Focus on: People and the Planet

This focus area, explores how climate change and other planetary imbalances impact the rising trend of human inequality and vice versa. We will look into what potential solutions could help eliminate inequality and support a healthy planet, and what challenges could impede this effort.

Produced in Partnership: Focus on: People and Planet

Opinion: Why inequality and uncertainty are two sides of the same coin

By Pedro Conceição
Devex
Focus on: People and the Planet

How educating women and girls can mitigate climate change

By Rumbi Chakamba
Devex
Focus on: People and the Planet

Opinion: Why EU conservation efforts will fail without Africa

By Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya
Focus on: People and the Planet: Produced in Partnership

Q&A: The need to remove development's 'stark distinctions'

As the interconnected nature of people and the planet becomes ever clearer, a development approach that removes stark distinctions is needed. Belinda Reyers from the University of Pretoria's Future Africa institute explains.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Early humanitarian action can save lives, money. But it comes with uncertainty

Humanitarian organizations are increasingly turning to scientists to assess the likelihood of an environmental event and potential disaster — but the approach has yet to fully catch on.

Focus On: People and the Planet

Africa’s air quality problem: Old cars and no data

With air pollution deaths on the rise across Africa, a few programs and individuals are pushing for more data in a bid to stem the problem.

Focus on: People and the Planet

In Burkina Faso, solar in humanitarian settings is gaining ground

As humanitarians respond to the growing crisis in Burkina Faso, some organizations are pushing donors to invest in more climate-friendly and sustainable solutions, such as solar energy, rather than temporary fixes.

Focus on: People and the Planet: Produced in Partnership

Q&A: Why human development metrics may have to shift

As human development efforts shift to ensure simultaneous protection of the planet, so too should the metrics used to take stock of progress. The Paris School of Economics professor Marc Fleurbaey explains how.

Focus On: People and the Planet

Why a water crisis in Cameroon is disproportionately affecting women

A gender-focused water and climate development program is looking for ways to combat the societal effects of dental fluorosis on women in Cameroon.

Focus on: People and the planet

For preventing deforestation, new UN report shows Indigenous approach is best

In Latin America and the Caribbean, new research shows that in the fight against deforestation and biodiversity loss, land is best managed by Indigenous and tribal peoples. But these communities and livelihoods are facing increasing threats from climate and privatization.

Focus on: People and the Planet

The 'wonder grass' improving food security in Kenya

Farmers in eastern Kenya are avoiding the pressures of erratic rainfall, unreliable hybrid seeds, and costly fertilizers by growing Brachiaria grass, which is known for increasing livestock milk production.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Women in Kenya reap ecological and economic rewards from seaweed

Women in Kenya's coastal villages are seeing ecological and economic benefits from seaweed farming, with the hope of creating value addition by marketing seaweed products in the future.

Focus on: People and the Planet: Produced in Partnership

Q&A: Why local and Indigenous communities are vital to sustainable human development

According to the "Human Development Report 2020," many of the world’s healthiest ecosystems are managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities. Krushil Watene explains how collaborative ways of working across communities can support sustainable human development.

Focus on: People and the Planet

With debt-for-climate swaps in Africa, timing is crucial

Though debt-for-climate swaps are viewed as a positive step toward sustainable growth, economists warn that the right timing, right countries, and inclusion of all creditors will be needed for success.

Focus on: People and the Planet

How the pandemic is connecting environmental conservation and public health

There is growing recognition that it is impossible to safeguard human health without protecting natural systems. Many are calling for greater adoption of a collaborative approach called planetary health.

Focus on: People and the Planet

In Brief: Nonprofits urge banks not to finance oil pipeline in East Africa

Over 260 nonprofit organizations are campaigning against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline which they say will fuel climate change and pose a threat to local communities.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Least developed countries urge climate finance help at UN Security Council

The plea came as governments reached a consensus on the link between climate and security.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Climate migration keeps growing — but doesn't look as you might expect

People forced to migrate because of climate change tend to stay as close as possible to their homes. But public recognition — and development funding trends — have largely yet to mirror this reality, migration experts say.

Focus on: People and the Planet: Produced in Partnership

Q&A: The role of financial policies in climate action

What role can financial and monetary policies play in tackling climate change? José Antonio Ocampo, professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and chair of the U.N. Committee for Development Policy, explains.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Opinion: A multisectoral approach can bolster resilience for people and planet

The interconnected nature of human and environmental health is no longer questioned, writes Dr. Vik Mohan, who shares three lessons from Blue Ventures Conservation's holistic approach to working with coastal communities.

Focus on: People and the Planet

Solar savings are helping Kenyan farmers invest in 'newfound gold mines'

Farmers are investing savings — earned after switching from kerosene to solar lights — to transition from subsistence farming to agribusinesses such as dairy goat and sheep rearing.