Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Combating Poverty through Better Use of Natural Resources

10 March 2015. Joint research project carried out by the IASS and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in 2012 and 2013

Responsible and pro-poor governance of natural resources is essential. This is particularly true in the context of climate change, because access to and the management of natural resources play a key role in adaptation strategies to climate change. IASS researchers Judith Rosendahl, Matheus Alves Zanella and Jes Weigelt stress this in their new study on Pro-poor Resource Governance under Changing Climates.
  • In close collaboration with local civil society organisations, case studies were prepared in six countries: Bangladesch, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ecuador and India. 
  • The case studies document and analyse examples of pro-poor governance of natural resources, paying particular attention to the impact of institutional change on livelihoods and the way in which climate change and other change processes increase the vulnerability of smallholders.
  • One of the core results of the study is that climate change makes smallholders more vulnerable. While social factors also play a role here, climate change reinforces vulnerability. Securing community land rights is one crucial element of adaptation strategies. But this must be accompanied by other measures if poverty is to be reduced. All of the case studies underline the importance of political processes for increasing the capacity of smallholder populations to adapt. However, all too often the needs of these populations are ignored in such processes. 
In addition to the English-language version of the study, French- and Spanish-language versions will soon be available. Link: Study „Pro-poor Resource Governments under Changing Climates“.

No comments:

Post a Comment