|
NEW “SEED” AWARD TO HONOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS
UNEP, UNDP, IUCN–The
World Conservation Union and Stakeholder Forum have founded the
Seed Awards – “Supporting Entrepreneurs in Environment
and Development.” This initiative, which will be presented every two
years, will award innovative partnership proposals aimed at
sustainable development.
More.
ALCAN INC. ANNOUNCES US$1 MIL PRIZE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The aluminum and
packaging multinational company Alcan Inc. has established a US$1
million annual prize to recognize non-profit civil society NGOs that
have made and continue to make outstanding contributions toward
sustainable development.
More.
WWF EXPOSES NEW CHEMICAL CONCERNS, CALLS FOR STRONGER LAWS
Many chemicals in
everyday consumer goods pose a toxic hazard to humans and animals,
suggests WWF.
More.
EU SET TO LAUNCH POLLUTION REGISTER
The European Union will publicly
launch the European polluting emission register, or EPER, on 23
February.
More.
UK CHEMICAL INDUSTRY PLANS DATABASE
The UK Chemical
Industries Association (CIA) has announced that it plans to develop
a database of chemicals marketed in the UK.
More.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY EXPECTS GROWTH IN 2004
The chemical
industry is expecting growth in 2004 throughout most parts of the
world.
More.
WORLD CELEBRATES WETLANDS DAY
2 February 2004
marked the seventh annual World Wetlands Day, with some 80 countries
organizing special events to celebrate and raise public awareness
about their respective wetland ecosystems, as well as to mark the
date of the signing of the international Convention on Wetlands in
Ramsar, Iran on 2 February 1971.
More.
NOAA DEVELOPS SEA TURTLE SAVING TECHNOLOGY
The US National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) together with the
fishing industry, has developed new technology aimed at reducing the
accidental capture of and harm to marine turtles.
More. |
UNEP, EU PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION IN ASIA
With more middle to
high income consumers in Asia and the Pacific than in Western Europe
and North America combined, rising consumerism in Asia might lead to
an ecological disaster if consumption levels in the east reach those
seen in the west. In efforts to stem the tide of this potential
catastrophe, the European Union is funding a US$500,000 project
called Sustainable Consumption Asia or SC.Asia.
More.
U.S. HYDROGEN PLAN CRITICIZED
Plans by the U.S.
Government to make hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles affordable by
2020 have been labeled unrealistic by experts.
More.
FRANCE, GERMANY PRESSURE RUSSIA TO RATIFY KYOTO
France and Germany
have kept up the pressure on Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol
with a joint statement from the two countries’ environment
ministers.
More.
WORLD BANK IGNORES CALL TO END OIL, COAL FUNDING
The World Bank has
rejected a proposal to stop funding oil and coal projects in
developing countries, according to news sources.
More.
ILLEGAL CFC SMUGGLING RING EXPOSED
Illegal trade in a
major ozone-damaging substance has been uncovered in Asia, according
to a BBC report.
More.
UNDP AND MICROSOFT LAUNCH INITIATIVE ON TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
UNDP and Microsoft
Corporation launched a joint initiative to advance
technology training in developing countries, with the goal of
helping them attain the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
More.
COSTA RICA JOINS REGIONAL FREE TRADE ZONE
Costa Rica has
announced its intention to join the Central American Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA), a treaty concluded last year between El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the United States.
More.
OECD INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON DRAFT REVISION OF CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
The Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development is inviting the public to
comment on a draft revision of its Principles of Corporate
Governance adopted by OECD governments in 1999.
More.
|
WEST AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS PROMOTE BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Environment
ministers from six west African countries recently expressed concern
for the ongoing environmental degradation and increasing poverty
across the African continent, and committed to promoting the use of
biosphere reserves as operational sites for sustainable development
in the fight against poverty and in implementing the action plan of
NEPAD’s environment initiative.
More.
UNEP JOINS CONSERVATION FINANCE ALLIANCE
UNEP has recently
joined the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA), created “to catalyze
increased and sustainable public and private financing for
biodiversity conservation to support the effective implementation of
global commitments to conservation.”
More.
TREATY ON GIANT BIRDS
ENTERS INTO FORCE
The Agreement on
the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) entered into
force on 1 February with Australia, Ecuador, New Zealand, South
Africa and Spain as parties to the agreement.
