jpinsert_8.qxd 3/9/06 12:17 PM Page 1 37676 GEF Global Action on Sustainable Land Management SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES Least developed countries (LDCs) and small island Small islands face their own set of specific chal- developing states (SIDS) share several characteris- lenges--small land territories and economies, tics: high levels of poverty, serious environmental limited infrastructure, isolation from large inter- degradation, and low human and institutional national markets, and high vulnerability to natu- capacities for integrated and sustainable land ral disasters. Population pressure and management. Because of these vulnerabilities, deforestation can often lead to the limited land the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has made area being degraded. Tourism, a growing main- supporting LDCs and SIDS a top priority. stay of many SIDS' economies, also increases pressure on limited resources, notably water and Generally, LDCs have largely rural-based popula- land, especially along coastal areas. tions and heavily depend on productive use of natural resources. The prevalence of land degra- The GEF recognizes the need for targeted capac- dation in croplands, rangelands, and forest ity building for sustainable land management, lands can constrain these countries' economic including mainstreaming environmental concerns growth, human development, and environmen- into the national development frameworks. tal sustainability. Priority goals for the GEF's land degradation focal es Pictur Minden/ u W Norbert The Rock Islands of Palau jpinsert_8.qxd 3/9/06 12:17 PM Page 2 area are strengthening institutional and human Forty-seven countries will work with the United resource capacities to improve planning and Nations Development Programme and establish implementation of sustainable land management; close ties to other GEF Implementing Agencies to and enhancing policy, regulatory, and economic minimize overlap and ensure maximum collabora- frameworks to facilitate the adoption of sustain- tion. A Global Advisory Committee will provide able land management practices across sectors. timely, strategic guidance. In addition, the Strategic Approach to Enhance The individual country projects will seek to Capacity Building (approved by the GEF Council in strengthen the enabling environment for sustain- November 2003) recognizes that capacity building, able land management while ensuring broad- either targeted within a focal area or as a stand- based political and participatory processes toward alone synergetic activity, must be based on several the achievement of three key outcomes: overarching principles. These include national own- ership and leadership, multistakeholder consulta- 1. Developing domestic, sustainable land man- tion, needs self-assessments, and integration into agement capacities at the national and local wider sustainable development efforts. levels; enhancing cross-sectoral capacities, with a focus on the landscape approach and In November 2004, the GEF Council approved the integrated land use planning and manage- United Nations Development Programme-GEF ment; and developing mechanisms for sus- LDC and SIDS Targeted Portfolio Project for tainability, such as capacities for monitoring Capacity Development and Mainstreaming of and evaluation, strategic planning, and eco- Sustainable Management. Individual projects nomic valuation techniques. under this umbrella framework will focus on those countries that have not completed their 2. Mainstreaming and harmonizing the National National Action Plans as required by the United Action Plan and sustainable land manage- Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. ment into national development strategies Often the term "desertification" is defined by and policies--including raising awareness of these countries as "land degradation resulting desertification and deforestation issues--to from deforestation and unsustainable agricul- increase political and financial support for ture," with the issue of deforestation being mitigating land degradation in the country. intractable and requiring urgent attention. The National Action Plan and sustainable land management principles and approaches Limited capacity for sustainable land manage- will also be harmonized with other develop- ment is particularly acute at the individual, insti- ment frameworks. tutional, and systemic levels in LDCs and SIDS. Often, LDC and SIDS poverty reduction strategies 3. Implementing investment planning and do not take environmental concerns into account. resource mobilization for the National Action Among the obstacles to environmental main- Plan and sustainable land management, streaming are a lack of information, absence of including developing a medium-term invest- analytical and advocacy skills, and lack of a cross- ment strategy and plan. Possible sources are sectoral approach to development. the government, donors, private sector, trust funds, and others. FOR MORE INFORMATION Global Environment Facility 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 USA Tel: 202-473-0508 Fax: 202-522-3240 www.theGEF.org February 2006