Rio+20 Compilation Document

All submissions to the UNCSD Compilation Document are now searchable on the webpage.

Biodiversity Across Sectors

"Review of the biodiversity requirements of standards and certification schemes: a snapshot of current practice" considers 36 environmental standards, sampled from eight business sectors and aims to provide an understanding of the treatment of biodiversity across sectors, highlight commonalities and differences, and help businesses and funding agencies to improve their internal processes.

UNIDO: 14th General Conference

The UN Industrial Development Organization's (UNIDO) General Conference concluded with the adoption of decisions and resolutions on, inter alia:
- Strengthening UNIDO Activities in Energy and Environment;
- Youth Employment; Knowledge Networking and Knowledge Sharing for Achieving Development Goals; and
- UNIDO Activities in the Field of Industrial Policy with a View to Promoting Social Inclusion.

French language information regarding Rio+20

For French language announcements, the Médiaterre portal on Rio+20 is a useful reference to UNCSD (Rio+20)-related events, policy developments, publications and new initiatives. This site, sponsored by La Francophonie (OIF), has been publishing news on sustainable development issues for the Francophone world since 2002.

EU/Fisheries Ministers

EU Ministers for Fisheries have reached an agreement to regulate fishing opportunities and promote sustainable management in the Black Sea through inspection schemes and benchmarks to address the misreporting and illegal fishing for turbot. The Commission also briefed Ministers on its proposal for a regulation regarding countries allowing non-sustainable fishing setting out a mechanism that will:
- ensure that the measures will be proportionate;
- guarantee respect of international law;
- allow third countries concerned to be heard and to have an opportunity to rectify their action;
- empower the Commission to adopt measures; and
- allow a rapid termination of the measures whenever appropriate corrective actions have been adopted.

Council Conclusions

Global Forest Loss

FAO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation have published a report titled "Mountain Forests in a Changing World" bringing attention to the threats to mountain forests including increasing temperatures and wildfires, population growth and food and fuel insecurity. It also calls on national policymakers to take the protection of mountain forests into account and integrate these concerns into climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.

UN/ECE: Sustainable Energy

The report of the 20th Annual Session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy is available at: http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pdfs/comm20/ECE.ENERGY.87_e.pdf

 

 

Vienna Convention/Montreal Protocol

Described as one of the most difficult meetings in the Protocol's recent history,

COP-9/MOP-23 adopted more than 25 decisions, including:

- a US$450 million replenishment of the MLF for the period of 2012-2014;

- issues related to exemptions;

- mitigation of ozone depleting substances (ODS) emissions from feedstock and process-agent uses;

- updating the nomination processes and recusal guidelines for the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP);

- the treatment of ODS used to service ships; and

- additional information on alternatives.

 

Decisions beginning on page 27

UN/EMG tackles green economy

"Working towards a balanced and inclusive green economy: A UN system-wide perspective” has been released by the UN Environment Management Group (EMG). The report was prepared by 40 UN entities, is the first inter-agency report on the topic and offers guidance to UN agencies and member States on coherently supporting the transition at international and country levels.

Rio+20: Last regional preparations

The Chairs' Summary of the UN/ECE Regional Preparatory Meeting for UNCSD (Rio+20)  has been transmitted to New York to serve as input for the 2nd Intersessional Meeting from 15-16 December 2011.

FAO: Renewed efforts for Plant Genetic Resources

The 2nd Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) has been adopted by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization, to accelerate the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR); and strengthen conservation and sustainable use of plants and seed systems through:
-  better management of crop diversity in farmers’ fields;
-  developing strategies to protect, collect and conserve crop wild relatives and wild food plants that are under threat,
- support use of a wider range of traits for plant breeding, and
- strengthen seed systems especially of locally adapted varieties.

Publication: Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

ITTA 2006 In Force

The International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 entered into force on 12 December 2011. With the ratification by the Government of Benin, the new agreement takes the place of its predecessor.

Press release

UNFCCC/COP-17

After extended weekend negotiations, COP-17 concluded with the adoption of the "Durban Platform," a set of decisions that lay the ground for adopting a legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, and no later than 2015.

All decisions

FAO: Climate Change and Wildlife

Focusing on tropical terrestrial wildlife and habitats, this report notes that the biodiversity crisis is likely to be made worse by climate change and explores issues related to:
- ecosystem change;
- species interactions;
- human-wildlife conflicts;
- wildland fires; and
- health and diseases.

As potential mitigating factors, it highlights goals related to:
- maintaining current ecosystems;
- adaptive management;
- restoring ecosystems; and
- landscape approaches.

The paper also calls for developing and communicating information on the value of species and ecosystems to humanity, describes the role of protected areas, and discusses mainstreaming biodiversity needs.

