Policy & Investment Analysis Programme

The GM established the Policy and Investment Analysis (POLINV) programme in response to the need for knowledge management tools in-depth information and analytical studies on UNCCD-related investment patterns, financial flows and funding mechanisms. To address these needs, the Programme engages in collaborative initiatives – leveraging internal and external resources and expertise – to develop data collection instruments, analytical methodologies and focused publications for relevant audiences.

The programme benefits a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities and project practitioners, national and international policy makers, actors in the global economy and the general public.

Objectives

POLINV pursues the following interrelated objectives:

equip, on request, UNCCD focal point institutions and other stakeholders at country level with appropriate knowledge management instruments, know-how and advice on relevant policy and investment issues;
inform the Conference of the Parties (COP) and other relevant international fora and intergovernmental processes, on investment flows, financial issues and opportunities related to the implementation of the Convention and its 10-year Strategy and/or linked to other environmental or developmental strategies and plans; and
underpin the GM’s thematic work and special initiatives as well as its regional programmes by providing strategic orientation, generic advice and technical inputs.

Areas of intervention

The programme operates through the following areas of intervention:

Economic valuation of land

The GM is an active partner in the OSLO (Offering Sustainable Land-Use Options) Consortium - a partnership whose key members include the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the United Nations University (UNU), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, among others. OSLO has developed an innovative valuation methodology to demonstrate that considerable financial and socio-economic returns on investment can be generated through responsible land use. This methodology is modular, scalable and adaptable to the complexity of issues in the country or region concerned.

Observatories on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Investments

Observatories on SLM Investments are established to facilitate access to and reuse of valuable information and knowledge on SLM financing generated primarily at country level. Instruments for data collection and financial analysis include the Financial Information Engine on Land Degradation (FIELD), SLM portfolio and expenditure reviews, case studies on the economics of land degradation, and outcome-level analyses of returns on investments.

Advocacy and advisory services to policy making

The information, knowledge and expertise captured from the Observatories are used at international level to promote actions ultimately leading to the mobilization of resources and the scaling-up, replication and enhancement of SLM investments on the ground.

Collaborative awareness-raising initiatives

To reach a broader audience, the Programme is engaging in a number of communication initiatives for like-minded organizations, opinion-makers, scientists, postgraduate students and the general public. These initiatives are carried out in close collaboration with other organizations or in the framework of broader communication campaigns coordinated by the UNCCD Secretariat.