More.
CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL LOGGING IN MEXICO HASN’T SLOWED DEFORESTATION
A recent crackdown
on illegal logging has not slowed deforestation in the monarch
butterfly’s winter habitat.
More.
ILLEGAL LOGGING DESTROYING INDONESIAN RAINFORESTS
The Environmental
Investigation Agency (EIA) along with Telapak, an Indonesian partner
organization, has recently released a report documenting the trade
in timber from ramin, an endangered Indonesian tree species.
More.
CITIGROUP TO SCREEN PROJECTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Citigroup, the
US’s largest financial institution, is adopting a corporate policy
to carefully evaluate requests for project financing that could
adversely affect the environment.
More.
GLOBAL UNEMPLOYMENT IN 2003 SETS RECORD, ILO SEES SIGNS OF
IMPROVEMENT FOR 2004
Despite economic
growth in the latter half of last year, global unemployment rose to
a record 185.9 million in 2003, says the International Labour
Organization in its Global Employment Trends 2004 report.
More. |
|
Sustainable development
REDUCING DISASTER RISK: A CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPMENT
(UNDP, February 2004) Prepared by UNDP, this report presents a
newly developed Disaster Risk Index that links vulnerability
directly to poverty, through correlating risk of death from natural
disasters to socio-economic and environmental variables. The report
looks at physical exposure from natural disasters such as
earthquakes, cyclones, flood and droughts and relative vulnerability
from 1980 to 2000 for over 200 countries and territories. The report
notes that while only 11 percent of the people exposed to natural
disasters live in poor countries, these people account for over 53
percent of those who die from such disasters. Conversely 15 percent
of those exposed to natural disasters, who live in wealthy
countries, account for only 1.8 percent of recorded disaster-related
deaths. The study makes several recommendations to governments,
including using the best available risk analysis, incorporating such
risks in regulatory procedures and involving risk assessment in
development planning. The
report.
INVENTING A BETTER FUTURE: A STRATEGY FOR BUILDING WORLDWIDE
CAPACITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(InterAcademy
Council, 2004) This report was authored by a study panel appointed
by the InterAcademy Council to develop a global strategy for
addressing global science and technology issues. Jacob Palis
(Brazil) and Ismail Serageldin (Egypt) co-chaired the panel, which
met five times to reach consensus on the conclusions and
recommendations that are presented in this seven chapter report.
Recommendations focus on five major areas for action: science,
technology and society; increasing human resources; creating
research institutions; engaging the public and private sectors; and
financing. Specific recommendations include calls for new efforts to
attract, develop and retain scientific and technological talent in
all nations and for creative new mechanisms to ensure adequate
funding for science and technology capacity building. The
report.
IISD WEEKLY JOURNAL REVIEW
Subscribe
to receive weekly e-updates containing descriptions of peer-reviewed
articles on sustainable development.
Trade
INTERNATIONAL TRADE STATISTICS 2003
(World
Trade Organization, 2004) This WTO report provides a detailed
account of trade in both merchandise and commercial services by
country, region and main product groups or service categories.
Produced by the WTO’s Economic Research and Statistics Division, the
report shows that a “weak trade recovery” in 2002 was followed by a
near stagnation of trade flows in the first half of 2003. This far
from robust trade picture reflects above all the weak economic
growth in the OECD countries and in particular Western Europe. The
report.
|
Climate, energy, and atmosphere
CORAL REEFS AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE TO STRESS ON CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS
(Pew
Center on Global Climate Change, February 2004) This new report
outlines the likely impacts of climate change over the next century
on coral reef systems around the world. The report reviews the
existing literature on the subject in an effort to analyze the
current state of knowledge on coral reef communities and the likely
impact of climate change. With the loss of an estimated 25 percent
of coral reefs already due to human activities, the report argues
that climate change will only intensify the “coral reef crisis” that
already exists. Coral reefs are the greatest source of biodiversity
of all marine ecosystems, and are estimated to contribute US$30
billion annually to the global economy. The
report.