Publication: Wildlife in a Changing Climate

Costa Rica: Implementing CBD

The World Future Council (WFC) and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) have launched a new report titled Crafting Visionary Biodiversity Laws: Costa Rica’s Biodiversity Law 1998.

IPBES During Intersessional Process

An International expert workshop titled "Policy support through relevant tools and methodologies in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services convened in Bonn (Germany) from 7-9 December.

The workshop intended to stimulate new ideas and rationale on the IPBES policy support function and conceptual discussions arose on the relationships between the different policy tools (indicators, risk analysis and cost-benefit analysis, modelling and scenarios, assessments, networking) and the different policy functions (strategic policy development, policy implementation, policy evaluation, raising awareness) across the global, national and local scales.

Documents circulated and produced during the workshop are available at: www.bmu.de/ipbes

The next IPBES plenary session will be held in Panama City (Panama) on 16-20 April, 2012.

CMS/COP-10 Outcome

Delegates to the 10th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species adopted 29 Resolutions including on: synergies and partnerships; overview of the process regarding the “future shape” of CMS, budget, enhanced engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF); wildlife disease and migratory species; migratory terrestrial species; global programme of work for cetaceans; and bird flyway conservation policy.

New Approach to MPAs in ABNJ

A new report entitled "A legal scenario analysis for marine protected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction" is the product of a seminar using foresight methodologies to stimulate discussions on pathways to ensure efficient governance through strong, long-term and articulated strategies.

WHO: "Health in the Green Economy"

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a report on the health benefits of low-carbon transport measures, such as rapid transit, walking or cycling. Recommended strategies include:
- integrating urban residential and commercial areas through more compact land use;
- including health and equity costs in cost-benefit analyses of transport projects; and
- improving active transport, rapid transit and public transport as cost effective measures to mitigate GHG emissions.

The report further stresses that healthier transport can help close the health equity gap in low- and middle-income countries by:
- reducing air pollution;
- providing benefits to women, older adults, children, people with disabilities and lower income groups;
- reducing the need for biofuels and related threats to food security; and
- reducing the use of older, more polluting vehicles.

Report: Health Co-benefits of Climate Change Mitigation - Transport Sector

Japan (ICR) vs. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

According to media reports, Japanese whalers filed a lawsuit on December 8 in the US District Court of Seattle to prevent "acts of violence" by Sea Shepherd activists during this year's whaling operations in the Antarctic. In a statement, Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd, which operates the whaling vessels, said they had filed the lawsuit to establish legal protection of their ships and crews. A spokesman for the whalers said the lawsuit would only target violent activities and did not seek monetary compensation from Sea Shepherd, but did seek a permanent stop to the activists' actions. Sea Shepherd founder, Paul Watson, said the ships his organisation used in past years were not owned by Sea Shepherd USA, nor were they US-flagged vessels and thus, the US government and courts have no authority over the ships.

Joint Press Release from Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd

Cartagena Protocol: National Reports

The CBD Secretariat has has released the second national reports on implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as well as an interactive tool for information search and analysis of the reports. According to a notification, the Secretariat has received 124 reports to date, which are made available through the "Finding Information" section of the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH).

National Reports Website

Marine Biodiversity BBNJ

The IUCN Environmental Law Centre (IUCN-ELC) in collaboration with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) recently organized an international seminar with the objective of making substantive progress in the further development of ideas and concepts regarding recommendations from the 4th meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ). Three main issues discussed, amongst others, that play a key role in the BBNJ process included:
- Possible ways of sharing benefits from the utilization of marine genetic resources accessed in areas beyond national jurisdiction;
- Possible governance frameworks for the establishment and management of a network of Marine Protected Areas on the High Seas; and
- Possible role of and consequences for an UNCLOS implementing agreement.

The workshop report will be published at the beginning of 2012.

Background information and presentations

Gorilla Agreement/MOP-2

Delegates to MOP-2 of the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats discussed:
-  the outcomes of the International Year of the Gorilla (YoG) 2009;
- elected three experts in forest management and conservation, environmental law and wild animal health to the Technical Committee (TC);
- agreed on a draft reporting format; and
- adopted resolutions on institutional arrangements for the Agreement, the review of Action Plans, and cooperation on law enforcement.


Documents

FAO Report: Land and Water

"The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture" calls for improved efficiency of water use, better knowledge development and training, the integration of climate-smart production models, increased investment in agricultural development and harmonization of national policies and actions. It also includes examples of successful actions that may be scaled, as well as a broad typology of land systems at risk, including to climate impacts.

View into Rio+20

In a guest article for IISD-SDPP, Brice Lalonde, Executive Coordinator, UNCSD (Rio+20) discusses "Development and Environment: The Nexus".

