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Biodiversity
SCIDEV.NET BIODIVERSITY QUICK GUIDE
SciDev.Net has launched a “Quick Guide” on biodiversity where visitors
can find information on the biodiversity challenges facing developing
countries. This resource considers the issues surrounding the need to
protect global biodiversity and promote social and economic growth in
developing countries. The guide includes: news stories from Africa,
Asia, Latin America and the Middle East; descriptions of key reports and
new research findings; links to relevant organizations; and an events
section listing major conferences and workshops. The
quick guide.
Sustainable Development
ECOSYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IV
(WIT Press, 2003) Edited by E. Tiezzi, C.A. Brebbia and J-L. USO,
this two volume set contains most of the contributions presented at the
Fourth International Conference on Ecosystems and Sustainable
Development that was held in Siena, Italy from 4-6 June 2003, and which
sought to integrate thermodynamics, ecology and economics into
“ecodynamics” – an approach emphasizing that biodiversity is at the core
of sustainability. Topics covered in the books include: ecosystems
modeling; conservation and management of endangered areas; environmental
management; sustainability indicators and certification; sustainable
chemistry and waste management; sustainable development issues;
biodiversity; economic issues; energy generation and conservation;
landscapes; mathematical and system modeling; recovery of damaged areas;
soil and agricultural issues; water resources; forestation; and air
pollution and the greenhouse effect. Information on the
Conference; the
two volume set.
Trade and Investment
DEMANDING ACTION IN CANCÚN: A CHECKLIST FOR AGRICULTURE, THE
ENVIRONMENT, AND TRADE
The Monterrey Bridge Coalition and Future Harvest have
created a checklist of global commitments on trade, agriculture and the
environment in advance of the fifth WTO Ministerial Conference to be
held in Cancún, Mexico from 10-14 September 2003. These include
commitments made at the WTO Doha Ministerial, the 2003 G-8
Summit,
the UN Millennium Summit, the International Conference on Financing for
Development, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The
checklist.
WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT 2003 – FDI POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT: NATIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
(UNCTAD, September 2003) The 2003
World Investment Report focuses on the decline in foreign direct
investment (FDI), which dropped 21 percent in 2002. Earlier chapters
discuss the overall trends in FDI, which by and large have dropped
dramatically, with no rebound expected for 2003. The reasons for the
downturn are addressed from a global perspective as well as by region.
The report considers key issues surrounding national FDI policies and
international investment agreements, with a focus on the rise of such
agreements, the right to regulate, home country measures, and corporate
social responsibility. Implicated in the decline of FDI are factors such
as weakening economies, falling stock markets, financial restructuring
and the slowing down of privatization.
More information.
Human Development
SOCIAL PANORAMA OF LATIN AMERICA 2002-2003, 11TH EDITION
(ECLAC, August 2003) This annual publication analyzes social
trends within the Latin American and Caribbean region. This year’s
edition focuses on hunger and examines the progress of the region’s
countries towards meeting the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving
hunger by 2015.
The study finds that
over 40 percent of the region’s population were living in poverty by the
end of 2002, and that
11 percent were
undernourished and about 55 million people of the region suffered from
some degree of malnutrition toward the end of the past decade. The
report also considers:
new benchmarks for
poverty and income distribution; poverty analysis from a gender
perspective; trends in social spending after the 1998 recession and
changes in private expenditure on health care and education; and labor
policies applied in Latin American countries. The
report.
Chemicals Management
OECD GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR CHEMICAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS
AND RESPONSE: GUIDANCE FOR INDUSTRY (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT AND LABOR),
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES, COMMUNITIES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
(OECD, 2003) The OECD has updated its guidelines for the
prevention of and responses to chemical accidents. The new guidelines,
targeted towards all major stakeholders including governments, industry,
and communities, are an updated version of earlier guidelines published
in 1992. They focus on preventing chemical accidents, emergency planning
and preparedness, accident response and follow-up. Topics addressed
include: developing health infrastructure to deal with chemical
accidents; guidance for audits and inspections; chemical safety in
pipelines and port areas; and chemical accidents relating to terrorism
or sabotage. New in the updated guidelines are a set of “golden rules”
highlighting best practices for major stakeholders with respect to
chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response. The
guide. |
Water, Wetlands, Oceans and Coasts
FLOW - THE ESSENTIALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS
(IUCN, 2003) IUCN and its Water and Nature Initiative have
published this new river guide aimed at helping different interest
groups to implement environmental flows in order to improve the health
of river basins throughout the world. It explains technical methods, as
well as how to change laws, negotiate with stakeholders, and find means
of financing. The concept of environment flows is to ensure that enough
water is left in rivers and is managed to ensure downstream
environmental, social and economic benefits. This includes planned
releases of water from dams and other infrastructure. The
guide.
