Friday, July 15, 2011
Asia: Fighting Environmental Crime
Governments, international organizations and NGOs convened from 13-14 July in Bangkok (Thailand) to discuss illegal trade of flora and fauna at the 11th Asian Regional Partners Forum on Combating Environmental Crime (ARPEC). Among other topics, participants discussed the critical role of intelligence-sharing and media management in fighting organized environmental crime in Asian countries. They also emphasized that a key to defeating crimes against the environment is building an effective, pro-active response by developing a culture of intelligence-sharing among law enforcement agencies around the world.
IRENA: Africa Forum
25 African ministers, 181 government delegates and 45 representatives from African and international organizations, industry and non-governmental organizations attended IRENA's High-Level Africa Consultative Forum on Renewable Energy from 8-9 July in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The objective was to inform IRENA’s Work Programme for Africa on specific implementation challenges facing Africa with respect to renewable energy technologies, as well as practical approaches to generate the critical policy and technical information, advice and capacity required to support the extensive deployment of renewable energy in Africa. Participants also discussed opportunities in international fora such as UNCSD (Rio+20) and COP-17 of UNFCCC. At its conclusion, participants adopted the Abu Dhabi Communiqué on Renewable Energy for Accelerating Africa’s Development Report of the meeting from IISD-RS
Forest Carbon Projects Guidance
To facilitate the development of forest carbon projects, the Katoomba Incubator at Forest Trends has compiled strategic guidance toemerging best practices. Drawing on practical experiences, this series of documents includes a step-by-step overview and detailed guidance documents on issues, tools and resources covering an array of project development needs. Notably, the series also includes guidance on conducting a Biodiversity Impact Assessment for forest carbon projects.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
World Bank: Low Emissions Development
The World Bank convened close to 70 senior policy makers and opinion leaders from around the world to a High-Level Dialogue on Low Emissions Development Policy Implementation on 13 July in Washington, D.C (USA). During the event, speakers identified poverty and climate change as the two defining challenges of this century, warning against the risk of reversing any gains on poverty if climate change is not addressed.
Dialogue Website
Dialogue Website
IUCN: Publication on Implementation of CBD
IUCN has published a reveiw of the status of implementation of CBD and its relevance to the 30 overseas entities that are connected to six EU Member States. Titled: "Future directions for biodiversity action in Europe overseas: Outcomes of the Review of the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), December 2010," it builds on IUCN’s earlier efforts in support of biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change in the EU overseas entities.
Goals of the review included identifying the current status of the various legal and policy instruments and the extent to which they have been implemented, as well as identifying the main lessons learned and documenting some of the best practices in the field of biodiversity conservation. One of the recommendations is that the EU and its institutions, especially the European Commission, should consider the establishment of an integrated policy framework for EU overseas entities and play a central role in ensuring the relevance and coherence between EU policies and the CBD’s post-2010 revised and updated strategic plan.
Goals of the review included identifying the current status of the various legal and policy instruments and the extent to which they have been implemented, as well as identifying the main lessons learned and documenting some of the best practices in the field of biodiversity conservation. One of the recommendations is that the EU and its institutions, especially the European Commission, should consider the establishment of an integrated policy framework for EU overseas entities and play a central role in ensuring the relevance and coherence between EU policies and the CBD’s post-2010 revised and updated strategic plan.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
2011 Renewable Energy Report
The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) has released its Renewables 2011 Global Status Report.
Chapter Four of the report provides insight into policy targets, power generation policies, green energy purchasing and labeling, heating and cooling policies, transport policies, and city and local government policies.
REN21 provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy with the goal to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energyies worldwide.
Chapter Four of the report provides insight into policy targets, power generation policies, green energy purchasing and labeling, heating and cooling policies, transport policies, and city and local government policies.
REN21 provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy with the goal to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energyies worldwide.
