The #HowtoLDN Series showcases the efforts of intersectoral country teams as they implement their roadmaps towards Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Supported by the GEO-LDN Flagship since the Global Dialogue Forum 2023 in South Africa, today we highlight our youngest team: Georgia.
Background
Currently, 6.63% of Georgia’s landmass is degraded, and the country faces challenges in monitoring progress towards LDN due to limited reliable datasets for mapping land degradation and its sub-indicators. A recent workshop convened intersectoral experts to explore alternative datasets and identify degradation hotspots for verification, paving the way for a more comprehensive approach.
Strengthening Commitments to LDN
Team Georgia is dedicated to advancing the country’s LDN commitments by enhancing Land Productivity Dynamics (LPD) and promoting sustainable land management practices. Their approach emphasizes participatory, data-driven methods and active stakeholder engagement. Although a recent addition to the GEO-LDN Flagship, the team has already made notable progress and will present its work alongside other country teams at COP this December.
Harnessing Geospatial Data
To better monitor land productivity and assess degradation, Team Georgia employs Earth Observation tools. In collaboration with GEO-LDN, the team is developing an LPD Comparison App, which allows experts to test and compare algorithms and datasets for more accurate assessments of degradation and restoration opportunities.
This initiative underscores the importance of monitoring and stakeholder mapping in designing inclusive and effective measures for sustainable land management and adaptation.
#HowtoLDN Use Case from Team Georgia
Case Study Ganakhleba Pilot Site
A pilot site in Ganakhleba has become a focal point for pastureland inventory and restoration efforts. Between 2023 and June 2024, activities covered 269 hectares, around 36% of the 747 hectares targeted under the Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality Targets of Georgia through Restoration and Sustainable Management of Degraded Pasturelands Project.
The project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as Implementing Agency, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) as Beneficiary, and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC) serving as Executive Agency.
Roadmap to 2030
Looking ahead, Team Georgia is revising its National LDN Targets, aligning them with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15.3). This process includes integrating LDN principles into national strategies, restoring degraded lands, and strengthening forest management.
To prepare for future initiatives, the team has compiled a dataset of degradation hotspots, produced a range of LPD maps, and is assessing their effectiveness in detecting degradation across key regions. This evidence-based approach will inform decision-making and foster partnerships for sustainable land management.
How GEO-LDN supported Team Georgia
Through the Flagship, GEO-LDN facilitates access to geospatial data, risk analysis tools, and monitoring systems tailored to Georgia’s needs. The collaboration ensures that the most up-to-date technologies inform national policy frameworks and sustainable land management practices.
For more information, please see the country’s poster and the presentation from UNCCD COP 16 in Riyadh, held from 2 to 13 December 2024.
In partnership with:
- Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- The Global Environment Facility (GEF).
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus)
- CENN.
For more information on how GEO-LDN can support your country’s journey to LDN, contact us at info@geo-ldn.org.
