EC: Common Fisheries Policy Progress

The European Commission has published a report on progress achieved in the Common Fisheries Policy over the last few years and a proposed new method to determine fishing opportunities in EU waters in 2012. The document sets out how the Commission intends to act on the scientific advice it receives about the state of fish stocks when proposing catch limits and quotas for next year.

According to the Commission, the latest figures show that the state of fish stocks in European waters is slowly improving, but sufficient scientific data still is missing for the majority of the stocks, mainly due to inadequate reporting by member States. Therefore, the Commission will be using a new method for setting fishing limits, notably cutting levels where insufficient data exist.

The Commission's suggestions are the object of an online public consultation, open until 1 September and input will feed into its proposals for fishing opportunities for 2012. The proposals will be adopted in the autumn of 2011. The Commission’s suggestions also will be discussed at the Fisheries Council meeting scheduled on 28 June.

EU Press Release
Public Consultation Website

UNPFII/10th Session Outcomes

The 10th Session of the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues convened from 16-27 May and concluded with the adoption of a draft report, including eight consensus texts on a broad range of environment-related issues that will be brought to the attention of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for consideration. Among the texts, the Forum adopted a revised draft report on matters regarding follow-up to its recommendations on economic and social development, environment and free, prior and informed consent(document E/C.19/2011/L.2).

The report will be released at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/session_tenth.html#docs

G8: Deauville Declaration

The Leaders of the G8 met in Deauville (France), from 26-27 May to discuss, inter alia, green growth, climate change and biodiversity. The Summit concluded with the adoption of the G8 Declaration titled "Renewed Commitment for Freedom and Democracy."

G8/Africa: Joint Declaration

The Group of 8 and Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and the African Union Commission have adopted a joint declaration on “Shared Values, Shared Responsibilities,” addressing sustainable development, energy access, investment and agriculture.

International SIDS Conference

The Australian Government and the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)hosted a major  conference in Apia (Samoa) on “Lessons for Future Action – Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Small Island Developing States”, with over 120 participants from the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Oceans. 28 Island countries and 14 international and regional organisations were represented.  

More on the conference: http://www.sprep.org/article/news_detail.asp?id=931

The week culminated with a signing of a landmark MOU between SPREP and the 5Cs (Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre) to expand and strengthen joint work between the organisations and the Pacific and Caribbean regions on climate change.

More on on the MOU: http://www.sprep.org/article/news_detail.asp?id=932
 

2nd Africa-India Forum

Convened from 24-25 May, the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation ties in economics; science, technology, research and development; social development and capacity building; tourism; and infrastructure, energy and environment, among others. As outputs, the Forum adopted two documents: the Addis Ababa Declaration, in which the African Union (AU) and India agree to enhance their partnership to address global challenges; and a Framework for Enhanced Cooperation, which substantiates this commitment.

Council of Europe: Resolution on dangers of electromagnetic fields

The Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on 27 May titled: The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment.

GEF: Programme for Desertification and Food Security in Africa

According to IISD Reporting Services, the 40th meeting of the GEF Council, together with the 10th meeting of the Council of the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), has approved an integrated land-use programme to fund investments to address priorities set by 12 African countries in West Africa and the Sahel.

The new programmatic approach will address desertification and food security in Africa, including through a US$108 million project administered by the World Bank. Further commitments expected by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other international donors for related programming are expected to draw close to US$3 billion.

The programme includes the Great Green Wall Initiative, which will create a biological corridor along Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan. It also includes Benin, Togo and Ghana, which also have important savannah and forest systems linked to the Sahel/Sahara region.

The goals of the programme are to: expand investment in sustainable land and water management technologies in order to help communities adapt production systems to climate variability and change; improve land use planning; and improve climate and water monitoring network improvements, institutional cooperation within and across countries, and evidence-based policy development.

GEF Press Release

Carpathian Convention: COP-3

COP-3 to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, inter alia, adopted a protocol on sustainable forest management (SFM) seeking to identify, protect and maintain or enlarge forest cover as well as improve protective forest functions, such as preventing floods and landslides, water cycle regulation and carbon sequestration.

