UN Desertification Summit Addresses Land Degradation and Drought

COP17 to Combat Desertification: Geographer Jean-Daniel Cesaro explains importance of focusing on pastoralism

With 40% of the world's land surface, including a quarter of arable land, now degraded, the COP17 to Combat Desertification opens on Monday, August 17, in Mongolia. In an interview with Le Monde, the researcher argues that France should expand its international exchanges to deepen its expertise.

Spotlight on UN desertification summit as it mulls how to spend $12bn war chest

Extreme weather has raised the significance of Cop17 talks starting this week on tackling drought and land degradation As swathes of the northern hemisphere bake in what could be the hottest year on record, with wildfires blazing across North America and Europe and heatwaves afflicting millions across Asia, the UN’s bi-annual talks on desertification have assumed much greater importance – and have started attracting more money. Work will begin this week on allocating more than $12bn (£8.9bn) ...

By Fiona Harvey Environment editor