Sustainable markets blogs
-
Where’s the capital for homegrown companies? Why energy access investments in Kenya need to go local
29 December 2020The importance of local investments in energy access in Kenya is the focus of IIED's Kevin Johnstone
-
Getting personal: tailoring support to power up Tanzania’s rural businesses
1 December 2020Drawing on new survey findings, Sarah Best discusses how customising support for small and micro businesses in rural Tanzania could unlock productivity
-
Putting informal food systems at the centre of sustainable diets
16 October 2020A new report from IIED and Hivos calls for a rethink about how sustainable diets can be achieved in low-income countries, with informal food systems central to that goal
-
To address food insecurity in Uganda post COVID-19 the government must act now
24 September 2020In the wake of COVID-19, food insecurity in Uganda is drastically increasing. Food Rights Alliance and Twaweza East Africa call on the government to take specific and urgent action
-
Energy, finance and community business – show us the money
18 August 2020More ways are emerging to help businesses across sub-Saharan Africa get the energy finance they need to grow – but small businesses in rural communities are still missing out. What are their options?
-
Three pillars for food system change: inclusivity, joint vision and long-term commitment
16 July 2020A new paper identifies three key ingredients multi-actor initiatives need to drive change in the food system
-
Uganda’s hungry food vendors: counting the cost of COVID-19
11 June 2020Interviews as part of a new study show how lockdown restrictions are leaving Uganda’s food vendors hungry and vulnerable
-
Citizen-led research serves up answers on what Bolivian food vendors want
7 May 2020Guest blogger Jorge Vladimir Garcia describes the outcomes and challenges of research, led by traditional food vendors themselves, on what might help keep market eateries in La Paz popular in the face of rising competition.
-
Wanted: corporate global citizens to deliver the SDGs
24 January 2020Businesses are global citizens too – and have a prominent role in collective achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, explains guest blogger David Croft
-
We need more than business as usual, to leave no one behind
10 January 2020In the latest blog in our series exploring how business and investors can contribute to achieving the SDGs, Rijit Sengupta discusses the challenges and opportunities for businesses in India seeking to raise the bar on sustainability
-
The champions helping communities make better food choices
8 January 2020In Jember, Indonesia, children and young people are bearing the brunt of unhealthy eating habits. Isnatul Mu'allifin explains how this new generation is using data – gathered with and by the community – to drive tangible, positive change in people’s diets
-
Ten reasons why we have to rewrite the sustainability rule book, and now
8 December 2019Companies are lagging behind when it comes to action on climate change. Mike Barry shares his tips on becoming the sustainable business leaders of tomorrow
-
Urban food insecurity and malnutrition are about more than just food
16 October 2019Food insecurity, malnutrition and obesity are increasingly becoming urban issues, affecting the health of millions of children and adults. The new issue of Environment & Urbanization looks at the wider context of urban food and nutrition security and the challenges for policymakers
-
Rebalancing power in the Kenya-UK green bean value chain
9 September 2019Farmers and workers often struggle to influence decision-making and trading patterns within global value chains. A recent IIED webinar discussed an initiative to overcome hurdles for farmers and workers to secure a stronger voice and influence trading arrangements within the Kenya-UK green bean value chain
-
Beyond maize: exploring agricultural diversification in Zambia
22 August 2019Zambia's food system is widely seen as not working. A new report looks at how to increase crop diversity, support better nutrition and support resilience at local and national level
-
Science with citizens, or science for citizens?
23 July 2019Alejandro Guarín says citizen science is a great way to crowdsource knowledge, but involving citizens in research can also be a powerful tool for social change
-
Why procurement should be the "next frontier" in transparency for mining
1 July 2019Mine sites often spend more on obtaining goods and services – hundreds of millions of dollars a year – than anything else. Jeff Geipel says this procurement needs better data and transparency, but it has the potential to become a lever for economic and social development.
-
Bwindi: bees, baskets and brilliant guided walks
27 June 2019Tracking rare mountain gorillas is on the bucket list of many a traveller – both at the luxury end of the market and for backpackers. But what about the people who live in the same places as gorillas? Dilys Roe reports on a project helping local people to develop new businesses that benefit from tourism
-
Keeping Bolivia’s culture alive through food
18 June 2019On Sustainable Gastronomy Day (18 June), guest blogger Angel Ramos explores initiatives that are helping to preserve Bolivia’s rich food heritage
-
Business as usual – or business with purpose?
17 April 2019As we launch our new strategy, Laura Kelly, director of IIED’s Shaping Sustainable Markets research group, considers how the private sector can respond to development and environmental challenges – and how IIED can support business to deliver positive change
-
Food Change Labs tackle complex issues with the whole system in the room
30 January 2019Felia Boerwinkel describes how 'change labs' have successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to find ways to improve local food systems in Uganda, Zambia and Indonesia
-
Time to turn the PAGE?
17 January 2019The Partnership for Action on Green Economy is an international alliance of UN agencies, partner organisations and governments working together for a transition to a green and sustainable economy. The alliance's third ministerial conference aimed to showcase innovation and experience, but IIED's Laura Kelly felt a key ingredient was missing
-
2019 – the way forward is a Green Decent Work Guarantee
30 December 2018How can the world achieve a step change in the fight against climate change during 2019? IIED director Andrew Norton looks at the issues and suggests that a radical approach may hold the solution
-
Green lessons for the blue economy
11 December 2018Laura Kelly discusses how lessons from the past can help ensure everyone benefits from our ocean, seas and coasts
-
Sustainable development and artisanal mining: time to broaden the ‘blood diamonds’ conversation?
3 December 2018Millions of people in some of the world’s poorest countries depend on diamond mining for a living. Yet a focus on dealing with so-called ‘blood diamonds’ stops a wider conversation about how to help these people thrive