Ministerial Declaration
Decisions
Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management
Protocol on Sustainable Tourism

ICLEI: European Convention

The ICLEI European Convention 2011 will take place from 12-14 September in Brussels (Belgium) and will provide am opportunity for European cities to take a leading role in discussing and reacting to the Europe 2020 strategy on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Over three days, mayors, elected officials, and technical experts of ICLEI member and other European cities have the chance to engage and converse with high-level representatives from the European Commission, Committee of the Regions, Council of Europe, UNEP and many more institutions.

Participants will seek to tackle the following questions:

the following questions:

-

- Should Europe change its focus from “growth” to enhancing sustainability, or are these concepts compatible?

- How can more concrete sustainable action and the appropriate political response from local governments

assist in a straightforward implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy?

Is the Europe 2020 Strategy sufficiently sustainable to guarantee a secure foundation for this and future generations?

FARN: Annual Report

In an event attended by close to 250 participants, the Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) presented its 2011 Annual Environmental Report at the University of Buenos Aires’ School of Law (Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de Buenos Aires).

The publication brings together articles on the most important aspects of environmental policy and sustainable development in Argentina and the Latin American region and covers key themes such as renewable energy, protection of glaciers, cleanup of the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin, implementation of the National Forest Law, sustainable management of the Patagonian Sea, the impacts of mining, the encroachment of agricultural and cattle-raising activities and use of agrochemicals, integrated waste management, the deepening crisis of climate change, and biodiversity loss.

Indian Law Institute: International Seminar

The Indian Law Institute has announced the convening of the International Seminar “Global Environment and Disaster Management: Law and Society" to take place from July 22-24, in New Delhi (India) and organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Environment and Forest. 

OECD: Environmental Reviews of Norway

Citing Norway’s good record of environmental protection and sustainable development including: improved air and water quality, spearheading international initiatives on climate change, and doubling its environmental since 2006; the new review says that the country should now devise cost-effective policies to meet its ambitious environmental goals, including climate and biodiversity.

Specifics include inter alia: establishing a clear and realistic domestic target for reducing GHG emissions and applying a consistent price for carbon; strengthening protections of priority species and selected habitats; and removing exemptions to environment-related taxes and other subsidies.

The Reviews

GEF: Nagoya Protocol Fund

The GEF Council, on 26 May, approved the role of the Secretariat as operator of a new voluntary fund to assist developing countries to ratify and implement the Nagoya Protocol under CBD. Japan reaffirmed its pioneer contribution of 1 billion Yen (approximately US$12 million) and additional declarations of support were made by France, Norway and Switzerland. See the decision on Agenda Item 16 in the “Joint Summary of the Chairs”.

CITES: Ivory and Rhino Task Force

The Ivory and Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force met at UNEP/HQ from 17-19 May to discuss urgent actions against crimes targeting elephants and rhinos. According to CITES, the meeting was attended by 20 law enforcement representatives from 12 countries who discussed the increasing demand for both rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory, despite successful actions by the law enforcement community.

They agreed on the need for better communication, collaboration and coordination, and exchange of data. They further stressed the importance of encouraging enforcement agencies to delay releasing news of significant seizures until information has been provided to relevant counterparts in countries of origin and destination, as well as to international enforcement bodies.

Press Release

UNFCCC: Proposal for COP-17 President-Designate

The UNFCCC Secretariat has reported that Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (Republic of South Africa), will be proposed as President-Designate of COP-17 and COP/MOP-7.

Ms. Nkoana-Mashabane was appointed Minister of International Relations and Co-operation and has been an active member of the African National Congress (ANC) for many years.

COP-17 and COP/MOP 7 will take place from 28 November  - 9 December in Durban (South Africa)

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane's Profile

Memorandum from 3rd Nobel Laureate Symposium

The 3rd Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability took place from 16-19 May with over 20 Laureates and experts on sustainble develpment participating to produce the “Stockholm Memorandum: Tipping the Scales toward Sustainability", which was then presented to the UN/S-G's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP).

G77/China: Cooperation on Biodiversity

The 3rd Expert Meeting on South-South Cooperation on Biodiversity for Development was held in Incheon City (Republic of Korea), from 18-20 May. The meeting aimed to further develop the Multi-Year Plan of Action on South-South Cooperation on Biodiversity for Development, a multi-year plan of action submitted by the Group of 77 (G77) and China as a modality for the implementation of the CBD's Strategic Plan and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. It also aimed to further discuss the CBD's road map towards the possible adoption of the Plan at COP-11, to be held in 2012.

