All publications and documents

In the context of the ECLAC/GTZ project on indicators of the socioeconomic impact of desertification and land degradation, the authors of this book consider theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of desertification, and analyse their causes and consequences. Specifically, desertification is considered as a factor in the loss of sustainability, efficiency and equity in resource…

This 2005 Human Development Report takes stock of human development, including progress towards the MDGs. Looking beyond statistics; it highlights the human costs of missed targets and broken promises. Extreme inequality between countries and within countries is identified as one of the main barriers to human development—and as a powerful brake on accelerated progress towards the MDGs.

This book provides an examination into the causes and prospects of desertification through a systematic review of 132 sub national case studies. It uses a meta-analytical model to determine whether proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any patterns, to identify mediating factors, feedbacks, cross-scalar dynamics and typical pathways. It shows a limited…

Agricultural production is highly dependent on weather, climate and water availability and is adversely affected by the weather and climate-related disasters. Droughts and natural disasters such as floods can result in crop failures, food insecurity, famine, loss of property and life, mass migration and negative national economic growth. It may not be possible to prevent the occurrence of these…

Dust and sandstorm (DSS) is a transboundary environmental phenomenon with severe socioeconomic impacts and public health consequences on hundreds millions of people in Northeast Asia. To address this concern, a regional cooperation mechanism has been established through a regional technical assistance project of ADB for Prevention and Control of Dust and Sandstorms in Northeast Asia (RETA 6068)…

This is a unique publication relating to legal frameworks of natural resources management. Following the “Legal and Institutional Frameworks for Sustainable Soils” (EPLP 45), this publication contributes to the revision of existing, and drafting of new, legislation relating to soils. It highlights the need for national soil policy, and sets out a soil management plan. It proposes legal and…