The IIED blog
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Finding solutions for less poverty and better ecosystems
15 December 2015Policy measures to tackle poverty often overlook environmental impacts, while environmental policies do not always deliver for the poor. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require both – so how can governments combine efforts?
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A historic agreement in Paris
14 December 2015A historic agreement on climate change in Paris must drive ambition for climate action post-2015, says IIED director Andrew Norton
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Making sure Fort Portal's 'modernisation' plan feeds the poor
11 December 2015An innovative research project in Fort Portal, Uganda is seeking to prevent a rise in inequality as the city modernises
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Zero carbon – costs and opportunities for Least Developed Countries
10 December 2015The zero carbon, zero poverty agenda at Development & Climate Days is challenging for all countries. For the Least Developed Countries the costs are high, but the opportunities may be even greater
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Climate finance is vital to secure a future worth having
9 December 2015A key issue dominating the landmark climate summit in Paris is that tricky subject of climate finance: who pays, how much, for what? Some elements of the global discourse on the sums required to tackle the urgent climate change threat seem to think there is a simple distinction to be drawn between choosing to spend money on climate or other development issues. But this simplistic rhetoric is damaging and puts lives at risk
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Mary Robinson: global solidarity needed to confront climate crisis
9 December 2015Development & Climate Days in Paris, France, heard that we are entering a new era in which we must achieve global solidarity for climate justice, CDKN's Mairi Dupar reports
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A new kind of brew: smallholder coffee and carbon
8 December 2015Has shade coffee shed new light on the multiple benefits from improved agricultural systems? Ina Porras blends together a number of thoughts after a side event at the Global Landscape Forum
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Workers in informal economy need say in global environmental agendas
7 December 2015The green economy will benefit from better relations between urban authorities and informal workers and enterprises. Guest blogger Donald Brown examines ways to achieve this
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Participants in Development & Climate Days focus on "bold action needed now"
6 December 2015More than 200 policymakers, scientists and development practitioners urged immediate and bold climate action on the first day of the 2015 Development & Climate Days
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Remembering Maurice Strong, pioneering environmental champion
4 December 2015Former IIED director David Runnalls recalls influential advocate of Southern voices and board member Maurice Strong, and his vital contribution to the founding of our institute
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Barricading Karachi: how private security contributes to dividing the city
1 December 2015Violence in Karachi will not be reduced until more effective and equitable solutions to policing and urban planning are found. Guest blogger Donald Brown examines the ways physical barriers affect space and people.
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But, what is the Africa position?
28 November 2015IIED trustee Fatima Denton reflects on Africa's position ahead of COP21 and sees a mix of threat and opportunity
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REDD+ in Paris – what could be in it for people and forests?
27 November 2015Curbing climate emissions means managing and using existing forests, and land sustainably. An IIED workshop in Paris will look at how the programme to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) can be made more effective, while also supporting local communities
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Driving change by supporting action at the local level
24 November 2015A new mapping project highlights the importance of local action in delivering global change
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What will speed up the micro-grid revolution?
24 November 2015For investors to have greater confidence in micro-grid electricity generation, more attention needs to be paid to ensuring technology operates well in rural communities
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Wanted: more inclusive, resilient, sustainable cities
20 November 2015Eighty per cent of Latin Americans live in urban areas. The result is a complex and challenging urban agenda that needs to be addressed through integrated and inclusive policies. An IIED and IIED- América Latina workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina, looked at examples of Latin American cities that are striving to become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable, from across the region
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Seizing the day without falling off the bandwagon
19 November 2015Whether you're marking World Toilet Day or World Philosophy Day, IIED's web content manager has a list of dos and don'ts to help get your message across
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French lead drive for global climate agreement
17 November 2015There is much debate as to whether the Paris climate summit can deliver an adequate response to the challenge of climate change. In the wake of the tragedy of last Friday's attacks in the French capital, Andrew Norton pays tribute to France's efforts to secure an ambitious agreement and hopes for success
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Message to Secretary of State John Kerry: a legally binding treaty in Paris is essential
13 November 2015In response to comments from the US Secretary of State, Achala Abeysinghe sets out nine key reasons why the Paris climate agreement must be legally binding
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Ten urban planning principles every humanitarian should know
10 November 2015As cities are increasingly where humanitarian action responds to crises, can urban planning principles help humanitarians intervene more effectively?
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The road through Paris: key messages for ministers
9 November 2015As ministers from 80 countries gather in Paris for pre-meetings ahead of COP21, Achala Abeysinghe sets out a clear direction of travel for them to follow
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Building trust through dialogue with street-food vendors
5 November 2015Street-food vendors' businesses are often threatened in the name of progress, but a new initiative from IIED and Hivos is looking to bridge the divide, protecting livelihoods and an important source of cheap food
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Lessons in informality from Kenya's dairy sector
3 November 2015Informal markets are at the heart of many developing country economies, but how can authorities work with the informal sector? A training and certification scheme for Kenya's informal dairy sector provides valuable policy lessons
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A picture of urban living
30 October 2015What does the word 'urban' mean to you? Our photo gallery shows how we are working with partners to document and highlight the often neglected circumstances in low-income urban communities, and to advocate for change
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Getting Green Climate Funding to the local level
28 October 2015As the Green Climate Fund meets to select projects for funding, is the current funding criteria prioritising a business as usual approach?