MARKET POWER WITH INTERDEPENDENT DEMAND: SALE OF EMISSION PERMITS
AND NATURAL GAS FROM THE FORMER SOVIET UNION
(CICERO,
2004) This working paper from the Norwegian research organization
CICERO considers the role of the countries of the former Soviet
Union in the emissions permit market. The report examines the
interdependence between the revenues from exports of permits and
fossil fuels. Using a numerical general equilibrium model, the
authors discover that the former Soviet Union countries’ status as
large exporters of natural gas would have a negligible effect on the
incentives to exert monopoly power in the permit market. However,
the authors also find significant impacts on what the optimal level
of gas exports might be. The
working paper.
CARBON FINANCE
(EBRD,
2004) The
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
has launched a new online information service on carbon trading. The
information, which is contained in a new section of EBRD’s website,
offers details about carbon financing, including project eligibility
criteria and guidance on how projects can be developed. EBRD
recently created one of Europe’s first carbon trading funds in
partnership with the Dutch Government. The
information service.
Water, wetlands, oceans, coasts
WORLD BANK WATER RESOURCES STRATEGY
(World Bank, January 2004) This report examines the World Bank’s
business strategies for specific water using sectors, such as water
and sanitation, irrigation and drainage, and hydropower. It focuses
on how to improve the development and management of water resources
while providing the principles that link resource management to the
specific water-using sectors.
More information.
THE ECONOMIC VALUES OF THE WORLD’S WETLANDS
(WWF, 2004) According this report, US$70 billion worth of goods and
services from freshwater resources could be at risk annually if
governments fail to manage their wetlands sustainably. The report is the first comprehensive overview of the
economic values of the world’s wetlands, analyzing 89 existing
valuation studies and using a database that covers a wetland area of
630,000 km². The report also highlights that over half of the
world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900 as a result of human
population increase and development, and says that managing
wetlands sustainably will aid significantly in meeting the WSSD
target of halving the number of people without adequate water and
sanitation services by 2015.
Report.
IWRS-DC LAUNCHES WEBSITE
The Indian Water Resources Society-Delhi Center (IWRS-DC) has
launched a new website, providing information on India’s water
sector, as well as on the organization’s activities and upcoming
events. IWRS serves as a platform for free and open discussions for
those concerned with water-related issues. The
website.
|
Forests
FOREST CERTIFICATION WATCH: 2003 YEAR IN REVIEW
(Forest Certification Watch, 2004) This two-volume report,
edited by Jean-Pierre Kiekens, is Forest Certification Watch’s sixth
annual report covering prominent developments in North America
(Volume I) and Europe, Oceania and the Tropics (Volume II). The text
is based on reports and research published in the monthly newsletter
“Forest Certification Watch,” and chronicles, among others, the
forest certification programmes and growth of certified forest areas
worldwide, as well as the new wave of procurement policies in the
US, including by Home Depot and Time Inc.
More information.
Biodiversity and wildlife
THE INTERNATIONAL REGIME FOR BIOPROSPECTING: EXISTING POLICIES AND
EMERGING ISSUES FOR ANTARCTICA
(UNU/IAS,
August 2003) Written by Dagmar Lohan and Sam Johnston of the United
Nations University/Institute of Advanced Studies, this paper
outlines and examines the existing international regime for
bioprospecting with a focus on Antarctica. It reviews bioprospecting
activities in Antarctica and bioprospecting trends in other regions,
outlines legal provisions of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), and
examines international policies governing bioprospecting activities,
including through UNCLOS, CBD, WIPO, and the ITPGR. It finds that
while the physical impacts of bioprospecting is addressed by the ATS,
the legal and policy basis regulating the commercialization of
genetic resources are not harmonized with the basic precepts of the
ATS and with the principles of equity and fairness. It recommends,
inter alia, consideration of legal issues relating to the
ownership and protection of such resources, feasibility and
modalities of benefits sharing, and preliminary views on the need
for regulation or guidelines.
The
report.
BIOLOGICAL CONFINEMENT OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS
(National Research Council, January 2004) Authored by the
Committee on the Biological Confinement of Genetically Engineered
Organisms of the National Academies’ National Research Council, this
report examines the potential of bioconfinement techniques to
prevent GM material from escaping into natural ecosystems. The
report recommends use of more than one method to reduce probability
of failure, and stresses that more research should focus on how well
specific methods and combinations of methods work. The
report.