IRENA: 1st Council Meeting
The Council convened its inaugural meeting from 10-11 July in Abu Dhabi (UAE) with 148 member states and the EU, as well as 32 observer states in attendance. Upon opening, the Council elected Australia as Chair and the Republic of Korea as Vice-Chair for 2011. Members went on to endorse and approve the membership and terms of reference of three Committees:
- Finance Committee chaired by Antigua & Barbuda
- Governance and Legal Committee chaired by Tonga; and
- Policy and Strategy Committee chaired by the UK.
The Council also approved the selection procedures for a US$350 million partnership between IRENA and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Abu Dhabi’s government leading development agency. The fund will launch at the 2nd Assembly, 14-15 January 2012, and IRENA will immediately call to receive applications for funding.
- Finance Committee chaired by Antigua & Barbuda
- Governance and Legal Committee chaired by Tonga; and
- Policy and Strategy Committee chaired by the UK.
The Council also approved the selection procedures for a US$350 million partnership between IRENA and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Abu Dhabi’s government leading development agency. The fund will launch at the 2nd Assembly, 14-15 January 2012, and IRENA will immediately call to receive applications for funding.
EC: Proposed Changes to CFP
The Commission has released its communication on proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), aiming to make fishing “environmentally, economically and socially sustainable." The proposals will now be discussed in Parliament and Council and are expected to be adopted in November 2011. The reformed CFP would then enter into force in 2013.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
UN/GSP-3: Meeting Report
The Secretariat of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability has released the report of the Panel’s third meeting, as well as the report of the accompanying meeting of the Sherpas and Advisers to the Panel members.
GSP-4 will be held from 18-19 September in New York (USA).
Eye on Earth Summit
Through the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), the Government of Abu Dhabi, in partnership with UNEP will host the Eye on Earth Summit from December 12-15 devoted to improving access and ability to use and leverage environmental data and information for the benefit of all communities of our global society.
The Summit will be preceded by a civil society forum on 11 December organized by UNEP.
Policy Implications of Biodiveristy and Poverty
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has announced the publication of a new paper titled: Biodiversity and Poverty: Ten Frequently Asked Question - Ten Policy Implications intended to stimulate discussion about the linkages between biodiversity, conservation and poverty reduction. Acknowledging the intricacies of the topic, IIED welcomes any feedback regarding: Are these the right questions? And the right answers? What else should we be asking—and trying to answer—to better understand (and enhance) the biodiversity-poverty relationship? Contributions may be sent to pclg@iied.org.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Upcoming Conference on Ecosystem Services
The Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) will hold its 4th International conference on Ecosystem Services: from Science to Practice from 4-7 October, 2011 in Wageningen (The Netherlands). Key-outputs of the conference will be the launch of a Global Network of expert-groups and key-sites in all major biomes on ecosystem services research, management and restoration, and the launch of the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD), partly as a result of the Global TEEB-study and as contribution to the newly created Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Sunday, July 10, 2011
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
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
IPBES Capacity Building
The report has been released summarizing discussions from 25-27 May during the International Expert Meeting on [IPBES] and Capacity Building.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
New Report on Renewable Energy Investment
UNEP has released a publication titled "Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011." Among the findings, it highlights a 91% overall increase in investment in small-scale projects globally.
UNCSD (Rio+20): Guidance for Input
The Co-Chairs of the Bureau for UNCSD (Rio+20) have issued a guidance note regarding input for the Outcome Document indicating that: its guidance is not binding; all submissions will be posted in full on the UNCSD website; and the guidance should not be interpreted as prejudging the structure or content of the zero draft of the Conference outcome document. Further information includes the deadline and method for submissions, length and general content of submissions, and specific elements to be considered.