Applying Ecosystem Services

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) has circulated a series of Ecosystem Services Economics Working Papers. The Papers, which are not formal publications of UNEP, aim to reflect the broad range of research activities on economics of ecosystem services, and to encourage discussion on ecosystem services economics among economists, scientists and policy makers.

Rio+20: Call for Action from Lawyers and Environmental Law Organizations

Following the 3rd Worldwide Conference of Environmental Law NGOs and Lawyers from September 29-1 October in Limoges (France), more than 300 environmental lawyers have submitted a "call for action" as their contribution to the preparation of the Zero Draft of the outcome document for UNCSD (Rio+20). Of special note, is the call for:

World leaders to commit themselves to negotiating new Conventions or similar instruments on the environment that respond to urgent needs in regard to health, preservation of biodiversity and human rights, namely :
- An international Pact on environment and development
- A Convention on protection of soils
- A Convention on environmental impact assessment that includes consideration of social and cultural impacts and impacts related to energy consumption
- A Convention regarding pollution of the oceans and seas from terrestrial sources
- A Convention on marine protected areas on the high seas
- A Convention on exploitation of offshore oil
- A Convention on landscapes
- A Convention on environmental protection in the context of armed conflict
- A Convention on ecological catastrophes
- A Convention on the legal status of persons displaced for environmental reasons

 

CMS/COP-10 Outcomes

Delegates to COP-10 adopted 27 resolutions, including on: synergies and partnerships; the future shape of the CMS; budget; enhanced engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF); and climate change and migratory species.

UNEP: EM Policy Series

This sixth issue is titled "Restoring the natural foundation to sustain a Green Economy: A century-long journey for Ecosystem Management,” and focuses on key actions for the transition period of the next 20 years, after UNCSD (Rio+20).

UNCTAD: Climate Change and Ports

The Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Challenge for Global Ports Building" has published its main outcomes and summary of discussions. The event builds on related activities carried out by the UNCTAD secretariat, including the first session of the Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport and Trade Facilitation in 2009 with a focus on "Maritime Transport and the Climate Change Challenge", and a Joint UNECE-UNCTAD Workshop on "Climate Change Impacts on International Transport Networks" in 2010.

ITTO Council 47th session

At this session, the Council considered:

- implementation of the Biennial Work Programme (BWP) 2010-2011, and activities to be included under the BWP for 2012-2013;
- the current status of implementation of the International Tropical Timber Organization Thematic Programmes,
- and the administrative budget for 2012.
- the status of the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession to the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA)

Although ITTO has made significant efforts to link its work with that of other forest-related multilateral environmental agreements, namely CBD, CITES and UNFCCC, the meeting was overshadowed by concerns over the long-term financial viability of the organization.

Decisions

9th Meeting of ACTO Foreign Ministers

The Ministers representing Member States of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) adopted a declaration to be forwarded to the UNCSD (Rio+20) and a "Manaus Commitment" pledging new actions for ACTO cooperation.

Birds and Power Grids

Two reports have been published highlightingt the impact of power lines on migratory birds in the African-Eurasian region.The two reports, titled Review of the Conflict between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids in the African-Eurasian Region and Guidelines for Mitigating Conflict Between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids make recommendations for mitigation measures to reduce bird mortality including legislative and policy actions.

Agrobiodiversity and Law: Regulating Genetic Resources, Food Security and Cultural Diversity

This new book analyzes the impact of the legal system on agrobiodiversity and the emergence of the concept and its relationship with food security, nutrition, health, environmental sustainability and climate change. It assesses the impacts of key legal instruments, discussing the interface between the free software movement, the 'commons' movement and seeds, and the role of protected areas.

ACTO: Declaration and Commitment

At their 11th meeting, the Foreign Ministers of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) countries adopted a declaration to be forwarded to the UNCSD (Rio+20) and a "Manaus Commitment" pledging new actions for cooperation.

Bukhara Deer MOU/1st Meeting

Meeting for the first time, Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bukhara Deer, committed to an Action Plan outlining increased efforts to, inter alia, pursue economic incentives to encourage people to manage natural resources sustainably, such as through sharing income from controlled hunting and eco-tourism.
Report and associated documents

FAO: REDD+ and Sustainable Agriculture

A new policy brief titled "Building bridges between REDD+ and sustainable agriculture:Addressing agriculture's role as a driver of deforestation" recommends, inter alia: promoting inter-sectoral policies; including integrated landscape approaches in the activities covered under different carbon finance funds; promoting evergreen agriculture, which combines agroforestry with conservation farming; reflecting on tenure rights, governance and other potential socioeconomic impacts during cross-sectoral REDD+ planning processes; and improving methods for landscape level carbon accounting.

