Taking Land Degradation Neutrality from concept to practice: Early reflections on LDN target setting and planning

Abstract This article reflects on how the official guidance for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) provided in the LDN Scientific Conceptual Framework and LDN Target Setting Guide has been followed by some countries engaged in LDN target setting and planning. The research and discussion are based on interviews and written responses from 29 interviewees from international organisations, national LDN working groups, and civil society organisations involved in different phases of LDN initiatives. It finds that LDN target setting has proceeded in many countries using the default data provided by the UNCCD due to limited national datasets. Consultation of government ministries has generally been strong, but the involvement of the private sector and civil society in LDN working groups needs to be strengthened. The response hierarchy has been integrated as a principle in some national land use planning systems, and activities fostering synergistic outcomes for other social and environmental goals are beginning to be harnessed to achieve LDN.