The Changwon Initiative: Combatting Land Degradation
It emerged as a significant outcome from the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP10) held in Changwon, South Korea:
What is the Changwon Initiative?
The Changwon Initiative is a strategic framework established to support the global target of achieving "zero net land degradation." It focuses on transforming the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) into practical actions and measurable outcomes to stabilize the quantity and quality of land resources that support ecosystems.
How does the Changwon Initiative support LDN?
The initiative assists countries in setting national baselines for land condition, establishing voluntary national LDN targets, and defining specific measures to prevent further land degradation. It aims to ensure that any degraded land is balanced with an equivalent amount of restored and sustainably managed land.
What was the global context for launching the Changwon Initiative?
Launched at the UNCCD-COP10 in October 2011 in Changwon, South Korea, the initiative was a response to the urgent need to address the escalating problem of land degradation worldwide. It supports the broader objectives of the UNCCD and the Sustainable Development Goals by highlighting land degradation as a critical issue that requires immediate and sustained action.
How many countries are involved in the Changwon Initiative?
As of the latest updates, 128 countries have joined the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme under the Changwon Initiative. More than 100 of these countries have committed to achieving LDN, pledging not to degrade more land than they restore.
What impact does the Changwon Initiative aim to achieve by 2030?
The vision of the Changwon Initiative is a land degradation-neutral world by 2030. This vision involves significantly reducing the rates of land degradation and restoring degraded land to ensure the continued provision of essential ecosystem services, thereby contributing to global food security, water security, and biodiversity conservation.
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