Cecilia Luttrell’s main areas of research interest focus on access rights to natural resources, issues of livelihood vulnerability, poverty and adaptation, common property situations and the impacts of policy change on natural resource management and equity. In recent years she has been involved in the development of management and planning systems for land and forest use in Vietnam and Ghana.

Having studied Geography and Forestry, Cecilia’s PhD research examined natural resource use and institutional change in mangrove forest areas of Vietnam, concentrating on shifts in resource tenure and livelihood impacts. She came to ODI in August 2002, having worked at the Centre for Economic Research into the Global Environment at the University of East Anglia on a DFID funded research project to develop the social component decision support system for ecosystem based wetland management in the Mekong Delta. Cecilia has also worked for DFID in the Forestry Planning Department in Ghana, Wetlands International in Indonesia and various conservation and participatory community development projects in Ghana, Indonesia, the Cook Islands and Tanzania.

BA Geography, MSc (Forestry and its Relation to Land Use), PhD (Environmental Sciences). Cecilia has a basic knowledge of French.

Jump to: | Briefing Papers | Working Papers | Background Notes | Journal articles | Books | Others | Current Projects | Completed Projects

Briefing Papers and Natural Resource Perspectives
The implications of carbon financing for pro-poor community forestry ODI Forestry Briefing 14
The emergence of new financing mechanisms associated with the rise of carbon markets brings potential for increased investment in forestry. This paper explores the implications of these mechanisms for community forestry and suggests ways in which such finance may contribute to the pro-poor outcomes of community forestry. The paper also provides an opportunity for those working on the design of carbon financing mechanisms to draw on the experience of community forestry in structuring appropriate benefit systems. The main focus of the discussion is on 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation'(REDD).
Cecilia Luttrell, Kate Schreckenberg and Leo Peskett		December 2007
Can standards for voluntary carbon offsets ensure development benefits? ODI Forestry Briefing 13
Increasing concerns about climate change are fuelling growth in the market for carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are purchased by individuals and organisations from schemes that claim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere. This paper explores how emerging standards covering the voluntary carbon markets can address multiple aims of carbon offsetting and sustainable development and how they might be best designed to bring benefits for developing countries.
Cecilia Luttrell, Leo Peskett and Mari Iwata		July 2007
Ownership in relation to the Design of Verification Systems VERIFOR Briefing Paper 5
The paper examines some of the issues around the theme of ownership of verification systems, and the possible strategies for developing ownership.
Cecilia Luttrell		Jan 2007
Can payments for avoided deforestation to tackle climate change also benefit the poor? ODI Forestry Briefing 12
Avoided deforestation is a hot topic in climate change circles. Using financial incentives to reduce rates of deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries has much to commend it, as deforestation is a major contributor to climate change. It might also offer additional benefits, including protecting the livelihoods of forest dependent populations
Leo Peskett, David Brown and Cecilia Luttrell		November 2006
Making voluntary carbon markets work better for the poor: the case of forestry offsets ODI Forestry Briefing 11
The volume of private finance flowing through the voluntary carbon market has increased significantly over recent years, with an eight-fold rise from around five million to 43 million dollars between 2004 and 2005 alone (Capoor and Ambrosi 2006). A significant proportion of these funds is destined for the developing world. What is likely to happen to all this money? Will it be used to the benefit of the developing world, providing new opportunities for growth and poverty reduction, or will it be used to satisfy commercial and industrial interests in the north, to the detriment of southern interests?
Leo Peskett, Cecilia Luttrell and David Brown		November 2006
Public Goods and Private Rights: the Illegal Logging Debate and the Rights of the Poor ODI Forestry Briefing 9
This briefing paper applies a rights perspective to understanding legal and institutional reform of the tropical forest sector. The sector is characterised by strongly competing interests, and massive differences in the power of stakeholders to influence the application of the law. The regulatory regime governing the sector often discriminates against the poor. This is of particular concern in the context of donor- and industry-led initiatives to combat illegal logging. Upholding legal frameworks which already fail to accommodate local rights could compound injustices. A rights perspective focuses attention on the channels by which the poor can contest and uphold their claims in the face of national and international interests in the forest sector.
