Climate change policy documents
15th Global Biodiversity Forum
Statement of the 15th Biodiversity Forum, Nairobi, May 2000 to the fifth conference of the parties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP5_.
Adaptation in international negotiations
A commentary on the 2010 UNFCCC negotiations.
Adaptation in the Copenhagen agreement
A commentary on the 2009 UNFCCC negotiations, prepared in advance of the UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen.
Africa - up in smoke?
Efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa will ultimately fail unless urgent action is taken to halt dangerous climate change. The report details the impact that climate change is already having on Africa and the threat it poses to human development. It called for new and deeper emission cuts in...
Africa - up in smoke? 2
A major report from a coalition of the UK’s biggest environment and development groups reveals the untold story of the impact that extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, is having on Africa. It also highlights the hard work and ingenuity that poor, local communities are using to cope,...
Agriculture and soils in carbon trading
While including agriculture in carbon trading, particularly through ‘soil carbon sequestration’, may provide opportunities for commercialization and profit, it risks undermining the livelihoods of poor farmers and should not be confused with proven strategies for reducing greenhouse gas...
Assessment of vulnerability to climate change and adaptation options for the coastal people of Bangladesh
The coastal zone of Bangladesh is faced with many hydro-geophysical constraints, coupled with unsustainable land use practices and precarious conditions dealing with resource management. This study connects prevailing realities with climate-related hazards.
Beyond cost-benefit: developing a complete toolkit for adaptation decisions
Cost-benefit is only one of several economic tools that can be used to assess options for adapting to climate change in developing countries. By developing a ‘toolkit’ that helps users choose from a variety of evaluation methods, we can support adaptation decisions that promote equity, put local...
Biodiverse agriculture for a changing climate
This paper explores biodiverse agriculture as a realistic and proven alternative to industrial methods of production. Practiced by millions of small-scale food producers and organic growers, biodiverse agriculture can limit and adjust to climate change while replenishing the natural resources on...
Biodiverse agriculture for a changing climate
This paper explores biodiverse agriculture as a realistic and proven alternative to industrial methods of production. Practiced by millions of small-scale food producers and organic growers, biodiverse agriculture can limit and adjust to climate change while replenishing the natural resources on...
Biofuels for transport
Massive and unregulated large-scale production of biofuels would be potentially destructive for the environment, a threat to food security, and will affect sustainable development and the livelihoods of the poor.
Biofuels for transport
Massive and unregulated large-scale production of biofuels would be potentially destructive for the environment, a threat to food security, and will affect sustainable development and the livelihoods of the poor.
Climate change - Gordon Brown makes the link
Letter from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, responding to Practical Action's concerns on the impacts of climate change.
Climate change and agriculture
Support and change are needed to ensure effective adaptation.
Climate change and poverty: UNFCCC COP12 / MOP2
Tearfund, Oxfam GB, Practical Action and ActionAid are UK-based development agencies. We offer recommendations for action on climate change based on our experience of working with communities and through partners in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Climate change and the challenge of energy poverty
Climate change mitigation and the ending of energy poverty are not incompatible goals. Governments have the duty to ensure that the poor are able to fulfil their basic needs, including those dependent on energy. At the same time developing countries need support to develop in a carbon neutral...
Climate change drives pastoralists from pastures to deeper poverty
A poster on climate change in northern Kenya
Climate change is killing the developing world - help Gordon make the link
Practical Action believes that climate change is seriously undermining progress on the MDGs.
Climate change: catastrophe for the world's poor?
An introduction to the impact of climate change on developing countries, and the need for effective adaptation solutions.
Climate change: catastrophe for the world's poor?
An introduction to the impact of climate change on developing countries, and the need for effective adaptation solutions.
Community-based adaptation workshop 2010 - summary
A summary of Practical Action's Community-Based Adaptation Workshop, London 12th July 2010.
Debt and climate change
The rich world demands billions of dollars from poor countries in payment of ‘debts’ which often came from loans that served lenders’ interests. Meanwhile, the rich world’s actions are causing climate disaster in poor countries. On both counts, the rich are largely responsible, but the poor are...
Energising poverty reduction in Africa: Europe's chance to help light up Africa
This paper, launched ahead of the G8 summit in July 2005, outlines the how African populations are chronically underserved in terms of energy and how this contributes to the poverty crisis facing the continent. It looks at two recent proposals for African development, and considers the current...
Energy access and climate change
The importance of energy access for the poor and its impact on emissions. A two-page briefing on key climate change topics originally produced as part of Practical Action’s unified approach to its advocacy work with governments, NGOs and other agencies in the run up to Copenhagen.
Energy access and climate change
The importance of energy access for the poor and its impact on emissions.
Energy to reduce poverty: the urgency for G8 action on climate justice
This report outlines Practical Action’s experience demonstrating that small-scale renewable energy can provide clean, appropriate and affordable energy in the world’s poorest and most remote communities, helping lift people out of poverty and improving lives. It explains how such technologies...
Energy to reduce poverty: UK Prime Minister's reply
A reply from the UK Prime Minister on climate change, energy and development, reacting to the Practical Action paper 'Energy to reduce poverty: the urgency for G8 action on climate justice'.
Ensuring a fair deal for the world’s poor in Bali
A joint paper prepared by Practical Action, Tearfund, Christian Aid and Oxfam ahead of the UNFCCC meeting in Bali. Mitigation and adaptation are the building blocks for future climate stability. The means and sources of finance for clean technology for development as well as for adaptation must...
