Civil Engineering August 2022 | Vol 30 No 7

Civil Engineering August 2022 13 “Rather, we developed and presented five ‘pathways’ and associated strategic mechanisms, which offer stakeholders an integrative approach through which they could leverage LWE nexus gains. These would help incorporate LDN into policy and decision-making at all scales.” These considerations could improve the impact of LDN projects by building in multiple benefits, improving governance factors and scaling them up from initial pilot schemes. A current example is the local application of the Great Green Wall (GGW) concept, implemented in the Sahel region to reverse desertifica- tion. The idea of a southern GGW was endorsed by SADC in 2019 and offers a coordination mechanism to combat land degradation in Southern Africa. The SADC GGW intends to promote synergies between various national and sub-regional bodies working on land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and drought. The initiative hopes to advance LWE nexus gains and progress towards LDN. MAIN FINDINGS The GLO notes that land degradation in Southern Africa has been driven by multiple natural and human- induced processes that include soil erosion, unsustainable agricultural practices, tree harvesting for charcoal production, contamination, pollution and biodiversity loss. The effects of this have negatively impacted the livelihoods of a significant proportion of the region’s population that relies on subsistence agriculture. These are the key messages contained in the report: Q Q Regardless of which type of future scenario is projected, the SADC region is going to experience strong pressures on land and land-based resources, exacerbated by various physical and social stressors. Q Q Nexus thinking highlights the strong links between the food, water, energy and environment sectors. While the LWE nexus is essentially local, it can have significant large-scale repercussions in vulnerable regions such as Southern Africa. Q Q A more standardised approach to setting, implementing, and reporting on LDN, Nationally Determined Contributions and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in the SADC region is required. Q Q Realising LWE nexus gains in SADC will only be achieved through con- certed efforts to integrate LDN targets with land-use planning and more sustainable management of land, water and energy resources. Q Q Achieving LDN requires responsible and inclusive governance to support the transition to sustainable and resilient food systems. Q Q Land and natural resource govern- ance are central to addressing human vulnerability, poverty and gender inequality. Q Q The development and implementa- tion of climate change adaptation strategies will be critical in the SADC region. Q Q In addition to the land impacts associ- ated with the expansion of renewable energy projects in SADC, there will also be impacts from growing mining operations and the decommissioning of coal mines and power stations over the coming decade. Q Q Innovative financing for SLM can be considered as an umbrella approach. It comprises a range of sources, mechanisms and instruments – as well as related processes and thematic areas – through which funding can be mobilised. By providing evidence-based, policy- relevant information and exploring recent trends regarding land manage- ment, water management and energy as it relates to land uses in the SADC, the report ultimately aims to provide a va- riety of stakeholders, including national governments, funding agencies and sustainable development organisations, with a firm basis from which to formu- late an integrated response to mutual and entwined challenges faced by land, water and energy management.  Read the full report: UNCCD Global Land Outlook Report The GLO identifies ways to preserve the ecosystems on which people rely Land degradation negatively impacts a significant proportion of Southern Africa’s population