International Standards and Strategies for the Reduction of Land Consumption (SURFACE)

Abstract

As part of the project, an assessment of strategies to reduce land consumption was conducted for selected countries. Among other things, the study examined which national targets and instruments exist in other countries, what progress has been made in implementing them, and whether there are obstacles to effective land-conservation policies. Furthermore, the study examined the role played at the national level by international targets such as the EU’s “no net land take” target and the United Nations’ “land degradation neutrality” target. Based on the empirical surveys, recommendations were developed, among other things, for a more concrete definition of the term “land consumption.” The country-specific information collected as part of the project is compiled in a reference volume in the form of fact sheets. In addition, international workshops were held, which are also documented in the reference volume. The report is based on the situation as of 2021. A contribution to the discourse—also commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency—that takes into account recent developments at the EU level will be published shortly.