Pacific and REDD+

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced that the 3rd Regional Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry endorsed the Pacific Islands Regional Policy Framework for REDD+. As reported, the framework aims to support Pacific Island countries (PICs) to address and participate in international regimes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in the forest and trees sector.

Press Release

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

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.

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

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.

Call for ICJ To Examine GHG Damage

During the UN/GA general debate, Palau's President Johnson Toribiong announced that his Government, as well as that of the Marshall Islands has called upon the UN/GA to seek, on an urgent basis, an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the responsibilities of States under international law to ensure that activities carried out under their jurisdiction of control that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) do not damage other States.
Toribiong's Statement
UN Press Release