ELD Working Group on

Economic Valuation of Options and Outcomes

Dr Pushpam Kumar, WG LeaderChief, Ecosystem Services Economics Unit of Division

of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI)United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference

Objectives

1. Establish different scenarios of land degradation at the global scale

2. Identify range of interventions and response policies (technical, mechanical, biological measures, etc.)

3. Evaluate cost of action (Benefit from avoiding damage)

4. Evaluate cost of inaction (Cost due to damage)

Approaches

• Identify benefits of avoided degradation• Multi Scale Assessment• Mapping of benefits from ecosystem services• Timeframe: Current (2013-14), 2015, 2025

Types and Extent of Land Degradation

Types/degree of land degradation

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region n

LD1 $1x $5x

Land degradation 2

Land degradation 3

LD n

Representative Cost DataOptions/interventions

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region n

Option 1 $4x $1

Option 2

Option 3

Option n

Data on Benefits (avoided degradation)

Benefit gained (On site / off site)

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region n

e.g. Gain in productivity

$1x $1.5x

Option 2

Option 3

Option n

Trade-offs and synergies: Analysis of response options

Option/ Intervention

Agricultural Yield

Carbon Sequestration

Water Filtration

Flood Mitigation

Reforestation - + + +

Modified cultivation technology

+ + + +

etc

Next Action

1.Development of Database on Values 2.Synthesis of evidences (peer reviewed, semi

reviewed values)3.Relevant time period not beyond 20054.Team in place (Experts identified)5.Resources??