AMERICAN PATENT POLICY, BIOTECHNOLOGY, AND AFRICAN AGRICULTURE: THE
CASE FOR POLICY CHANGE
(Resources for the Future, December 2003) Written by Michael R.
Taylor and Jerry Cayford, this report examines current patent policy
in the US and shows how it may impede the use of agricultural
biotechnology advances in developing countries. The authors
recommend a set of policy changes to help African
farmers access these new technologies, while leaving intact the
structure of the patent system and not undercutting the innovation
incentives it provides. The
report.
THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY: A RECORD OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
(CBD/FIELD, September 2003) Compiled by the Foundation for
International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) as requested
by the CBD Secretariat, this report provides an article by article
negotiating history of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, until
the final adoption of its final text in January 2000. The
report.
|
|
Click here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
Sustainable development
FOURTH ASIAN CONFERENCE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION SAFETY:
2 March 2004 - 5 March 2004. Bali, Indonesia. This conference will
convene under the theme “Emerging Food and Nutrition Safety Issues –
Impact on Science, Health, and Economics” to focus on safety issues
along the farm-to-fork continuum. The conference will address a
range of topics, including risk assessment of inherent mycotoxins,
the impact of farming and agricultural practices, unintended
microbial contamination throughout food processing, and potential
concerns from packaging on food safety. For more information
contact: ILSI Southeast Asia Region; tel: +65-6352-5220; fax:
+65-6352-5536; e-mail:
ilsisea@singnet.com.sg; Internet:
http://southeastasia.ilsi.org/events/actslist.cfm?pubactivityid=378
NINTH EUROPEAN ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND
PRODUCTION: 12 May 2004 - 14 May 2004. Bilbao, Spain. IHOBE, the
Basque Environmental Management Authority, is coordinating this 9th
European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP).
ERSCP is a non-profit forum that provides a platform to stimulate
and disseminate initiatives to foster the implementation of
sustainable consumption and production concepts and approaches
within local and regional sustainable development initiatives. ERSCP
2004 is a continuation of the ERCP (European Roundtable on Cleaner
Production) series, the first of which was held in 1994. For more
information contact: IHOBE; tel: +34-94-423-0743; fax:
+34-94-423-5900; Internet:
http://www.erscp2004.net/ihobe.html
Biodiversity
SIXTH MEETING OF WIPO’S INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
AND FOLKLORE: 15 March 2004 - 19 March 2004. Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: World Intellectual
Property Organization; tel: +41-22-338-8161; fax: +41-22-338-8810;
e-mail:
publicinf@wipo.int; Internet:
http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/igc/documents/index.html#6
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2004 ANNUAL MEETING:
INVASIVE SPECIES - THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS: 16 March 2004 - 18
March 2004. Washington, DC, USA. Participants will approach the
topic of "Invasive Species: The Search for Solutions" from the
perspective of one or more of the meeting’s cross-cutting themes:
what makes a species "invasive"; research questions and tools;
aquatic and terrestrial issues; economics; public policy; education;
public health; prevention and remediation; international issues; and
local initiatives. For more information contact: Sue Burk, AIBS
Meetings Director; tel: +1-703-790-1745 x14; fax: +1-703-790-2672;
e-mail:
sburk@aibs.org; Internet:
http://www.aibs.org/annual-meeting-2004/
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HERBS AND HERBAL PRODUCTS:
LIVELIHOODS AND TRADE OPTIONS: 26 March 2004 - 27 March 2004.