Guide to Better Urbanization

As guidance to leaders of the world's cities, UN/DESA and partners released “The Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century,” Management strategies include coordination of the formal and informal sectors, city-scale rainwater harvesting and zero-waste applications. Some of the technological innovations highlighted include distributed renewable energy, smart city applications including remote sensing and smart grids, as well as analytical tools such as carbon-footprinting, eco-mapping and city sustainability dashboards.

Publication: Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century

Toward IPBES/SOP-2

In a guest article for IISD-BPP, Neville Ash, Chief of the Biodiversity Unit, and Coordinator of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Branch at UNEP discusses the work being done to operationalize the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

OECD: Interactive Tool for Policy Coherence

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched the “International Platform on Policy Coherence for Development (PCD)”  aiming to act as a “one-stop-shop” with four primary types of resources for users.
Website

Green Growth in Slovakia

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a working paper titled “Reaping the Benefits of a Transition to Greener Growth in Slovakia” describing changes necessary to move towards a green economy by fostering eco-innovation.

Biodiversity and the Bottom Line

The Natural Value Initiative, a collaboration between Fauna & Flora International and the UNEP Finance Initiative recently launched a new report titled: Tread Lightly exploring the risk and opportunity management of the extractive sector in regards to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Regulating Markets for Ecosystem Services

An international interdisciplinary conference on regulatory and institutional frameworks for markets for ecosystems services will be held at the School of Law, University of Surrey on 6-7 June 2012. The goal of the conference is to "enable outcome-oriented interaction between experts, innovators, and front-end users of these evolving market models to learn about recent progress, what strategies can be adopted to encourage cross-learning between different models for regulatory and institutional frameworks, and how to design new institutional and regulatory mechanisms that can help preserve ecosystem services."

Themes of the conference will include:

•Critiques of the latest concepts in developing markets for ecosystem services;

•Examination of international case studies on markets involving ecosystem assets and services;

•The consideration of questions regarding appropriate avenues of public participation in the design and operation of markets for ecosystems services;

•Identification of potential partners and investments associated with emerging markets for carbon, water management and biodiversity habitat;

•Considerations of the role of legitimacy, accountability and equity in institutional and regulatory design

•Proposals for new legislative or regulatory mechanisms that would place a price on ecosystems services and provide payments to preserve those services

•Identification of methodologies that highlight institutional and policy lock-ins that prevent markets in ecosystems services from working efficiently and equitably and suggestions for strategies for unpicking those lock-ins.

More information

Rio+20 Participation

The president of the 66th UN General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, emphasized the importance of small States' participation at UNCSD (Rio+20) in a statement to the Forum of Small States (FOSS).

Food Security and Climate Change

The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change, an independent commission of scientists, has released a summary for policy makers, including a set of seven recommendations calling, inter alia, for significantly raising global investments in sustainable agriculture, intensifying agricultural production on existing land base while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and reducing losses and waste in the food system.

CMS: Importance of Ecological Networks

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has published,  "Living Planet: Connected Planet - Preventing the End of the World's Wildlife Migrations through Ecological Networks" highlighing the importance of ecological connectivity and corridors, and the threats they face from human development, exploitation of natural resources and other factors. Therein, the authors suggest that the Mean Species Abundance, which measures both the diversity of species and their numbers, will decrease from 0.70 in 2000, to about 0.63 by 2050. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), this is equivalent to losing all fauna and flora in an area of 9.1 million square kilometers, approximately the size of the US or China.

During its launch at COP-10, Elizabeth Mrema, CMS Executive Secretary, also stressed the importance of international cooperation to manage large transboundary networks. Some of the largest countries are not Parties to the CMS, which creates challenges for protecting migratory species worldwide.

UN and ASEAN: Joint Declaration

On occassion of the 4th ASEAN-UN Summit, the organizations concluded a Joint Declaration on a Comprehensive Partnership including sections on: food and energy security; climate change; disaster risk reduction; and economy and development.

New Water Initiative

The Bonn2011: Water Energy Food Nexus Conference, brought together high-level stakeholders from the water, energy and food sectors in an effort to improve understanding of the interdependencies among these sectors and to develop a joint "Nexus perspective" to common and interlinked challenges. Among a number of commitments, the “International Water Stewardship Initiative” is a collaboration between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), WWF, and SAB Miller. It aims to encourage companies to take responsibility for tackling water problems, has €6 million in initial funding and is planned to run for six years.

IRENA: 2nd Council Meeting

Attended by 142 participants from 65 Member and Observer States, the Governing Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)  concluded its second meeting on 14 November. Among other items, the Council considered the draft Work Programme and Budget for 2012 and the draft Mid-term Strategy for 2012-2015, as well as the views and recommendations from the Governance and Legal Committee; Finance Committee; and Policy and Strategy Committee. Furthermore, the Council elected the UAE as Chair and Sweden as Vice-Chair for 2012. IRENA's Second Assembly will be held from 14-15 January in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Press Release

UNEP: Final Findings on Green Economy

Expanding on previous green economy publications resulting from a three year research effort, this last report is titled "Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication."