BENEFITS BEYOND BOUNDARIES: THE FISHERY EFFECTS OF MARINE RESERVES
(TREE, 2003) This new study published in the journal Trends in
Ecology and Evolution (TREE) shows that protected marine reserves
help depleted fish stocks recover. The study analyzes information from
more than 60 different marine protected areas around the world,
revealing that reserves not only preserve species and their habitats,
but also supply fisheries beyond their boundaries. The
report.
LAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT
(ILEC) A publication of the International Lake Environment
Committee Foundation (ILEC), Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and
Management aims to promote environmentally sound management of
natural and artificial lakes, consistent with sustainable development
policies. The
journal.
FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
(OECD, May 2003) Co-edited by the Danish Ministry
of the Environment’s Corporation for Environment in Eastern Europe (DANCEE),
this volume presents a method to develop financing strategies for
investment-heavy environmental infrastructure, such as urban water
supply, wastewater collection and treatment, and municipal solid waste.
It focuses on the importance of realism, affordability and the
cost-effective use of resources in achieving infrastructure development
and environmental goals. The
report.
WATER STORIES
(IRC, 2003) The International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC)
is releasing a new book, entitled Water Stories. The book,
consisting of personal stories, quotes, photographs and facts about
water, will be presented during the sixth Water Information Summit to be
held in the Netherlands from 9-12 September 2003.
The IRC, an independent, non-profit
organization supported by the
Netherlands
government, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations
Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the
World Bank
and the
Water Supply and
Sanitation Collaborative Council,
facilitates the
sharing, promotion and use of knowledge of water and sanitation
services, particularly in developing countries.
More information.
REVISED WEBSITE FOR LAKE MANAGEMENT
LakeNet, a global network of
people and organizations in more than 90 countries dedicated to the
conservation and sustainable development of lake ecosystems, has
improved its website to include a more comprehensive online database of
over 2,000 lakes worldwide. The site also includes: links to over 1,500
organizations and resources useful to lake managers and others working
to protect and restore lakes; a database of more than 250,000 lake basin
maps; and a section dedicated to the Lake Basin Management Initiative, a
global initiative to document and share experiences and lessons learned
in lake management. The
website.
Energy, Climate, Atmosphere
U.S. ENERGY SCENARIOS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
(Pew Center on Global Climate Change, July 2003) Prepared for the Pew
Center by Irving Mintzer, J. Amber Leonard, and Peter Schwartz of the
Global Business Network, this report considers three possible paths for
US energy supply and use for the next three decades, and the effect of
the government’s climate policy on the three scenarios. The report
argues for a mandatory constraint on carbon emissions, and warns of a
likely rise in emissions without such a cap. It contends that voluntary
measures will not reduce emissions, even if the carbon intensity of the
economy declines. In other findings, the report also concludes that
there are technologies that could help address both climate change and
enhance energy security, if supported by the appropriate policies and
levels investments. The
report.
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 2003
(WIT Press, 2003) Edited by C.A. Brebbia, and I. Sakellaris, this
book features most of the papers presented at the First International
Conference on Sustainable Energy, Planning and Technology in
Relationship to the Environment (Energy and the Environment), held in
Halkidiki, Greece from 14-16 May 2003. With sections addressing energy
and environment, energy resources management, energy markets and policy,
renewable energy resources, alternative energy sources, energy
efficiency in buildings, industrial energy issues, transportation energy
reduction and losses, energy computer modeling, and data management, the
book covers a range of technological and policy issues on power
generation, transmission, energizing materials, energy efficiency, and
waste and pollution. More information on the
Energy and the Environment 2003 Conference. More information on the
Energy and the Environment book.
HANDBOOK ON CRITICAL USE NOMINATIONS FOR METHYL BROMIDE
(UNEP, August 2003) This online handbook describes the nomination
process for exemptions for methyl bromide for “critical” uses under the
Montreal Protocol. Methyl bromide was listed as a controlled substance
in 1992 at the Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP-4) to the Montreal
Protocol. However, allowance was made for a level of production and
consumption of methyl bromide to continue after production phase-out
where it was deemed necessary to satisfy uses agreed by the Parties to
be “critical.” The handbook aims to give guidance to Parties to enable
them to submit their nominations for critical use exemptions for
consideration at the upcoming 15th Meeting of the Parties (MOP-15),
which will take place in November 2003. The
handbook.
