IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v11y2022i4p568-d791997.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessing the Impact of Science in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Author

Listed:
  • Mariam Akhtar-Schuster

    (DLR Projektträger, Sachsendamm 61, 10829 Berlin, Germany)

  • Lindsay C. Stringer

    (Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK)

  • Graciela Metternicht

    (Earth and Sustainability Science Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Nichole N. Barger

    (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Jean-Luc Chotte

    (French National Institute Research for Sustainable Development, 34394 Montpellier, France)

  • German Kust

    (Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetny Lane 29, 119017 Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

In 2013, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) established a science–policy interface (SPI) to address Parties’ need for demand-driven, timely, interdisciplinary science and technical knowledge to tackle problems of desertification, land degradation and drought. Since then, a comprehensive assessment of the SPI’s impacts on policy decision-making has been lacking, despite perceptions that the SPI is vital to the Convention’s success. Addressing this gap, this paper evaluates whether the SPI and its processes and outputs have provided the necessary scientific and technological knowledge and advice to Parties to support timely, evidence-informed decision-making. It applies an analytical framework to assess performance metrics, considering associated documents and evidence of societal relevance and social quality. The findings indicate that SPI outputs have improved implementation of the UNCCD since 2015, particularly in the context of Sustainable Development Goal Target 15.3. SPI outputs have supported scientific cooperation between the Convention and its strategic partners while enhancing its science and technology profile in line with Article 16 and Article 17. The findings indicate that further formalization of the SPI’s status within the UNCCD is vital to improve its functions, undertake its work, and enable the UNCCD to maintain its global lead in providing knowledge and advice on combating desertification, land degradation and drought.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariam Akhtar-Schuster & Lindsay C. Stringer & Graciela Metternicht & Nichole N. Barger & Jean-Luc Chotte & German Kust, 2022. "Assessing the Impact of Science in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:4:p:568-:d:791997
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/4/568/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/4/568/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nancy Leech & Anthony Onwuegbuzie, 2009. "A typology of mixed methods research designs," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 265-275, March.
    2. Lindsay C. Stringer & Richard J. Thomas & Mariam Akhtar-Schuster, 2010. "Expand scientific input to address environmental effects," Nature, Nature, vol. 465(7300), pages 869-869, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Abunyewah & Mitchell K. Byrne & Carol A. Keane & Daniel Bressington, 2023. "Developing Psychological Resilience to the Impact of Drought," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Xuedi Yang & Hailin Hu & Ya Li & Suhan Zhang & Danni Li & Fuwei Qiao & Xingpeng Chen, 2024. "New Perspectives on the Impact of Human Activities on Natural Resources in Oasis Areas: A Case Study of Oasis in Wuwei, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, June.
    3. Singh, Kripal & Ansari, Faiz Ahmad & Ingle, Kapilkumar Nivrutti & Gupta, Sanjay Kumar & Ahirwal, Jitendra & Dhyani, Shalini & Singh, Shraddha & Abhilash, P.C. & Rawat, Ismael & Byun, Chaeho & Bux, Fai, 2023. "Microalgae from wastewaters to wastelands: Leveraging microalgal research conducive to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tatiana Khavenson, 2019. "Integration of Schools in Latvia and Estonia Using Curriculum Reforms," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 3, pages 77-100.
    2. Anastasios Michailidis & Chrysanthi Charatsari & Thomas Bournaris & Efstratios Loizou & Aikaterini Paltaki & Dimitra Lazaridou & Evagelos D. Lioutas, 2024. "A First View on the Competencies and Training Needs of Farmers Working with and Researchers Working on Precision Agriculture Technologies," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Bi-Juan Zhong & Yaping Gong & Oded Shenkar & Yadong Luo & Zhixing Xiao & Shuming Zhao, 2023. "Managing the hearts of boundary spanners: CEO organizational identification and international joint venture performance," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 87-119, March.