New Delhi, India. Organized by Oxfam GB in India and Community
Enterprise Forum, this conference on herbs and herbal products will
consider: conservation, research and development, products, services
and market segments, market access, policy implications, and
information and communication. For more information contact: tel:
+91-11-26-67-25-42; fax: +91-11-26-85-67-28; e-mail:
conference@medplant.com; Internet:
http://www.medplant.com/main.php3?act=aboutc&snid=
EIGHTH SESSION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY
INFORMATION FACILITY: 25 April 2004 - 30 April 2004. Oaxaca,
Mexico. For more information contact: Hugo von Linstow; tel:
+45-35-32-1477; fax: +45-35-32-1480; e-mail:
hvlinstow@gbif.org; Internet:
http://www.gbif.org/GB8/
Chemicals management
PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON STOCKHOLM CONVENTION NATIONAL
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (NIP) PROJECTS: 9-13 February 2004. Port
Vila, Vanuatu. For more information contact: UNEP Chemicals; tel:
+41-22-917-8191; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pops.int
SUBREGIONAL DIOXIN AND FURAN INVENTORY TRAINING FOR
FRENCH-SPEAKING AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
(NIP) COORDINATORS MEETING:
22 February 2004 - 26 February 2004. Nouakchott, Mauritania. 22-26
February 2004. Nouakchott, Mauritania. For more information contact:
UNEP Chemicals; tel: +41-22-917-8191; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pops.int
UNEP REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON POPS AND
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO POPS PESTICIDES FOR THE SOUTH EAST ASIA
REGION: 3 May 2004 - 6 May 2004. Bangkok, Thailand. For more
information contact: UNEP Chemicals; tel: +41-22-917-8191; fax:
+41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.pops.int
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MERCURY AS A GLOBAL
POLLUTANT: 27 June 2004 - 2 July 2004. Ljubljana, Slovenia. For
more information contact: Milena Horvat, Joæef Stefan Institute,
Department of Environmental Sciences; tel: +386 (0)1 588 53 89; fax:
+386 (0)1 588 53 46; e-mail:
milena.horvat@ijs.si; Internet:
http://www.cd-cc.si/ICMGP04
25TH SESSION OF THE ECOSOC SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE
TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS: 5 July 2004 - 14 July 2004.
Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: UNECE Transport
Division; tel: ++41-22-917-2401; fax: ++41-22-917-0039/ 89; e-mail:
dominique.leger@unece.org; Internet:
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm
SEVENTH SESSION OF THE ECOSOC GLOBAL CLASSIFICATION AND HAZARD
COMMUNICATION HARMONIZATION SUB-COMMITTEE: 14 July 2004 - 16
July 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact:
Mireille Chavet, UNECE Transport Division; tel: +41-22-917-1252;
fax: ++41-22-917-0039/89; e-mail:
mireille.chavet@unece.org; Internet:
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND
GOODS: 6 September 2004 - 17 September 2004. Muttenz,
Switzerland. This workshop, organized by the University of Applied
Sciences Basel (FHBB), will be held from 6-17 September 2004, in
Muttenz, Switzerland For more information contact: Priska Limacher,
Course Secretariat; tel: +41-22-467-4560; fax: ++41-22-467-4590;
e-mail:
p.limacher@fhbb.ch; Internet:
http://www.fhbb.ch/umwelt
SECOND SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT (SAICM
PREPCOM 2): 4 October 2004 - 8 October 2004. SAICM PrepCom 2 is
tentatively scheduled for 4-8 October 2004 For more information
contact: UNEP Chemicals; tel: ++41-22-917-8191; fax:
+41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.chem.unep.ch/saicm/
THIRD SESSION OF THE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION EXPERT GROUP ON BAT-BEP:
11 October 2004 - 16 October 2004. Japan. For more information
contact: UNEP Chemicals; tel: ++41-22-917-8191; fax:
+41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.chem.unep.ch/saicm/
Climate
CONFERENCE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN CONSTRUCTION:
25 February 2004 - 28 February 2004. Sofia, Bulgaria. This
conference and exhibition on energy efficiency in building
construction and refurbishment will seek to provide a platform for
information exchange among experts, as well as representatives of
business, government, the media, and the construction industry. The
conference will focus on how to improve energy efficiency in
existing buildings through methods such as thermal insulation,
energy efficient lighting systems, and intelligent heating systems.
