The Environment for Development Initiative: lessons learned in research, academic capacity building and policy intervention to manage resources for sustainable growth. (5th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sterner, Thomas; Alem, Yonas; Alpízar, Francisco; Berck, Cyndi Spindell; Chavez Rebolledo, Carlos Alberto; Dikgang, Johane; Kirama, Stephen; Köhlin, Gunnar; Mariara-Kabubo, Jane; Mekonnen, Alemu; Xu, Jintao
• Is Part Of: Environment and development economics. Volume 19:Number 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 391
• Publication Date: 2014-06-05
• Subjects: Economic development -- Environmental aspects; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355770X1400014X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-770X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This article reviews the history of the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative, its activities in capacity building and policy-oriented research, and case studies at its centres in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. EfD promotes research-based policies to manage natural resources as engines of development. Since 1991, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has provided funding for students from developing countries to earn a PhD at the Environmental Economics Unit (EEU) of the University of Gothenburg. Returning home, these economists face institutional and academic gaps that limit the adoption of research-based policies. In response, the first EfD centre was founded in 2004, and six more followed. Research focuses on agriculture, climate, fisheries, parks, wildlife, forestry, energy and policy design. This has yielded 200 peer-reviewed articles. Successful policy outcomes depend on relationships with policy makers, community involvement in livelihood strategies, strengthened institutional support, interdisciplinary approaches, and dissemination of research results.</p> </abstract>