UNCCD Submission to Cimate Change/UNFCCC AWG-LCA 5

The Drylands constitute a significant sink for carbon, and they have potential to further increase carbon sequestration given their current degraded status and expanse. Recognizing this potential, the UNCCD secretariat is proposing that policy actions should take into account carbon contained in soils and the importance of biochar (charcoal) in replenishing soil carbon pools, restoring soil fertility and enhancing the sequesteration of CO2. The idea has been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 5th Session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA 5).

Today the world faces a situation of growing urgency given the combined consequences of and the intricate linkages between climate change and frequent and severe droughts, land degradation and desertification. The effects of these phenomena take place and are most severe in the villages and in the countryside of developing countries, with negative impacts on the ability of the inhabitants to cope with and adapt to climate change.

The UNCCD Secretariat, in tandem with the 10 Year Strategic Plan (10YSP), is taking measures aimed at increasing cooperation/building synergies for the implementation of the Rio Conventions (UNCCD/ UNFCCC/ CBD) that entail developing operational programmes and coordinated assistance for the implementation of the Conventions, particularly at national levels. The operational programmes produced by the secretariat aim at seizing the opportunities created by climate change and the anticipated COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009.

Of particular interest, is the utilization of Biochar as a means for sequestering carbon in the soil. As you may be informed the UNCCD Secretariats has been unraveling the opportunities offered by Biochar in storing Carbon in the soil following which a submission on this initiative was tabled in Poznan, presenting the many advantages available. It was the first submission on this initiative. This is a solid technology for soil amendment and for renewable energy at the level of the household, as well as for providing new avenues for economic opportunities (targeting populations living in areas affected by desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD).

Taking into consideration the available opportunities and advantages presented by Biochar, it is envisaged to undertake some concrete and effective action that places Biochar into the negotiation of UNFCCC through implementing practical measures to promote sustainable land management in line with the expected results of the UNFCCC COP 15 outcomes. The utilization of biochar increase soil organic matter (SOM) and improve its oxidation, a process that could enhance the long-term water-retention capacity of the soil, enabling it to sustain terrestrial vegetation that will help to arrest land degradation and desertification.

The drylands constitute a significant sink for carbon, and they have potential to further increase carbon sequestration given their current degraded status and expanse. Increased focus on the land and soils during the climate change negotiations could provide considerable results towards adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. Bringing agricultural land use into the realm of implementation mechanisms on climate change would not only foster carbon sequestration, but could also create considerable added value through simultaneous impact on land fertility. Concomitantly, direct action targeting the drylands mean that carbon sinks would be enhanced as drylands have an enormous potential to sequester carbon