This month: logging in Zambia's forests, automation and inequality, our blog survey and more.

August 2017

Saving trees or improving lives?

Thousands of Zambian villagers' lives have changed for the better because of the mukula trade, however mukula trees may be gone in the near future.

In response to the crisis, the Forest Department of Zambia has tried to control the trade, including banning movement of timber. IIED, together with the Center for International Forestry Research, is working with the Zambian government to understand the economic, social and environmental implications of these policies. Read the full photostory.

News and blogs

Automation, the changing world of work, and sustainable development

Automation and digital innovation are likely to have a profound impact on jobs in developing countries. IIED director Andrew Norton says countries should act now to refocus their economic and social policies to make them more sustainable.

Moving a step closer to protecting the high seas

The world is nearing an international agreement to manage the currently ungoverned high seas – 50 per cent of the planet's surface area. In a recent blog, senior researcher Essam Yassin Mohammed examines the battle for our ocean.

Take part in the IIED blog survey!

In the last year, we posted more than 100 blogs, which were viewed more than 200,000 times. We aim to share latest research findings, kick start debate, engage with others on evolving sector trends, and pass on valuable learning from the field. But we're keen to hear your opinion on what we're writing about and sharing.

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New publications this month

Automation and inequality: the changing world of work in the global South, by IIED director Andrew Norton, examines the relationship between rapid technological change, inequality and sustainable development.

Digital technology will mostly benefit skilled workers at the expense of those less skilled. Governments in the developing world need to introduce reforms early on that will shift their economies' focus to help protect livelihoods.

Mainstreaming biodiversity and development: guidance from African experience 2012-17 aims to help practitioners to:

Understand the ‘reciprocal’ mainstreaming process
Find out more about helpful tools and approaches
Select, assemble, analyse and present compelling evidence on the links between biodiversity and national development priorities
Make better NBSAPs and development plans, and
Develop a communication strategy to support these aims

Over the past few decades, the palm oil industry has contributed significantly to the economic development of Indonesia and Malaysia. However, the industry has also caused widespread deforestation of ecosystems renowned for their biodiversity, as well as conflicts with indigenous peoples.

Addressing the impact of large-scale oil palm plantations on orangutan conservation in Borneo: a spatial, legal and political economy analysis synthesises key findings from a case study that aimed to assess and address the impact of large-scale oil palm plantations on orangutan conservation in Borneo.

Briefings

Supporting water service providers during conflicts

The 2030 Agenda and evaluation: opportunities and challenges for parliamentarians

Women and children fleeing Boko Haram: their experiences in Nigerian cities

Engaging for change – refreshing our strategy

IIED's new strategy sharpens our focus on how we will tackle the challenges of climate action, global social justice and sustainable development over the next two years.

Director Andrew Norton highlights that the global multilateral system can only work as it should if it is strongly connected to local realities. Read his blog on IIED's updated strategy.

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