Jordan is dominated by arid climate with limited arable land and water resources. This study focuses on crop production and water resources under trends of anticipated climate change and population growth to analyse how these affect water and food security in the country. It finds that recession of irrigated areas led to lesser food production and food security. Results indicate that climate change and population growth increase and intensify problems of water scarcity and food insecurity.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) recently implemented climate risk management studies in seven countries. This report, commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, gives a detailed summary of efforts in a Niger wetland environment to conduct one such study, incorporating climate change with three key sectors: agriculture, livestock and water resources.

Urban flooding poses a serious challenge to global development and the livelihoods of urban populations, particularly the residents of the rapidly expanding towns and cities in developing countries. Responding to this challenge requires efforts to improve policy makers understanding and ability to effectively manage existing and future risks. This guidebook provides operational guidance on how to manage the risk of floods in a transforming urban environment and climate.

The indigenous cloud forests in the Taita Hills, Kenya, have suffered substantial degradation due to agricultural expansion. Currently, only one per cent of the original forested area remains preserved. Furthermore, climate change imposes an imminent threat for local economy and environmental sustainability. In such circumstances, elaborating tools to conciliate socio-economic growth and natural resources conservation is an enormous challenge.

This brief discusses Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) safeguards in the context of Vietnam and makes recommendations for future action. It begins by outlining the Vietnamese context and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defined REDD+ safeguards.

This report examines strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the capacity building services available for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) readiness in Asia-Pacific countries. It begins with an overview of capacity building service providers and then assesses the leading providers currently operating. The report concludes by offering recommendations for policy makers, development partners and service providers.

The Entrepreneurial sector in South Africa is seen as a critical component in addressing the fundamental issues of unemployment and poverty, as well as contributing to meaningful Black Economic Empowerment. This is very evident with the Home Based Entrepreneurs though low rates of entrepreneurship are still occurring. This research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of housing as a productive asset and its role in promoting economic activity and improved affordable housing supply, through supporting the activities of Home Based Entrepreneurs and Small Scale Landlords.

Since the formation of the Government of National Unity in 1994, there have been significant strides towards the transformation of the lives of ordinary South Africans. Set within a macroeconomic policy, which is focused on stimulating economic growth, there has been significant delivery in respect of the provision of housing, engineering services such as water and electricity and social services such as education, health and social safety nets for the most vulnerable.

Small Scale Landlords make a significant contribution to the South African economy. They provide a range of accommodation types for approximately 15% of all South African households (1,85 million households). 60% of this stock (1,1 million households) comprises Household Rental including both formal and informal units located in backyards.

This study assesses the determinants of forest land allocation to households in the forest tenure reforms in China in the period 1980-2005 using data from three provinces in Southern China; Fujian, Jiang Xi and Yunnan. Furthermore, it assesses the current level of tenure security on forest land and how this tenure security is affected by past and more recent policy changes.

Conflicts over control of and access to natural resources are common among pastoral communities living in arid and semi-arid environments of Kenya. This study investigates conflicts and conflict resolution strategies in West Pokot County, Kenya. The objectives were to: identify the sources of conflict; examine conflict resolution initiatives; and evaluate the effectiveness of peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes to reduce emissions from deforestation and ecosystem degradation, including REDD+ and Payment for Environmental Services (PES), could represent an opportunity to strengthen processes of conservation, sustainable usage and poverty reduction in the Mesoamerican region, particularly in indigenous territories and communities. This report draws on case studies from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama to demonstrate how land tenure rights are linked to incentive mechanisms for good forestry management.