Economics of Land Degradation Initiative

The Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative is an initiative on the economic benefits of land and land based ecosystems. The initiative highlights the value of sustainable land management and provides a global approach for analysis of the economics of land degradation. It aims to make economics of land degradation an integral part of policy strategies and decision making by increasing the political and public awareness of the costs and benefits of land and land-based ecosystems.

Our Vision

The partners’ vision of Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative is to transform global understanding of the value of land and create awareness of the economic case for sustainable land management that prevents loss of natural capital, secures livelihoods, preserves ecosystem services, combats climate change, and addresses food, energy, and water security, and to create capacity for the utilisation of economic information for sustainable land management.

Mission Statement

The central purpose and role of the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative is that through an open inter-disciplinary partnership:

• We work on the basis of a holistic framework built upon a recognized methodology to include the economic benefits of sustainable land management in political decision-making;

   

• We build a compelling economic case for the benefits derived from sustainable land management from the local to the global level while applying a multi-level approach;

   

• We estimate quantitatively the economic benefits derived from adopting sustainable land management practices and compare them to the costs of these practices;

   

• We develop the capacities of decision-makers and land users through innovative formats to adapt and build their knowledge into national frameworks and action on the ground;

   

• We stimulate the transformation towards land uses that provide fulfilling and secure livelihoods to all while growing natural capital, enhancing ecosystem services, boosting resilience and combating climate change;

   

• We increase the awareness of the total value of land with its related ecosystem services;

   

• We mainstream the full benefits of land in international and national land use strategies and action programmes by proposing effective solutions, tailored to country- or region-specific needs, including policies, and activities to reduce land degradation, mitigate climate change and the loss of biodiversity, and deliver food, energy, and water security worldwide.