SPI Objective 1 Technical Report

The report provides an analytical overview of common tools and approaches that are used, or can be used, to support integrated land use planning (ILUP) and integrated landscape management (ILM) and identifies ways in which these tools and approaches can aid in achieving LDN targets. An analysis of existing planning systems provides generic key elements for a typology of these systems. The work also identifies entry points for embedding LDN actions into planning systems at different scales (i.e., national, watershed, or local).  The illustrative examples show that ILUP and ILM can help reconcile multi-objective land uses, seek LDN (i.e., by balancing gains with anticipated losses), carefully consider trade-offs, and navigate possible conflicts between sectoral interests and potential uses (e.g., conservation and food production). 

The UNCCD SPI drew five conclusions from this evidence: (1) ILUP and ILM have integral roles to play in achieving LDN and reducing decision uncertainties associated with planning for neutrality; (2) the integration of LDN in ILUP-ILM processes should consider the unique characteristics of a country’s planning system; (3) the integration of LDN within ILUP-ILM processes relies on a combination of tools and approaches; (4) tools that can be used for simulating the LDN counterbalancing mechanism and the LDN response hierarchy within land use planning processes are scarce; and (5)  ILUP-ILM that supports LDN should consider future changes that result from dynamic political, socio-cultural, and environmental contexts.