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The climate and environment sector has a remarkable track record of using scientific methods to identify challenges and assess policy pathways. However, some areas of the sector have been slower to adopt rigorous impact evaluation methods and use them to compare different policy options, delaying identification of the most impactful, cost-effective, and scalable interventions. Where can these tools make the biggest difference, and how can they help achieve climate and environmental objectives while improving the welfare of people living in poverty?

To explore these questions, IPA’s Climate & Environment Program (CEP) published its first Research and Learning Agenda. The document outlines five priority objectives where research and collaboration can identify solutions that deliver measurable benefits for both people and the planet. Building on IPA’s work in countries such as Mexico, Kenya, and the Philippines, as well as consultations with researchers, practitioners, and funders, the agenda is a call to action and for collaboration to co-create and apply evidence.

Five Priorities for Evidence and Action

1. Protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources while supporting sustainable livelihoods

The alarming scale of ecosystem and biodiversity loss demands urgent action, especially for the communities who depend on these resources. Promising strategies—such as Payment for Ecosystem Services, agroforestry, and community-based forest management—have been proposed to protect nature and support livelihoods. Through rigorous research, CEP aims to identify the most impactful, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for conserving ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources, and that benefit vulnerable communities.

2. Reforming food systems for triple wins of increased incomes, resilience, and sustainability

Agriculture is a major channel through which climate change affects poor households, and it is also a leading driver of emissions and deforestation. Climate-smart agriculture presents integrated approaches that help farmers and fishers adapt to climate shocks while reducing environmental impacts. However, persistent challenges remain with adoption, scaling, and measuring long-term effectiveness.

3. Reducing the vulnerability of low-income populations to climate shocks

Low-income populations face high exposure to climate hazards. Rigorous evaluations are critical for ensuring that tools—whether financial products, social protection, nature-based solutions, or early warning systems—actually reach those most at risk and effectively reduce their vulnerability.

4. Supporting the clean energy transition with co-benefits to the poor

Transitioning to clean energy (e.g., off-grid solar, improved cookstoves, clean transport) can bring co-benefits like better health and lower energy costs. Yet adoption barriers persist in underserved communities. Reforms must include support to avoid adverse impacts. Rigorously testing different approaches is essential to achieve the clean energy transition and ensure it delivers real progress for everyone. 

5. Advancing sustainable urbanization in low-income countries and neighborhoods.

Urban systems play a critical role in climate mitigation and sustainable development, with urbanization presenting both opportunities and risks. Studies can also help us understand how green infrastructure, better public services and transport, and pollution control can improve outcomes for cities and low-income neighborhoods.

Exemplifying IPA’s approach to advance this agenda

One example of IPA employing its evidence-based and experimental approach to protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources while supporting sustainable livelihoods is Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), which IPA has identified as a Best Bet. A study in Uganda suggests PES reduced deforestation by almost half while maintaining household incomes. Follow-up research in Mexico tested a contract model that made the program more than four times as cost-effective. CEP is now supporting the development of new projects with researchers and partners across Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, and other countries to understand how to make PES more impactful and scalable.

Join us

This agenda is a launchpad, not a fixed roadmap, and it calls on researchers, donors, and development practitioners to help close knowledge gaps and turn proven ideas into action. Our commitment is to build a global, evidence-driven response to climate and environmental challenges— one that is shaped by, and delivers for, the needs and realities of people living in poverty. Across all five priority objectives, CEP partners with researchers, governments, implementing organizations, and funders to design, test, and scale evidence-based solutions. If you have the same commitment, we want to work with you.

Read the full Research and Learning Agenda
Contact us at cep@poverty-action.org