24 September 2013: As part of its efforts to raise awareness on the economic potential of land and the costs of land degradation, the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative has released a scientific interim report titled, ‘The rewards of investing in sustainable land management,’ which highlights the financial benefits of sustainable land management (SLM), as well as its contributions to environmental protection and food security. The report was launched during the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 11).

The report underscores that short-term gains have led to unsustainable land management practices, which have resulted in the loss of some US$ 40 billion per year. It outlines steps to reverse land degradation, arguing that the adoption of SLM practices could generate US$ 1.4 trillion in increased crop production. Opportunities outlined in the report include: reforestation, more sustainable agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods; as well as economic instruments such as taxes, subsidies, microfinance and access to credit.

The report makes the case that the benefits from SLM are generally greater than the costs of taking action, but highlights the need for African, Asian and Central and South American countries to increase capacity in assessing land values. It stresses the goals of the ELD to inform the private sector of opportunities, as well as to better link land stewardship and business practices. The report also outlines the role of the ELD in documenting case studies on land management, identifying future research, and targeting national and international policy processes. [ELD Press Release] [Publication: The Rewards of Investing in Sustainable Land Management] [IISD RS coverage of ELD]