Case studies

"Provides a set of case studies of asset-building projects around the globe aimed at designing and implementing public policies that will increase the capital assets of the poor. Highlights the ways in which poor households and communities can move out of poverty through longer-term accumulation of capital assets"--Provided by publisher.

Agricultural investments involving the acquisition of long-term rights over large areas of land in developing countries have been the focus of much debate in recent years. While many have welcomed the renewed momentum for private investment in agriculture, trends towards large-scale land acquisitions raise major social, economic and environmental concerns.

The surge in Chinese investments in Africa has brought about a flurry of questions expressing concern over their ecological impact in the host countries. till, the principles and implementation of environmental management by Chinese firms remains largely unknown. This work is an attempt to provide some insight on this subject, based on a case study in Chad, on a project that was initiated in 2009 by the leading Chinese petroleum firm, CNPC.

Concerns about food and energy security, coupled with increasing returns from agriculture, have increased interest in agricultural investments in developing countries. Public debates about 'land grabbing' have questioned the socio-economic impacts of large-scale land acquisitions. There is new interest in business models involving collaboration between companies and communities.