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Sustainable development
ADVANCE TEXTS OF CSD-12
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE
The advance
unedited (English only) texts of the Secretary General’s reports on the
overview and thematic issues for the upcoming CSD-12 sessions have been
posted on the CSD website. The
official versions of these reports will be available in all six UN languages
least 6 weeks before the CSD-12 Review Session begins.
SIDS WHO’S WHO NET
SIDSnet and UNDP Capacity 21 programme have
developed an interactive internet tool and expert’s directory to facilitate
online discussions in the lead up to the upcoming International Meeting for
the 10-year Review of the Barbados Programme of Action on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). SIDSnet
plans to host online discussions prior to and during the SIDS Preparatory
Meeting during the 12th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development in April 2004. The online resource.
SCIDEV.NET LAUNCHES E-GUIDE
TO SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
SciDev.Net has developed a “one-stop shop” electronic guide to science
communication. The guide contains a range of resources, including: practical
guidance on science reporting, dealing with the media, and interacting with
policymakers; opinions and analyses on the use of science communication in
development and on communicating science to the media and public; and
relevant contacts in international, regional and national science journalism,
science communication organizations and e-mail lists. The guide.
IISD WEEKLY JOURNAL REVIEW
Subscribe to receive weekly
e-updates containing descriptions of peer-reviewed articles on sustainable
development.
Human development
FAIR
GLOBALIZATION: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
(ILO, February 2004) A product of two year’s work by the World Commission
on the Social Dimension of Globalization, this report states that
globalization can and must change, and identifies the establishment of a
“fair and inclusive globalization” as a global priority. While recognizing
the many potential benefits of globalization, the report also highlights the
“deep-seated and persistent imbalances” in the way the global economy
operates, and cautions against the direction in which globalization is
currently taking. Stating that global governance is currently in crisis, the
report proposes a series of measures to improve governance and accountability
at national and international levels. An independent body co-chaired by the
Presidents of Finland and Tanzania,
the Commission was initiated to respond to the needs of people as they cope
with the changes brought about by globalization. The report.
Trade, finance and investment
MANUAL
FOR THE PREPARERS AND USERS OF ECO-EFFICIENCY INDICATORS
(UNCTAD, 2004) The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has
published new guidelines on corporate environmental accounting. The
guidelines, which seek to help standardize information prepared by companies
on their environmental performance, cover issues such as water and energy
use, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste. The new guidelines have already
been used by Ciba Specialty Chemicals, the first multinational corporation to
base its reporting on UNCTAD’s model. The guidelines.
CLIMATE
AND TRADE RULES – HARMONY OR CONFLICT?
(Swedish National Board of Trade and SEPA, 2004) This report from Sweden’s
National Board of Trade and Environmental Protection Agency looks at the
relationship between the rules set out under the World Trade Organization and
those contained in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its
Kyoto Protocol. The report focuses on various trade-related measures under
the climate treaty, and how they relate to the WTO. The authors conclude that
a “friendly coexistence” is possible between the two sets of rules, although
technical regulations and rules relating to production standards may need to
be addressed. The report also recommends action “at the national,
institutional and international level to promote mutual supportiveness.” The report
is the first in a series being prepared over the next year that will consider
the relationship between the WTO and various multilateral environmental
agreements.
Forests
CLOUD
FOREST AGENDA
(UNEP-WCMC, 2004) Philip Bubb, Ian May, Lera Miles and Jeff Sayer
authored this six-chapter text, which offers the first mapping of the extent
and importance of cloud forests. It is a project of the Mountain Cloud Forest
Initiative, comprising UNEP, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre,
the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and International
Hydrological Programme (IHP), and ICUN's Commission
on Ecosystem Management. The report notes that the Earth’s “cloud forests” –
unique mountain habitats that supply water to millions of people – are at
risk from climate change and a host of other threats, according to a new
report. The forests, which are found mostly in Asia and Latin
America, also host thousands of rare species of flora and fauna
and are considered critical to the livelihoods of millions of people in the
developing world. The report calls for improved monitoring and conservation
of cloud forests and highlights the need for local and national organizations
to take a leading role as champions of cloud forests.
The report.
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Climate, energy, and atmosphere
LINKING
CDM AND JI WITH EU EMISSION ALLOWANCE TRADING
(Wuppertal Institute, 2004) A new policy briefing on links
between the EU’s Emission Trading System and the
Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism and joint implementation
initiative has been prepared by the Wuppertal
Institute. The briefing considers the compatibility of the EU system with the
provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. The authors argue that a “significant
compliance gap” exists, and recommends that a link between the EU trading
scheme and the Kyoto
mechanisms should be established. They also analyze the directive that has
been prepared by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee to address
this issue. The briefing.