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Click here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
SOUTH
EAST ASIA FORUM ON GREENHOUSE GAS MARKET MECHANISMS AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT:
10 September
2003 - 12 September 2003. Manila, Philippines. This meeting will examine
recent developments in climate change policy, the use of market
mechanisms, and their contribution to sustainable development in the
region. For more information contact: Robert Dornau, International
Emissions Trading Association; tel: +41-22-839-3154; fax:
+41-22-839-3181; e-mail:
dornau@ieta.org; Internet:
http://www.ieta.org/seasia.html
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS:
16 September 2003 - 18 September 2003. Cartagena, Colombia. Organized by
Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, Oilwatch
and Friends of the Earth Colombia, this event will address: the impact
of war on environmental rights and human rights; human right violations
of environmental activists; impunity for environmental crimes;
accountability for transnational corporations; land rights and
territories; environmental justice; and ecological debt from northern
countries to the south. For more information contact: tel:
+571-244-2465; fax: +571-337-7709; e-mail:
conferencia_ddhh@censat.org; Internet:
http://www.censat.org
ETHICAL CORPORATION ASIA 2003 CONFERENCE: CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY -
WHY IT’S ESSENTIAL FOR ASIAN BUSINESS: 23 September 2003 - 24
September 2003.
Singapore,
Singapore. The Ethical Corporation Asia Conference will aim to bring
Asian and global business leaders together to provide a regional
framework for better understanding of the importance of corporate social
responsibility. For more information contact: Peter Carkeek; tel:
+1-800-814-3459; e-mail:
peter.carkeek@ethicalcorp.com; Internet:
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/asia2003
WATER AND WASTEWATER
ASIA
2003: 23
September 2003 - 25 September 2003.
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam. The Asia Water and Wastewater meeting will bring together over
2000 professionals from the Asian water industry. The programme includes
sessions on water management and quality issues, financing water
infrastructure, and water and wastewater treatment. For more information
contact: PennWell; tel: +1-918-835-3161; e-mail:
cchapman@pennwell.com; Internet:
http://wwa03.events.pennnet.com/content.cfm?NavId=546&Language=Engl
WATER FOR LIFE AND PEACE: 24 September 2003 - 26 September 2003.
Bologna, Italy. This conference, organized by Green Cross International
and Green Cross Italy, will address: the global water crisis;
partnerships between local and regional authorities in the developed and
developing worlds, the private sector and civil society; and peace,
security and transboundary water basins. For more information contact:
Green Cross International; tel: +41-22-789-1662; fax: +41-22-789-1695;
e-mail:
gcinternational@gci.ch; Internet:
http://www.greencrossinternational.net/Announcements/Announcement_bologna.pdf
SECOND GREEN ACADEMIC NETWORK CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION, CULTURAL
MOBILITY AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR GREEN POLITICS: 26 September
2003 - 28 September 2003.
Leuven,
Belgium.
Co-organized by the Academic Institute of GroenLinks (the Netherlands),
Agalev (Belgium), the Heinrich Böll Foundation (Germany - Brussels
bureau) and the Bildungswerkstatt die Grüne (Austria), this conference
will consider topics such as: development cooperation as cultural
export; globalization and the influence on urbanization; European Greens
in crisis?; and internet and transnational citizenship. For more
information contact: e-mail:
lmichon@groenlinks.nl; Internet:
http://www.virtueel.com/upd/ins_b.rxml?cust=2&id=492
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL COGENERATION & DECENTRALIZED ENERGY CONFERENCE:
1 October 2003 - 2
October 2003. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This conference, which is being
organized by the World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE) and
Brazil’s National Institute for Energy Efficiency, will consider
alternatives to centralized electricity generation. For more information
contact: Michael Brown, WADE; tel: +44-131-625-3333; fax:
+44-131-625-3334; e-mail:
michael.brown@localpower.org; Internet:
http://www.localpower.org/pages/wadeevents.htm
CONSULTATION ON ENVIRONMENT FOR PEACE: THE ROLE OF THE BUSINESS
SECTOR: 3 October 2003 - 5 October 2003. Loccum, Germany. Sponsored
by InWEnt and UNEP Finance Initiatives, this event aims to identify
practical and effective strategies to address the links between
environmental precaution and conflict prevention. The meeting will look
at specific case studies, one of which focuses on illegal logging in
Indonesia. For more information contact: Andreas Dally; tel:
+49-57-66-81-108; fax: +49-57-66-81-900; e-mail:
