The Landscape approach

A growing demand for land, water and other natural resources in combination with human-induced climate change have put an increasing pressure on nature. The negative effects of these issues are most prominent in developing countries. In recent years the landscape approach has been put forward as a possible decision support solution for several development issues (often referred to as competing claims) that converge on a landscape level. The landscape approach aims to develop a shared vision for the future by integrating the objectives of all stakeholders at landscape level, in order to establish long-term integrated sustainable development.

Integrating stakeholders, their objectives and shared risks

The pursued objectives are those of sustained economic and social development, combined with local biodiversity conservation. Landscape approaches could lead to improved cross-sectoral decisions that are better than the sum of actor- and sector-specific solutions. Driven by the surge of interest and commitment to landscape level initiatives by international organizations like FAO and CGIAR institutes and the Dutch government, this PBL report describes the exploration of the landscape approach concept. It was intended to expand our knowledge and understanding of the success factors, barriers and stakeholders that influence inclusive and sustainable development on a landscape level.