Meeting Documents
CBD Roadmap on South-South Cooperation

USA: Article discussing Arctic Council Ministerial and UNCLOS

The Anchorage Daily News published an article on May 21 titled "Summit shows US is Trying to Catch Up on Arctic issues" that provided some follow-up on the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting held in Nuuk (Greenland) and included a number of statements from John Bellinger and Lisa Murkowski on the need for the US to ratify UNCLOS.

IUCN: Marine News

Marine News, Issue 8 features an editorial by David Freestone and Kristina Gjerde on "High Seas on the Road to Rio+20," as well as articles on Arctic hotspots, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ocean acidification, the first satellite-tagged western grey whale and marine protected areas (MPAs).

Ramsar: MoC with IOPs

The Ramsar Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for 2011-2017 with its five International Organization Partners (IOPs), namely: WWF International; Wetlands International; International Water Management Institute (IWMI); International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and BirdLife International.

The MoC "sealed the IOPs' renewed commitment to keep working with Parties to achieve the Ramsar mission." It aims to bring focus to the partnerships and maximize the synergies between IOPs and with the Secretariat, to be even more effective in wetlands conservation and issued a joint statement in this regard.

IEG: Interactive website for collaboration

The Major Group and Stakeholders Advisory Group on International Environmental Governance (IEG) has announced a new interactive website for experts from all regions and major groups to provide input to the IEG processes leading up to UNCSD (Rio+20). The Advisory Group will use the site to discuss the issues and prepare its contributions to intergovernmental processes "in complete transparency." It welcomes active collaborators, who can register to leave a comment on the work of the group, or request participation as a forum discussant to contribute expertise on topics being discussed.

Pacific: Post CBD/COP-10 Review

A meeting to follow-up on CBD/COP-10 took place in Nadi (Fiji), from 16-20 May titled "Implementing the Nagoya Outcomes: Review and Planning Meeting." Specific areas on the agenda included the Strategic Plan, funding opportunities, protected areas, island biodiversity, national biodiversity strategy action plans (NBSAPs), implications of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) for the Pacific, as well as the sharing of experiences and lessons learned for participating in international negotiations.

Press Release

Global Compact LEAD: First Meeting

The 1st Annual Meeting of the Compat took plance on May 18 in Copenhagen (Denmark) where some of the the most active companies and organizations shared experiences across issues and countries – examining both their engagement in Global Compact groups and efforts within their own organizations to advance sustainability. Plenary sessions and roundtable discussion included:
- Stocktaking: Where the Global Compact Stands;
- Implementing Issues: Connecting the Dots;
- Looking Ahead: The Business Contribution to Sustainable Development – the UN Private Sector Forum 2011 and Rio +20.

Website

UNESCO: Biodiversity Initiative

The 186th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO confirmed its call for the organization to develop a coherent Biodiversity Initiative encompassing all areas of competence and work of UNESCO – natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication. The Initiative will focus on the underlying drivers of biodiversity erosion and loss, and will encompass actions aimed at providing assistance to UNESCO member States underpinning the implementation of the UN system-wide Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

The Initiative will be formally launched at the 36th session of the UNESCO's General Conference, scheduled to take place from 25 October-11 November.

Final decisions from the session will be posted here.

WHO: 64th Assembly

The 64th Session of the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Health Assembly met from 16-24 May  in Geneva (Switzerland) and adopted a framework on pandemic influenza preparedness covering the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits.

The framework establishes a specific regime for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) with regard to influenza viruses, and for sharing of benefits arising out of research performed on those viruses, in particular through access to vaccines, antiviral drugs and scientific information. It aims to improve pandemic influenza preparedness and response, and strengthen protection against the pandemic influenza by improving the WHO's global influenza surveillance and response system (GISRS).

Draft WHO Resolution and Framework

Nordic activities at CSD-19

The Nordic Council of Ministers and its Finnish chairmanship held a side event at CSD-19 titled "Sustainable Consumption and Production – the building blocks for a Greener Economy".

