On March 1st the UK Department for International Development (DFID) released the report UK Aid: Changing lives” delivering results” highlighting a variety of RRI's core focus areas” such as tenure and land rights” deforestation” and the effects of climate change.

With forewards by Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg” the report outlines the DFID priorities for 2011 and the strategies that will be used to make forest tenure goals a reality. Most notably:

Give people the right to their land (Page 7)

“Millions of people around the world do not formally own the land on which they live and work. Many more lack basic rights over the buildings and tools they rely on to make a living. At best” this makes it difficult to plan and save for the future. At worst” it means the poorest are at risk of losing their land or property. The genocide in Rwanda left a legacy of land disputes as people returned to their villages and homes. We are helping to map boundaries through aerial photography so communities can agree land ownership amongst themselves. This will help give at least 6.4 million people the paper deeds to their land” half of whom will be women.”

Helping poor people fight and deal with climate change (Page 23)

DfID pledges to…

• Help millions of poor people protect their lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change

• Support poor countries to develop in ways that avoid or reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases

• Help millions of poor people secure clean energy

• Give more protection to the world’s forests and the 1.2 billion people who depend on them

Tackle deforestation (Page 24)

“We will reduce carbon emissions from loss of forests by supporting countries to manage their forests better and tackle illegal logging. We will help people who depend on forests for a living to secure rights to the land they live on” and rights over the things they need.”

Read the report in its entirety here.