The interpretation and operationalization of LDN is still in its early stages. The idea of a “land degradation
neutral world” (UNCCD, 2012) was first introduced to the international environmental arena at the Rio+20
conference. Several scholars and organizations have since discussed possible interpretations and
implications of this topic (e.g. Welton et al., 2014; Altvater et al., 2015; Chasek et al., 2015; IUCN,
2015; Tal, 2015; Akhtar-Schuster et al., in press). The interpretation of neutrality in the context of LD
is challenging and will require further elaboration to provide guidance for its implementation. An essential
step in this direction was the establishment of a definition of LDN by an Intergovernmental Working
Group (IWG) under the UNCCD. The IWG defined LDN as “a state whereby the amount and quality of land
resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable
or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems.” (UNCCD 2015, dec.3/COP.12). Based on this definition, the Science-Policy Interface (SPI) of the UNCCD was requested to develop a scientific conceptual framework for LDN that aims to provide guidance for implementing LDN at the country level (UNCCD, 2016a, b).
Starting with the vision of what LDN is expected to achieve, the conceptual framework focus is “on
maintaining or enhancing the land resource base, (the stocks of natural capital associated with land
resources), in order to sustain the ecosystem services that flow from them, including food production and
other livelihood benefits” (UNCCD, 2016b). The year 2015 was accepted as the baseline year. Following the
neutrality logic, the target state should be equivalent to the baseline.
To translate the LDN target into strategies for implementation, the so-called LDN response hierarchy plays a central role and is proposed as a guiding principle for land-use planning.

Chapter 1. Introduction 1
P.L.G. Vlek and L. Tamene
Chapter 2. The trade-offs in multi-purpose land use 5
P.L.G. Vlek with H. Azadi, A. Bhaduri, L. Bharati, A.K. Braimoh, Chr. Martius,
T. Sunderland, and F. Taheri
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Land for food and climate change mitigation 6
2.3 Land for food and the provision of water 10
2.4 Land for food and biodiversity 12
2.5 Land for food and infrastructure 14
Chapter 3. Land resources and the SDGs 17
A. Khamzina, J.P.A. Lamers, J. Börner with
O.O. Cofie, P. Drechsel, Chr. Gordon, J. Miranda, S. Mukherjee, L.Verchot,
H. Vereecken, L. Weihermüller, S. Zelaya-Bonilla, F. Ziadat
3.1 Introduction 17
3.2 SDG 15: Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and promote sustainable
use of natural resources 18
3.3 SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 20
3.4 SDG 2: Food security and sustainable agriculture: the role of combating land degradation 22
3.5 SDG 3: Healthier lives through avoidance of soil pollution 24
3.6 SDG 12: Target 12.5 Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns: Resource recovery and land degradation 26
3.7 SDG 13: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning 28
Chapter 4. The extent and cost of land degradation 32
Q.B. Le and A. Mirzabaev with E. Nkonya, and G.W.J. van Lynden
4.1. Assessing global land degradation 32
4.2 Mapping hotspots of land degradation 33
4.3 The costs of land degradation 35
4.4 Bright spots of land restoration and rehabilitation 37
Chapter 5. Strategies and policies to reach a land-degradation neutral world 39
A.M. Whitbread with M. Akhtar-Schuster, A. Erlewein, F. Kizito, E. Nkonya, S. Scherr,
S. Shames, L. Tamene, and L. Winowiecki
5.1 Strategies to meet land degradation neutrality 39
5.2 The management of landscapes in meeting the SDGs 40
5.3 Landscape restoration and rehabilitation 42
5.4 The institutional realm for LDN 43
CONCLUSIONS 46
P.L.G. Vlek and A. Khamzina
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 48
REFERENCES