Video and materials from the event are now online. To watch or read presentations from the Nordic side event go to www.norden.org/csd19.

Biocultural Heritage Website

A new website draws on research by the International Institute for Environment and Devleopment (IIED), research partners and indigenous and local communities in Peru, Panama, Kenya, India and China to present biocultural strategies and methodologies for horizontal networking amongst marginalised communities; and emerging biocultural legal and policy frameworks. It provides guidance and downloadable resources for grassroots organisations, researchers, practitioners and policymakers.

Biocultural heritage includes a wealth of biological resources – from genetic to landscape level – and long standing traditions and practices for their sustainable use and adaptive management. It also describes the bundle of rights that support indigenous peoples and local communities – Traditional Resource Rights.

IPCC: Revised Standards

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has published two updated International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs): ISPM 7 on the components of a national system for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates; and ISPM 12 on principles and guidelines for the preparation and issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export and re-export.

ISPM 7
ISPM 12

CBD: Forst Biodiversity Tool

The CBD Secretariat in consultation with members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), has announced the launch of a web-based tool to support the conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity. It is based on the TEMATEA platform, which was developed for use by governments, civil society, international organizations and staff employed by multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) related to forest issues.

The module was developed in response to a request by CBD/COP-10 and aims to facilitate coordination and coherence in the implementation of forest-related obligations and commitments.

TEMATEA Forest Biodiversity Module

UN/DSD: May issue of journal

UN/DSD has announced the online publication of the May issue of Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal.

Rio+20: Making it Happen, Volume 2, Issue 9

The latest issue of the newsletter from the Secretariat of UNCSD (Rio+20) features the upcoming thematic debate in the UN/GA on the green economy as a pathway to sustainable development, as well as information about a side event on the role of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and the role of women in the economy, held during CSD-19 and four intergovernmental meetings: CSD-19; a Summit taking place in the Republic of Congo on sustainable management of rainforests; the global launch of the UN Decade of Biodiversity; and an informal workshop on “Keeping the Green Economy Blue” at UN Headquarters.

UNCCD: Call for Input to COP-10

The Secretariat of the UNCCD has called for parties to provide input on draft advocacy policy frameworks on gender and on the integration of land and soil issues into the intergovernmental process on climate change. Comments are also requested on the draft version of "Global Drylands: A United Nations System-wide Response," which was was developed by the Environment Management Group (EMG).

The documents are scheduled to be discussed at COP-10, which will convene in October 2011. Comments are requested by 15 June 2011.

UNCCD Gender Policy Framework for the UNCCD and its Secretariat

Study on the Integration of Land and Soil Issues into the Intergovernmental Process on Climate Change

Global Drylands: A United Nations System-wide Response

WEDO Newsletter: Rio+20 Preparations

The Spring issue of the newsletter of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) highlights the preparatory process for UNCSD (Rio+20) and WEDO's activities related to this process including its being part of the Women’s Major Group Rio+20 Steering Committee. It also notes that many issues remain contentious, such as the concept of a green economy, and that WEDO is working to understand how women relate to a green economy, stressing that it is careful about supporting a concept that may affect negatively the social pillar of sustainable development. On governance, the newsletter notes that WEDO is exploring mechanisms to ensure gender equality in a future institutional framework.

WEDO Newsletter, Spring 2011

US: Defense, LOS and Arctic

Speaking at the 2011 Joint Warfighters Conference, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gray Roughead addressed the Law of the Sea Convention in the context of the Arctic and had another message for Congress.

Asked about the effects of climate change, Roughead cited the warming of Arctic waters and the increasing access to the region.

Before too long, he said, "you're likely to have a reliable and routine sea route across the top of the world." Increased access will bring more disputes, he predicted.

"The vehicle for the adjudication of those disputes will be the Law of the Sea," the CNO said, referring to an international treaty that has not been ratified by the Senate.

"We are not a party to that," Roughead lamented. "Decisions will be made that we will have no influence on. Myself and every one of my living predecessors have strongly endorsed becoming a party to that treaty. I think the time to do it is now.

"Nations are looking to us for leadership, and we are not there. We should agree to that treaty without delay," Roughead urged.