Friday, July 8, 2011
2011 MDG Report
The report was launched by UN/S-G Ban Ki-moon on 7 July, during the high-level segment of the ECOSOC. IISD-RS provided the following summary regarding MDG 7 (environmental sustainability):
[T]he report indicates that the rate of deforestation and loss of forests from natural causes is slowing down. It notes that most forest loss is occurring in countries in the tropics, while the net gain is mostly found in countries in the temperate and boreal zones. The report estimates that the forestry sector, in particular deforestation, is responsible for one-sixth of all human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It highlights the growth in the establishment of protected areas, which covers 13% of the world’s forests. On the target to reduce biodiversity loss, the report stresses that, despite the increase in protected ecosystems, biodiversity is still in decline due to inadequate management, underlining the need for efforts and innovative approaches to meet new targets for the conservation of priority ecosystems.
Using 2008 data, the report notes that global carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase. It indicates that, although per capita emissions remain highest in the developed countries, the gap in carbon dioxide emissions per capita between developed and developing countries has diminished since 1990. The report notes that emissions per unit of economic output fell by more than 36% in the developed regions and by about 9% in the developing regions. In terms of steps forward, the report highlights: the REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks) mechanism; the Cancun Agreements of December 2010; and the success and continued work under the Montreal Protocol.
[T]he report indicates that the rate of deforestation and loss of forests from natural causes is slowing down. It notes that most forest loss is occurring in countries in the tropics, while the net gain is mostly found in countries in the temperate and boreal zones. The report estimates that the forestry sector, in particular deforestation, is responsible for one-sixth of all human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It highlights the growth in the establishment of protected areas, which covers 13% of the world’s forests. On the target to reduce biodiversity loss, the report stresses that, despite the increase in protected ecosystems, biodiversity is still in decline due to inadequate management, underlining the need for efforts and innovative approaches to meet new targets for the conservation of priority ecosystems.
Using 2008 data, the report notes that global carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase. It indicates that, although per capita emissions remain highest in the developed countries, the gap in carbon dioxide emissions per capita between developed and developing countries has diminished since 1990. The report notes that emissions per unit of economic output fell by more than 36% in the developed regions and by about 9% in the developing regions. In terms of steps forward, the report highlights: the REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks) mechanism; the Cancun Agreements of December 2010; and the success and continued work under the Montreal Protocol.
Ramsar: Handbooks on Wise Use
The Ramsar Secretariat has released the 4th edition of the Ramsar Handbooks for the wise use of wetlands is not available in English, French and Spanish in PDF format. The 20 handbooks, together with the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009-2015, embody all of the current guidelines and advice officially adopted by the COPs on a range of wetland-related matters, including wetland policy and management, inventory and monitoring, river basin management, Ramsar Site designation, and international cooperation. The Secretariat also is preparing a CD-ROM edition, which will be available free of charge.
Interactive Map of Green Economy
The Secretariat of UNCSD (Rio+20) has added an interactive map to its website, highlighting green economy policies and practices by topic at the local, national, and regional levels.
UN Discussion on Rio+20 Outcomes
The Principles of ECESA Plus (the Executive Committee of Economic and Social Affairs (ECESA), plus the UN Development Group (UN/DG) and Environment Management Group (UN/EMG)) met on 6 July to discuss the UN system’s preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20). Participants discussed possible outcomes, including practical initiatives that could be launched, and their organizations’ inputs to the outcome document. On the outcome document, participants thought it should reflect the integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, particularly by giving more emphasis to the social pillar, including job creation, decent work, and social inclusion. They also considered the five options for institutional reform proposed by UNEP/GC-26. The Principals stressed the need to strengthen the UN’s institutional capacity under the environmental pillar of sustainable development, while also supporting and reforming the institutions addressing economic and social development.
ECESA Plus News
ECESA Plus News
Thursday, July 7, 2011
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.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
IPBES: Meetings to Operationalize
UNEP has provided an update on the two plenary meetings to be convened, in cooperation with UNESCO, FAO, UNDP, and others to fully operationalize IPBES. The first plenary from 3-7 October in Nairobi (Kenya) will bring together government representatives to consider the draft principles and procedures governing the work of IPBES, its governance structure, processes for nomination and selection of host institution(s) and host country for the platform, and initial elements of the work programme. The second session, to be held early in 2012, will determine modalities and institutional arrangements, and consider the detailed draft work programme of IPBES.