Facing a changing climate in northern Kenya
A poster on climate change in northern Kenya
Financing adaptation
This briefing provides an overview of the alternatives for financing climate change adaptation. It reviews current estimates of the costs of adaptation and the funding mechanisms that exist under the UNFCCC before examining alternative funding strategies.
Governance for community-based adaptation to climate change
This briefing discusses measures that national governments will need to put in place to ensure that adaptation funding supports those most vulnerable to climate change.
How can communities prepare against climate change?
A presentation on Practical Action’s strategies for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Nepal.
Hunger and climate change: a global perspective
Presentation by Bob Watson, Chief Scientist at DEFRA, to the Hunger and Climate Change conference, London, 7 April 2009.
Hunger and climate change: some practical answers? 7 April 2009
Brochure for the Hunger and Climate Change conference, London, 7 April 2009
Hunger and climate change: speakers
Biographical profiles of speakers at the Hunger and Climate Change conference, London, 7 April 2009.
Hunger and climate change: speakers
Biographical profiles of speakers at the Hunger and Climate Change conference, London, 7 April 2009.
Integrating approaches: sustainable livelihoods, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
Disasters and climate change are increasingly influencing the attainment of development objectives.
London-on-Sea? Alternative Tube map shows the impact of climate change
Research has shown that large areas of London could be underwater by 2100 as a direct result of climate change. Practical Action has released an alternative tube map that highlights the impact that climate change and rising sea levels could have on the capital.
Make the link
World leaders need to make the link between climate change and poverty. This report calls on decision-makers in the developed world to adopt stringent policies to reduce emissions so that the rise in global temperature is maintained at 2°C, and to put in place significant funds to provide...
Meeting your MP - information pack
Information on arranging to see your MP, and how to organise your own lobby or event.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and climate change
World leaders will come together in New York on 25 September 2008 for a high-level event to renew their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. We believe that this is an excellent opportunity for the world leaders to set out concrete plans and practical steps for action.
Mitigating climate change
Issues to consider when combining poverty alleviation and clean development.
Mitigating climate change
Issues to consider when combining poverty alleviation and clean development.
Our CO2 and the climate
With the world beginning to move towards a reduced carbon economy where everybody is expected to participate collectively for a better world, it is imperative for Practical Action to be in the forefront of the effort. This report looks at the global problem, and the steps that can be taken...
Poverty, justice and climate change
Our climate is changing and the world's poor are finding themselves on the frontline of disaster. It is still possible to tackle climate change and end poverty, but it will be a challenge requiring strong policies which should be implemented soon.
Promoting adaptation to climate change in Bangladesh: a briefing for government advisors and development practitioners
This briefing focuses on the impact of climate change on Bangladesh's rural poor. Rural communities have received little attention in the climate change literature. This briefing sets out the current understanding of climate change and its impacts for Bangladesh and demonstrates that through...
Promoting adaptation to climate change in Nepal: a briefing for government advisors and development practitioners
This briefing focuses on the impact of climate change on Nepal's rural poor. Rural communities have received little attention in the climate change literature. This briefing sets out the current understanding of climate change and its impacts for Nepal and demonstrates that through immediate...
Promoting adaptation to climate change in Sri Lanka: a briefing for government advisors and development practitioners
This briefing focuses on the impact of climate change on Sri Lanka’s rural poor. Rural communities have received little attention in the climate change literature. This briefing sets out the current understanding of climate change and its impacts for Sri Lanka and demonstrates that through...
Resilience in Practice
Briefing Paper on how Practical Action is working across the V2R framework, taking into account hazards and stresses, livelihoods, governance and future uncertainty. The paper uses six case studies from Practical Action's projects in Peru, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sudan and Kenya.
Securing adaptation at Durban
This briefing paper lays out the opportunities and challenges for succeeding in this goal in Durban, helping those working on adaptation to prepare and target their efforts most effectively.
Securing food in an uncertain climate
Presentation by Hilary Warburton, head of Practical Action's Reducing Vulnerability programme, to the Hunger and Climate Change conference, London, 7 April 2009.
South Asia Disaster Report 2010
Changing Climate, Impeding Risks, Emerging Perspectives: the third South Asia Disaster Report by Duryog Nivaran attempts to explore the added dimension that climate change brings to addressing disaster risk reduction across the region, which will have direct implications in the current...
Stop climate injustice: background briefing document
Read how climate change is affecting poor communities, and what can be done to avert disaster.
Two degrees, one chance
This paper, prepared by Practical Action, Tearfund, Christian Aid and Oxfam ahead of the G8, explains why global average temperature rise must be kept as far below 2°C as possible, and how dangerous feedback mechanisms are much more likely to kick in above that level, resulting in even faster...
Up in smoke? Latin America and the Caribbean
The third report from the Working Group on Climate Change and Development catalogues the impact of climate change and environmental degradation ranging from drought in the Amazon to floods in Haiti and elsewhere; vanishing glaciers in Colombia to extreme cold in the Andes; and hurricanes, not...
Up in smoke? Threats from, and responses to, the impact of global warming on human development
A statement of concern that climate change due to global warming is already happening, and hitting poor communities and vulnerable ecosystems. This report included four case studies from Practical Action (then ITDG) projects: micro-hydro electricity in Kenya, resistance to flooding in...
Waiting for the world to notice: After Copenhagen, where next for the world’s poor and climate change?
This briefing paper describes what was needed in Cancun 2010 to ensure the world’s poorest are not left unaided to face the impacts of a problem that they have not contributed to.