AIMS: Preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20)

The UNCSD (Rio+20) Subregional Preparatory Committee for the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) Countries convened in Mahé (Seychelles) from 7-8 July to develop AIMS inputs into the preparatory process for the conference in June 2012.
Over 30 participants, including representatives from governments, UN bodies, NGOs and intergovernmental organizations adopted inter alia recommendations, including on the "blue-green" economy and strengthening the regional institutional framework for sustainable development, through building on the work of the Indian Ocean Commission and developing links with regional UN entities.

IISD RS Coverage

EP: Climate Report Rejected

On the 5 July, the European Parliament rejected the report from the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety calling for the EU to set out an ambitious climate policy and increase its CO2 reduction target to 30% by 2020. Nonetheless, the failure to reach 30% doesn’t change the Union's ambitious negotiating position for COP-17 to UNFCCC.  

Rio+20: Making It Happen, Volume 2, Issue 12

The latest issue of "Rio+20: Making It Happen" highlights the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (2012), noting that energy access, efficiency and sustainability are “core issues” for Rio+20. Related initiatives being supported by the UN/DESA include the 2nd Vienna Energy Forum and UN-Energy, the UN system-wide coordinating mechanism on energy issues.

The newsletter also features the UNCSD preparatory meeting for SIDS in the Atlantic, Indian, Mediterranean and South China Seas (AIMS) region, taking place from 7-8 July 2011, in Seychelles.

Finally, the newsletter announces the publication of “Adapting for a Green Economy: Companies, Communities and Climate Change,” offering guidance to business leaders and policy makers and aims to support their efforts leading up to Rio+20

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