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Sarah Best
Senior researcher, Shaping Sustainable Markets
Sarah Best's current work focuses on energy access and renewable energy, productive uses of energy, and on citizen engagement in policy and debates on energy and mining. She has expertise on pro-poor and inclusive business models, civil society advocacy for change, and a range of energy and extractives issues. Her current research is focused on East Africa.
Civil society advocacy for policy and practice change; social/labour impacts of business; pro-poor business models; energy access, renewable energy and climate change; extractives sector.
Energy access and renewable energy; productive uses of energy; citizen engagement in energy transitions; citizens perceptions surveys on large-scale mining; meaningful consultation; artisanal and small-scale mining knowledge programme.
Policy adviser in Oxfam advocacy unit (UK, Brussels, Bolivia).
Prior to that, various research/policy roles or projects with ILO, Shell, Confederation of British Industry and Sustainable Development Advisers (Argentina).
Education: MPhil in Development Studies, IDS, University of Sussex; BA in Modern History, Oxford University.
English and Spanish
Sarah Best's blog posts
New research from IIED and Hivos shows the potential for energy entrepreneurs to scale up productive energy use in Tanzania. But to make it work, funders and policymakers need to provide incentives, support experimentation, and encourage collaboration.
For Tanzania to meet its energy needs - and in a way that is sustainable - huge levels of finance are required to boost its decentralised energy sector. But the latest research shows current funding flows are way off target.
There has been remarkable advances in energy access for rural households. But building the wider economy requires energy services that power new jobs and enterprises.
Finance for off-grid energy is increasing – the big challenge is working out how best to blend public and private investment to deliver energy services for poor communities.
Increasing energy access and transitioning from dirty to clean energy will take capacity building – but current capacity building efforts need a makeover to be effective.
Sarah Best's blog posts with other authors
As the Green Climate Fund's board meets to decide on a second round of spending it needs to prioritise initiatives that will reach the climate vulnerable, rather than large-scale business as usual investments.