Environment & Climate Change How think tanks are making a dierence
The think tank approach
Climate change, the environment, and development are closely linked: as economies grow, so does natural resource use and the production of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, climate change and natural disasters are posing increasingly significant risks to both people and economic development. Research is critical for informing effective strategies, policies, and plans that reduce risk from climate change and disasters, protect natural environments, and contribute to inclusive and low-carbon development – particularly in low and middle income countries. Policy research institutions, also known as think tanks, are key actors in this space: they use credible, local data and convene stakeholders from different sectors to enhance public policy debates around these complex issues. Through the use of interdisciplinary approaches and a variety of perspectives, think tanks are in a unique position to inform and support action at national and sub-national levels that improves resilience and helps to shape more equitable and prosperous societies.
In this booklet The Think Tank Initiative supports a number of policy research institutions whose work contributes to improving environmental sustainability and reducing the impact of climate change. This booklet highlights a few examples of the kinds of issues think tanks around the world are working on, including climate adaptation, sustainable energy supply, and ways to reduce deforestation.
Environment and climate change are only a few of the areas in which think tanks are making a dierence. The institutions we support also work on issues such as food pricing, education policy, public health, and economic cooperation.
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Energy India faces the challenge of meeting its large and growing energy demand in an accessible and sustainable way. The Center for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) is investigating ways of improving energy efficiency and lowering carbon dioxide emissions in several sectors of the economy. CSTEP is closely examining the role of technology and policy in the area of energy efficiency to include wind, solar, energy storage, and smart grids for achieving India's energy needs. In one such project, CSTEP is setting up a solar thermal hybrid power plant that uses rice husks to augment solar power and provide electricity to villages in rural Bihar. Related research: Read about CSTEP’s work on improving energy efficiency for large industries in India Watch a documentary about CSTEP’s work on securing renewable energy in India Nobody will dispute that energy is the most important challenge facing the country. – Dr. Anshu Bharadwaj, Executive Director, CSTEP
Deforestation Deforestation in Bolivia produces roughly 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, in the process threatening biodiversity, jeopardizing livelihoods and reducing protection against climate change. To address this problem, and to test the socio-economic and environmental impacts of various policies on reducing deforestation, the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Desarrollo (INESAD) developed an innovative set of simulation tools. The application of these tools helped to bolster financial support for Bolivia’s alternative mechanisms to reduce deforestation, while demonstrating how to best reduce emissions and biodiversity loss. Read more about this work
Approximately 300,000 hectares of Bolivia’s forest is lost each year to agricultural expansion. Source: Killeen, T. J et al. (2007) “Thirty Years of Land-cover Change in Bolivia.” Ambio, 36(7): 600-606 and FAO (2010) “Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010.” Forestry Paper No. 163. Rome, Italy.
Climate change Greater food insecurity, more floods, increased rainfall variability – these are just some of the negative effects of climate change for communities in Nigeria. Researchers at the Centre for Population and Environmental Development (CPED) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) are looking at climate change vulnerability in the Niger Delta and the effects on farmers and fisher folks in the Delta State communities. Through research and training, these think tanks are demonstrating that the most effective way to reduce the vulnerability of farmers and fisher folks to climate change is through general adaptation strategies that focus on improving their overall well-being. Related research: Read about CSEA’s work relating to oil revenue management in Nigeria Read about CPED’s work on peace building in the Niger Delta in relation to oil production I am very grateful for the training CPED provided for our people to learn more about what we can do to avoid the recurrent disaster of flooding in this area. – Fredrick Ebiowe, local government official
Yosef Hadar / World Bank
Climate change research around the world There’s a lot of work being done to study and address the effects of climate change. Think tanks are making a difference in trying to minimize its impact on both the environment and communities affected: • The Institute for Social and Environmental Transition-Nepal (ISET-Nepal) is working on climate resilience, flood disaster preparedness, ecosystem based adaptation, and natural resource management in order to foster resilience and sustainable livelihoods. ISET-Nepal is applying the knowledge generated through this work to strengthen reconstruction and rebuilding efforts following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. • The Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI) is researching the impacts of climate change on cotton and sugarcane production in the country. • A major actor in the development of climate change policy in Pakistan, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) joined the country’s official delegation to COP21, is part of Pakistan’s task force on climate change for INDC formulation, and is a member of a high powered judicial commission on climate change policy implementation in Pakistan. • The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) in Tanzania is exploring the impact of climate change on small-scale farmers and is providing adaptation solutions.
Local research for impact The Think Tank Initiative is helping to strengthen 43 policy research institutions in 20 developing countries over 10 years through a mix of core funding and support for capacity development. The result: institutions are better positioned to deliver high quality research, operate more sustainably, and meaningfully engage with key stakeholders.
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