Green Economy and Trade

The Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on the Green Economy: Trade and Sustainable Development Implications was convened by UNCTAD and UNEP from 8-10 November focussing on the themes:

1. Moving beyond the green economy discourse
2. Transition to a green economy
3. Technology and finance
4. Trade issues in the green economy
5. Formulating a message to Rio + 20

More information and background documents

Ecosystem Management and Green Economy

The High-level International Forum on Ecosystem Management and the Green Economy, hosted by UNEP in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has issued a three-page communiqué recognizing the role of ecosystem management in the transition to a green economy and recommending actions to be taken at UNCSD (Rio+20).

APEC Ministerial Statement

In their Statement, Ministers attending the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) pledged, inter alia, to strengthen food security, promote green growth and advance sustainable development of oceans.

UN/S-G Adresses REDD+

Speaking at a news conference in Indonesia, Ban Ki-Moon stated that, while REDD+ is a win-win-win situation for local communities, Indonesia and the world, it is no substitute for deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in developed countries.
Full Statement

UNESCO: Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change

The proceedings of the high-level international conference titled "For life, for the future - Biosphere reserves and climate change," are now available. In the outcome document, the "Dresden Declaration," participants call for closer links among climate change mitigation and adaptation, poverty alleviation and the conservation of biological diversity. The Declaration was endorsed in November 2011 by the UNESCO General Conference.

CBD Quarterly Report

The Secretariat of CBD has published the 54th issue of the Quarterly Report on the Administration of the Convention, covering the period from 1 July-30 September 2011.

Peacebuilding and Natural Resource Management

UNEP and other partners have released a study titled “High-Value Natural Resources and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding,” as the first in a seven-volume series on post-conflict peacebuilding and natural resource management.
The first study highlights four recommended areas for international support:
- assisting post-conflict countries to secure better contracts with companies extracting natural resources;
- increasing the transparency of contracts, payments and decision-making;
- supporting the monitoring of companies that are extracting natural resources; and
- encouraging strategic planning for and accountability in using the revenues from natural resources to provide immediate peace dividends to war-torn populations, through investment in infrastructure, health, education and economic diversification.

More information

Post-Conflict Assessment of Rwanda

The UNEP-led comprehensive, national-scale report titled "Rwanda: From Post-Conflict to Environmentally Sustainable Development," analyzes the most pressing environmental issues and offers a series of interventions that would help the country accelerate its sustainable development agenda. It urges, among other things, to create opportunities for a transition towards a green economy including reinforcing policies and investments in large-scale ecosystem rehabilitation, renewable energies, sustainable agriculture and agroforestry. Total cost of the recommendations proposed in the report is estimated to be $US147.35 million.

IMO: Measuring Impact of Energy Efficiency Measures

Ahead of UNFCCC/COP-17, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) launched a commissioned study titled "Assessment of IMO mandated energy efficiency measures for international shipping," which reports that implementation of the measures will enable significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from ships, specifically reductions of carbon dioxide. Main findings include that:
- by 2020, an average of 151.5 million tons of annual carbon dioxide reductions would result from the introduction of the measures;
- by 2030, these reductions will increase to an average of 330 million tons annually;
- carbon dioxide reduction measures will result in a significant fuel consumption reductions, leading to savings in fuel costs to the shipping industry; and
- mandatory application of the measures will lead to more energy-efficient ship design.
The IMO regulations represent the first-ever mandatory energy efficiency measures for an international transport sector.

Insights Prior to CMS/COP

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, together with Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister of the Environment, have published an article on the current status of migratory species, ahead of CMS/COP-10.

Mountain Partnership Holds Regional Meetings

Experts from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Mongolia and Tajikistan recently convened at a meeting on "Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Development in Mountain Regions" exploring how best to address evidence of climate change impacts on mountain regions in international discussions. Participants highlighted impacts on agriculture, stressing that the climate change negotiations do not adequately consider mountain ecosystems and populations and identified priority challenges and strategic actions related to:
- branding and better communicating the global importance of Central Asian mountains;
- advocating for mountain states to act as one;
- consideration of a variety of renewable energy sources including the advantages and disadvantages of hydropower;
- sustainable use and management of water resources;
- collection of monitoring data and strengthening networks;
- efforts to combat forest degradation;
- identifying appropriate financial mechanisms for climate adaptation;
- improvement of grazing areas; and
- risk prevention of natural disasters.

The meeting is part of a series of three regional meetings on adaptation and development in mountain regions hosted by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. The meeting for the Latin American region was held in Chile in October 2011, and the meeting for the African region will be held in Mbale (Uganda) from 16-18 November 2011.

