16 December 2011: Participants at the Second Intersessional Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) discussed the compilation of submissions from States, UN bodies, intergovernmental organizations and Major Groups, and provided guidance on the development, structure and format of a “zero draft” of the outcome document, which is expected to be ready in mid-January 2012. More.

Photo: Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, at the close of the session.

15 December 2011: Held under the theme “Convene, Converge, Collaborate,” discussions during Eye on Earth 2011 centered on strengthening existing efforts and inspiring a search for unified, global solutions to the issues that preclude access to data. More.

11 December 2011: The Durban Climate Change Conference concluded with the adoption of a set of decisions covering a wide range of topics, notably the establishment of a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, a decision on long-term cooperative action under the Convention, the launch of a new process towards an agreed outcome with legal force applicable to all parties to the Convention, and the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund. More.

5 December 2011: Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, participated in a panel at the fifth Global Business Day on the theme "What is at stake in Durban? Why should a Durban deal be relevant for business?" More.

4 December 2011: Forest Day 5 addressed the theme “From Policy to Practice,” with a special focus on the role of African forests in mitigating and adapting to climate change. More.

4 December 2011: Mountain Day 2011 highlighted the critical role that mountain ecosystems play in climate adaptation and sustainable development. More.

4 December 2011: The 2011 Develoment and Climate Days focused on “effective climate change adaptation planning” in response to the 2010 decision under the Cancún Adaptation Framework inviting all countries to develop National Adaptation Plans. More.

3 December 2011: Oceans Day considered, inter alia: oceans and coasts at the UNFCCC and Rio+20; climate change and African fisheries; evidence of climate change from the large marine ecosystems; and oceans and climate issues in small island developing States. More.

2 December 2011: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) convened as the final of the five regions' preparatory meetings. More.