Gregory Scruggs
Latest Articles
Biodiversity buzz: How to tap the Global Environment Facility's billions
over 2 years ago // Biodiversity
The global movement to conserve nature and prevent species extinction has garnered considerable momentum — and there is considerable money to match.
New global biodiversity fund launches with Canada, UK pledges
over 2 years ago // Biodiversity
A new fund was launched at the seventh Global Environment Facility, or GEF, Assembly in Vancouver to finance the developing world’s biodiversity needs.
US leaders attack China and Russia over food security
over 2 years ago // Food systems
U.S. Cabinet officials drove food security to the top of the global diplomatic agenda from coast to coast last week, singling out Russia and China in the process.
Q&A: 'We will lose the planet' if Arctic cooperation fails, Iceland's former president says
over 6 years ago // Sustainable development
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson has dedicated his post-presidency to the Arctic Circle Assembly, the largest international gathering on the far north. Arctic stakeholders will meet in Reykjavik this week to discuss everything from sustainable housing for extreme cold to fostering livelihoods for Inuit youth.
Advice from the Arctic: 4 key development challenges facing the far north
almost 7 years ago // Sustainable development
An underdeveloped region that finds itself inside the jurisdiction of rich nations, the Arctic poses unique development challenges. Devex speaks with over a dozen Arctic experts, who offer key advice for outsiders looking to dip their toes into the region's icy waters.
Insider tips on working with UN-Habitat
almost 8 years ago // Urban development
Under new leadership — and pushing the New Urban Agenda — the sometimes unsung UN-Habitat is poised to offer many opportunities for development organizations and professionals, says Raf Tuts, UN-Habitat's director of programs. Tuts gives Devex the lowdown on what the UN's city-focused agency is looking for.
Cities emerge onto the climate change science agenda
almost 8 years ago // Climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has convened its first conference on the science of cities’ role in climate change. Some 750 scientists, urban thinkers, and city leaders gathered in Canada in response to a landmark decision by the IPCC in 2016 to include a special urban-focused research track for the first time. Devex reports on the key takeaways.
UN to development community: Think urban for the SDGs
about 8 years ago // World Urban Forum
As the international community gears up to review global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 11, the so-called “urban SDG,” urban development issues are increasingly seen by many as essential to deliver on the entire 2030 agenda. At the World Urban Forum in Malaysia, the message was clear: "We need to get our cities right."
Q&A: Global Impact chief on how and where US workers give to charity
over 8 years ago // Fundraising
Scott Jackson helms Global Impact, based in Washington, D.C., which fundraises for international humanitarian causes and has raised $1.8 billion since it was founded in 1956. At the Global Washington summit he spoke to Devex about how, where and why American workers give to development and humanitarian causes.
Q&A: Dr Alaa Murabit on pushing the SDGs alongside Messi and Shakira
over 8 years ago // Women empowerment
The 28-year-old founder of Voice of Libyan Women is the only United Nations high-level commissioner under the age of 45. In her Sustainable Development Goal advocate role she sits alongside superstars such as Argentine football player Lionel Messi and Colombian singer Shakira. She talked to Devex at the Global Washington summit about feminism, the role of celebrities in development, and what makes a truly female-empowering foreign policy.