Access to water is a widely debated topic as water scarcity is looming large before several developing countries. The traditional approach of water as a public good is giving way to reforms which consider water as an economic good. This paper critically reviews legal and policy issues around the changing approach to appropriation and access to water. It identifies two major trends in reforms in water governance:

World grain production is a basic indicator of overall food security at the global level. Since 1984, world grain production has expanded more slowly than the world’s population. By the early years of the 21st century, consumption has outstripped production. Could these trends herald a new "politics of scarcity"?In this article, the author sets out the evidence for his assertion that the world faces a future food security crisis.First, based on current trends, demand for grain will increase significantly over the coming years.

This report summarises the results of a monitoring and evaluation project of Independent Forest Monitoring (IFM) in Honduras.

This paper presents the proceedings of a United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in December 2005. The report presents the workshop programme, objectives and methodology. Four papers were presented at the workshop, ensuing discussions by the participants are also included.

This collection of articles looks at the role of natural resources in Western Sahara and outlines the framework for Western Sahara’s independence from Morocco.There is no doubt that the question of the natural resources of Western Sahara such as fish, oil and phosphates has been the main reason for the interest in the area in question.

This document is a collection of essays which survey the controversial aspects of the management of water resources in urban areas in view of the increasing urbanisation and privatisation of water services. It addresses and characterises the conflicts that arise within large human settlements due to economic and social implications of access to and use of basic water services. It also presents in-depth case studies from Europe, Asia and Latin America.Exploring the geneses of the urban water conflicts the essays in the document list the following important causal factors:

This is the draft report of a scoping study for the Forestry Commission on forests and climate change. The report discusses the role that sustainable forest management can play in mitigating climate change.

Map compendium of water availability for Grenada, produced as part of the UNEP project, Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in Caribbean Small Island Developing States.

The data presented in the compendium is intended to assist planners in water sector development initiatives through identification of areas over Grenada that the researchers said will require investment in water augmentation measures (based on water availability) such as rainwater harvesting.

This paper reviews the impact of the Landcare Program on, farming households, communities, and the local environments in three sites in Mindanao, Philippines: Claveria in Misamis Oriental; Lantapan in Bukidnon; and Ned, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. This paper reviews and synthesizes various studies conducted throughout the period from 1996 to 2004, during which the Landcare Program was established and matured. The key intervention studied is the landcare approach which consists basically of two components: conservation farming technologies and landcare processes and institutions.

This report highlights the major biological factors that contribute to ecosystem resilience under the projected impacts of global climate change. It assesses the potential consequences for biodiversity of particular adaptation activities under the thematic areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides methodological considerations when implementing these activities, and highlights research and knowledge gaps.

The promotion of forestry activities is seen as a means by which to reduce poverty while protecting the environment. But if clearing of forests for agricultural activities can prove more profitable, will such efforts be effective?

The project aims to support small-scale farmers in the project area in their efforts to adapt their farming practices to anticipated climate change and to enhance their incomes.