THE
EASTERN PROMISE: PROGRESS REPORT ON THE EU RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY DIRECTIVE IN
ACCESSION COUNTRIES
(WWF, 2004) Conservation organization WWF has produced a report surveying
the progress made by countries in eastern and central Europe
in implementing the European Union’s renewable energy directive. These
countries will shortly be joining the EU, and will be bound by its rules and
procedures. The report surveys progress on a country-by-country basis, using
various criteria to rank each nation on its level of success to date. The
report also contains various recommendations to increase the use of
renewables in these countries. The report.
THE IMPACT
OF THE EU EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM ON THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
(ECN, 2004) The Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) has
released a new publication on the impact the EU’s
emissions trading scheme could have on electricity pricing in the Netherlands.
It shows that the scheme could result in substantially higher electricity
prices in the Netherlands
and other EU member states. However, this will depend on several factors,
including the price set for an emission allowance, and the extent to which
emissions trading costs will be passed on to the final electricity consumer.
The report points out that higher prices could
benefit power producers while harming energy-intensive industries that are
unable to pass on the increased costs. The report suggests several options
for mitigating such effects. The report.
Water, wetlands, oceans, coasts
Water-L News: The newest issue
of IISD’s Water-L News has been released. Compiled
by Richard Sherman, Water-L news is a
collection of new articles, editorials and research updates addressing the
implementation of the water-related Millennium Development Goals, the
outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the further
implementation of Agenda 21. It is distributed exclusively to the WATER-L list every 2 to 3 weeks.
HIGH
SEAS BOTTOM FISHERIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE BIODIVERSITY OF VULNERABLE
DEEP-SEA ECOSYSTEMS
(IUCN, WWF and the Natural Resources Defense Council, 2004) Issued during
the recent seventh meeting of the CBD COP in Kuala Lumpur, this report highlights the
adverse effects of deep-sea trawling on deep-sea environments and fisheries.
The report notes the vulnerability of such deep-sea fish as the Orange Roughy and the Patagonian Toothfish
to overfishing and the threat to other species such
as corals and sponges. Indicating the significant risks to deep seas
biodiversity and sustainable fisheries posed by high seas bottom trawling,
IUCN, WWF, and NRDC called on CBD Parties to facilitate the creation of a
global representative network of high seas marine protected areas and request
the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution calling for immediate
protection of seamounts, cold-water corals, and other biodiversity hotspots
from high seas bottom trawling. The IUCN and WWF also launched a ten-year
strategy to promote the development of a global representative system of
high seas marine protected area networks. The High
Seas Bottom Fisheries report.
THE
IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR AUSTRALIA’S GREAT BARRIER REEF
(WWF, 2004) This new report indicates that Australia’s
coral population will collapse by 2100 if carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are
not reduced and if oil and coal-based energy is not replaced with clean,
renewable energy sources. According to the report, developed countries like Australia
will need to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 to minimize climate change
impacts, such as extreme weather events and loss of species. The report.
RAMSAR SITES DATABASE
AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Ramsar Sites Database is now accessible online. Managed and developed
by Wetlands International, the Ramsar Sites Database is a new information
tool that aims to promote wetlands conservation by providing the public with
data on designated wetlands around the globe. Visitors to the database can
search for Ramsar sites by name, country, and by criteria such as designation
date and wetland type. Information provided includes a site overview,
the original Ramsar Information Sheet and the Ramsar Site Directory Report.
Users can also export the data for mapping and further analysis. The database.
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Biodiversity and wildlife
WEST AFRICAN
CHIMPANZEES: STATUS SURVEY AND CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN
(IUCN and Conservation International, 2004) The IUCN
Species Survival Commission’s Primate Specialist Group and Conservation
International’s Center for Applied Biodiversity
Science have produced a new action plan to help conserve the West African
chimpanzee. Chimpanzee populations have suffered from habitat destruction,
the bushmeat trade and diseases such as ebola, and IUCN’s Red List of
Threatened Species defines all four subspecies as endangered. With an
estimated population of 38,000, the western chimp is considered among the
most at risk of extinction. The action plan provides the latest information
on the status and threats to the chimpanzees,
recommends conservation measures and identifies conservation priorities. The
plan is tailored to help implement UNEP-UNESCO Great Apes Survival Project. More.
