Discounting future flows is a critical step in Cost Benefit or Cost Effectiveness. Many institutions still use relatively high discount rates, which might not be applicable to projects where benefits-or costs- will happen way in the future in a world of rapidly declining cost of capital. Is it time to reconsider discount rates estimates for development projects, particularly in … [Read more...] about In the long run we are all dead
Climate Change
Climate change and agriculture, a hot topic
By: Juan José Miranda* Climate change is one of the most interesting topics as we face an uncertain but certainly warmer future. According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the temperature may rise by as much as 4.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, with an expected value between 2.5-3.0 degrees. On this there is consensus, but the consensus on … [Read more...] about Climate change and agriculture, a hot topic
A practical guide to evaluate forest conservation policies
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in its latest State of the World Forests estimates that the rate of deforestation remains “alarmingly high.” In some regions such as Latin America or Africa it averaged 0.5% per year over the last decade. Latin America contains over half (57%) of the world’s primary forests. In the last twenty years, … [Read more...] about A practical guide to evaluate forest conservation policies
Indicators to assess the effectiveness of climate change projects
Determining reasonable indicators for mitigation and adaptation climate change projects is complex. Actions taken now are often designed to have an impact in the uncertain and distant future and may not directly affect climate change, but be taken as a step to prepare for future actions. In addition, there is a spectrum of projects, from the pure climate change-focused … [Read more...] about Indicators to assess the effectiveness of climate change projects