Source: Defense News 

UNEP: GEO-5 Peer Review

Following an internal UNEP review of Draft-1 of GEO-5, chapters are to be circulated at the end of May for an external peer-review from 30 May-11 July. Feedback is sought from governments and all other relevant stakeholders, including major groups. All major groups and stakeholders interested in participating are invited to send their names and email addresses by 23 May to accreditedngos@unep.org and they will receive an official invitation to be part of the review process.

ECJ: Blue Fin Tuna Judgement

AJD Tuna Ltd v. Direttur tal-Agrikoltura u s-Sajd, Avukat Generali -  Case C-221/09

On 17 March the European Court of Justice issued a judgement stating that the European Commission had discriminated against the Maltese Company AJD Tuna when in 2008 it issued  Regulation (EC) No 530/2008 establishing emergency measures (adopted on the basis of article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 – Basic Regulation) for the protection of the bluefin tuna stock. This Regulation prohibited purse seiners flying the flag of Malta, Greece, France, Italy and Cyprus from fishing for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean from 16 June 2008, and purse seiners flying the flag of Spain from 23 June 2008. The Regulation also prohibited Community operators from accepting landings, the the placing in cages for fattening or farming, or transhipments in Community waters or ports of bluefin tuna caught by seiners in those zones from the same dates. The prohibition on fishing for bluefin tuna was not imposed because the quota allocated to a Member State had been used up, but because of the likelihood of exhaustion of bluefin tuna stocks and the impact of purse seiner fishing on those stocks.

On 12 August 2008 the Maltese company ADJ Tuna instituted a legal proceeding against the Maltese Director of Fisheries seeking compensation for damages suffered due to the implementation of the EU Regulation. AJD Tuna also claimed it was unable to acquire the quantity of bluefin tuna which it had agreed to buy from the French and Italian fishermen before the opening of the fishing season. Considering that the outcome of this national case was depending on the validity of the Regulation which issues emergency measures, the Maltese court sought a ruling from the European Courtof Justice on this issue. The Maltese Court addressed 10 questions to the European Court claiming the invalidity of Regulation (EC) No 530/2008 on the basis of different arguments: the breach of the principle of proportionality, the adversarial principle, the non-discriminatory principle, the principle of effective judicial protection and the legitimate expectations of Community operators, the breach of the obligation to state the reasons behind the adoption of the emergency measures, and the lack of establishing the existence of a serious threat to the conservation.

The European Court of Justice "concludes that the regulation is invalid in so far as it treats Spanish purse seiners differently from other purse seiners without such difference in treatment being objectively justified in view of the objective pursued, which was the protection of the bluefin tuna stocks." The Regulation infringed the principle of non-discrimination. The Commission justified the difference in treatment on the facts that: owing to their small number, the Spanish seiners were not likely to exceed catch quota allocated to them before the 23 June 2008, whereas that likelihood existed from 16 June 2008 as regards the other seiners, in view of their significant number; and that Spanish seiners fish mainly in the Balearic zone and begin their fishing season a week later than other seiners. The Court deliberated that “in the light of the explanations given to the Court, it does not appear that objective differences exist between purse seiners according to their flag or the Member State in which they are registered, as regards their capacity to catch or as regards their impact on the exhaustion of bluefin tuna stocks." The European Court rejected all other arguments.

It is important to underline that the Court, in answering the cliam of having deprived Community operators of their legitimate expectation, clarified that "as the Commission rightly stated, Community operators did not receive any assurance from the Commission that they would receive delivery of the full quantity of bluefin tuna for which they had concluded contracts with fisherman. Community operators whose activity consists in buying bluefin tuna for farming and fattening cannot rely on the principle of the protection of the legitimate expectations, since they are in a position to foresee that such measures [emergency measures resulting in the fishing season being closed prior to the normal date] may be taken."

The judgement may now open compensation claims form other fishermen involved including Cypriot, French, Greek, Italian, and Maltese fisherman

By Arianna Broggiato

Water and Conflict

Water International has just published a special issue on, “Water and post-conflict peacebuilding” . This issue includes sections from the Water volume of the upcoming six-volume series on “Strengthening Post-Conflict Peacebuilding through Natural Resource Management”  put together by ELI and UNEP.

