ELD Case Study of Kyrgyzstan

This case study looked at pilot land accounts and sustainable pasture management in Kyrgyzstan, with the aim of terrestrial natural capital resotration and integrating the true value of land assets into the national accounting system. Study experts and researchers covere a broad network including the State Agency on Land Resources, Kyrgyz Soil Scientists Assocation, the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, American University of Central Asia, OSCE Academy, GIZ, GGKP, and ELD.

This project had four main components: 1) piloting land accounts and applying natural capital accounting to land resources; 2) a geo-portal of the information of land systems using GIS and satellite data; 3) creating and testing the National Soil Information system in pilot territories, and 4) applying the ELD 6+1 step approach to improve pasture management in the Suusamyr Valley. The study was ultimately designed to help decision-makers assess the condition of pastures and the benefits of restoration initiatives, and how applying a natural capital approach using geospatial data and assessing economic aspects of land use – can foster the adoption of sustainable land management practices and support the national green economy process.

For more information, take a look at the information brief (EN or RU) and the GGKP news article.

ELD Case Study of India

This case study on land remediation in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, India, was undertaken by the Development Alternatives Group and the ELD Initiative. It examined the cost and benefits of implemented land and water intervention programmes using the ELD methodology in three districts, aiming to create relevant policy recommendations and contribute to SDG goals and targets.

Using the ELD methodology, the study assessed a number of land and water based interventions for land remediation across three districts in the semi-arid region of Bundelkhand, which is prone to erratic rainfall. Looking at both intervention and control villages, it examined natural, social, and human capital, and integrated primary survey data and satellite data. Findings reflected that land use changes have taken place in the study area during this period, resulting in agricultural improvements, better access to irrigation facilities, gains in livestock benefits, and positive changes in other ecosystem services. The study also produced a replicable toolkit for ecosystem evaluation and relevant policy recommendations for informed decision-making and the micro and macro level.

For more information, take a look at the report and policy brief.

ELD Case Study of Rwanda

GGKP and ELD's first case study on natural capital restoration was conducted in Rwanda by a team of experts led by Montclair State University. This study aims to highlight the critical role of natural capital in macro-economic outputs, and to facilitate improved decision-making in green growth policies and to achieve national SDG targets.

Through integrated and innovative methods, the study explores five policy scenarios on sustainable use of land and green growth: (1) expansion of agroforestry, (2) cropland consolidation, (3) consolidation of agroforestry and cropland, (4) agricultural improvement in fertilization and irrigation and (5) comprehensive implementation of policies combining scenarios 3 and 4. The results help to understand how land degradation due to erosion can affect not only economic indicators such as GDP, poverty reduction, genuine savings, and unemployment, but also land assets, land use changes, ecosystem service supply, and terrestrial natural capital.
 
For more information, take a look at the report, policy brief and news article.