1 October 2014: The Global Mechanism (GM) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signaling cooperation on land degradation neutrality.

The MoU describes the scope for collaboration between the GM and FSD in the fields of economic valuation of land and ecosystem services, and related capacity-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The cooperation is expected to help expand a body of evidence for strengthening public and private investments aimed at achieving the post-2015 sustainable development vision.

The specific aims of the partnership are: increasing academic research and knowledge relevant for mapping and assessment of ecosystem services, valuation of land, natural capital accounting, and ecosystem-based adaptation and restoration; providing capacity and technical training on the operationalization of land degradation neutrality through sustainable business models and within the international financial architecture; and disseminating related research through publications, expert workshops, public-private dialogues and sectoral conferences.

The partnership was established during the seventh Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) Conference, which took place from 8-12 September, in San Jose, Costa Rica, and considered issues including the integration of ecosystem services into land management systems, and progress in implementation of community-based ecosystem management projects.

The GM is a specialized body of the UNCCD that supports countries in mobilizing financial resources and increasing investments in sustainable land management (SLM), with the goal of helping reverse, control and prevent desertification, land degradation and drought. The FSD, a not-for-profit organization registered in the Netherlands, supports the sustainable use of natural ecosystems through specialized research and advisory services. [GM Press Release] [IISD RS Story on 7th ESP Conference] [7th ESP Conference Website]