David Brown, Adrian Wells, Cecilia Luttrell and Neil Bird		February 2006
Forest Law Enforcement & Governance: The role of independent monitors in the control of forest crime ODI Forestry Briefing 5
Illegal logging is an issue of major national and international concern. Combating illegal logging depends on effective enforcement operations to ensure compliance and identify forest crime. Independent monitors have an important role in ‘monitoring the monitors’ and verifying legality. This briefing paper examines the part that external agencies can play in this work. Drawing on a number of recent experiences, consideration is given to the way in which independent monitoring might be structured, and some of the issues which need to be borne in mind when decisions are made as to what forms of monitoring to deploy.
David Brown, Cecilia Luttrell with Anne Casson, Rex Cruz and Tim Formeté		June 2004
Working Papers
Poverty Reduction Strategies and the Rural Productive Sectors: Insights from Malawi, Nicaragua and Vietnam ODI Working Paper 258
This paper looks at the treatment of rural productive sectors in PRSs – particularly agriculture but also, more briefly, tourism, forestry and fisheries.
Elizabeth Cromwell, Cecilia Luttrell, Andrew Shepherd and Steve Wiggins. Edited by Lidia Cabral		December 2005
Food Security and the Millennium Development Goal on Hunger in Asia ODI Working Paper 231
This report, commissioned by DFID. provides a rapid overview of food security issues in relation to the Millennium Development Goals in seven Asian countries.
Gerard J. Gill, John Farrington, Edward Anderson, Cecilia Luttrell, Tim Conway, N.C. Saxena and Rachel Slater		December 2003
Background Notes
The experience of election observers: lessons for the process of timber verification VERIFOR Comparative Case Study 6
As is the case with independent monitors in the timber sector, election observers are responding to an element of doubt over the functioning of a routine process. They act to check on the veracity of claims, to improve the performance of the managing institutions and the overall governance system, and increase the legitimacy of the operations under review. This VERIFOR paper's case study discussion covers key questions arising in the verification debate, namely that of how to promote independence and ownership over the system; and the implications of the activity for the promotion of a broader concept of good governance.
Cecilia Luttrell and Robert Nash		January 2008
Human Rights and Poverty Reduction. Public goods and private rights: The illegal logging debate and the rights of the poor Rights in Action Background Paper
Public goods and private rights: The illegal logging debate and the rights of the poor
David Brown, Adrian Wells, Cecilia Luttrell and Neil Bird		March 2005
The Experience of Independent Forest Monitoring in Cambodia VERIFOR Country Case Study 4
This is a case study from the VERIFOR Project: Institutional Options for Forest Verification
Cecilia Luttrell		July 2006
Journal articles
Institutional change and natural resource use in coastal Vietnam GeoJournal Volume 55, Numbers 2-4
Vietnam is currently undergoing a rapid economic and social transition involving the dismantling of the co-operative system and the official embracing of a market economy. The paper uses an institutional approach to examine adaptation to such changes in two coastal communes in mangrove forest areas.
Cecilia Luttrell		December 2001
Property rights and the utilisation of wetlands Ecological Economics 35 (2000) 75–89
This paper argues that successful conservation of wetlands is fundamentally determined by the institutions and property rights associated with resource management decisions. Thus an understanding of property rights regimes, the constraints which they impose on users of wetlands resources, and the distribution of benefits of use among users and non-users are essential if the economic values of wetland ecosystems and functions are to be realised.
Cecilia Luttrell and W.N. Adger		2000
Books
Adapting to Aquaculture in Vietnam: Securing Livelihoods in a Context of Change in Two Coastal Communities (details and order form) - Book chapter
Book chapter in Environment and Livelihoods in Tropical Coastal Zones: Managing Agriculture-Fishery-Aquaculture Conflicts
C.T. Hoanh (ed)		Jan 2007
Others
Budget support, aid instruments and the environment: The country context Tanzania country case study Report
This case study is part of the wider 'Budget support, aid instruments and the environment - The country context' study, which examines the linkages between environmental policies and outcomes, public expenditure on the environment and the influence of different modalities of development cooperation. In particular, the Tanzania case study reviews experience of the transferring of environmental priorities from national plans to budgets and goverment implementation in Tanzania
Innocent Pantaleo		March 2008
A way out of poverty? A review of the impacts of PFM on livelihoods Keynote paper
Over the last two decades the world has seen a wave of enthusiasm for participatory forest management (PFM), broadly defined as the involvement of local people in decision-making in some or all aspects of forest management. PFM has been implemented in many countries, often with significant donor support. While early interest in PFM centered on its ability to improve forest conservation, the current poverty reduction focus of the global development agenda has raised interest in the livelihood impact of PFM.