SCIDEV.NET LAUNCHES BIODIVERSITY
DOSSIER
SciDev.Net has
expanded its quick guide on biodiversity to a new online dossier on
biodiversity. New items include specially commissioned policy briefs on:
* the UN Convention on Biological Diversity by Stas
Burgiel, Defenders of Wildlife, who outlines the
progress of the biodiversity convention, and discusses the successes and
difficulties the CBD has faced;
* modern agriculture and biodiversity by Barbara Gemmill
and Ana Milena Varela, who describe how the future
of each is intimately bound up in the other;
* how biodiversity loss affects ecosystems by Shahid
Naeem; and
* biodiversity and climate change by Hannah Reid, Balakrishna
Pisupati and Helen Baulch,
who examine the links between biodiversity and climate, and explain why an
integrated policy approach is required.
The dossier also
contains new opinion pieces, news, links, definitions and information on
upcoming events.
ASIAN BIO-NET
The Food and Agriculture Organization’s Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific has launched a website for its project on capacity building in biosafety of GM crops in Asia.
It contains details of the regional training workshop on GMO detection/testing,
held from 27-31 October 2003, and the project’s first regional consultation
held from 7-10 July 2002 in Bangkok,
Thailand. The
resource.
HALTING
THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY IN EUROPE
(European Environment Agency, Briefing no. 1/2004) This briefing
focuses on the urgent need for information based on
monitoring and indicators to support the achievement of a significant
reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 and the EU’s more ambitious goal of halting the loss of
biodiversity by 2010. The briefing.
THE ROLE OF INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE SHARING OF BENEFITS ARISING FROM THE USE OF BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
(WIPO and UNEP,
February 2004) This report summarizes the findings of a joint study
commissioned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and UNEP.
Presenting two case studies of benefit sharing arrangements, one involving a
Malian wild rice gene and another involving an Indian herbal medicine, the study
calls for strengthening of benefit sharing arrangements to better reward
custodians of traditional knowledge. The study was presented at CBD COP-7,
and a full report can be downloaded in advance draft form.
WHO
GUIDELINES ON GOOD AGRICULTURAL AND COLLECTION PRACTICES FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS
(WHO, February
2004) The World Health Organization issued guidelines to ensure
the safety and efficacy of the herbal medicines market. The Guidelines
present the best techniques for growing and harvesting medicinal plants and
calls for clear labeling
of the product’s contents. The document aims to be a model or checklist that
can be used for developing national regulations. The guidelines.
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE
FAO E-MAIL CONFERENCE ON “WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE AND FOCUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
IN THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AGENDAS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?”
This report summarizes the main arguments and concerns raised during the
moderated e-mail conference, hosted by the FAO Biotechnology Forum held from
13 November to 16 December 2002. The report.
FOOD SECURITY AND AG-BIOTECH
NEWS SERVICE
Food Security and Ag-Biotech News Service (FS-AgBiotech)
News is a free e-mail news service that provides succinct daily summaries of
the most important developments in agricultural biotechnology and food
security, including biosafety, intellectual property
rights, agricultural practices, genetic resources, liability, and technology
transfer. FS-AgBiotech draws from a diverse range
of information sources, including peer-reviewed journals, international news
wires, and publications from industry, government, and NGOs. FS-AgBiotech News is a service of Meridian Institute and is supported by the
Rockefeller Foundation. To subscribe.
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Click
here for a complete listing of upcoming meetings
Upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages
website:
CHANGE OF DATES
THEMATIC WORKSHOP ON SYNERGIES FOR CAPACITY BUILDING UNDER INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS ADDRESSING CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT: 30 March 2004 - 2 April
2004. Geneva, Switzerland. Organized by UNITAR
in collaboration with several international organizations, this thematic
workshop is open to countries, international organizations, and NGOs. The
workshop is linked to and prepares for UNITAR/IOMC supported pilot country
projects in 2004-2005 during which three developing countries (Jamaica, Chad
and Jordan)
will explore in practice how to implement synergies at the country level.
Following a request made by several governments at PrepCom
1 of SAICM, the outcomes of the workshop will also inform an information
paper on “Opportunities for Integrated Chemicals and Waste Management
Capacity Building”
which UNITAR will submit to PrepCom 2 of SAICM in
October 2004. For more information contact: Jonathan Krueger, UNITAR Training
and Capacity Building Programmes in Chemicals and Waste; tel:
+41-22-917-1234; fax: +41-22-917-8047; e-mail: jonathan.krueger@unitar.org;
Internet: http://www.unitar.org/cwm
Sustainable development
UNU/UNITAR WORKSHOP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: 10 March 2004 - 11 March 2004. UNHQ, New York, United
States. The United Nations University
(UNU) and UNITAR are jointly organizing a workshop on sustainable development
and international environmental law. The registration deadline is Wednesday,
3 March. Applications may also be submitted electronically to http://www.un.org/unitar.
For more information contact: Nicole Valenta,
UNITAR; tel: +1-212-963-9684; Internet: http://www.un.org/unitar
ECOSOC HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT PREPARATORY MEETING: 17 March
2004 - 18 March 2004. New
York, NY, United States. This one and a
half day meeting will hear presentations and reviews by a number of LDCs and
their development partners on successes achieved, or problems encountered, in
creating an enabling environment conducive to the mobilization of resources
for poverty eradication. The meeting will be followed by an NGO forum. For
more information contact: e-mail: esa@un.org;
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/
TRAINING PROGRAMME ON WORKING WITH THE EU: INSTITUTIONAL
RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 21 March 2004 - 26 March 2004. Brussels, Belgium.
