Policy and planning blogs
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Securing indigenous and community land rights in the future we want
24 March 2015Explicit inclusion of secure land rights for local communities and indigenous peoples is key to "leaving no one behind" in global Sustainable Development Goals, writes Jenny Springer of Rights and Resources Initiative
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Learning the lessons from Chile's energy transformation
23 March 2015The SDGs promise transformational change – but how is this delivered? A new study from RIMISP, a partner of the Independent Research Forum (IRF), looks at how major change came about in Chile's energy sector
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Why sanitation, spearhead of urban improvement in the 19th century, has become the laggard of the 21st
4 March 2015Drawing on a recently published paper in 'World Development', Gordon McGranahan considers why, given we seem to have the know-how, there are still so many people in cities without decent sanitation
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Facing up to the awkward realities of the post-2015 agenda
28 January 2015The post-2015 sustainable development agenda promises a better future – but only if some awkward realities are confronted
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It's time for the Davos super-rich to pay their fair share
22 January 2015As the rich and powerful gather in Davos, IIED director Camilla Toulmin urges a change in attitudes to taxation to tackle growing inequality
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The glass is half full: in 2015 we need to demand that our leaders deliver
21 January 2015As leaders from politics, business and civil society gather in the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the World Economic Forum, IIED's chief economist argues that "hope" is the most scarce resource
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Why parliament should scrutinise the UK-Ethiopia BIT
19 January 2015The House of Commons has been debating the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). But will the UK parliament use its powers to debate a bilateral investment treaty signed with Ethiopia?
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Local democracy as a substitute for data (and rather a good substitute too)
16 January 2015Why is there so little data on who faces poverty and where they live? David Satterthwaite examines why 'better' data is better than 'more' data
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Rushing into a new year
13 January 2015In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, IIED director Camilla Toulmin looks at the promises and challenges for the year ahead
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Zero-zero, dolphins and conversations for change
11 December 2014IIED director Camilla Toulmin reflects on her trip to Lima for the COP20 Development and Climate Days
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How are Rwanda, Ethiopia and Bangladesh preparing for climate change?
24 November 2014Ethiopia, Rwanda and Bangladesh are developing their national low carbon climate resilient strategies. The public policy team within the Climate Change Group at IIED have just finished 18 months of research into these planning processes. The research helped clarify what is motivating countries to become more climate resilient. It also highlighted some ways these processes could be better supported and brought together.
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Are Kazakhstan's plans for a greener future at risk?
31 October 2014A major recent government restructure could present obstacles as well as opportunities for Kazakhstan's transition to a green economy
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Ebola – what must we learn?
30 October 2014The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is launching an unprecedented appeal in response to the Ebola crisis, but what lessons must we learn if we are to effectively and equitably tackle future shocks of this scale?
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Climate-related 'loss and damage' in cities: exploring a new urban frontier
23 October 2014Highlighting and assessing the urban impacts of climate change can help cities find a more consistent, multi-level approach to climate adaptation
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Hama Arba Diallo: the universal man
10 October 2014Youba Sokona pays tribute to his fellow Least Developed Countries Independent Expert Group member Hama Arba Diallo, who passed away in late September
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Least developed country leaders say "follow us" to tackle climate change
6 October 2014The unsung heroes of the UN climate summit were the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), says Achala Abeysinghe
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A week that may change the world
25 September 2014It's been a busy week for IIED senior fellow Saleemul Huq, with plenty of action unfolding on the climate change front in New York. Here he provides an inside look into what transpired, and some reflections on how the recent events may impact upcoming climate negotiations
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Leaders take note: There are two sides to the climate change coin
18 September 2014It is clear that the long-term solution to climate change lies in weaning the global economy off fossil fuels and onto a cleaner and more sustainable energy pathway in every country. But it is also clear that climate change is already wreaking havoc around the globe and that, in the short term, the world's poorest and most vulnerable people need urgent support
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Poverty and conservation in DRC – what role for a network?
24 August 2014A new network being set up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo aims to bring organisations together on poverty and conservation issues
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Engaging in climate diplomacy – policy pointers from an LDC
7 August 2014Effective climate diplomacy can help Least Developed Countries make sure their interests are reflected in international negotiation outcomes
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LDC experts to share ideas on building productive capacity
25 July 2014How can Least Developed Countries (LDCs) progress so they are no longer held back by extreme poverty? A conference next week in Cotonou, Benin, will address this issue, bringing together ministers and experts from LDCs, along with UN representatives and development experts.
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OWG 'zero draft' is a huge step forward: now let's get practical
20 June 2014The OWG's 'zero draft' on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a marked improvement on previous versions, but we still have a long journey ahead
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If you care about the 21st century, vote for Europe!
22 May 2014People across the European Union are going to the polls on 22 May. But why does Europe matter?
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Investor-state arbitration: Lessons from civil society advocacy
19 May 2014How can civil society promote public awareness and scrutiny? Two civil society practitioners recently shared their experiences during IIED's second Legal Tools webinar
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Ensuring an Energy Sustainable Development Goal delivers for poor people and the planet
25 March 2014In late February, discussions over the post-2015 development agenda reached a milestone. The co-Chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG), the body tasked with preparing a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposal for consideration by the UN General Assembly in September 2014, issued a "Focus Areas Document".