Cecilia Luttrell, Kate Scheckemberg, Pelin Zorlu and Catherine Moss		June 2007
DFID Country Programme Review: Vietnam Evaluation
Cecilia Luttrell, Jeremy Clarke, Julian Gayfer, Peter Landymore		May 2007
Operationalising Empowerment: A framework for an understanding of empowerment Report
This paper presents an overview of key empowerment principles. It covers different interpretations of power, and discusses the operational implications of these different interpretations
Cecilia Luttrell, Sitna Quiroz with Clare Scrutton and Kate Bird		March 2007
An analytical framework for understanding the political economy of sectors and policy arenas Report
This analytical framework provides a practical tool to guide DFID country office teams in designing and conducting analyses of the political economy of specific sectors and policy arenas.
Cecilia Luttrell and Joy Moncrieffe		2005
Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Reduction: A Review of the Evidence. Bibliography Report
The review uses a case study approach to understand the different forms of PFM that have been implemented around the world, and to evaluate how they have impacted on the social and economic aspects of the livelihoods of those who depend on forests. The report was prepared for the start-up workshop of the project: Action Research on Assessing and Enhancing the Impact of Participatory Forest Management on the Livelihoods of the Rural Poor.
Cecilia Luttrell, Kate Schreckenberg, Liz Thassim and Catherine Moss		April 2005
Review of Methodologies for the Assessment of the Poverty Impact of Participatory Forest Management - Bibliography Report
A report prepared for the start-up workshop of the project: Action Research on Assessing and Enhancing the Impact of Participatory Forest Management on the Livelihoods of the Rural Poor.
Cecilia Luttrell, Kate Schreckemberg, Liz Thassim and Catherine Moss		April 2005
Operationalising Norwegian People's Aid's Rights-based Approach Report
The aim of this review is to synthesise findings on the adoption of rights based approaches by international non-governmental organisations in order to inform Norwegian People’s Aid staff on how best to approach this issue.
Cecilia Luttrell, Laure-Helene Piron with Deborah Thompson		March 2005
Review of Independent Forest Monitoring Report
This study reports on a review of independent and external forest monitoring undertaken by the Forests, Environment and Climate Change Programme at the ODI, on behalf of DFID’s Policy Division
Cecilia Luttrell and David Brown		January 2005
Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities and Resource Management in Coastline Communes Facing Special Difficulties Report
What are the livelihoods and poverty issues facing coastline communes in Vietnam? How can poverty alleviation programmes best respond to them? This publication reports on research carried out for the Government of Vietnam to inform a new national programme supporting infrastructure development in coastal areas exposed to harsh conditions.
Cecilia Luttrell, Hoang Van Son, Ha Luong Thuan, Cao Tien Viet, Ngo Lan, Vu Dien Xiem, Dau Thi Le Hieu		2004
Gender and Social Protection Report
Cecilia was responsible for the gender report as part of a review of social protection for the Reaching the Very Poor Team, DFID.
Cecila Luttrell and Caroline Moser		September 2004
Understanding pro-poor political change: the policy process: Vietnam Report
This study analyses trajectories of change in the Vietnamese political system and their implications for pro-poor policy-making, drawing in particular on the central concepts of political tradition, institutions and regime type. A brief political history and a summary of patterns and trends in poverty reduction in the context of economic and social transformation set the scene.