Mountain Partnership Meeting Website

Green Economy and Rio+20

UNCTAD has released the second volume of "Roads to Rio+20," a collection of essays on the green economy, focusing on potential pathways for governments to enable a green economy in accordance with their respective development priorities.

41st GEF Council

Meeting from 8-10 November, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council approved its work programme for the next year and initiated the search for a new CEO. The work programme includes 40 project concepts and nine programmatic approaches amounting to US$516.40 million, including 11 for the biodiversity focal area, eight on climate change, two on international waters, 23 on land degradation, and five on persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Among administrative decisions, the Council evaluated administrative fees, expenses and project management costs and decided to establish a group of donors and recipients to prepare a proposal to reduce the total cost of the fee structure of GEF projects for the next Council meeting. The Council also approved minimum standards on environmental and social safeguards for GEF Agencies.

Members also discussed strengthening relationships with other conventions and adopted a decision asking the Secretariat to organize a meeting of biodiversity-related conventions with the Secretariat of CBD to facilitate the coordination of their priorities for inclusion in the GEF-6 programming strategy.

Chair's Summary
41st GEF Council Meeting Website

CBD: Preparations for COP-11

The 15th meeting of the CBD's Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) considered, among other items, a draft set of indicators for monitoring implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and measuring progress towards the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Participants also adopted the following eight recommendations to be forwarded to the COP-11:1) draft capacity-building strategy for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI);
2) indicators and other tools and guidance for assessing progress in implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020;
3) ways and means to support ecosystem restoration;
4) proposals on ways and means to address gaps in international standards regarding invasive alien species (IAS) introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food;
5) implications of changes in the water cycle and freshwater resources for the implementation of the work programmes on inland water biodiversity;
6) the sustainable use of biodiversity, including revised recommendations of the Liaison Group on Bushmeat, options for small-scale food and income alternatives, and a report on how to improve sustainable use in a landscape perspective;
7) Arctic biodiversity; and
8) ways and means to improve SBSTTA effectiveness.

The draft capacity-building strategy for the GTI will be considered by SBSTTA-16 scheduled for 30 April-4 May. The other recommendations will be submitted to COP-11, to be held from 8-19 October 2012, in Hyderbad (India).

ISD RS Coverage of Meeting

Rio+20: Rescheduled?

According to reports from the UNCSD Bureau, the President of Brazil has proposed new dates for UNCSD (Rio+20). They have already been discussed with the UN/S-G and he has expressed his support. Discussion on the new dates for the PrepCom (13-15 June) and for the Conference (20-22 June) now shifts to the UN/GA's 2nd Committee where Member States are already negotiating the precise 'modalities' of the Conference. It is presumed that the proposal will be accepted, as it comes at the request of the Host Country.

Rationale given for the change of dates is to "ensure opportunity for participation at the highest possible level" coinciding with the next G20 Summit in Mexico from 18-19 June, 2012 and to avoid overlap with commitments of Commonwealth Members to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

More information

EC: Evaluation of GMO Legislation

As part of an ongoing review launched in 2009, the European Commission has published two commissioned reports evaluating the EU's legislative framework on the cultivation of GMOs, and on GMO food and feed. While concluding that there is general support for the legislation's main objectives, including the protection of health and the environment, both reports also point to necessary adjustments to increase overall efficiency. Such adjustments include:
- the need to further harmonize risk assessment processes;
- the need for more flexibility on GMO cultivation;
- compilation of technical information on the socio-economic implications of GMO cultivation;
- reinforcement of monitoring activities;
- assessment of new plant breeding techniques; and
- addressing the technical problem of low level presence of unauthorized GMOs.

Reports: Evaluation of the EU Legislative Framework in the Field of Cultivation of GMOs]  Evaluation of the EU Legislative Framework in the Field of GM Food and Feed

Identifying Environment-Species Links

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Data Portal has contributed to a study of over 300,000 mammal records from the US to assess the importance of climate and land cover on species presence at various scales. In a paper published in PloS One, the study's authors suggest that these findings are critical to understanding how to design protected area policies and wildlife corridors.
GBIF Press Release

Forest Sector and Climate Change

FAO and the National Forest Programme Facility have released a publication titled, "Climate Change for Policy-Makers: An approach for integrating climate change in forest programmes in support of sustainable forest management." The aim is to assist senior officials in government administrations and representatives of other stakeholders in preparing the forest sector for the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. 

New Publication on Biodiversity Law and Policy

The World Future Council (WFC) and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) have published a new report entitled “Crafting Future Just Biodiversity Laws andPolicies”. It includes a survey of the world’s best biodiversity laws from Costa Rica, Norway, Bhutan and South Africa, as well as an analysis of successful sectoral biodiversity policies which address marine, forest and agricultural biodiversity.

