Policy document library
From climate change and access to energy to agricultural biodiversity and indoor air pollution, Practical Action have a wealth of publications on all aspects of development policy.
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,...
Agricultural biodiversity: farmers sustaining the web of life
Practical Action-Farmers World Network Briefing paper on agricultural biodiversity - an input into the CBDC/SEARICE Farmers Technical Workshop, 10th to 13th February 2004 at the Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kuala Lumpur.
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...
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.
Bridging the funding gap to ensure energy access for the poor
Presented at ""Financing energy access for the poor"", a Practical Action event at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 15, New York 2007.
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 energy poverty in Africa
An analyis of the interconnecting themes between climate change and energy access for the poor in sub-Saharan Africa
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: catastrophe for the world's poor?
An introduction to the impact of climate change on developing countries, and the need for effective adaptation solutions.