IPBES News
IPBES News
IOSEA: 6th Meeting
The Indian Ocean-South-East Asian Marine Turtle Conservation Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA) under CMS will convene the 6th Meeting of IOSEA Signatory States, in Bangkok (Thailand) from 6-9 December. Formal letters of invitation and a provisional agenda will be circulated shortly.
OECD: Green Growth Strategy
The information note titled “The Green Growth Strategy Reshaping the OECD’s work agenda for the years to come” outlines the 2011-2013 work on green growth, which will be mainstreamed in OECD analytical work to enrich guidance on a number of country, sector and issue-specific areas. It also outlines upcoming work, quarter by quarter, on green growth through 2013, as well as key green growth events through 2012.
EU: GMOs and Member States
The European Parliament has voted for a proposal that would allow EU member States to ban or restrict the use of GMOs based on environmental grounds, such as pesticide resistance, the invasiveness of certain crops and a threat to biodiversity. It would add environmental reasons to a list of grounds based on which member States could restrict or ban GMO cultivation previously developed by the EU Commission as part of a reform of the current Directive regulating GMO approval at EU level. The proposal is expected to give member States better legal protection in the event of challenges to a decision to ban GMOs under international trade law.
EU Parliament Press Release
EU Parliament Press Release
Africa: Common Position on Climate and Sustainable Development
During a High-level Roundtable held in parallel to the 17th African Union Summit from 30 June-1 July in Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), 53 African Heads of State stressed the need for a common position on sustainable development in the lead-up to UNCSD (Rio+20).
The Summit went on to adopt decisions urging the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to convene a meeting to consider the African Common Position on Climate Change, once it has been endorsed by the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) at its extra-ordinary session to be held in September 2011. In addition, AU members are urged concentrate on completing negotiations on climate finance.
On preparations for Rio+20, the Assembly urges members to participate in the preparatory meetings and invites them to develop a common African position, which should be represented by a single spokesperson.
UNEP News Release
African Union Press Release
The Summit went on to adopt decisions urging the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to convene a meeting to consider the African Common Position on Climate Change, once it has been endorsed by the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) at its extra-ordinary session to be held in September 2011. In addition, AU members are urged concentrate on completing negotiations on climate finance.
On preparations for Rio+20, the Assembly urges members to participate in the preparatory meetings and invites them to develop a common African position, which should be represented by a single spokesperson.
UNEP News Release
African Union Press Release
CARICOM: UNFCCC and UNCSD (Rio+20)
During the 32nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, participants discussed priority issues for the Community, including human and social development issues such as climate change, sustainable development, health, external trade and security issues.
On climate change, it was agreed to establish a team of experts to draft a regional plan of action to guide regional negotiators who will participate in UNFCCC/COP-17. They further requested that the postponed 3rd Joint Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development and the Council for Trade and Economic Development take place as soon as possible, in order to facilitate work on the regional plan of action, as well as on the Implementation Plan for the Regional Climate Change Strategic Framework.
On sustainable development, participants recognized the importance of the upcoming UNCSD (Rio+20) and urged the Community to continue its preparations and consolidate a CARICOM position within the framework of the SIDS platform.
CARICOM Press Release
Meeting Webpage
On climate change, it was agreed to establish a team of experts to draft a regional plan of action to guide regional negotiators who will participate in UNFCCC/COP-17. They further requested that the postponed 3rd Joint Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development and the Council for Trade and Economic Development take place as soon as possible, in order to facilitate work on the regional plan of action, as well as on the Implementation Plan for the Regional Climate Change Strategic Framework.
On sustainable development, participants recognized the importance of the upcoming UNCSD (Rio+20) and urged the Community to continue its preparations and consolidate a CARICOM position within the framework of the SIDS platform.