West African Black Rhino Extinct

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the subspecies officially extinct on 10 November 2011, while warning that other species and populations of rhino also are on the brink of extinction as a result of rampant poaching. In reaction, John Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES, has called for a more assertive multilateral approach to prosecute the organized crime groups behind illegal trade in rhino horns.

UN Press Release

FAO: World Aquaculture Report

A new report from FAO titled "World Aquaculture 2010" finds that aquaculture continues to be the fastest-growing animal food producing sector; currently accounting for nearly half (45.6 percent) of the world’s food fish consumption, compared with 33.8 percent in 2000. Among the findings, it is recommended, that as the sector further expands, intensifies and diversifies, it should recognize relevant environmental and social concerns, and make conscious efforts to address them in a transparent manner, backed with scientific evidence.

UNESCO: New Biodiversity Initiative

This interdisciplinary initiative aims to allow UNESCO to cooperate with other members of the UN system through the ‘One UN initiative for Biodiversity’ in support of efforts by governments to implement their biodiversity commitments and to strengthen the intergovernmental science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services. It will contribute to UNESCO’s efforts towards building inclusive, green societies and economies by investing in human development and social capital – one of the main themes at UNCSD (Rio+20).
UNESCO Biodiversity Initiative Website

ITTC-47 Outcomes

Delegates to the 47th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) reduced the proposed 2012 administrative budget down from an increase of 12.55% over the 2011 budget, to an increase of 3.95%. The Council also reviewed the status of the deposit of instruments to the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) 2006, and considered the transition to move to this Agreement, as it is expected to go into force in 2012, with only 12 accessions still needed to reach the threshold. Among other issues, discussions touched on recent shifts in the worldwide patterns of imports, and on the Organization's links to CBD, CITES and UNFCCC.

IISD-RS Coverage

CBD and IUCN: Invasive Species Cooperation

The CBD Secretariat and IUCN have signed a supplementary agreement for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 on invasive species. Therein, it is agreed to cooperate to promote the achievement of Aichi Target 9, which calls for, by 2020: identifying and prioritizing invasive species; controlling and eradicating priority species; and implementing measures to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment.
CBD Communique

EEA: Ecoystem Capital Accounting

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report titled “An experimental framework for ecosystem capital accounting in Europe," which highlights accounting balances and relationships between accounting tables and systems, as well as key indicators and aggregates that describe economy-ecosystem interactions. Ecosystem accounts are being developed as part of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounts, aimed at supplementing the UN System of National Accounts with information on the environment and natural capital.

INC-3 on Mercury Instrument

At the 3rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC-3), delegates conducted negotiations on the new draft text (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg.INC.3/3), and requested the Secretariat to compile a revised draft text based on the plenary negotiations, the reports of the INC-3 contact groups and the work of the Legal Group. Remaining divisions on issues such as financing and control measures underscored the need for flexibility and serious compromise, which is needed prior to the 27th UNEP Governing Council in 2013 where negotiations are supposed to be concluded.
IISD RS Coverage of Meeting

Nagoya Protocol: Corrections to French Version

The UN Secretary-General, acting as depository of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), has circulated a list of additional corrections to the French version of the original text of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS). A CBD notification (in French) lists the proposed corrections. Objections must be communicated to the Secretary-General by 30 January 2012.

Tropical Fisheries and Climate Change

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has released a publication titled “Vulnerability of Tropical Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture to Climate Change," with contributions from 88 international scientists and fisheries specialists and a final chapter setting out possible adaptation strategies.

CITES and GEF?

In a statement during the 41st meeting of the GEF Council, John Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES, highlighted benefits that could result if the GEF were the Convention's financial mechanism.

CCAMLR: Annual Meeting

At its 30th annual meeting, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) adopted measures to: - fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by making ship identification numbers of the IMO mandatory for toothfish vessels licensed to fish in the area;
- create marine protected areas (MPAs) based on a general framework; 
- enhance the management of krill fisheries by extending the transhipment notification system to krill vessels; and
- establish a dedicated CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme Fund.

CCAMLR Website

G20 Cannes Summit

The G20 Leader's Summit concluded with the adoption of a declaration titled "Building our common future: renewed collective action for the benefit of all,” which includes a section on "Fostering Clean energy, Green Growth and Sustainable Development." with commitments to:- promote low-carbon development strategies for green growth and to ensure sustainable development;
- welcome the UN Secretary-General’s “Sustainable Energy for All” (SE4ALL) initiative; and
- support the development and deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency (C3E) technologies.

