Eurasian River Basin Portal

30.01.2017

November 14-16, 2016, Almaty hosts the Economics of Land Degradation in Asia Inception Workshop, organised by CAREC, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and The Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative.

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The main goal of the workshop is to familiarize participants with the objectives of the regional study on the economics of land degradation in Asia, which will result a report on costs and benefits of sustainable land management.

The degradation of land and forest resources threatens the livelihoods of the millions of people who depend on them. Every year, some 12 million hectares of land are degraded while 7.6 million hectares of forest are converted to other uses or lost through natural causes (FAO, 2015).

Issues on decrease of land productivity are important for Central Asia since this region is predominantly agricultural. These issues are also applicable to economic development and food security.

In this context, it is crucial to evaluate the extent and severity of land degradation in the region and to offer tools for the implementation of policies and practices for sustainable land management. 

About the study:

The study will assess the scope and extent of land degradation in Asia, the valuation of the implementation of measures and the costs of inaction, assessment of the impact of land degradation on various socio-economic issues and policy analysis in the field of land degradation in Asia.

The results will be directed to ensure public authorities and other interested parties with science-based and reliable data of social and economic valuation of ecosystem services and biodiversity in decision-making.

The event hosts international and regional researchers and experts in the field of ecosystem services, economics of natural resources and land degradation, including an expert on environmental economics, Dr. Pushpam Kumar - Chief, Ecosystem Services Economics Unit, Division of Environment Programme Implementation (UNEP).

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During the first two days of the workshop, the participants will be acquainted with the methodological approach to the analysis of land degradation economy used within ELD Initiative. Moreover, they will establish the scale of research and identify possible sources of information for the preparation of the Report. On the last day, a core group of experts will develop a framework and summary of chapters of the Report.

Photo from the main page: ©2014 Erik van den Elsen (Alterra)