Edwin Shanks, Cecilia Luttrell, Tim Conway, Vu Manh Loi and Judith Ladinsky		April 2004
An Institutional Approach to Livelihood Resilience in Vietnam PhD Thesis
Abstract Chapters 1 Introduction 2 Institutional Approach 3 Researching Resilience 4 Formal Institutional Change 5 Resistance 6 Context 7 Institutional Approach 8 Conclusions
Cecilia Luttrell		2001

Current projects
VERIFOR: Institutional Options for Verifying Legality in the Forest Sector
VERIFOR is concerned with the policy, institutional and legal challenges around the issue of illegal logging. It seeks to help tropical producer countries verify that their timber has been legally harvested...
David Brown, Cecilia Luttrell, Adrian Wells, Neil Bird, Kate Schreckenberg		February 2005 - January 2009
Budget Support, Aid Instruments and the Environment - The country context
Neil Bird and Cecilia Luttrell, together with ODI researchers Lidia Cabral and Andrew Lawson, will examine country experience of public expenditure on the environment and how this is influenced by development partners. Four country case studies, in Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania, will be undertaken and a synthesis report prepared.
Neil Bird, Cecilia Luttrell, Lidia Cabral and Andrew Lawson		July 2007 -February 2008
Evidence-based Policymaking in Vietnam
This project, funded by ODI's Civil Society Partnership Programme, aims to provide an understanding of the role of research institutes and think-tanks in policymaking in Vietnam and in so doing provides an understanding of the role of one specific element of civil society in a transition country.
Cecilia Luttrell and the RAPID team		2005 - Ongoing
Action Research on Poverty Impacts of Participatory Forest Management (ARPIP)
The overall objective of the proposed action research is to make participatory forest management (PFM) approaches more "pro-poor". PFM is taken to include community forestry, joint forest management, co-management and community-based forest management.
Cecilia Luttrell and Kate Schreckemberg		April 2005 - Ongoing

Completed projects
Review of Independent Forest Monitoring
Drawing on a number of recent experiences, consideration is given to the way in which independent monitoring might be structured, and some of the issues which need to be borne in mind when decisions are made as to what forms of monitoring to deploy
David Brown, Cecilia Luttrell and Research Associatesin Cambodia, Cameroon, Indonesia and the Philippines		January 2005
Understanding and addressing the constraints to and information needs for evidence based policy in Ghana
This 'collaborative project' between Civic Response and PDO aimed to provide case study material on, and improve ODI's understanding of, the ways in which environmental CSOs in Ghana use research to promote policy and ways in which constraints that they face in doing so can be tackled.
Cecilia Luttrell		July 2005 - September 2005
Support to Norwegian People's Aid on Rights-Based Approaches
Since the official adoption of a Rights-Based Approach (RBA), Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has engaged in discussions on how the approach can best be operationalised. This requires developing a consistent understanding of the approach across an organisation, identifying what needs to change and what can be built upon, including how to combine service delivery and a RBA, and developing a communication strategy and tools to put the approach into practice.
Cecilia Luttrell and Laure Helene Piron		Dec 2004 to May 2005
PRSPs and the Productive Sectors
PRSPs have poverty reduction as their goal, and yet rarely have productive sector strategies which match up to that goal. (Cecilia was responsible for the Vietnam case study research on this project)
Cecilia Luttrell		2004-2005
Developing an analytical framework for understanding the political economy of sectors and policy arenas
DFID are interested in the factors influencing pro-poor policy making, and in mapping the reasons why policies appear
Cecilia Luttrell and Joy Moncrieffe		2004 - 2005
Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities and Resource Management in Coastal Communes in Vietnam
This study was intended to demonstrate practical applications of the SL approach to poverty reduction and community development planning
Cecilia Luttrell		July - November 2004
Understanding pro-poor political change: the policy process in Vietnam
Study analysing trajectories of change in the Vietnamese political system and their implications for pro-poor policy-making, drawing in particular on the central concepts of political tradition, institutions and regime type.
Cecilia Luttrell		April 2004
Strategic Researchable Constraints in Participatory Forest Management
Participatory forest management (PFM) has been an important theme for DFID technical assistance for the last 15 years, but the subject of relatively little focused research.
Cecilia Luttrell and Kate Schrekenberg		2001 - 2002