Lene Poulsen, Consultant – Karl International Development & UNCCD Working Group II Chair

“One of the issues that has been raised since this convention came into force is why do we still have land degradation in the drylands? Why is it that we still do not have sustainable dryland management methods?

“An answer to that question is that people don’t really understand the economics of it. The ministries who are responsible for it do not understand that investment in drylands makes good sense. That’s the reason that has been given – we don’t really know why – but it seems logical.

“And that’s why it’s important to have an economic evaluation of sustainable dryland management.”

*Speaking at the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference, Bonn, April 11 2013