Launch of Second Phase of LDN

Bringing environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture to the fore, the second phase of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) program has been launched in Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme seeks to combat the pressing issues of soil erosion, deforestation, and unsustainable land practices that have been threatening the island’s ecosystems and the livelihoods of its communities.

The LDN program, first initiated in 2018, laid down a foundation of targets and measures aimed at promoting resilient agricultural systems and ensuring food security, focusing on three key indicators—land cover, land productivity, and carbon stocks both above and below ground—which are crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring that efforts to restore ecosystem health are on track. The coordinator at the Partnership Initiative of Sustainable Land Management says the second phase of the program is set to reinforce these efforts through more defined and robust actions including reforestation projects, the promotion of sustainable farming techniques, and the restoration of degraded lands.

“Our gap was that we had no soil data; our data went back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, very old. Furthermore, if countries did have that data, it often did not include soil carbon as one of the indicators. So, the ministers responsible for UNCCD met in Guyana in 2018 and said to us, ‘Please ensure that we can fully participate in LDN and use resources from the GEF to deal with whatever mischief may have presented itself to prevent us from telling the world in 2030 that we have fulfilled our LDN obligations.”

Minister for Agriculture Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development Hon. Alfred Prospere says that addressing land degradation is essential for Saint Lucia, as it not only impacts food security but also biodiversity and climate resilience. By improving land management, the island can better withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change, which pose a significant threat to its environment and economy.

“Today marks an essentially important occasion for us in Saint Lucia as we continue to address a critical issue that affects not only our beautiful island but the entire world. Land degradation poses a significant threat to our environment, biodiversity, food security, economy, and overall well-being. As we witness the adverse effects of climate change and unsustainable land practices, it is imperative that we take wise and bold actions to reverse those negative impacts and achieve a land degradation-neutral world.”

As Saint Lucia advances its sustainability goals, the successful implementation of the LDN program could set a precedent for global land conservation efforts, potentially inspiring similar models in other small island developing states facing similar environmental challenges.