Signature Initiative: Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries

Climate models indicate that impacts of climate change will be most severe in areas where a majority of the world's extreme poor live, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and in parts of South Asia. Therefore, research is needed to better understand the nature of these impacts and their repercussions. This research can assist developing country governments and donor agencies to mitigate the impacts on poor communities and can influence and contribute to constructive responses. Research can help identify steps that households, communities and firms can take and policies required to facilitate such adaptations to climate change in resource-poor contexts.

IIEP achieved a milestone with its international conference on May 18 and 19, 2011 on the Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change in Low-income Countries. The conference featured frontier research and policy analysis over two full days, reinforcing GW's place among leading universities globally on this critically important subject. The conference was undertaken in partnership with the World Bank (Development Research Group) and the United Nations Development Program (Environment and Energy Group - Global Environmental Finance Team).

IIEP faculty are preparing a special issue of the refereed journal Climate Change Economics, which will feature key research contributions from our recent conference. A full conference proceedings volume, emphasizing policy dimensions, is in process in conjunction with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
» Download the overview.

The Research Agenda for Sustainable Development

Featuring Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University
December 4, 2012

Conference Prospectus
Conference Schedule
» Download the conference powerpoint.

Getting Rights… Right: How Companies are Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

December 8, 2011

Co-sponsored with GW-CIBER, the U.S. Institute for Peace and UN Global Compact
9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Grand Ballroom, Marvin Center 3rd Floor, 800 21st Street, NW

More information and conference agenda