CARICOM Press Release
Meeting Webpage
Award for Best Forest Policies
In support of the 2011 Year of Forests, the World Future Council's Future Policy Award will be given to the three most inspiring, innovative and influential forest policies worldwide. Bhutan, Gambia, Nepal, Rwanda, Switzerland and the USA have been shortlisted from a list of 20 policies from 16 states and the winners will be announced on 21 September at UN/HQ.
A Factsheet on the shortlisted policies is available here
A Factsheet on the shortlisted policies is available here
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Finland Increases Support for Gender in Rio Conventions
Finland has announced that it will contribute EUR250,000 to the Special Voluntary Trust Fund of CBD to support implementation of the Gender Plan of Action and activities to mainstream gender in the three Rio Conventions and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This will enable the Joint Coordination Group on Gender, established by the Secretariats of the three Rio Conventions to work towards the goal to lift, by 2020, gender as a cross-cutting priority and to ensure that it is integrated into thematic issues across the Rio Conventions and the GEF,
CBD Communiqué
CBD Communiqué
OECD: Environment in Investment Agreements
This new working paper titled “Environmental Concerns in International Investment Agreements - A Survey,” establishes a statistical portrait of governments’ investment treaty practices in 1,623 international investment agreements (IIAs) and finds that over time, more treaties contain environmental language, and of the 1,623 treaties reviewed, only about 8% of the reference environmental concerns. It underscores that wide variations in the content of such language exist, both across countries and across time, but that the issues raised have hardly evolved at all, with neither climate change nor biodiversity issues represented in the sample, suggesting “a limited exchange between the investment and environmental policy communities.”
Aahrus Convention: MOP-4
MOP-4 took place from 29 June-1 July in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova) and marked the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Aarhus Convention. The session's decisions addressed, inter alia: access to justice; access to information; public participation in national decision-making as well as in international forums; GMOs; compliance; other procedures and mechanisms facilitating implementation; and promotion of the Convention, including the procedure for accession to the Convention by States from outside the region of the UNECE.
A high-level segment focused on the role of the Aarhus Convention in promoting sustainable development, in connection with UNCSD (Rio+20), providing an opportunity to discuss how the implementation of the Aarhus Convention has helped to enhance good governance and sustainable development across the region and beyond. The segment culminated with the adoption of the Chisinau Declaration “Rio Plus Aarhus – 20 Years on: Bearing Fruit and Looking Forward."
A high-level segment focused on the role of the Aarhus Convention in promoting sustainable development, in connection with UNCSD (Rio+20), providing an opportunity to discuss how the implementation of the Aarhus Convention has helped to enhance good governance and sustainable development across the region and beyond. The segment culminated with the adoption of the Chisinau Declaration “Rio Plus Aarhus – 20 Years on: Bearing Fruit and Looking Forward."
Climate Change and Human Rights Conference
The Bar Council of Uttarakhand and and the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies of India will host a conference titled: ClimateChange and Human Rights: In the Light of Indian Constitution on 13-14 August at Uttarakhand Academy of Administration in Nainital (India).
The conference will bring together leading experts, policymakers and government officials to discuss:
- Human rights violations due to changing climate;
- State responsibility and the notion of ‘welfare sate’ in a climate constrained world;
- Constraints to meet the MDGs and minimum policy mandates under Chapter IV of the Constitution of India;
- Fundamental rights violations due to climate change;
- The role of of the judiciary and legal fraternities in ensuring protection of societies from adverse effect of climate change; and
- Climate related movement and security challenges.
The conference will bring together leading experts, policymakers and government officials to discuss:
- Human rights violations due to changing climate;
- State responsibility and the notion of ‘welfare sate’ in a climate constrained world;
- Constraints to meet the MDGs and minimum policy mandates under Chapter IV of the Constitution of India;
- Fundamental rights violations due to climate change;
- The role of of the judiciary and legal fraternities in ensuring protection of societies from adverse effect of climate change; and
- Climate related movement and security challenges.
