Land Degradation Neutrality Targets.

This Land Degradation Neutrality Targets is a sectoral policy document at the national level. In line with commitments of Cambodia in the UN Framework of Climate Change, UN Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCCD’s and related on-going initiatives such as Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology ((ROAM), and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+), Cambodia is committed to work on combating desertification and land degradation, through the implementation of sustainable land management practices and institutional and legislative measures in order to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030, with national, regional and international partners.
The LDN Targets are set as: Target 1. By 2030, forest cover will be increased to 47% of the total land area (The most recent baseline figure for forest cover is 82,198 sq. km equaling 45.26% of total land cover, as of 2016). This will require an additional gain in forest cover area of about 3,157 sq. km. Target 2. By 2030, increase in agricultural growth by 5% per annum as compared to 3% in 2016 (ASDP 2014- 2018). Target 3. By 2030, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in forest and cropland will be increased by 1.2% per year as compared to 2015. Target 4. By 2030, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing 23,500 sq. km of protected forest and 3,900 sq. km of production forest; and restoring at least 8% of degraded and depressed protected areas, conservation areas, agroecosystems and forest ecosystems including mangroves. The enhanced ecosystem services are particularly for women, elders and children in local communities and indigenous ethnic minority groups.
Measures to achieve targets on Land Degradation Neutrality include: 1. Promote reforestation by intensifying tree planting and forest rehabilitation with 10 million tree seedlings and 233 sq. km per year. 2. Maintain protected forest and wildlife conservation at 390 sq. km per year. 3. Keep forest land for community forest (CF) development by confining area of 783 sq. km and forming 50 CF per year. 4. Restore degraded and deforested landscapes in 3 provinces (Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear and Siem Reab) by implementing FLR and ROAM approach. 5. Reduce conversion of forest land by cessation of economic land concession program. 6. Enforcement of laws by strengthening the coordination, public meeting and dialogues amongst senior forestry officials, military and police officials, and subnational government officials. 7. Increase the productivity of cropland (all kind of crops) at 10% per annum, contributing to achieving 5% agricultural growth per annum, by promoting programs on agricultural land conservation and improvement for sustainable soil management. 8. Apply GAHP (Good Animal Husbandry Practices) in animal production farms that will increase number of pigs by 2%, poultry - 4% and cattle - 1% per year; and to promote animal waste management for soil improvement and rural energy by installing around 1,000 biogas digesters. 9. Strengthen the implementation of rice production and export policy and industrial development policy, especially focusing on improved quality and safety of agricultural produce, and access to national and international markets. 10. Improve land productivity by applying sustainable agricultural practices (Conservation agriculture, organic farming) that will increase soil organic matter content to 4% of cropland (Rice, vegetables, fruit trees) per year. 11. Develop and apply policy and legislations for payment for ecosystem services (PES) to provide incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. 12. Apply best practices to the identified degraded ecosystems for their restoration and resilience, and assess their contribution to soil organic carbon stock. 13. Strengthen human, institutional, technological, and financial capacity building including legislations and incentives.