Institute of Development Studies

Climate Change

Climate change is already affecting the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, who often lack the robust systems and capacity needed to cope. While 'mitigation' through tackling greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to limiting impacts, some change is inevitable and climate change 'adaptation' is now a central issue in development.

Efforts to integrate adaptation into the development process must ensure that the most vulnerable groups are central to the rapidly expanding climate change research and policy agenda. At the same time, future international climate change regimes must be built on principles of equity, deliver dramatic carbon reductions, establish low carbon development pathways, provide funding mechanisms that reach the most vulnerable people.

The IDS Climate Change Research Team is building global capacity to meet these challenges through pioneering research and innovative knowledge partnerships.

The Climate Change team has four core research streams although much of the work is cross-cutting:

• Vulnerability and Resilience
  Building adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies that contribute to eradicating poverty
• Knowledge and Learning
  Improving our understanding of whose voices and whose knowledge counts in climate policies
• Low-carbon Development
  Meeting the challenge of achieving sustainable economic growth
• Global Governance
  Working towards governance of energy, food, water and land that protects poor people

The Climate Change team also offers Teaching, Training and Mentoring services helping prepare development professionals to address climate change challenges.

News »»

Towards sustainable development: Have your say

Sustainable Development Goals – do we really need another set of international targets?

Children, Climate Change and Disasters

Events

The Progressive Moment: The Crises of Capitalism and the Greening of Social Democracy

Brighton Festival Fringe - Who's going to save the planet?

The Policy Climate for Climate Policy: Examining the Interplay between Resilience Approaches and their Policy Process Contexts

Latest Publications on Climate Change »

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• Tanner, T. and Seballos, F. (2012) 'Children, Climate Change and Disasters', IDS In Focus Policy Briefing 23, Brighton: IDS
• Christophe Béné (2012) 'Social Protection and Resilience to Climate and Disaster', Programme Briefing , Brighton: IDS
• Hiraldo, R. and Tanner, T. (2011) 'The Global Political Economy of REDD+ Engaging Social Dimensions in the Emerging Green Economy' , UNRISD
• Harvey, B (2011) 'Climate Airwaves: Community Radio, Action Research and Advocacy for Climate Justice in Ghana', International Journal of Communication 5:2035-2058, USC Annenberg Press
• Harvey, B. and Mitchell, T. (2011) 'ICT-Enabled Knowledge Sharing in North-South Partnerships: Lessons from the AfricaAdapt Network' , Manchester: University of Manchester



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Climate Change projects at IDS »»

• Adaptation screening tools for development cooperation: Piloting ORCHID and other approaches - IDS is involved in a range initiatives to develop, test, discuss and disseminate tools for screening and assessment of climate and disaster risk. (2006 - 2009)
• Adaptive Social Protection - The ASP programme uses evidence to link climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and social protection (SP). (Ongoing)
• AfricaAdapt - The Network facilitates the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge for sustainable livelihoods between researchers, policy makers, civil society organisations and communities who are vulnerable to climate variability and change across the continent. (2008 - 2011)
• Assessment of large and small hydropower options - Global climate change requires climate-friendly low carbon energy options. Hydropower is a low carbon energy sources which is globally abundant and has a high potential. Hydropower has been used around the world for centuries. In recent years, both small and large hydropower developments have seen increased use. (Ongoing)
• Assisting Climate Leaders in Vulnerable Developing Countries - This initiative involves four non-governmental organisations with a shared interest in supporting the efforts of vulnerable developing countries to secure a fair, ambitious and effective agreement at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen. (Ongoing)