In 2015, UNCCD Parties were invited to formulate voluntary targets to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in accordance with their specific national circumstances and development priorities.

The Global Mechanism and the secretariat of the UNCCD established the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP) to assist countries to achieve LDN by 2030. The programme takes countries through a structured process to help leverage, assess, measure and achieve their LDN commitments.

Countries are supported throughout their national LDN target setting process, which includes setting national baselines, creating voluntary national LDN targets and associated measures to achieve LDN. The programme provides practical tools and guidance for the establishment of voluntary LDN targets, accelerating the implementation of transformative programmes and projects.

To date, 131 countries have committed to setting LDN targets. More than 100 countries have already set their targets. UNCCD website provides full details on the LDN targets, as well as country reports on the target setting process and the country commitments to achieve LDN. More than 100 countries participate in the Changwon Initiative, which supports national voluntary target setting processes to achieve LDN. 

Sharing key lessons learned and policy-relevant knowledge constitute an important pillar of this process. Countries’ efforts to identify shared visions, proven solutions, priority hotspots and monitoring baselines have already shaped a new data-driven approach to tackling land degradation.

To achieve the goals of the program, the UNCCD’s Global Mechanism is producing a series of technical reports and briefing notes that provide policy makers with relevant information, including best practices.

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