International Applications of the Legal and Policy Outcomes of the PRC-GEF Partnership Project on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems China

The Legal and Policy Component of the Capacity Building Project for Combating Land Degradation in China has provided China an opportunity to vastly improve the capability of its environmental laws, policies and institutional arrangements to manage land degradation (LD) in the dryland region. Many of the legislative tools, guidelines and procedures prepared under the project are transferable to other regions and countries with similar climatic, ecological and socio-economic characteristics to that of dryland China. Despite the big challenges ahead for China in managing its natural resources, the legislative and policy reform program for LD control is not only of major significance to China but also the world. The depth and diversity of the China project goes beyond any other integrated environmental law assessment program for LD control attempted in the world to date. In this regard, the benefits are not only to China, but to the world in general, as the knowledge gained and lessons learned from the China project can be utilized to help expand the foundations of an international front for LD control.