Assessment: Transboundary wetlands

The Ramsar Secretariat is collaborating with the Secretariat of the UNECE Water Convention in carrying out the 2nd Assessment of transboundary rivers, lakes and groundwaters in the UNECE Pan-European region. It includes about 30 transboundary Ramsar Sites and other important transboundary wetlands, and is being prepared by sub-regions including Caucasus, South Eastern Europe, North Eastern Europe, Central Asia as well as Central and Western Europe. The final result will be presented at the 7th Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe,” in Astana (Kazakhstan) from 21-23 September.

Press Release

Disasters: Global Platform

The 3rd Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) took place from 9-13 May in Geneva (Switzerland) under the theme “Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow – Increased Investment in Local Action.” Highlights included, but were not limited to:
- The session on climate change adaptation and DRR, where panelists discussed opportunities to harmonize DRR and adaptation in national policies, and in the design and implementation of resilience-building programmes.
- The mountains of risk roundtable, where panelists highlighted the threats of climate change to mountain communities and the need to: mainstream a discussion on mountains into UNCSD (Rio+20); and establish a platform for transboundary cooperation on mountain DRR.

Global Platform Chair's Summary

CSD-19: No Consensus

Regardless of a 24 hour final meeting from Friday through Saturday, CSD-19 concluded without adopting decisions on the thematic cluster of issues. In the waning hours delegates were presented with a Chair’s proposed text and also considered convening a resumed session in June, but did not adopt either. The folowing is a short insight into what happened in the final hours:

Friday
Convenes in the morning for a Ministerial Dialogue on moving towards sustainable development: expectations from Rio+20. Negotiations continue during the morning and through lunch under Working Groups 1 and 2 on means of implementation, transport, chemicals and waste management, in order to resolve outstanding issues in the text.
4:12 pm Plenary convenes to address remaining procedural issues on the agenda and the first plenary of CSD-20 opens to elect members of its Bureau.
4:26 pm Plenary suspended, pending resolutions of outstanding issues, as negotiations on means of implementation, chemicals and waste management not yet concluded.
6:00 pm Plenary still not reconvened.
10:27 pm The plenary remains suspended with no indication of when they might reconvene.
Saturday
12:10 am The plenary remains suspended as of midnight, with no indication of when they might reconvene.
12:30 am A new Chair's text circulated via the "e-room" and hardcopies follow shortly.
2:07 am Several negotiating groups remain in consultations and no indication when plenary to reconvene.
2:52 am Plenary resumes and Chair Borbély proposes adoption of the Chair's text prepared under his authority. The G-77/China opposes adoption as is and makes proposals for numerous changes to the text and the League of Arab States opposes adoption without reference to the rights of peoples living under foreign occupation. The US, EU and Japan support adoption of the Chair's text.
3:36 am Plenary suspended for further consultation.
4:12 am Parties reiterate their positions.
4:47 am Plenary is suspended to continue consultations to attempt resolution of impasses on language on foreign occupation and MOI, among others.
5:10 am Plenary remains in suspension. 
7:18 am Plenary reconvenes and debates a possible resumed CSD session.
8:52 am After adjourning and reconvening again, delegates discuss the possibility of a resumed session. However, due to lack of a quorum no decision could be taken and CSD-19 closes having failed to agree on a resumed session or an agreed outcome.

An in-depth report on the outcomes of CSD-19 will appear in Issue 41.3 of Environmental Policy and Law: The journal for decision-makers.

Read the IISD Summary of the session including the "brief analysis" toward the end for a greater insight into what has been termed a "debacle".


Chair, László Borbély implores delegates to accept the text

IUCN: Red List of Ecosystems

International experts gathered for a meeting organized by IUCN’s Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) to discuss the development of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, tailored after the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Red List of Ecosystems will seek to build links between ecosystems, livelihoods, health and well-being to guide and influence conservation and national development agendas. Experts at the meeting discussed examples from Australia, South Africa, the US and Venezuela, regarding the criteria for listing ecosystems, as well as the new List's compatibility with the Red List of Threatened Species. 

As part of the development of the new List, papers will be published in key scientific journals, and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories, Criteria and Guidebook will be published in English, Spanish and French.

