The Importance of Land Restoration for Achieving a Land Degradation Neutral World

Realistically, achieving a land degradation–neutral world is only possible by implementing an extensive soil restoration program that focuses on areas affected by soil erosion, loss of soil quality, and loss of natural vegetation. Achieving political commitment and global consensus on such a target requires adherence to agreed definitions. Even so, the original definition of land degradation, as it is in the UNCCD text, may be questionable from a scientific point of view; however, it remains a major achievement that nearly all countries of the world have accepted this definition and have ratified the convention. To build on such a wide consensus, a solid political basis must be formed to make substantial progress in combating desertification by restoring degraded lands, as defined in the convention text.JRC.H.5-Land Resources Managemen