herein, this redounded to influence significantly the development and acceptance of
Goal 15 as part of Agenda 2030.
Moreover, in paragraph 206 the document continues to add that, “We recognize
the need for urgent action to reverse land degradation. In view of this, we will strive
to achieve a land-degradation neutral world in the context of sustainable
development.”
Here, we find for the first time in an internationally adopted policy document
lexicon referring to land degradation neutrality (LDN), and a commitment by states
(even if non-binding), to make efforts to achieve it.
Turning to paragraph 207, the Parties state that, “We reaffirm our resolve in
accordance with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to take
coordinated action nationally, regionally and internationally, to monitor, globally,
land degradation [. . .]. We note the importance of mitigating the effects of desertification, land degradation and drought, including by [. . . .] restoring degraded lands,
improving soil quality [. . .]”.
29
3.2 Pushing the Envelope of LDN
The UNCCD realized that these paragraphs in “The Future We Want” presented a
unique opportunity to place the problematic of addressing the issue of land degradation neutrality in the front and center of the international sustainable development
agenda. Thus, it set about trying to do just that.
In little over a year after the adoption of the Rio + 20 outcome document with its
paragraphs on addressing the issue of land degradation, and more specifically, the
intention to “strive to achieve a land-degradation neutral world,” the UNCCD had
prepared and was ready to implement a pilot project on LDN.
This project’s main aim was to show that achieving LDN in practice is indeed
possible.
30 Crucially, this project looked at important issues such as setting LDN
baselines, possible indicators for measuring LDN, setting targets to achieve LDN,
and integrating LDN into national priorities and commitments.
Fourteen countries from around the world participated in this project. Their final
reports all indicate that achieving LDN, while challenging, was not an impossibility.
31 It must be noted that this project played a key role in helping to establish the
three main indicators for measuring progress with achieving LDN,
32 which is first
and foremost about protecting soils.
29 United Nations, General Assembly (2012) A/RES/66/288- The Future we want.
30 UNCCD (2016a) Scaling up Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting - from Lessons to
Actions: 14 Pilot Countries’ Experiences.
31 UNCCD (2016c) Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Pilot Project country reports.
32 UNCCD (2016b) Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the Country Level: Building Blocks
for LDN Target Setting.
From Desertification to Land Degradation Neutrality: The UNCCD and the. . .
9
Goal 15 as part of Agenda 2030.
Moreover, in paragraph 206 the document continues to add that, “We recognize
the need for urgent action to reverse land degradation. In view of this, we will strive
to achieve a land-degradation neutral world in the context of sustainable
development.”
Here, we find for the first time in an internationally adopted policy document
lexicon referring to land degradation neutrality (LDN), and a commitment by states
(even if non-binding), to make efforts to achieve it.
Turning to paragraph 207, the Parties state that, “We reaffirm our resolve in
accordance with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to take
coordinated action nationally, regionally and internationally, to monitor, globally,
land degradation [. . .]. We note the importance of mitigating the effects of desertification, land degradation and drought, including by [. . . .] restoring degraded lands,
improving soil quality [. . .]”.
29
3.2 Pushing the Envelope of LDN
The UNCCD realized that these paragraphs in “The Future We Want” presented a
unique opportunity to place the problematic of addressing the issue of land degradation neutrality in the front and center of the international sustainable development
agenda. Thus, it set about trying to do just that.
In little over a year after the adoption of the Rio + 20 outcome document with its
paragraphs on addressing the issue of land degradation, and more specifically, the
intention to “strive to achieve a land-degradation neutral world,” the UNCCD had
prepared and was ready to implement a pilot project on LDN.
This project’s main aim was to show that achieving LDN in practice is indeed
possible.
30 Crucially, this project looked at important issues such as setting LDN
baselines, possible indicators for measuring LDN, setting targets to achieve LDN,
and integrating LDN into national priorities and commitments.
Fourteen countries from around the world participated in this project. Their final
reports all indicate that achieving LDN, while challenging, was not an impossibility.
31 It must be noted that this project played a key role in helping to establish the
three main indicators for measuring progress with achieving LDN,
32 which is first
and foremost about protecting soils.
29 United Nations, General Assembly (2012) A/RES/66/288- The Future we want.
30 UNCCD (2016a) Scaling up Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting - from Lessons to
Actions: 14 Pilot Countries’ Experiences.
31 UNCCD (2016c) Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Pilot Project country reports.
32 UNCCD (2016b) Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the Country Level: Building Blocks
for LDN Target Setting.
From Desertification to Land Degradation Neutrality: The UNCCD and the. . .
9