Hisarcıklıoğlu warns land degradation will force 1.2 billion people to migrate
21.10.2015 / Ankara
During the announcement of the Ankara Business World Declaration at the Sustainable Land Management Business Forum, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that land degradation will force 1.2 billion people to migrate due to famine. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the cost of feeding that many people could cost up to 1.2 trillion USD. The TOBB President stated that desertification and land degradation, which he considers among the most important problems facing the world, is a threat to not just the business world but humanity as a whole.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu conducted the presentation of the Ankara Business World Declaration during the 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Sustainable Land Management Business Forum. Also attending the press conference was World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Representative Violaine Berger and April Group CEO Bey Soo Khiang.
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that according to the UNCCD 25% of the usable land on the globe is degrading and causing an annual loss of 40 billion USD.
Stating that “The essential message of the declaration is that Business should be a central contributor to transforming countries and regions to land degradation neutral economies,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the UN is aiming for a Land Degradation Neutral world by 2030.
- Effects of land degradation on society and economy
Stating that land degradation impacts both society and economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The business world may suffer loss of revenue due to decreased productivity and high costs as well as high risk in entering the market.
In this regard, the global efforts to prevent land degradation, restoring degraded ecosystems and sustainable management of land resources is of critical importance. The participation of all parties in the process is of the utmost importance.
The private sector will play a primary role in transforming countries and regions to land degradation neutral economies.”
Stating that land degradation presents unique risks for the business world, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out economic, social and environmental factors. Stating that this can result in instability in regards to both supply and demand, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This endangers the whole economy by affecting various sectors.”
- Private and public sector must share responsibility
Stating that adopting Land Degradation Neutralization as an operational goal as a part of social responsibility would help companies meet the demand for sustainable products, the TOBB President said, “The Sustainable Land Management practices necessary to shift towards a Land Degradation Neutral economy necessitates that the private and public sectors share responsibility.
Increasing the private sectors investments in regards to Land Degradation Neutralization and incentivizing the private sector to mobilize requires that governments provide level playing fields for all players.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it is necessary to engage in a close dialogue with business to assess the status of land resources and establish targets on an individual-country level.
- Other speakers
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Ecosystem and Land Management Department Director Violaine Berger stressed that, “Land degradation is of vital importance for business. There are improvements to be made to the management of land by business.”
CEO of the Indonesia based April Group, Bey Soo Khiang expressed his full support for the Ankara Declaration and stated that government support will be necessary in reaching the goals set forth.
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