Policy and research Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email RESOURCESPOLICY AND RESEARCH To tackle the root causes of poverty and conflict, we need to understand them. Through research and learning from our partners’ work on the ground, Tearfund and collaborators seek to understand what works well, with whom, where, and under what conditions. We use this evidence to make policy recommendations for governments and other decision-makers, as well as to inform and influence our partners’ work. We have priority areas for our global advocacy but we also support partners to conduct research and develop recommendations on a wider range of issues. As well as our working directly with policy-makers, we also work with individuals and churches across the world who are taking action and making their voices heard by global leaders. Key policy areas vision for change Recent successes in alleviating poverty have often come at the cost of our natural world. We see a way forward to enable everyone to prosper. This requires not just the actions of governments, but all of us. See more Circular economy Our work on sustainable economics considers how to have an economy that enables everyone to meet their basic needs, ensures we all live within our environmental limits and keeps inequality from getting out of hand. See more Climate and Energy The effects of climate change include food insecurity, ill health, and more extreme weather – all of which hit the poorest hardest. Clean energy solutions can tackle both climate change and poverty together. See more Search by issue CLIMATE & ENERGY CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOOD SECURITY GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION WASH HEALTH HIV/AIDS TOURISM Latest research The Burning Question – will companies reduce their plastic use? This report focuses on the actions and responsibilities of four of the world’s biggest plastic polluters: CocaCola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever. These companies continue to sell billions of products in single-use bottles, sachets and packets in developing countries. And they do this despite knowing that: 1) waste isn’t properly managed in these contexts; 2) their packaging therefore becomes pollution; and 3) such pollution causes serious harm to the climate and people’s health. In this report, we present the first estimates of the greenhouse gas emissions created by the open burning of each company's plastic waste in six focus countries. The challenge is clear: companies need to step up the pace and scale of their action on plastic, the burning question is: are they up to it? Read the full report here You can also read the executive summary report here. Ageing in Rwanda – challenges and opportunities for church, state and nation In Rwanda, the proportion of the population aged over 65 is set to become three times larger in the next 30 years. This research highlights gaps in support for Rwandan older people and their unmet needs. The report looks at how the church might respond to those needs in partnership with NGOs, the Rwandan government, and civil society. What will be required to ‘leave no one behind’ when it comes to populations that are rapidly ageing? Read the full report here How the church contributes to well-being in conflict-affected fragile states: Voices from the local church In some countries the local church is one of only a few remaining institutions that addresses people’s holistic well-being. This research by Tearfund and the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide (CCCW) investigates the motivations, responses and responsibilities of churches in seven fragile states: Burundi, CAR, DRC, Iraq, Myanmar, South Sudan and Syria. It also sought churches’ own perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead. The findings will enable Tearfund and CCCW to better support the local church to be a channel of hope in conflict-affected fragile states. Read the full report here You can also read the summary report here. No time to waste – The plastic pollution crisis Plastic pollution is damaging the health and livelihoods of millions of people living in poverty. This report outlines the problem – the huge recent increase in the distribution of single-use plastics across the globe to countries lacking the capacity to collect and manage waste. And it presents the solutions: while developing country governments and citizens around the world play an important part, primary responsibility lies squarely with multinational corporations and developed country governments to invest in systemic change. Read now The full report is also available in Portuguese, while the executive summary of this report is available in French, Spanish and Portuguese. Transforming electricity markets The private sector is leading the way on delivery and innovation for off-grid electricity, but market forces alone won't reach people living in extreme poverty. This discussion paper examines the role that multinational development banks can play in redesigning electricity markets to scale up finance for off-grid renewable energy and accelerate progress towards energy access for all. Read now contact us If you would like to get in touch with the Policy team, please email policy@tearfund.org.