OSS
Sahara and Sahel Observatory
# The Great Green Wall
A Development Programme for the Sahara and the Sahel
Projects monitoring and evaluation approach based on geospatial applications
April 2016
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WORLD BANK GROUP
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# The Great Green Wall Initiative
Combatting the effects of desertification and climate change through sustainable natural resources management
!img-0.jpeg Main characteristics of the Sahel region
Semi-arid and hot climate, short rainy season, very long dry season, variable precipitations, average annual rate 250-500 mm
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Zone characterized by drought and desertification
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Economy highly depending upon natural resources: water, soil and vegetation cover
Africa displays a wide diversity of ecosystems that host various resources: soil, vegetation, water and species. These resources constitute the main natural wealth of the continent, hence should be preserved to ensure the survival of populations whose livelihoods depend heavily on ecosystems services and goods (food, water, wood, fiber, and industrial products) (Liniger, 2011).
Land provides livelihoods for 60% of the continent's population through agriculture, forestry and other natural resources (FAO, 2004).
However, these resources remain threatened by overexploitation caused by population growth leading to a considerable decrease in resources availability in certain regions, notably the countries of the Sahara and Sahel region involved the Great Green Wall Initiative.
The availability of natural resources is also jeopardized by other factors related to the combined effects of natural disasters and climate change.
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# From "Green belt" approach to the integrated management of ecosystems
The Great Green Wall Initiative (GGW) was launched in Africa at the Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Burkina Faso in June 2005. Designed first to serve as a means to combat desertification and poverty, the initiative was initially limited to the establishment of a "green belt" of trees extending from Senegal to Djibouti.
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The first vision soon evolved into an integrated ecosystems management approach in January 2007 which was officially adopted by the African Union following the "Decision on the Implementation of the Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative".
In 2008, OSS was mandated to bring more clarification to the concept of the Great Green Wall as well as the necessary orientation for its implementation. In this respect, and with the support of several scientists from North and East Africa and Europe, a preliminary definition of what would be the concept of the Great Green Wall was provided.
# Harmonized regional Strategy
In order to share this common vision, a harmonized regional strategy for the implementation of the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative was adopted in September by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).
# Projects implemented to support the GGW Initiative
The Great Green wall is supported by a number of regional and international organization and based on the mechanisms and institutions of the 3 United Nations Conventions - UNCCD, UNFCCC and CBD¹
SAWAP² programme
A vision initiated by 12 Sahel countries for an integrated natural resources management: