James Mayers likes to get involved with issues of sustainable forestry, rural livelihoods and the governance of natural resources. He heads the Natural Resources research group at IIED and – with the group’s teams focused on land rights in investment, China in development, biodiversity, water infrastructure development, agroecology and forests – he has managed a range of multi-country initiatives.
Research and policy influence for improved governance and justice in forestry and natural resource use. Action on China-Africa forest issues, the politics of tree-planting campaigns, and support for forest and farm producer organisations.