At the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress, a motion will be proposed calling for strengthening and consolidating the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems initiative.

GFCM-35:Recommendations and possible revision of Agreement

The 35th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) met from 9-14 May at FAO/HQ in Rome (Italy). Delegates adopted recommendations on: the exploitation of red coral; reducing incidental by-catch of seabirds in fisheries; the by-catch of sea turtles in fisheries; and fisheries measures for the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). 

It was also decided to to set up a task force toward a possible revision of the GFCM Agreement, with a view to more effectively implementing the precautionary approach and ecosystem approach to fisheries management, including relevant compliance and enforcement mechanisms. Lastly, the need for greater involvement of GFCM in the field of aquaculture, as well as the need to reinforce fisheries governance and scientific cooperation in the Black Sea, also were addressed.

Report of the session

Achim Steiner: Guest Article

UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner recently contributed a Guest Article to IISD's "UNCSD Update" titled: "Cooperation for a Green Economy."

Forest Sector Contribution to UNCSD (Rio+20)

A stakeholders meeting on the development of an action plan on forests and the green economy was held in Geneva (Switzerland) from 10-11 May  under the auspices of the Forestry and Timber Section of UNECE and the Food and FAO in cooperation with UNEP.

The draft action plan, as further developed by the stakeholder meeting, is expected to be reviewed by the UNECE Timber Committee and FAO European Forestry Commission meeting scheduled to take place from 10-14 October 2011, in Antalya (Turkey). It will then be presented as a regional sectoral contribution from the forest sector at UNCSD (Rio+20)

Meeting Website

UNEP: New Deputy Executive Director

Amina Mohamed has been newly appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to fill the vacancy in Nairobi due to Angela Cropper's departure. From 2000-2006, Ms. Mohamed was the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN in Geneva.Since 2008, she has been the Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.

Montreal Protocol: Proposals for HFCs Phase-down

The Ozone Secretariat has released documents in the lead up to the upcoming 31st Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting, scheduled to convene in Bangkok (Thailand) in August. The documents include a proposal from the US, Canada and Mexico, and one from the Federated States of Micronesia, to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol.

Proposed Amendment to Control HFCs under the Montreal Protocol (Submitted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America) - Cover Letter, Proposal Amendment, Proposal Summary, Amendments Benefits Summary, Decision Proposal

Proposed Amendment to Control HFCs under the Montreal Protocol (Submitted by the Federated States of Micronesia)- Cover Letter, Proposal Summary, Proposal Amendment

ECJ: Judgment in favor of environmental organizations

In a judgment on 12 May, the European Court of Justice gave environmental organizations wider access to justice in Germany. According to the ruling, the German Law on supplementary provisions governing actions in environmental matters under Directive 2003/35/EC (Umwelt-Rechtsbehelfsgesetz - UmwRG) of December 2006, which entitles recognized environmental protection organizations to a right of access to the courts, does not fully implement the provisions of European law. Germany now has to adapt the UmwRG accordingly and until the amendment enters into force, recognized environmental organizations can directly invoke European law to bring an action before the courts.

The judgment (case C-115/09)

WIPO/IGC: Progress on negotiating text

The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) resulted in a single negotiating text on each of the three items referred to in the IGC’s mandate: traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources. The next session of the IGC is the last one before WIPO’s General Assembly, which will decide, in turn, on convening a diplomatic conference. It also remains to be decided whether any instrument produced would be legally binding.

Press Release

US-China: Cooperation on Environment

During the 3rd round of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, held from 9-10 May the two sides discussed bilateral, regional and global issues, including cooperation on climate change, energy and fisheries.

US Press Release

LDC-IV: Declaration and Action Programme

Over 7,000 participants, including Heads of State and government, IGOs, and NGOs gathered in Istanbul (Turkey) for the 4th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC IV) from 9-13 May.

As the meeting came to a close, participants adopted the Istanbul Political Declaration and Programme of Action for the LDCs. In the Declaration, which serves as preamble to the Programme of Action, governments commit to further strengthen their support to the poorest countries by “creating a favorable environment for sustainable development, increasing productive capacities, diversification of economies and building the necessary infrastructure.”

