IIED's best of 2021: blogs

• Read our 10 most downloaded publications of 2021
• Read a blog about our top 10 videos of 2021

1 Here's why Indigenous economics is the key to saving nature

April: Our most read blog of the year saw principal researcher Krystyna Swiderska argue how mainstream Western economics is destroying the environment and the Indigenous knowledge that has conserved nature for millennia. 

Ironically, the same Indigenous economies that have conserved and enhanced biodiversity for millennia are now threatened by environmental policies that often fail to recognise the value of Indigenous knowledge, thus contributing to its erosion.

2 Life and livelihoods: the impact of COVID-19 on small-scale fishing communities

In many developing countries, value chains for dried small fish are important, and most lie in the informal sector dominated by rural women, who were highly affected by [COVID-19] restrictions on movement.

3 Locally-led adaption to climate change: the start of a 10-year learning journey

January: In early 2021, a fast-growing group of experts met to define a 10-year learning agenda to advance principles for critical locally-led adaption to climate change. Saleemul Huq and Clare Shakya wrote about the importance of this group and the journey ahead.

This 10-year journey to promote locally led adaptation will use three annual events to keep partners – both individuals and their organisations who have committed to improving practice behind the principles – to stay engaged. Together, these events will enable a community of practice to grow that will demonstrate the role and value of locally led action.

4 Nature-based solutions: building blocks for green recovery and climate action in least developed countries

August: The economies of least developed countries (LDCs) are heavily reliant on natural resources. It is therefore no surprise that they are leading the way in calling for actions that address the loss of nature together with climate change. In this blog, nature and climate policy lead Ebony Holland shared research outlining how nature-based solutions are being placed front and centre by LDCs.

The majority of nature-based solutions identified, if done well, have the potential to deliver significant benefits for climate, nature and people.

5 Reducing urban poverty – lessons not learnt?

August: Around one billion people are residents of informal settlements and tenements in urban areas in the global South, with most living in poor and overcrowded conditions lacking access to basic services. In this blog, IIED’s senior fellow David Satterthwaite and research associate Diana Mitlin discuss what have we learned from over five decades of initiatives meant to reduce urban poverty, and what benefits have been felt by the residents. 

Recognising the importance of what city and municipal governments can do to support poor residents and address poverty – and the importance of what urban poor groups can do (individually and collectively). 

6 Putting gender, intersectionality and social justice at the centre of transformative responses to climate change

May: In this blog, principal researcher Tracy Kajumba and climate change director Clare Shakya point out that if we want a more equal and socially-just society, we need a radical new approach, starting with the way we respond to climate change.