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EU and US flags
Europe's controversial TTIP treaty: The good, the bad and the unnecessary
… to negotiate their own investment treaties. Over the years, European governments have concluded over one thousand succinct treaties — mostly with third countries, including many developing countries. These treaties often award rights to investors …
Insight, 10 July 2014
COP22 side events
IIED and partner events at COP22
Event, 05 November 2016
Modern energy services are crucial to economic development. In Afghanistan, less than 10 per cent of the population has access to the electricity grid. French NGO GERES has been working to introduce low-cost passive solar building designs, reducing fuel poverty (Photo: Oriane Zera, GERES, Creative Commons, via Flickr)
Facing up to the awkward realities of the post-2015 agenda
… final months of the UN process. But the fluency with which they are developing this new global language cannot mask the scale of change that … income assessment of poverty, the median income in most developing countries is currently below US$2 per day – including in some of the … and Investment Protocol (TTIP)) undermine the potential for national governments to legislate to protect the environment and jobs, or act in …
Insight, 28 January 2015
A small mining operation near Garies in the Western Cape, South Africa (Photo: jbdodane, Creative Commons via Flickr)
Stuck between a deposit and a hard place
… at its core, this is an issue of resource governance for national governments, it creates a scenario where new prospectors put communities … for ASM to contribute significantly to national development in some countries, engaging, supporting and empowering junior mining companies … case studies is being worked on – but more needs to be done. We need to fully understand and acknowledge the unique risks, costs and …
Insight, 26 February 2015
Lebanon is hosting one million Syrian refugees, and around half of them are children. Most families live in makeshift shelters; some rent half-built apartments, sharing with two or three families (Photo: Russell Watkins/Department for International Development, Creative Commons via Wikipedia)
Coping with forced displacement: lessons from cities
… people' (people forced to move but who are still in their own countries), live in urban areas .  Forced displacement is also lasting … longer – 25 years on average . So short-term emergency responses need to be combined with a long-term view that ensures the displaced … complex issues and varying contexts require a delicate balancing act to achieve outcomes that are sustainable, that work for everyone, …
Insight, 11 May 2017
Major news from Bali climate conference: Victory for the vulnerable with decision on climate-change adaptation fund
News, 11 December 2007
REDD+ in Mozambique: new opportunity for land grabbers?
… REDD+ intends to develop financing mechanisms that will compensate developing countries as an incentive for changing the way forest resources are used … processing efficiency. I found myself encouraged by the fact that governments would think twice before allocating land to large-scale …
Insight, 15 September 2011
We must protect the world in which we live (Photo: Steve Guzzardi, Creative Commons, via Flickr)
Best of 2017: blogs
… risks in urban centres, international agencies must recognise they need to support local action by local governments and civil society organisations. Sustainable cities: linking … is legal and technical adviser to the chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group at the United Nations Framework on Climate Change …
Article, 22 December 2017
Meceburi Forest, Mozambique: a young woman harvests casava (Photo: Mike Goldwater/IIED)
Seeds of the post-capitalist forest?
… that tenure of about half of rural forest and dryland areas in the developing world is insecure – affecting some 2 billion men and women.  … account for over half of forest sector employment in many developing countries – often with profits recycled in the local economy and strong … rules by which markets work are reshaped by public will? We certainly need to be thinking and acting differently. The gambling rife in the …
Insight, 11 February 2016
US Secretary of State John Kerry, pictured with chairperson of the African Union, Abdel Aziz, is opposing African countries' desire for a legally binding agreement at COP21 (via Google Images licence)
Message to Secretary of State John Kerry: a legally binding treaty in Paris is essential
… risks creating a bad vibe in the current process. For many of the countries involved, a legally-binding agreement is essential. … agreement will be effective on states irrespective of changes in the governments   In Durban in 2011, all parties agreed to an outcome in … efforts, adaptation and loss and damage and the corresponding need for means of implementation. It must deliver ongoing increased …
Insight, 13 November 2015