Monday, July 4, 2011
South Asia: Women's Conference Defines Green Economy
As its contribution to regional input into the preparatory process for UNCSD (Rio+20), the Third Annual Conference of the South Asia Women’s Network (SWAN) has issued the Dhaka Declaration defining green economy as "...an economic system that ensures social justice and equity, protects the ecological balance and creates economic sufficiency."
International Experts Issue Joint Statement on UNCSD (Rio+20)
“Now is the Time! WhyRio+20 must succeed“ has been issued by 13 eminent international experts on sustainable development governance from seven countries. The joint statement is an explicit call to seize the historic opportunity of UNCSD (Rio+20) and includes the following key messages:
· World leaders should rise to the occasion and agree upon an ambitious green economy strategy that gives equal emphasis to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
· The UN requires stronger authority and better instruments if it is to tap the full potential in advancing sustainable development.
· The UN needs to improve performance on sustainable development, whether by establishing an organizational “umbrella” for the UN’s environmental and sustainable development policies or by creating a UN specialized agency that builds on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
· Governments are called to prioritize the Rio+20 conference to brace their societies for a transition to a green economy in the context of their respective country’s particular situation, and to finally enable the UN to act as a global advocate for sustainable development.
· The UN requires stronger authority and better instruments if it is to tap the full potential in advancing sustainable development.
· The UN needs to improve performance on sustainable development, whether by establishing an organizational “umbrella” for the UN’s environmental and sustainable development policies or by creating a UN specialized agency that builds on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
· Governments are called to prioritize the Rio+20 conference to brace their societies for a transition to a green economy in the context of their respective country’s particular situation, and to finally enable the UN to act as a global advocate for sustainable development.
New Publication on Forest Governance
FAO and the World Bank's Program on Forests (PROFOR) have released a publication titled : "Framework for Assessing and Monitoring Forest Governance." By drawing on several approaches currently in use in major forest governance-related processes and initiatives, the framework is intended to be used by governmental and non-governmental actors involved in forest governance.
The publication describes the design, structure and elements of the framework, as well as its subcomponents, including: policy, legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks; planning and decision-making processes; and implementation, enforcement and compliance.
The publication describes the design, structure and elements of the framework, as well as its subcomponents, including: policy, legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks; planning and decision-making processes; and implementation, enforcement and compliance.
FAO: Agriculture and Green Economy
During the 37th Session of the FAO Conference, from 25 June-2 July 2011, FAO member countries discussed the scenarios, challenges and policy options outlined in the "Greening the Economy with Agriculture" Concept Note and FAO preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20).
EP: Draft Motion for Position at Rio+20
The European Parliament Environment Committee presented a motion on July 1 "in view of developing a common EU position ahead of [UNCSD] (Rio+20)" which will next be discussed early September. Furthermore, the Polish Presidency to the Council will organize a conference in preparation for Rio +20 in Warsaw from 11-12 October.
New Publication on Aahrus Convention
The edited volume 'The More information
Global Green Growth Summit
Organized under the theme "Building Planet - Responsible Civilization," the 1st annual Global Green Growth Summit from 20-21 June in Seoul (Republich of Korea) explored: development strategies for green growth, prospects and challenges for the Republic of Korea's economy, enhancing global governance, and increased cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The meeting ended with a message by President Lee Myung-bak, who stated that technology is key to a green economy with low carbon emissions.
Rio+20 News
GGGI Summit Proceedings
The meeting ended with a message by President Lee Myung-bak, who stated that technology is key to a green economy with low carbon emissions.
Rio+20 News
GGGI Summit Proceedings
Sunday, July 3, 2011
OECD: Paper on Enforcement
This research paper titled “Environmental Enforcement in Decentralised Governance Systems: Toward a Nationwide Level Playing Field” focuses on methods to promote consistency in the implementation of environmental law. In particular, it analyzes approaches to managing environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement in several countries with decentralized systems of environmental governance, including Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the US.