Andreas.Dally@evlka.de; Internet:
http://www.loccum.de/english/p0359e.html
OECD EXPERT MEETING ON AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY AND WATER USE
INDICATORS:
7 October 2003 - 10
October 2003. Gyeongju, Korea. The OECD Expert Meeting will seek to
develop agricultural water quality and water use indicators for policy
purposes. It will also review current approaches to monitoring, modeling
and the economic valuation of agricultural water quality and water use
at the regional and national level. For more information contact: Kevin
Parris, OECD Secretariat; tel: +33-1-45-24-82-00; e-mail:
kevin.parris@oecd.org; Internet:
http://webdomino1.oecd.org/comnet/agr/water.nsf/viewHtml/index/$FILE/index.htm
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL IDENTITY: 6 November 2003 - 8 November
2003. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Topics to be discussed at this workshop
include environment and development, tourism and cultural identity, and
problems caused by globalization. For more information contact: Ana
Victoria Knaggs; e-mail:
knaggs@fie.uo.edu.cu
TIMBER PLANTATIONS: IMPACTS, FUTURE VISIONS AND GLOBAL TRENDS: 13
November 2003. Nelspruit, South Africa. GeaSphere in association with
the TimberWatch Coalition is hosting this workshop, which will consider
the value of grasslands, risks associated with the cultivation of
invasive species, and forestry alternatives for rural development, among
other issues. For more information contact: Philip Owen; tel:
+27-13-733-5267; e-mail:
owen@soft.co.za
GREEN POWER 4 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT FOR IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE: 16 October 2003 - 17
October 2003. New Delhi, India. This Conference aims to provide a forum
for sharing of experiences on eco-friendly power generation and water
resources development, and discussing technological advancements in
power generation in the areas of improved efficiency and environment.
For more information contact: tel: +91-11-2554-2551; e-mail:
ipis@vsnl.net; Internet:
http://www.indiacore.com/ic-conf/9-oct2003-cpu-green-power/index.html
MOVING FORWARD FROM CANCÚN - A CONFERENCE ON THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OF
TRADE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: 30 October 2003 - 31
October 2003. Berlin, Germany. Hosted by Ecologic - Institute for
International and European Environmental Policy, the conference provides
an opportunity for researchers, policymakers, and NGO representatives to
take stock of the negotiations of the September WTO Ministerial meeting
in Cancún, Mexico. As part of the European Union-funded “Concerned
Action on Trade and Environment” network, the conference will address a
range of topical trade issues including: WTO rules and MEAs; the dispute
settlement system; investment; subsidies; services; competition policy;
government procurement; intellectual property rights; agriculture;
public health; export credits; and development and implementation
procedures. For more information contact: Markus Knigge; tel:
+49-30-8688-0100; e-mail:
knigge@ecologic.de; Internet:
http://www.ecologic-events.de/Cat-E/en/background.htm
LABOR STANDARDS & HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE: 19 November 2003 - 20
November 2003. Brussels, Belgium. This conference looks at the latest
Labor, Codes of Conduct and Human Rights policies that multinational
companies are devising, implementing and currently using in their global
operations. Issues to be covered include: internal EU policies and
emerging issues, external supply chain risks, practical tips on working
with suppliers, unions and NGOs, and human rights policy development and
usage. For more information contact: tel: +44-20-7375-7561; e-mail:
editor@ethicalcorp.com; Internet:
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/labour2003
SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CCD: 17 October
2005 - 28 October 2005. Bonn, Germany. COP-7 of the CCD will meet in
Bonn, Germany if no Party, prior to 15 January 2005, offers to host the
session and meet the additional cost. Parties will consider, inter alia:
the programme and budget for 2006-2007; reviews of the implementation of
the CCD and its institutional arrangements, of the CST report, and of
the relationships with other conventions and organizations; the Regional
Coordinating Units; the CCD's implementation in accordance with Article
27 on mechanisms and instruments for implementation; arbitration and
conciliation procedures; a comprehensive review of the activities of the
Secretariat; and consideration of progress made by the GM in mobilizing
financial resources to support CCD implementation, in particular, NAPs.
For more information contact: UNCCD Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2802;
fax: +49-228-815-2898; e-mail:
secretariat@unccd.int; Internet:
http://www.unccd.int/main.php
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