Newsletters

Celebrating WLE's Legacy

As many of you will be aware, the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) closed at the end of 2021. Reflecting back on the program’s ten-year journey, we can be proud of its many achievements and impacts. WLE worked in over 60 countries, with more than 300 partners and completed over 200 projects that directly benefitted millions of lives and improved environmental health across the Global South.

We developed practical and science-driven innovations that countries and farming communities can adopt to address critical development challenges and transition to more productive, sustainable and resilient food systems. Read more...

September 2021 Newsletter

As WLE approaches its final months, it has been encouraging to see our research reflected in both new initiatives that refine the research of One CGIAR in 2022-2030 and the coalitions emerging from last week's United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). This is a validation of our hard work over the past decade – and a recognition that WLE research offers proven solutions that can help to address critical water, land and ecosystem challenges now and in the future. Read more...

WLE webinar series in October 2021

Please join WLE and our partners as we host a series of webinars in October.

‘From Research to Resilience’ will discuss the critically important role research and innovation can play to enhance climate adaptation/mitigation, strengthen the resilience of food systems, protect ecosystems, and help ensure food, nutrition and water security for all.

Informed by the experience and insights of WLE and its partners, and the solutions the program has developed and refined over the past decade, the webinars will promote promising scientific innovations designed to protect climate-vulnerable ecosystems, communities and livelihoods. The tools and approaches to be discussed – which also prioritize the inclusion of women, youth and other marginalized groups – target critical challenges across the Global South such as land degradation, water scarcity and climate variability. Read more... 

June 2021 Newsletter

Over the past few months, we have been busy consolidating lessons from WLE's research – ensuring that our work continues to influence decision making, planning and investments as we transition to One CGIAR. Synthesis products now being developed will demonstrate science-driven, actionable innovations that countries and farming communities can adopt to address critical development challenges and transition to more productive, sustainable and resilient food systems. Read more...

March 2021 Newsletter

This is a pivotal year for the agricultural research for development community. Major events such as the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) offer a real chance to transform our food systems – so they become more sustainable and equitable and deliver affordable, healthy and nutritious food for all. WLE is contributing directly to UNFSS Action Track 3: Boost nature-positive productionwhere we are working with a broad range of partners to identify the solutions needed to optimize the conservation and use of environmental resources in food production. Read more...

Best of 2020 Newsletter

Last year was a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems. An unsustainable relationship with nature brings significant risks – as COVID-19 has illustrated. Unfortunately, as natural habitats continue to shrink, we will face many such greater risks moving into the future. 

The start of another year is often a time of reflection. After nine months of global disruption, we need to seriously reconsider our actions, change our behaviors and invest time and resources in new and creative ways of protecting and restoring the ecosystems that sustain life. Business as usual is no longer an option. Read More...

Building food systems and rural women's resilience in the wake of COVID-19

It is estimated that 150 million people could fall into extreme poverty because of the COVID-19 virus, potentially increasing hunger, and malnutrition for millions, including young people, smallholder farmers and the urban poor. This staggering number also includes the women who take their much-deserved turn in the international spotlight today as part of activities around International Rural Women’s Day 2020. The focus? Building resilience in the wake of COVID-19.  Read more...

September 2020 Newsletter

Five years ago, the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by 193 countries. They set out an ambitious plan to eradicate global poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 ensuring that "no one is left behind". Work to deliver on that commitment has reaped some rewards, such as improving maternal and child health, expanding access to electricity and increasing women’s representation in government. Yet with just ten years left, we still have a very long way to go, especially in terms of meeting the 'climate and environment' commitments. Read more...