Forest degradation, deforestation and agricultural production contribute to almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ways in which agricultural and forest lands are managed are critical for climate change mitigation, global food security and achieving the sustainable development goals. To reach emissions reduction targets, while avoiding negative effects on food security and other human well-being outcomes, there is an urgent need to develop effective policies and programmes in the land use and forestry sector. To develop these effective evidence-informed programmes and policies, the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), a Partner in GFAR, with support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), created an evidence gap map (EGM) to take stock of the existing evidence on the effects of interventions in the agriculture, land use and forestry sector.

To view the Evidence gap map brief Mapping what we know about the effects of agriculture, land-use and forestry programmes, click here. 

Evidence gap maps (EGMs) are an important tool for informing strategic policy, programme and research priorities. EGMs consolidate what we know about what works in particular development sectors or thematic areas.

They provide a visual display of completed and ongoing systematic reviews and impact evaluations in a sector or sub-sector, structured around a framework of interventions and outcomes. EGMs are a useful tool for development decision makers, researchers and donors  looking for evidence to inform programme investments and identify where there is an urgent need for more research or rigorous evaluation.

3ie’s interactive online platform allows users to explore the evidence included in a particular EGM, including links to each included study and review.

To know more about evidence gap maps and how to conduct them, click here.

Following is a selection of other new 3ie publications:

Evidence gap map report: Science, Innovation, Technology and Partnerships and State Society Relations

Policy Brief: What is the evidence on smallholder agriculture interventions in Africa?

Scoping paper: Assessing the evidence base on science, technology, innovation and partnerships for accelerating development outcomes in low- and middle-income countries

Systematic review technical report: Effects of certification schemes for agricultural production on socio-economic outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

Working paper: Evidence gap maps: a starting point for strategic evidence production and use

To read 3ie's latest news and events, access the April 2017 newsletter here. 

Photo credit: 3ie