effects (on rainfall and temperatures;
frequency and severity of droughts, flooding, fire hazards, phenomenon such as El Niño and the rising of sea
levels). Scientists and development practitioners acknowledge that the real causes of land degradation are
the imbalances in power, wealth, knowledge and access to resources and they recognise the need for an
integrated approach to the sustainable management of land, and its soil, water and biological resources.
Information, monitoring and assessment of land degradation
Monitoring and assessment of land degradation
Clear evidence of land resources problems must be identified and assessed with a view to mobilising
institutions and stakeholders for finding sustainable solutions. Conventional statistics, collected by
administrations, coupled with geographic information systems (GIS) can provide comprehensive, accurate
and up-to date information on the current status and trends of land resources, including use, tenure and
degradation and can help identify constraints and prioritise actions among stakeholder groups. FAO, UNEP
and other institutions are collaborating to collect information and develop specific databases, guidelines,
maps, indicators, information systems and other tools and networks (SOTER, WOCAT, AQUASAT, AEZ,
digital soil maps, etc.) to support national, regional and international planning and management of land
resources. Considerable progress has been made in developing databases and information systems
(including GIS) on land resources and use, although efforts are still needed for land use analysis at national
levels. Further efforts should be coordinated through an international programme, based on cooperation
among several UN agencies, Governments, research institutions and NGOs, which would collect existing
knowledge and local, national and international experiences in a more systematic and detailed manner.
Cooperative frameworks can also be used for land degradation assessment, such as charters (World Soil
Charter), codes of conduct, international undertakings and decades, action plans (e.g. Liepzig Global Plan of
Action on Plant Genetic Resources, Soil Fertility Initiative, National Action Plans for the Convention on
Desertification (CCD). Funding mechanisms that could serve as models include the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and the Global Mechanism for CCD.
Exchange of information and experiences
International cooperation is driven by the need for Governments and people to share information and
experiences in the planning and management of their land resources and to help each other in solving
common problems. Regional cooperation is also developing through networks, regional programmes and
workshops. Particular efforts should be made to expand and improve access to international databases and
information systems on land use, land-use change and land degradation, for monitoring performance in
attaining Agenda 21 goals and identifying further areas requiring priority attention. Cooperation among all
concerned institutions is essential for addressing land use and related cross-sectoral issues that involve
several agencies and for the development and implementation of joint activities for capacity-building and
transfer of technology for integrated land-use planning and management.
Social issues
Stakeholder participation
Effective stakeholder participation in land use planning and management is a key issue for the sustainable
use of land by all resource users. Successful experiences and projects are developing, providing good
examples of the participatory process and the ecosystem approach: Australian Landcare approach, the
Farmer Field Schools, Conservation tillage/agriculture systems, the Plan Sierra eco-development project of
the Dominican Republic, etc. However, broader consultation and public participation in land-use planning
and decision-making still needs improvement and support.
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Capacity building
Support is provided by UN agencies and international partners in developing tools and capacities for
integrated approaches to ecosystems and land-use systems, such as river basins, wetlands, mangroves and
biosphere reserves. Other capacity-building programmes and initiatives focus on issues such as land
vulnerability, food insecurity assessment, drought mitigation, and environmental accounting. Capacitybuilding in policy-making, land-use management, land and water information, monitoring and assessment is
still needed at all levels to address critical problems of land degradation, including prevention and
rehabilitation.
Policy issues
Access to land and land tenure issues
The review of property rights, land tenure systems and land markets must take into account private, public,
informal and indigenous regimes to ensure equal access to land and the security of land tenure, in particular
for disadvantaged groups, including women, the poor and indigenous people. The challenge is to ensure
legal and social rights for traditional “owners” and users of areas with various forms of communal tenure. For
the former centrally-planned economies, land registries and property cadastres also have to be created or reestablished. Moreover, changes in land tenure may alter the behaviour of individuals and local communities,
leading to land degradation – for example, overgrazing following the settlement of nomads – and overexploitation when communally managed land become public lands with free access. Trade liberalisation and
globalisation may also create problems in land markets (i.e. local/national interests vis-à-vis those of foreign
buyers and investors), which may increase the need for international cooperation and require further study of
the possible impacts.
National land use strategies, plans, programmes and policies
International agreements and conventions have stimulated international and national policies and
programmes promoting integrated land-use planning and management. Several developed countries have
adopted or are developing comprehensive land use plans and programmes (Japan, Australia, Europe...).
In many developing countries, National Action Plans and strategies have been prepared for the CCD and the
CBD (less advanced). However, financial resources are often missing for the implementation of these plans.
Synergy between the various conventions (CCD, CBD, FCCC, wetlands), national programmes, and policies
is encouraged so that their implementation can provide greater benefit, increasing effectiveness and saving
resources. Nevertheless, in many countries, policies remain fragmented and incomplete, or can hardly be
implemented, because of institutional barriers, conflicting mandates and the prioritisation of economic over
social and environmental goals, and of short-term development over long-term goals. A number of countries
have formulated land-use strategies as part of their national Agenda 21 and environmental action plans,
often with the support of international organisations. The scope has expanded from a focus on delimitation of
areas for protection (nature reserves), critical watersheds and other critical areas or pollution problems, to
encompass sustainable land-use plans in a wider geographical and longer-term perspective. The
decentralisation and devolution of power in land-use planning and management is developing but is
often a source of conflict among the local, regional and national institutions involved. Clear responsibilities
still need to be assigned, at all levels, for various aspects of land-use planning and management, and
mechanisms developed to overcome institutional barriers between agencies at central and local levels.
Areas of particular attention
Further international cooperative efforts are needed in capacity building, transfer of technology, research and
development, and investments to address critical problems of land degradation, including both prevention
and rehabilitation. Comprehensive strategies for sustainable land use now address agricultural lands, forest
lands, urban and peri-urban areas, problems of degradation, and land and water use conflicts. Nevertheless,
greater efforts should be oriented towards sustainable agriculture and degradation or desertification, as
agriculture remains the major user of land and water resources and biodiversity to meet the increasing
demand for food and other products. Areas still requiring particular attention are: agricultural lands; forest
lands; mountain lands; desert margins, arid and semi-arid areas; protected areas; urban and peri-urban
lands. Land use management, and forest management in particular, is an important issue for the
implementation of the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol as it can have
great impact on carbon sequestration. Waste management is receiving growing attention from local
communities and governments, but remains a major cause of land degradation in many countries. Decisionmaking mechanisms for integrated approaches for land resources planning and management are still
needed, especially in peri-urban and rural areas.
Detailed analysis of specific issues was provided in 4 addenda to the main report:
 Addendum 1 - Integrated planning and management of land resources: combating deforestation.
 Addendum 2 - Integrated planning and management of land resources: combating desertification and
drought.
 Addendum 3 - Integrated planning and management of land resources: sustainable mountain development.
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 Addendum 4 - Integrated planning and management of land resources: conservation of biological diversity.
Outcome of CSD-8
Decision 8/3 of the CSD insists on the importance of addressing Land Planning and Management through a
holistic approach such as ecosystem-based management. Other major issues raised are access and rights
to land, water and other natural resources, as well as the need for national and local measures to protect
critical natural resources. It has also been recognised that social and health aspects of land-use systems
should be integrated in the overall planning process. Priorities have been highlighted for future work:

