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 degradationAs 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 (&