Partners
International
Conventions, Protocols and Treaties
The primary
objective of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) is to reduce the build-up
of greenhouse gasses in the Earth's atmosphere. The forests
of the earth play a major role in the absorption and emission
of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide. The Framework
Convention on Climate Change expects nations to report on
their greenhouse gas emissions, while the Kyoto Protocol of
this convention includes specific requirements for reporting
deforestation, reforestation and aforestation (planting trees
where they have not grown before). Data from earth observation
satellites is widely recognized as an essential source of
recent, reliable, and objective information about changes
in forest cover. But systems do not yet exist to process the
massive quantities of satellite, air photo, and ground-based
data into the needed information. One of the most important
objectives of GOFC-GOLD is to advance the implementation of
technical and institutional capacity for national and regional
organizations to obtain the needed information.
Forests
provide habitat for millions of species of plant and animals.
The loss and fragmentation of forest cover represents a threat
to biodiversity which is readily observable from space. Improvements
in the ability to monitor forest cover changes will provide
nations with additional capability to recognize and respond
to threats to their biodiversity. The Convention
on Biological Diversity philosophy of sustainable development,
the ecosystem approach, and the emphasis on building partnerships
are all helping to shape global action on biodiversity. The
data and reports that governments are gathering and sharing
with each other can provide a basis for understanding the
challenges and collaborating on the solutions.
Desertification
occurs because dryland ecosystems, which cover over one third
of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation
and inappropriate land use. It is caused primarily by human
activities and climatic variations, of which deforestation
plays a large role. The Convention
to Combat Desertification (CCD) aims to promote effective
action through innovative local programs and supportive international
partnerships. The treaty acknowledges that the struggle to
protect drylands will be a long one, this is because the causes
of desertification are many and complex, ranging from international
trade patterns to the unsustainable land management practices
of local communities.
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