For more information contact: Miriam Hegner, Information Service;
tel: +49-71-2130-160 or 49-71-2; e-mail:
redaktion@energie-server.de; Internet:
http://www.energie-server.de/bulgaria/engl/
SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN CANADA: 15 March 2004 - 16 March 2004. Boston, USA. This conference
will examine the impacts of climate change on natural resources in
New England and Eastern Canada, and will consider ways to adapt to
these impacts. Speakers at the Symposium will discuss climate change
in relation to forestry, agriculture, fisheries, tourism,
biodiversity and wildlife. The meeting is being organized under the
umbrella of the New England Secretariat for the Conference of New
England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, a bi-national
organization with political leaders on the board of directors. For
more information contact: Charles Tretter, Director of the New
England Governors’ Conference, Inc.; tel: +1-617-423-6900 or
1-617-4; e-mail:
info@newenglandgovernors.org; Internet:
http://www.negc.org/ClimateChange04.html
CARBON
MARKET INSIGHTS 2004:
20 April 2004 - 21 April 2004. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The
annual event for the world’s carbon markets - a Point Carbon
conference. This event provides a unique and timely opportunity to
be updated on the developments in the carbon markets, especially the
EU ETS and explore the consequences the National Allocation Plans
for industry and business. In-depth sessions on the status and
prospects for the CDM will be provided on day two. For more
information contact: Marte Nordseth/ Ian Roche, Point Carbon; tel:
+47-924-29400; fax: +47-925-70818; e-mail:
conference@pointcarbon.com; Internet:
http://www.pointcarbon.com
CONFERENCE ON THE CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE
POLICY:
12 May 2004 - 14 May 2004. Hamburg, Germany. This international
conference on climate policy is being hosted by the Hamburg
Institute of International Economics. The conference will offer
briefings on various aspects of climate policy, including the
history of the international policy process, as well as the role of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, NGOs, business
groups, and other key stakeholders in influencing climate policy and
the multilateral negotiations on climate change. The Kyoto Protocol,
and in particularly its flexible, market-based mechanisms to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, will also be examined. For more
information contact: Axel Michaelowa, Hamburg Institute’s Climate
Policy Programme; tel: +49-40-4283-4309 or 49-40-; e-mail:
a-michaelowa@hwwa.de; Internet:
http://www.hwwa.de/climate.htm
CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE PROTECTION AS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY: 7 June 2004 - 8 June 2004. Hamburg, Germany. This conference
will consider the use of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development
Mechanism as a tool to reach development targets. The meeting is
being hosted by the Hamburg Institute of International Economics.
For more information contact: Axel Michaelowa, Hamburg Institute’s
Climate Policy Programme; tel: +49-40-4283-4309 or 49-40-; e-mail:
a-michaelowa@hwwa.de; Internet:
http://www.hwwa.de/climate.htm
Forests, deserts, land
EXPERT CONSULTATION ON CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE
FOREST MANAGEMENT (ECCI-2004):
2 March 2004 - 4 March 2004. Cebu City, The Philippines. This
meeting follows from a recommendation of the International
Conference on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest
Management, CICI-2003, which met in Guatemala in February 2003.
ECCI-2004 will seek to make recommendations on: developing a
communication network among processes, countries and other relevant
partners to provide a mechanism for exchange of information,
building on existing networks; improving common understanding of
concepts, terms and definitions related to criteria and indicators;
identifying common approaches, methods and protocols for collecting,
storing and sharing data; strengthening criteria and indicator
processes and inter-process cooperation and sharing of information
and know-how; and analyzing the merits of forming an ad hoc
international technical advisory group to address technical issues
related to the development and implementation of criteria and
indicators. Participation is by invitation only. For more
information contact: Eva Mueller, ITTO; tel: +81-45-223-1110; fax:
+81-45-223-1111; e-mail:
itto@itto.or.jp; Internet:
http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/pageview.jsp?pageId=24148&langId=1
THE FRONTIERS OF FOREST CERTIFICATION: 28 March 2004 - 2
April 2004. Vancouver, BC, Canada. This meeting will gather
corporate executives, governmental officials and experts in
sustainable forest management, certification and responsible
procurement. The conference to be held from 1-2 April is presented
in conjunction with the 17th Global Forest Industry Conference
organized by PricewaterhouseCoopers. A field tour held from 28-30
March in the BC Interior will include visits to forestry and
processing operations either certified or contemplating
certification. A one-day training workshop in forest certification
will be presented on 31 March. For more information contact: Kristy
Westlake, Conference Coordinator; tel: +1-514-273-5777; e-mail:
info@CertificationWatchConference.org; Internet:
http://www.CertificationWatchConference.org
FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF AGROFORESTRY 2004: WORKING TOGETHER FOR
SUSTAINABLE LAND-USE SYSTEMS: 27 June 2004 - 2 July 2004.
