About the report:

Biodiversity loss is an urgent societal issue that disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Indigenous people and local communities (IP&LCs) have traditionally been the primary stewards of natural resources. Although the effects of exploitative resource extraction are felt most strongly by IP&LCs, they often receive far less than their share of resource-derived wealth.

There is increasing evidence that digital solutions can significantly improve the efficiency, responsiveness and efficacy of natural resource management (NRM) activities. However, current evidence on best practices for improving digital technology adoption among IP&LCs in natural resource management is fragmented, making it difficult for stakeholders to identify opportunities or replicate successes.

With this evidence gap in mind, the GSMA ClimateTech programme partnered with the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) programme to carry out new research exploring barriers and best practices for digital technologies designed to help communities in LMICs in their efforts to manage natural resources sustainably.

Drawing from desk research, stakeholder consultations and lessons learned from three case studies in Asia and Africa, this report presents common challenges faced when designing digital solutions for NRM and recommended steps for developing new ones. This initiative was funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Watch the report launch webinar