Blog archives
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The sharp learning curve of an LDC negotiator
12 December 2018Fatima Athoumani describes the fast-paced journey to representing her nation of Comoros at the UN climate talks
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Green lessons for the blue economy
11 December 2018Laura Kelly discusses how lessons from the past can help ensure everyone benefits from our ocean, seas and coasts
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Investor-state arbitration: an opportunity for real reform?
7 December 2018An ongoing multilateral process could provide a unique opportunity to reform a contentious area of global economic governance – but only if it properly identifies the key problems
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Sustainable development and artisanal mining: time to broaden the ‘blood diamonds’ conversation?
3 December 2018Millions of people in some of the world’s poorest countries depend on diamond mining for a living. Yet a focus on dealing with so-called ‘blood diamonds’ stops a wider conversation about how to help these people thrive
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Seeing clearly: transitioning to transparency at COP24
1 December 2018As climate envoys prepare to negotiate the ‘rulebook’ that brings the Paris Agreement to life, Illari Aragon argues the importance of its new transparency framework and explores some of the challenges negotiators face in realising it
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Gender and biodiversity conservation – progress and future directions
29 November 2018Gender is fundamental to IIED’s mission, with our research – aiming, as a minimum, to be gender aware and sensitive. But what progress towards achieving gender equality has been made in the area of biodiversity conservation? A recent IIED webinar discussed the question.
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Biodiversity: a women’s business?
29 November 2018Women are among the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the world. What role do their burgeoning forest and farm businesses play in safeguarding biodiversity?
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CBD COP14: a breakthrough on understanding and assessing equity in conservation
27 November 2018A new international decision recognising the importance of equity in conservation could help tackle the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss
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Celebrating 10 years of the UK Climate Change Act: an influential law beyond its borders
26 November 2018IIED director Andrew Norton says the UK's Climate Change Act provides a clear and ambitious framework for addressing climate change, and says it can be a model for other nations for turning the Paris Agreement into national action
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Women, wildlife and the workings of the CBD
20 November 2018Dilys Roe explains why international efforts to manage the world’s wildlife sustainably need input from the ground
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Momentum builds for ambitious agreements at COP24
19 November 2018When COP24 starts next month, the least developed countries will again be in the spotlight. In a special guest blog, LDC Group chair Gebru Jember Endalew outlines the group's hopes for Katowice
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Biodiversity on the brink: local people must shape nature’s new deal
16 November 2018Ahead of the Convention on Biological Diversity on Saturday, which will start shaping the post-2020 agenda on biodiversity, IIED director Andrew Norton calls for a process that truly includes indigenous peoples and local communities
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Building transparency and trust into smallholder commodity trading and contract farming
13 November 2018Smallholder farmers have long had difficulties getting a fair price for their produce. A recent IIED webinar discussed how linking farmers to commodity exchanges and an ‘incentive-based’ contract farming (IBCF) approach can help improve farmer-buyer relations and establish more transparent trading arrangements
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Mining in the deep-sea bed: are we ready?
12 November 2018International law designates the deep seabed as the “common heritage of humankind”, but poorly regulated mining could cause irreparable damage to such a fragile ecosystem. Erika Solimeo and Brendan Schwartz argue that the International Seabed Authority needs a moratorium on mining extraction licences
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Three ‘E’s to guide the post-2020 biodiversity roadmap
6 November 2018Joji Cariño sets out three key principles that could underpin a new biodiversity deal where humans and nature work in harmony – and explains why indigenous peoples and local communities will be key in shaping this deal
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The future of work, technological change and global inequality
2 November 2018Technical and digital innovation are transforming the nature of work, employment patterns and international trade. IIED director Andrew Norton looks at how technological change brings both threats and opportunities – and how developing countries can take action to ensure their citizens have the skills they need
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African cities can raise more money. Kenya and South Africa offer useful lessons
31 October 2018Africa's cities are expanding at an unprecedented rate. Sarah Colenbrander and Ian Palmer highlight research that shows how Africa's national governments can support cities and unlock vital investment.
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Turn up the volume: community voices on illegal wildlife trade
31 October 2018Communities living alongside wildlife are the most powerful force for tackling the illegal wildlife trade crisis; it’s time for governments to listen and act
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As climate changes, Himalayan farmers return to traditional crops
29 October 2018Traditional crops and innovations are offering Himalayan farmers a way to deal with the challenges of climate change, but there is much work to be done for this to become a truly viable alternative
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The Ethiopian informal settlement jigsaw puzzle: an opportunity to re-sort the pieces?
25 October 2018Informal settlements are increasingly housing Ethiopia’s growing population – laying bare gaps in policy that must be addressed
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Co-production in urban areas: evolving form, enduring presence
24 October 2018How far can ‘co-production’ improve the lives of the one in seven of the global population living in informal settlements without secure tenure or adequate access to services? Authors of the October 2018 issue of Environment and Urbanization tackle this question by analysing the potentials and shortcomings of co-production
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Achieving real transformation in our food system
23 October 2018Frank Mechielsen of Hivos reports back from the annual Committee for Food Security, the main international platform that explores food security concerns. He describes how joint action can deliver much needed change in the way we produce and consume our food
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Incendiary observations from the 4th FLARE conference
22 October 2018Researchers into forest livelihoods recently met in Copenhagen to share ideas on how to support forests, sustainable forestry and forest peoples. Duncan Macqueen reports back on some of the highlights
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Food, sisterhood and dreams
16 October 2018On World Food Day, Nicole Szucs reports back from a dialogue on increasing dietary diversity and local food systems in Bolivia, and highlights a new video showing how women play a vital role in the food cycle, from production to consumption
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The role, influence and impact of women in biodiversity conservation
9 October 2018Guest blogger Cristiana Pașca Palmer asks: “How do we empower women, as agents of change and frontrunners, to build new pathways or accelerate transition to sustainability?”