They further commit to the success of UNCSD (Rio+20), noting it will provide an opportunity "to mobilize the political will needed to reinsert sustainable development at the heart of the international agenda." Leaders also underline the opportunities created by green growth in new industries and in "areas such as environmental services, renewable energy and new ways to provide basic services to the poor."

CBD and Article 8(j)

The Ad hoc Open-ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions adopted eight recommendations and made progress on additional issues. However, it faced difficulties addressing three key topics, and did not tackle the issue of revising the CBD terminology from "indigenous and local communities" (ILCs) to “indigenous peoples and local communities” and implications for the Convention’s work. The recommendations will be submitted to COP-11 in October 2012.
IISD RS Meeting Coverage

ICID+19 Africa

Approximately one hundred participants, scientists and policymakers from Africa, Brazil, Argentina and France, as well as representatives from international organizations, met in Niamey (Niger) from 24-25 October, at the “Fight Against Desertification in Africa” conference, also known as ICID+19 Africa. Over the two days, participants discussed the situation of dryland regions (arid, semi-arid and dry subhumid lands), with a special focus on Africa, and developed recommendations addressed to policy-makers in the Declaration of Niamy.

CITES: E-Permitting in Amazon States

A Regional Meeting on Electronic Information Management and Permitting under CITES agreed on the desirability of promoting regional cooperation among CITES and customs authorities on implementing e-permitting with help from the Secretariats of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and CITES, and the World Customs Organization. Attended by delegations from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, the new electronic systems will allow the harmonization of CITES and customs controls and data standards, while providing more efficient tracing of trade in wildlife products.
ACTO Press Release (Spanish)

Tiger Conservation Initiative

During its 80th Assembly, Interpol along with the World Bank and other partners launched Project Predator, an initiative to protect and save the world’s last surviving wild tigers by uniting the efforts of police, customs and wildlife officials in the 13 states in Asia. The program will commence with a meeting of senior police and customs officials from tiger range states, scheduled to be held in Bangkok (Thailand) from 13-14 February 2012.

CBD Emerging Issues

The CBD Secretariat has circulated the submissions received on proposed new and emerging issues for possible consideration by the SBSTTA. Comments are invited before 20 January, 2012.
CBD Notification
Submissions on New and Emerging Issues]

2011 Human Development Report

Titled "Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All,” the new report from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) highlights that equity and sustainability are inextricably linked and that if bold actions are not taken, environmental damage, including climate change effects, can slow or reverse development progress made in recent years. Among the findings, it also forecasts that inaction to curb environmental degradation could impact food prices and reverse development efforts, whil noting that half of all malnutrition in the word is due to environmental factors, such as water pollution.

Rio+20: IFSD Consultants' Report

Further to Decision 26/1* regarding "International Environmental Governance" adopted by the 26th UNEP Governing Council,  the Bureau for UNCSD (Rio+20) has now released the Consultants' Report on "Options for Broader Reform of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD): Structural, Legal, and Financial Aspects" as well "UNEP comments on the draft consultants' Study on IFSD."

*"Invites the Prepartory Committee for the United Nations Committee for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, in its consideration of the institutional framework for sustainable development, to consider the options for broader institutional reform identified in the Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome as a contribution to strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development by improving international environmental governance”; and

"Also invites the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development at its second session to initiate a full analysis of the financial, structural and legal implications and comparative advantages of the options identified in the Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome, using the expertise of relevant United Nations system entities, including the United Nations Environment Programme and relevant stakeholders and major groups eligible to participate in the Preparatory Committee".

UN/GA: 2nd Committee on Sustainable Development

The 2nd Committee concluded its general discussion on sustainable development (Agenda item 19), which covered sub-items including:- Implementation of Agenda 21 and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD);
- follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation (MSI) of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS;
- International Strategy for Disaster Reduction;
- protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind;
- implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD);
- the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
- the report of the Governing Council of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on its 11th special session;
- Harmony with Nature;
- sustainable mountain development; and
- promotion of new and renewable sources of energy (sub-items (a)-(j)).

The Committee will meet on 10 November 2011 to begin consideration of draft texts on these issues.

UN Press Release on Introductory Session, 31 October
UN Summary, 31 October
UN Summary, 1 November
UN Summary, 3 November
Draft Texts under Consideration

UN/GA Second Committee: General Discussions

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the UN General Assembly (UN/GA) has concluded its general discussion on sustainable development (Agenda item 19) covering ten sub-items, including on small island developing States (SIDS), climate change, disaster reduction, desertification, biodiversity, renewable energy, and implementation of Agenda 21. The Committee will meet on 10 November 2011 to begin consideration of draft texts on these issues.

Statement of UNGA President
Statement of Sha Zukang, Introducing UN Secretary-General's Reports
UN Summary, 31 October
UN Summary, 1 November
UN Summary, 3 November
Draft Texts under Consideration