The Programme covers 27 priority areas, including: infrastructure building; energy access; disaster risk reduction (DRR); human capital enhancement through health measures; and the empowerment of women and youth. Specifically, the Action Plan calls on countries to build their human capacities by: fostering sustained, equitable and inclusive human and social development;  increasing gender equality and the empowerment of women; reducing the vulnerability of LDCs to economic, natural and environmental shocks and disasters, as well as climate change; and enhancing their ability to meet these and other challenges through strengthening their resilience. Under the Programme of Action, developed countries agree to support national disaster reduction and mitigation programmes in LDCs, and to facilitate South-South transfer of lessons learned on disaster preparedness.

The Action Plan commits governments to enable half the number of LDCs to meet the criteria for graduation by 2020. Forty-eight countries are classified as LDCs, 33 of which are in Africa, 14 in the Asia-Pacific region, and one in Latin America and the Caribbean.

CITES: Guidance on NBSAPs

The CITES Secretariat has developed a draft guide for CITES Parties on Contributing to the development, review, updating and revision of NBSAPs (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans). CITES Parties are invited to make use of the draft guide and to provide the Secretariat with any comments they might have on its usefulness, content and format. Such feedback will assist in the finalization of the Guide.

CITES Notification

Oceans Forum: Preparation for UNCSD (Rio+20)

The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands has released a newsletter on its preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20). It concludes with a description of Global Forum consultations on the Rio+20 process. 

GGGI: Opening of Regional Office

The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has announced the opening of a regional office of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Copenhagen (Denmark). According to UNEP, the opening of the regional office located next door to the UNEP Risoe Centre is expected to support and increase collaboration on global efforts to transition to a more resource-efficient, low-carbon green economy.

REDD+: Initiative to Prepare National Laws

Senior legislators from Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and Mexico met to launch the GLOBE Legislator Forest Initiative to develop complementary legislation to prepare the way for efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). During the meeting each group of legislators outlined the current status of their legislation that is relevant to forestry and the drivers of deforestation. Over the next year, GLOBE will work with legislators to identify how legislation could be amended or advanced to provide REDD+ with a stable foundation for success. The legislators involved in this new initiative will report back on their progress at the World Summit of Legislators prior to UNCSD (Rio+20).

UNEP: REDD and Financial Insitutions

The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has released the first part of a report titled “REDDy-Set-Grow: Opportunities and roles of financial institutions in forest carbon markets,” which stresses that the financial sector must step up its engagement in the emerging green market, and proposes improved regulation to this end. Part I provides a briefing to the financial world on current and emerging avenues for business activity in forest-carbon, and highlights roles and barriers for financial institutions to become involved. Part II of the study will provide an assessment of current international regulation and recommendations to national and international policy makers on what the international regime under the UNFCCC needs to deliver to effectively mobilize private finance and investment for forest-based climate change mitigation.

UNECE: Compendium of Legal Instruments

UNECE has published the “Compendium of Legal Instruments, Norms and Standards 2011,” which contains a list of conventions, norms and standards that have been negotiated under its auspices.These legal instruments cover: environment, transport, timber, energy, trade, housing and land management.

CIC General Assembly

Under the theme "Hunting - a part of cultural heritage", the 58th General Assembly of the International Council of Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) convened from 12-15 May in St. Petersburg (Russian Federation).  

A highlight of the annual meeting was a keynote address by John Scanlon, Secretary General of CITES who welcomed the active and constructive participation of the CIC in CITES meetings and discussions and CIC’s ongoing contribution to the dialogue on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and recognized the role that hunting can play and its inter-relationship with CITES.

UNEP: Report on Decoupling

UNEP's International Resource Panel has released a report titled “Decoupling natural resource use and environmental impacts from economic growth.” analyzing the concept of improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate. The report stresses the need for massive investment in technological, financial and social innovation, to freeze per capita consumption in wealthy countries and assist developing countries to identify a sustainable path.

Publication: Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth

UNEP: Results of Sustainable Lifestyles Survey

UNEP's Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Branch has released the results of its Global Survey for Sustainable Lifestyles included in the report titled “Visions for Change: Recommendations for Effective Policies on Sustainable Lifestyles.”