Prevention and/or mitigation of land degradation: there is an urgent need for appropriate policies,
institutional frameworks and measures to change production/consumption systems into sustainable ones
in order to combat land degradation, desertification, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, and therefore
improve food security, alleviate poverty and mitigate the effects of climate change on populations.

Access to land and security of tenure: equal access and the security of land tenure including for
women, poor people, indigenous and local communities, have to be guaranteed by national and local
policies and laws. Adequate land administration systems must also be developed to support sustainable
land tenure. The participatory approach is strongly encouraged for land tenure reform processes and for
the planning and management of land resources.

Critical sectors and issues are highlighted, with specific measures to take for:

Biodiversity: recall on the importance of (a) areas containing high concentrations of biological
diversity; (b) threatened ecosystems; and (c) species at risk. Call for ratification and
implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of the CBD and vigilance on the use of
biotechnologies because of possible risks for health and environment.

Forests: implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel and Forum on Forests (IPF/IFF) to
promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests.

Drylands: appropriate measures to combat drought and desertification and for the sustainable
use of fragile land resources and water resources in drylands. Particular attention is required for
areas with high population pressures and drought.

Mountain areas: specific measures and particular attention to the economic balance of these
areas to ensure a sustainable management of mountainous areas and watersheds.

Wetlands and coastal zones: conservation of wetlands and particular attention to coastal areas
in relation to fragile marine ecosystems.

Natural disasters: design and implementation of warning systems and intervention plans, as well
as short to long-term strategies for disaster management. National, regional and international
relief and remedial support is needed.

Rural-urban and land management interactions: the development of urban areas, including
transportation, housing, infrastructure and urban/peri-urban agriculture need careful management to
ensure its sustainability. Particular attention is required for the impact on the living conditions of the
poorest and interactions with rural areas. Stakeholder participation is strongly encouraged in rural and
urban land-use planning and management. Governments are urged to develop and strengthen capacity
and institutional framework for effective participation of all stakeholders, including women, land workers,
poor people, indigenous and local communities. The responsibilities of local authorities and stakeholders
in sustainable land use should be recognised, and local governments and communities empowered for
the formulation and implementation of appropriate practices, through financial and technical support.

Rehabilitation of mining areas: social, economic and environmental impacts of mineral extraction and
metal production must be considered and strategies must be implemented for the rehabilitation of land
degraded by mining.

International cooperation, including that for capacity building, information sharing and technology
transfer is strongly encouraged, in particular to support the implementation of Agenda 21. Access to upto-date information, appropriate technologies and support systems (e.g. GIS and GPS) should be
improved in developing countries with the support of the international community and developed
countries. The development of land-use indicators and monitoring systems is encouraged to assess
progress in the implementation of programmes for sustainable development. All countries are urged to
sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol and the 3 UN Conventions (CCD, CBD and FCCC). The need for
regional and international cooperation and support (technical and financial) is highlighted for each issue.
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