Orlando, Florida, USA. Organized by the University of Florida/IFAS,
School of Forest Resources and Conservation in collaboration with
others, this congress seeks to provide a global forum for
agroforestry professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and
ideas and to plan future strategies in agroforestry research,
education and training, and development. For more information
contact: P. K. Nair, Director, Center for Subtropical Agroforestry;
tel: +1-352-846-0880; fax: +1-352-846-1277; e-mail:
pknair@ufl.edu; Internet:
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/wca/
Human development
48TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW):
1 March 2004 - 12 March 2004. UNHQ, New York. The Commission will
focus on the two thematic issues for 2004 as outlined in its
multi-year programme of work: the role of men and boys in achieving
gender equality; and women’s equal participation in conflict
prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict
peace-building. For more information contact: fax: +1-212-963-3463;
e-mail:
daw@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/48sess.htm
Trade and investment
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IN PRACTICE: RISKS, LIABILITIES AND
CORPORATE PERFORMANCE: 1 March 2004 - 2 March 2004. Chatham
House, London, UK. The conference will focus on identifying useful
and practical benchmarks that would enable an intelligent and fair
comparison of responsible corporate performance, and will look to
identify the areas of major corporate accountability concerns over
the next five years. For more information contact: Michael Roberts;
tel: +44-20-7957-5729; e-mail:
mroberts@riia.org; Internet:
http://www.riia.org/index.php?id=5&cid=41
Water, wetlands, coasts
IMO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT FOR SHIPS:
9 February 2004 - 13 February 2004. London, UK. International Marine
Organization (IMO) delegates will consider a draft International
Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water
and Sediments. For more information contact: IMO Conference
Division; tel: +44-20-7735-7611 ext. 3105; fax: +44-20-7587-3210;
e-mail:
agarofal@imo.org; Internet:
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D8685/1.pdf
IMO MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING: 29 March
2004 - 2 April 2004. London, UK. The International Marine
Organization (IMO) will hold its 51st session of its Marine
Environment Protection Committee to discuss, inter alia: harmful
aquatic organisms in ballast water; recycling of ships; harmful
anti-fouling systems for ships; and other issues. For more
information contact: IMO Conference Division; tel: +44-20-7735-7611
ext. 3105; fax: +44-20-7587-3210; e-mail:
agarofal@imo.org; Internet:
http://www.imo.org/home.asp
OCEANS IN A HIGH-CO2 WORLD SYMPOSIUM: 10 May 2004 - 12 May
2004. Paris, France. Organized by the Scientific Committee on
Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission (IOC), this international science symposium will address
the biological and biogeochemical consequences of increasing
atmospheric and oceanic CO2 levels, and possible strategies for
mitigating such increases. For more information contact: Maria Hood,
IOC-UNESCO; tel: +33-1-4568-4028; fax: +33-1-4568-5812; e-mail:
m.hood@unesco.org; Internet:
http://ioc.unesco.org/iocweb/co2panel/HighOceanCO2.htm
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER�S SUMMER
INSTITUTE IN COASTAL MANAGEMENT: 3 June 2004 - 1 July 2004. This
is an intensive four-week programme for coastal resources management
professionals, which provides participants with practical skills to
design, implement, and learn from integrated coastal management (ICM)
programmes and experiences from around the world. The programme also
provides training in non-ICM-specific professional skills that have
proven essential to the coastal manager-skills such as
communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution. Previous
participants range in age from their early twenties to early
sixties. Most have advanced degrees in addition to substantial
professional experience. For more information contact: Kimberly
Kaine, Marine Research Specialist, Global Programs, Coastal
Resources Center, GSO; tel: +1-401-874-6823; fax: +1-401-789-4670;
e-mail:
kkaine@gso.uri.edu; Internet:
http://www.crc.uri.edu
COMMISSION MEETING FOR THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE
MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTH-EAST ATLANTIC (OSPAR CONVENTION):
28 June 2004 - 2 July 2004. Reykjavik, Iceland. For more information
contact: tel: +44-20-7430-5200; fax: +44-20-7430-5225; e-mail:
secretariat@ospar.org; Internet:
http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/welcome.html
|
