Mike Riddell is a Founder and Managing Partner of The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group, bringing 16 years of experience in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects and programs. His expertise lies in applying rights-based approaches to NbS, fostering stakeholder engagement processes that integrate social and environmental safeguards, promote equity, and enhance rural livelihoods.

 

Mike has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) aligned with international standards and human rights frameworks. He has led teams across 26 countries and managed over 45 projects, crafting safeguard plans such as stakeholder engagement strategies, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols, livelihood restoration and improvement plans, and Environmental and Social Action Plans.

 

He has experience of working with artisanal fisheries, community forestry, rangeland management, sustainable hunting systems, carbon projects, conservation agriculture initiatives, and Protected Area establishment and management.

 

Mike’s work focuses on community-based initiatives, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. His recent efforts have centred on creating guidance for participatory approaches to safeguarding and improving rural jobs and livelihoods during the development of land and natural resource management plans, and the development of Best Practice Guidance and Protocols for co-design of NbS projects with local communities.

 

Mike is a certified ISO-14001 Lead Auditor, an Honorary Fellow at Edinburgh University, and sits on the Plan Vivo Technical Advisory Committee and the Verra Sustainable Development Advisory Group. He enjoys working closely with field-based project teams and companies aiming to improve social and environmental performance.

 

Qualifications

• DPhil Hunting and Rural Livelihoods in Northern Congo

• MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management

 

Languages

• English, French and Portuguese