Perspective: a new medium from CIRAD to fuel debate

Each issue of Perspective will use research work to illustrate an idea or an innovative policy concerning a sustainable development issue of strategic importance for developing countries: food security, land ownership, climate change, energy security, forest management, standards, etc.
In addition to decision-makers (public, private, associations, etc), Perspective is intended for communicators–journalists, teachers, etc–and anyone capable of taking on board simply formulated ideas. It is published in French and English.

The first two issues are just out.

No. 1. Deforestation and climate change: acting on the causes. What the (carbon) market cannot do…, by Alain Karsenty
The author looks at the mechanisms planned for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a result of deforestation or "avoided deforestation". He stresses the limitations of market-centred approaches and the need to act on the structural causes of tropical deforestation. He opts for the creation of an international fund to support agricultural land transformation policies, combining such policies with payment for environmental services (PES) programmes, centring on investment. This suggestion could be discussed in Copenhagen in December, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

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No. 2. Food price instability in developing countries. The need for public intervention to stabilise prices, by Franck Galtier
This issue looks at food price instability in developing countries and its consequences for access to food and for investment. The author refutes the arguments on which the predominant idea is based: managing risks without affecting prices. He demonstrates the need for price stabilisation involving public authorities. This is a precondition for agricultural modernisation. These proposals were to be debated at the conference on prices and market risks being organized by the FARM Foundation in Paris on 23 and 24 November 2009.

Download this issue [PDF, 132 kB]