The Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative has published its first Impact Report, the 2025 edition, highlighting its achievements over the past year while also reflecting on the cumulative global impact since its establishment in 2011. The report demonstrates how ELD’s economic assessments, tools, and partnerships have helped decision-makers understand the value of land and ecosystem services and translate this knowledge into concrete action.
Over the past decade and a half, ELD has delivered 13 global and 6 regional reports and supported 43 case study assessments across 31 countries. These assessments provide economic evidence to inform policies, strategies, and investments in sustainable land management and restoration. Importantly, more than half of all case studies conducted by ELD have already demonstrated proven policy impact. ELD’s work has informed national legislation, land management strategies, monitoring systems, and restoration projects in countries such as Georgia, Kenya, Rwanda, Mexico, and Jordan.
Economic evidence generated through ELD assessments has also contributed to mobilizing significant financial resources. In three cases alone, study findings directly supported project proposals that secured USD 66.7 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with additional funding mobilized indirectly through policy and investment processes.
Beyond national impact, ELD’s global reports have shaped international policy discussions and informed major global processes including the UNCCD, G20, and UN General Assembly. Key report series such as the State of Finance for Nature have reached a broad audience, with more than 304 million views and citations, helping to shape global debates on nature finance and land restoration.
The Impact Report also highlights ELD’s continued efforts to build capacity and partnerships. More than 1,930 professionals worldwide have been trained, and ELD continues to work with governments, international organisations, and research institutions to scale sustainable land solutions.
Looking ahead, ELD will further strengthen its work on integrated land, climate, and biodiversity action, including a flagship report on the economics of rangeland restoration and new tools to support decision-makers globally.
The report underscores ELD’s core mission: making the economic value of land visible to enable better decisions for people, climate, and nature.
Read the full report here.