Izabella Koziell

Izabella Koziell is the former Program Director of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). She is currently Deputy Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

As Director for WLE, Izabella worked in Africa, Asia and globally as a development practitioner, negotiator, donor and thought leader on environment and development solutions. Based at the International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI) HQ in Sri Lanka, she led a global research-for-development program connecting 11 CGIAR centres, FAO and the RUAF Foundation.

Previously, Izabella spent ten years with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), where she led the Asia Regional Climate and Environment Unit in New Delhi, served as Lead Negotiator and Advisor for the Biodiversity and Desertification Conventions and as well as working at the Research and Evidence Division, and for DFID Kenya. In her earlier career she was Research Coordinator on Biodiversity and Livelihoods with the International Institute of Environment & Development (IIED), and as Environmental Management Advisor for the Lutheran World Service in Tanzania.

Content authored by Izabella Koziell

Blog Post
Blog Post
May 21, 2021
Agriculture and biodiversity conservation: five critical factors for success
Although agriculture remains the biggest threat to biodiversity, experience suggests we can produce more food on less land without overexploiting natural resources and degrading wildlife habitats. We explore five critical factors to ensure agriculture becomes a force for biodiversity conservation.
- Izabella Koziell
- Claudia Ringler
News
December 01, 2020
How to defuse the human waste time bomb in low-income countries
Fresh thinking is needed to achieve the UN's goals on adequate sanitation for all by 2030, says WLE Director in an Al Jazeera Op-Ed.
- Izabella Koziell
Blog Post
Blog Post
June 05, 2020
Earth’s land use crisis is also a global health crisis: We must include, integrate, incentivize
A radical and more equitable approach is necessary to keep up with the changing agricultural needs while tackling full blown climate, coronavirus and other crises.
- Izabella Koziell
- Charlie Worthington
Blog Post
Blog Post
December 12, 2019
Ethiopia has a Nobel Prize and a fast-growing economy. Can it also gain a food secure future?
In light of Ethiopia's Nobel Peace Prize and growing economy, it's a good time to examine prospects for long term food security, says WLE Director in a CNBC Op-Ed.
- Izabella Koziell
Blog Post
Blog Post
October 15, 2019
Our food systems are in crisis, and it's not just from climate change
WLE Program Director argues that we need to focus on natural resources in new Op-Ed in Scientific American. It is not only a climate crisis that we have on our hands; it is a full-blown planetary emergency, and agriculture is both a source and a potential solution.
- Izabella Koziell
2 comments
Blog Post
Blog Post
November 15, 2018
How agricultural research can navigate the perfect storm
Agricultural research faces a complex, interconnected and stormy world. Here’s what we can do face the storm.
Science Forum 2018
Blog Post
Blog Post
August 01, 2018
How to make wealth from waste on a crowded planet
Earth’s growing population is adding mountains of organic waste. Can businesses clean up and cash in?
Blog Post
Blog Post
May 16, 2017
Why is sustainability not yet second nature?
This week marks the launch of the new CGIAR research portfolio. Izabella Koziell, Program Director, lays out the ambitions of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE).
- Izabella Koziell
Blog Post
Blog Post
March 17, 2017
Five ways businesses can achieve the triple bottom line through sustainability
Businesses are becoming greener to attract consumers, but for some businesses that rely on natural resources to survive, becoming more environmentally friendly is not just a marketing ploy - it is a necessity.
- Johan Rockström
- Izabella Koziell
The Economist's Sustainability Summit 2017