Key Issues

Environmental Economics

Business and Sustainable Development

IIED’s work on Business and Sustainable Development uses research projects, partnerships and capacity-building initiatives to build an understanding of where and how business can best contribute to sustainable development in middle and low income countries.

Energy

The world is facing an energy crisis with major global and local implications. Heavy, inefficient energy use has exacerbated global climate change, affecting some of the most vulnerable communities. Fluctuating oil prices and concerns about peak oil and energy security have will impact not only on Western consumers but also on millions of people in low-income countries who rely on oil for agriculture, transport and energy.

Direct Investment

Direct investment has the potential to make a major positive contribution to sustainable development. But benefits that are promised at national level are too often not matched by positive contributions to environmental protection, poverty reduction or sustainable livelihoods at the local level.

IIED works to find ways to strengthen positive environmental, social and economic outcomes from direct investment.

Market Governance

Here we examine the implications of changing market structures, to understand the contribution of both large companies and small producers and SMEs to sustainable development and to explore appropriate policy interventions that will enhance the sustainable development impact of both sets of players.