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
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
CBD/ITPGR: Joint Activities for Treaty and ABS Protocol
During the 37th session of the FAO Conference, the Executive Secretary of CBD and the Secretary of the ITPGR announced joint capacity-building activities for 2011 and early 2012, which will seek the coherent implementation of the ITPGR and the Nagoya Protocol.
Joint CBD/ITPGR Press Release
Joint CBD/ITPGR Press Release
Saturday, July 2, 2011
EU: Preparations for Rio+20
The European Commission released a Communication on 20 June titled: "Rio+20: towards the green economy and better governance." In relation to improving governance, the Commission states that:
There are several options to strengthen sustainable development governance within the UN. One is to reinforce the role of [UN/ECOSOC] on sustainable development, with equal weight given to the economic, social and environment pillars. An alternative approach would be to upgrade the [UN/CSD] to a more permanent body with extended functions...
...
Building on the recommendations of the UNEP Nairobi-Helsinki process aimed at strengthening international environmental governance, UNEP needs to be reinforced. This could be achieved in several ways: i) enhancing UNEP within its current mandate; ii) strengthening UNEP with new tasks and responsibilities; iii) creation of a global multilateral environmental organisation, for example transforming UNEP into a UN Specialized Agency (such as the ILO). The latter option, which would entail the adoption of a legally binding treaty, would be the most promising way forward to improve international environmental governance and make progress towards global sustainable development...
...
As part of the strengthening of international environmental governance, the work on streamlining and reinforcing the MEA system needs to be accelerated. While respecting the autonomy of different MEAS, their administratio ncan be substantially streamlined, and overlaps reduced...
...
Reinforced capacity building for the environment is neeeded with the UN. this should include strengthening environmental expertise and green economy awareness with the UN country teams to promote mainstreaming in country programmes, increasing the range of expertise in UN/UNEP regional offices, and developing a system-wide framework for capaicity building for MEA implementation. The capacity to monitor the global environment should also be strengthened...
There are several options to strengthen sustainable development governance within the UN. One is to reinforce the role of [UN/ECOSOC] on sustainable development, with equal weight given to the economic, social and environment pillars. An alternative approach would be to upgrade the [UN/CSD] to a more permanent body with extended functions...
...
Building on the recommendations of the UNEP Nairobi-Helsinki process aimed at strengthening international environmental governance, UNEP needs to be reinforced. This could be achieved in several ways: i) enhancing UNEP within its current mandate; ii) strengthening UNEP with new tasks and responsibilities; iii) creation of a global multilateral environmental organisation, for example transforming UNEP into a UN Specialized Agency (such as the ILO). The latter option, which would entail the adoption of a legally binding treaty, would be the most promising way forward to improve international environmental governance and make progress towards global sustainable development...
...
As part of the strengthening of international environmental governance, the work on streamlining and reinforcing the MEA system needs to be accelerated. While respecting the autonomy of different MEAS, their administratio ncan be substantially streamlined, and overlaps reduced...
...
Reinforced capacity building for the environment is neeeded with the UN. this should include strengthening environmental expertise and green economy awareness with the UN country teams to promote mainstreaming in country programmes, increasing the range of expertise in UN/UNEP regional offices, and developing a system-wide framework for capaicity building for MEA implementation. The capacity to monitor the global environment should also be strengthened...
Friday, July 1, 2011
Ramsar Implementation in Caribbean
The second meeting of the Caribbean Wetlands Initiative discussed the region's implementation of the Ramsar Convention, and resulted in agreement on activities and material to be presented and disseminated during the upcoming Pan-American meeting scheduled to take place in December and Ramsar COP-11 from 19-26 June, 2012 in Bucharest (Romania).
Ramsar Press Release
Ramsar Press Release
CITES: Transition to E-Permitting
Senior Customs officers and authorities responsible for implementing CITES met in Managua (Nicaragua) from 27-29 June to discuss the transition from paper to electronic permitting systems, and laid out a road map to develop joint funding proposals to assist in the development of national and regional CITES e-permitting systems.
CITES Press Release
CITES Press Release
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