Recent Updates

Ghana’s hidden forestry revealed in first study of its kind

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 10/03/2010 - 16:53

Research in Ghana shows how small businesses that depend on forests employ more than a million people and produce many valuable products, but are left out of national statistics, with big social and environmental consequences.

Land grab or development opportunity?

For many millions in the developing world, land is central to livelihoods, food security, even identity — the natural result of a direct dependence on agriculture and natural resources. It is not surprising, then, that a recent wave of large-scale land acquisitions in poorer countries has sparked a major debate.

IIED mourns the death of much-loved colleague Ivan Bond

Submitted by David Sankar on Thu, 04/03/2010 - 15:19

Ivan bondWith great sadness we report the death in late February of Ivan Bond. Between January 2004 and September 2009 he was a much-loved senior researcher at IIED, working on the practicalities of payments for environmental services - much on watersheds and latterly on REDD - and a range of other projects. He could turn his hand to many things - always with great communication and humour. 

Sustaining local food systems, agricultural biodiversity and livelihoods

Update: Read the Open Letter of the Peoples of Cusco (PDF) to the FAO Director General, Feb. 10.

On 26 February 2010, Peruvian indigenous organizations, local government bodies and civil society organizations in Cusco, Peru, held a meeting to formulate a strategic response to a FAO ABCD10 starting on 1 March that will push for greater use of genetically modified organisms. A demonstration through the ancient Inca streets followed up this multi-stakeholder gathering. The meeting produced a Declaration which underlines that the FAO agenda does not represent the best approach for tackling agricultural challenges, including those brought by climate change.

Crisis in policymaking for people and planet demands new politics of inclusion

Submitted by Mike on Wed, 27/01/2010 - 16:50

A multimedia publication launched today by the International Institute for Environment and Development calls for a new approach to policymaking that gives citizens a greater say in decisions that affect them.

Crisis in policymaking for people and planet demands new politics of inclusion

Multimedia Publication: Towards food sovereignty: Reclaiming autonomous food systems

Towards Food Sovereignty is an online book with linked video and audio files. The first 6 chapters, available here, begin to describe the ecological basis of food and agriculture, the social and environmental costs of modern food systems, and the policy reversals needed to democratize food systems. The video and audio clips show farmers, indigenous peoples and consumers all working to promote food sovereignty, it highlights the importance of locally controlled food systems to sustain both people and nature.
 

Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction: what, why and how?

Date
Wednesday, 28 April, 2010 - Thursday, 29 April, 2010
Location
Zoological Society of London

Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction: what, why and how?

Innovations in biomass energy for renewable local energy provision and legitimate income generation

This project explores how to optimise the contribution of woody biomass to renewable energy provision and legitimate commercial income generation – given its comparative advantages as the pre

Independent monitoring of a consultative process for Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD

This project involved the design and independent monitoring of a multi-stakeholder consultation process for Guyana’s REDD-related Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

2010 International Year of Biodiversity

The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. It’s a key reminder of how fundamental biodiversity is to the health of planetary systems as well as human prosperity and wellbeing — and a chance for all of us to learn more.