Scoping studies

This report summarises discussions from a sub-Saharan Africa consultation workshop, following a survey of expert opinion in the region, which was organised to help inform the strategy of the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) programme.

Utilising a mixed methods approach that encompasses a literature review, key information interviews and an online survey, this paper provides an examination of environmental degradation issues in Central Africa, with a particular focus on Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Utilising a mixed methods approach that encompasses a literature review and key information interviews, this paper provides an examination of environmental degradation issues in West Africa, with a particular focus on deforestation fronts in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia. 

Through a literature review, key informant interviews and a set of evaluation criteria, this study proposes five research-to-action priorities for the REDAA programme in Eastern and Southern Africa. These priorities focus on improving evidence, tools and governance systems to help address environmental degradation.Based on the analysis of 11 focus countries (Ethiopia, Seychelles, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia), the study also identifies potential priority areas where REDAA interventions may be located.

This workshop report summarises discussions from a South Asia regional consultation workshop held in Kathmandu in March 2023. 

This workshop report summarises discussions from a Southeast Asia regional consultation workshop held in Bangkok in March 2023. 

This report details a rapid literature review for the REDAA programme, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. The report concentrates on analysis at a regional level and complements ongoing scoping efforts in the four sub-regions (West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa). Using a set of evaluation criteria, the report proposes seven research-to-action priorities for improving evidence, tools and governance systems in sub-Saharan Africa.The study also identifies 11 potential priority areas where REDAA interventions may be located.

Through a literature review, survey, key informant interviews and a set of evaluation criteria this study proposes six research-to-action priority outcomes for improving evidence, tools and governance systems in South Asia. The study also identifies 24 potential priority areas where REDAA interventions may be located.  

Through a literature review, key informant interviews and field visits (to Tonle Sap Cambodia, Riau Indonesia, and Nan Thailand), and the use of a set of evaluation criteria, this study proposes 11 research-to-action priority outcomes for improving evidence, tools and governance systems. These will contribute to achieving a transition away from practices and processes that produce degradation towards those that deliver greater ecological productivity and social equitability. 

There is increasing evidence that digital solutions can significantly improve the efficiency, responsiveness and efficacy of natural resource management activities. However, current evidence on best practices for improving digital technology adoption among indigenous peoples and local communities in natural resource management is fragmented, making it difficult for stakeholders to identify opportunities or replicate successes.

An overwhelming amount of research calls for governments to take urgent action to secure and foster nature’s benefits for the planet and for human livelihoods and wellbeing at local, national and international levels. Too often this evidence is ignored, but when decisions do carefully draw on research, it is more likely the right action will be taken.

What is environmental degradation and what are its causes? It seems an obvious question, but it’s not. This short study identifies five explanations of the root causes of environmental degradation widely applied in policy debates and promoted by different actors. Each suggests a very different interpretation of causes and effects with contrasting implications for research design, policy and practice.