Burkina Faso is a low-income country that has long been facing development challenges from existing stressors including climate change. Food security has been worsening across most countries in the Sahel region, but Burkina Faso has managed to improve its human development indicators, including reducing child mortality. This has been achieved in part through investing in women's access to universal health care, and in part through focusing on improved nutrition. Not surprisingly, there are considerable concerns that climate change may well negate these improvements.
Professor Elizabeth Robinson (second from right), Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE, with collaborators.
In June 2024, Prof. Elizabeth Robinson (Grantham Institute, LSE), Dr. Dasgputa (CMCC, Venice), Pamoussa Ouedraogo, Dr. Palamanga Ouoba (both Conseiller Technique du Ministre en Charge de l'action humanitaire et de la famille) and Alexander Bergh engaged in a multi-day writeshop on child health, food security, and the changing climate.
The research team co-developed and co-wrote a draft policy brief focused on how Burkina Faso can continue to improve health and socio-economic outcomes, despite a worsening climate. The GRI team is also preparing a proposal for funding to support focused work in Burkina Faso, and continuing to work together to develop a more granular evidence base and implement change.
©GRI and A. Gudmudsen
This collaborative work would not have been possible without the support of Global Academic Engagement team through the LSE Global Research Fund, the International Science Partnership Fund, and COST Action PROCLIAS.
If you are working on an international project and want to discuss how we can support you, contact GAE's Research and Alliances manager Dr Mengxi Pang and watch this space for the next call for applicants in 2024.