    4. Beth Turnbull & Melissa L Graham & Ann R Taket, 2016. "Social Exclusion of Australian Childless Women in Their Reproductive Years," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(1), pages 102-115.
    5. Bloch, Carter & Sørensen, Mads P. & Graversen, Ebbe K. & Schneider, Jesper W. & Schmidt, Evanthia Kalpazidou & Aagaard, Kaare & Mejlgaard, Niels, 2014. "Developing a methodology to assess the impact of research grant funding: A mixed methods approach," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 105-117.
    6. Purwanto & Ina Primiana & Dian Masyita & Erie Febrian, 2018. "Social Outreach Model and Efficiency in Sharia Micro Finance Institution: Literature Review," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 104-122.
    7. Emeka Dumbili, 2014. "Use of mixed methods designs in substance research: a methodological necessity in Nigeria," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2841-2857, September.
    8. Izhak Berkovich, 2018. "Beyond qualitative/quantitative structuralism: the positivist qualitative research and the paradigmatic disclaimer," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(5), pages 2063-2077, September.
    9. Sergi Fàbregues & José F. Molina-Azorín, 2017. "Addressing quality in mixed methods research: a review and recommendations for a future agenda," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2847-2863, November.
    10. Hubeau, Marianne & Mondelaers, Koen & Coteur, Ine & Marchand, Fleur L. & Lauwers, Ludwig, 2014. "Chain Governance Systems and Sustainable Capital Use – A Conceptual Approach," 2014 International European Forum, February 17-21, 2014, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 199340, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    11. Tony Burner & Heidi Biseth, 2016. "A Critical Analysis of an Innovative Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(4), pages 21582440166, November.
    12. Çakirlar Altuntaş, Esra & Turan, Salih Levent, 2018. "Awareness of secondary school students about renewable energy sources∗," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 741-748.
    13. Diaz, Brett A. & Pugel, Jessica & Phutane, Aditya & Zhang, Liwei & Green, Lawrie & Hoffmann, Jayne & Long, Elizabeth C. & Crowley, Max & Taylor Scott, J., 2024. "Use of research evidence in U.S. federal policymaking: A reflexive report on intra-stage mixed methods," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    14. Jacques Toit & Mark Napier & Lochner Marais & Jan Cloete & Beth Crankshaw, 2022. "A typology of designs for housing research: improving methodological coherence of paradigm, approach and design," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 3875-3891, December.
    15. Akter, Mansura & Akter, Shahriar & Rahman, Mahfuzur & Priporas, Constantinos Vasilios, 2023. "Mapping the barriers to socio-economic freedom in internationalisation of women-owned SMEs: Evidence from a developing country," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    16. H. Boeije & F. Wesel & M. Slagt, 2014. "Guidance for deciding upon use of primary mixed methods studies in research synthesis: lessons learned in childhood trauma," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 1075-1088, March.
    17. Godfrey Tambudzayi Musabayana & Emmanuel Mutambara & Tony Ngwenya, 2023. "Establishment of a Zimbabwe National SME sector: a major priority to enhance the performance of the national economy," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-24, December.
    18. Evgeni Varshaver & Anna Rocheva, 2021. "“Homeland-Rooted” or Acquired in the Receiving Society: How Does the Composition of Migrants’ “Co-Ethnic” Ties Affect Their Patterns of Integration?," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 347-368, March.
    19. Thomas Aichner & Paolo Coletti & Frank Jacob & Robert Wilken, 2021. "Did the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Harm the “Made in Germany” Image? A Cross-Cultural, Cross-Products, Cross-Time Study," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(4), pages 179-190, November.
    20. Urban Johnson & Krister Hertting & Andreas Ivarsson & Eva-Carin Lindgren, 2022. "Favorable Adaptation during SARS-CoV-2-Pandemic as Told by Student-Athletes—A Longitudinal and Behavioral Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:4:p:568-:d:791997. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.