Trumping desertification through sound policy
The Energy, environment and sustainable development (EESD) programme funded the MEDACTION 4 project to address the growing desertification problem that Europe faces. Turning research results into policy recommendations is always challenging, but even more so in the case of desertification since the phenomenon is driven by several different factors. Geographers with the University of the Aegean in Greece, members of the MEDACTION 4 consortium, developed a unique approach to desertification policy. They formulated two versions of a Desertification policy support framework (DPSF), one for the EU (DPSF-EU) and one for its Member States (DPSF-country). The heart of the DPSF is its focus on horizontal policy integration. This is imperative given the multifaceted nature of the desertification problem, which involves agricultural, water, environmental, regional, land-use and many other policies. The solution lies in identifying, understanding and exploiting the relationships between the key actors and stakeholders at all levels. The DPSF includes guidance regarding coordinating existing policy while incorporating new policies to achieve the optimal benefit. Additional tools address financial issues as well as getting the wider public involved in combating the problem. DPSF-EU is targeted to the Regio, Agri and Environment Directorate-Generals as well as other relevant pan-European organisations. Conversely, DFSP-country is directed at the ministries of the Member States as well as other national groups dealing with the desertification issue.
