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The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment showed that the loss of services from ecosystems (for example deforestation, soil degradation, water purification) is a significant barrier to globally reducing poverty, hunger and disease. Tackling this set of problems requires a combination of environmental science, ecological economics and political economy. The ESPA programme is a planned 7 year, £40.5m interdisciplinary research programme, funded in partnership by the Department for International Development (DFID) (£27m), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (£10m) and the Economic & Social Research Council (£3.5m). ESPA is also accredited by the Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) programme.
This programme will address key environmental vulnerabilities in areas of the world where poverty is worst. The aim is to find ways in which poverty can be reduced by accounting for regional variations in climate, weather patterns and land use without causing or worsening enduring environmental problems.