Taking stock – opportunities for action in 2025

In the new episode of the Make Change Happen podcast, we revisit the key themes covered on the podcast during 2024, including critical minerals, climate action and reform of the international financial architecture.

Hosts Simon Cullen and Lindlyn Moma highlight the big opportunities for global action in 2025, discussing what it will take to see change in the nature, climate and inequality crises.

We also hear from guests: Rose Mosi speaks about the challenges involved in critical mineral extraction and how to ensure that countries rich in these natural resources benefit from the rising global demand; Nicola Sorsby explains why COP16 and COP29 talks produced mixed outcomes; and Laura Kelly returns to the podcast with an update on the process to reform the global financial architecture.

Listen now!

News?and insights

Climate-vulnerable nations need credit rating reform

Some of the world’s poorest countries are being trapped in a vicious cycle of debt because of a credit rating system that punishes disaster-linked debt relief and fails to adequately measure investment potential.?A new briefing paper presents the case for a new mechanism to more fairly assess the economic risks and rewards of investing in these countries, including the possibility of a new credit rating agency that specialises in assessing climate-vulnerable nations. Find out more. ?

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Faith in ecology: how one group of Indigenous people in the Philippines are advancing agrobiodiversity

The Philippines has recently experienced a series of back-to-back typhoons. Six of these tropical storms have hit the country within the space of a month, causing widespread devastation. As recovery efforts continue, IIED’s Duncan Macqueen reflects on a recent visit to partners in the Philippines, and explains how they’re building resilience to natural disasters by advancing agrobiodiversity in the farming systems. Read the insight. ?

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Unpacking the climate and nature COPs: what happened and what next?

A recent in-person and online event brought together perspectives from leading thinkers in climate and nature to explore the outcomes from COP16 and COP29 in the context of geopolitical and economic shifts. Watch the event recording.

Our impact

From the grassroots level to international policy agreements, we make change happen. Working alongside partners, we have a track record in finding solutions and testing practical approaches that deliver sustainable change. Read more on our?stories of impact.

Supporting communities to tackle the environmental impacts of mining in Zambia

Land-based investments in low- and middle-income countries such as Zambia can be a key factor to advancing economic development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these investments come with a number of risks such as land dispossession, environmental degradation and conflict – all of which have harmful effects on local communities.

IIED has been working with local communities in Zambia to strengthen the governance of land-based investments?under the ALIGN project. We have collaborated with local partners to support members of a mineral-rich community to access the resources and knowledge needed to tackle the contamination caused by mining activities. As a result of the community’s action, the Water Resource Management Authority has temporarily halted a mining company’s local operations, until measures to address stream pollution are introduced.?Find out more in our impact story.

We're hiring

Senior compliance officer

This is a new role reporting to our compliance manager. The senior compliance officer will support the implementation of compliance work plans and deliverables, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory and donor/funder requirements. They will also support in reviewing donor contracts, conducting diligence on partners, coordination of our donor audits and project managing the implementation of audit findings and recommendations.?

This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate with experience of charity compliance requirements, procurement systems, audits, conducting donor contract reviews and due diligence processes.?Apply by 3 January 2025.