Global Soil Week
Strengthening accountability processes for soil restoration and responsible land governance
The objective of the current work of the GSW (2021-2024) is to strengthen the profile of soil and land resources as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. A key entry point is supporting efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goal 15 target of achieving a land degradation neutral world. These efforts build on a decision on land tenure adopted by the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 2019. Referencing the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, the decision positions people and vulnerable groups at the centre of the Convention’s agenda and recognizes the urgency of addressing land governance issues.
Ultimately, however, progress on this ambitious decision will depend on its implementation at the national and sub-national levels. For this, effective follow up, review, and reporting processes are essential to ensure transparency and accountability, and safeguard the legitimate land rights of smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, women, and other marginalized groups. Unfortunately, this important step is often overlooked because of various methodological and practical challenges. To bridge these gaps, this project seeks to enhance collaboration with civil society organizations working on responsible land governance issues, who have amassed a vast array of procedural knowledge and cannot only provide vital and meaningful expertise in monitoring and reporting, but also support parties in implementing land degradation neutrality measures that are in line with the land tenure decision.
The GSW started out as a conference series and was initiated by Klaus Töpfer, founding Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam and former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. In 2017, with support from its partners, the GSW moved from its base at IASS to TMG Research, with the objective of creating an independent global platform.

Engaging traditional leaders to advance environmental protection

Open research and consultancy positions at TMG

International Women's Day 2023

Women's rights ARE human rights

Unlocking the potential of the Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure in food system transformation

The race to net zero: Balancing between ecosystem restoration and safeguarding legitimate land rights?

Report
Responsible land governance in LDN programmes: The risks of decoupling forest conservation from legitimate tenure rights in Madagascar
Examining the challenges to safeguard and integrate legitimate tenure rights in management and policy decisions: a follow-up to the implementation of the UNCCD Decision 26/COP.14 on land tenure.
Written by Check Abdel Kader, Baba, Frederike Klümper, Harifidy Rakoko Ratsimba, Washe Kazungu, Jes Weigelt
Published on Sep 19, 2023

Report
The role of community forests in national LDN and land restoration programmes: A case study of community forest parcels in Taita Taveta County, Kenya
Examining the contribution of community forests to national Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and land restoration targets: a follow-up to the implementation of the UNCCD Decision 26/COP.14 on land tenure.
Written by Washe Kazungu, Frederike Klümper, Check Abdel Kader Baba
Published on Sep 19, 2023

Report
Responsible Land Governance in Land Degradation Neutrality Programmes: Insights from Benin and Kenya
Global Soil Week 2021 Synthesis Report
Written by Check Abdel Kader Baba, Brian Washe Kazungu, Jes Weigelt & Anna Kramer
Published on May 6, 2022

Working Paper
Governance foncière responsable dans les programmes de la NDT au Bénin
Ce rapport de la Global Soil Week 2021 fait le suivi des effets des mesures de la neutralité en matière de dégradation des terres sur la gouvernance foncière au Bénin
Written by Kader Baba, Anna Kramer, Charles Tamou
Published on Feb 7, 2022

Working Paper
Responsible Land Governance in LDN Programmes - Benin
This report from the Global Soil Week 2021 monitors the effects of Land Degradation Neutrality measures on land governance in Benin.
Written by Kader Baba, Anna Kramer, Charles Tamou
Published on Dec 17, 2021

Working Paper
Responsible Land Governance in LDN Programmes - Kenya
This report from the Global Soil Week 2021 monitors the effects of Land Degradation Neutrality measures on land governance in Kenya.
Written by Brian Washe Kazungu, Anna Kramer, Jes Weigelt, Oscar Schmidt
Published on Dec 17, 2021
No Sustainability Transition Without Securing Legitimate Land Rights - TMG @ COP 15
TMG and partners bring "Rights to Land" agenda to COP 15
The State of Land Degradation Neutrality in Madagascar
Just Transitions towards Land Degradation Neutrality: Tenure Rights for Soil Restoration
Building Back Better and Greener with Agroecology
A video marking the launch of the Transformative Partnership Platform (TPP) on agroecology
Agroecology for Adaptation - Systemic Challenges/Systemic Responses
A video sharing perspectives from diverse experts on how to create an enabling environment to support smallholder-led innovations for climate change adaptation
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