Practical Action is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries. Through technology we enable poor communities to build on their skills and knowledge to produce sustainable and practical solutions - transforming their lives forever and protecting the world around them. Practical Action's projects are organised under four programme themes: Energy access, Food and agriculture, Urban water and waste and Disaster risk reduction. Two cross-cutting themes are also present across our work: Climate change and Markets. The charity has wholly-owned trading subsidiaries: Practical Action Publishing Ltd comprises book and journal publishing and book and Practical Action Consulting Ltd providing high quality independent research and professional advice.