Organized by the European Centre for Public Affairs Brussels, this 6-day
intensive programme presents a training opportunity in all aspects of
European Public Affairs. The curriculum covers a range of topics such as: the
workings of the EU Institutions in Brussels;
EU policies; European Public Affairs: their management, monitoring, lobbying
methodology, and campaign building; communications and media relations in Brussels; and future
developments of the EU. This course will also be held from 20-25 June and
21-26 November. For more information contact: Lucyna
Gutman-Grauer, ECPAB Executive Director; tel:
+32-2-737-7746; fax: +32-2-732-7525; e-mail: ecpab@ecpab.be;
Internet: http://www.eutraining.be/pdf/intensive.pdf
RICHARD ALSINA FULTON
CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: 26 March
2004 - 27 March 2004. Chambersburg,
PA, United
States. This conference will bring
together educators, policymakers, agricultural professionals, business
leaders and the general public to deliberate the concept of sustainability,
and the roles of education and public policy in achieving it. For more
information contact: Inno Onwueme;
tel: +1-717-264-4141 ext. 3247; fax: +1-717-264-1578; e-mail: ionwueme@wilson.edu; Internet: http://www.wilson.edu/events/sustainability
FIFTH GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (GCSF): 27 March 2004 - 28
March 2004. Jeju, Republic of Korea.
This Forum precedes and will present its results to the upcoming Special
Session of the UNEP Governing Council. As in the UNEPGC/GMEF meeting, the
GCSF will focus on the thematic issue cluster for the 12th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, namely water, sanitation and human
settlements. For more information contact: Internet: http://www.unep.org/dpdl/cso/global_csf/issues.html
WORKSHOP ON SYNERGIES BETWEEN GLOBAL CONVENTIONS: ECOSYSTEM APPROACH FOR
IMPACT ASSESSMENTS: 5 April 2004 - 12 April 2004. Kandalama,
Sri Lanka.
This workshop aims to enhance capacity of participants to conduct, supervise
and review environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
as a means of implementing MEA Synergies. Participants will review and
discuss state-of-the art methods and tools for integrating climate change,
biodiversity and desertification concerns in EIA, and be trained in using an
ecosystem approach to EIA. This workshop is targeted at CBD, UNFCCC, CCD
focal points, EIA practitioners, natural resource managers, policymakers,
academics, communication specialists and NGOs. For more information contact: Balakrishna Pisupati, Head,
IUCN Regional Biodiversity Programme, Asia;
tel: +94-74-710-439; fax: +94-1-266-2941; e-mail: pbala@sltnet.lk; Internet: http://www.rbp-iucn.lk/events.html
SPECIAL HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF ECOSOC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS: 26 April 2004. New
York, NY, United States. The UN Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) together with the Bretton
Woods Institutions, the World Trade Organization and the UN Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will hold a special high-level meeting on 26
April 2004 at the UN headquarters in New
York. The meeting will focus on specific issues
within the integrated approach of the Monterrey Consensus. For more
information contact: e-mail: esa@un.org;
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/
COURSE ON STRUCTURING AND FINANCING PPP PROJECTS IN THE TRANSPORTATION
SECTOR: 10 May 2004 - 21 May 2004. Toronto, Canada.
This course is geared towards transportation sector authorities, ministries,
and regulatory agencies involved in identifying, structuring, financing,
negotiating, and monitoring public-private partnerships and private sector
investments in the various transportation sectors. For more information
contact: The Institute for Public-Private Partnerships, Inc.; tel:
+1-202-466-8930; fax: +1-202-466-8934; e-mail: training@ip3.org; Internet: http://www.ip3.org
COURSE ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP POLICIES AND STRATEGIES: IMPROVING
EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY IN PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY: 10 May
2004 - 24 May 2004. Cape
Town, South Africa.
This course is geared towards local, state/regional, and national government
officials, utility managers, and private sector managers involved in the
design, application, and implementation of public-private partnership models
in a range of sectors, including environment (water and solid waste),
education, energy, transportation, housing, information technology, tourism,
and municipal services. For more information contact: The Institute for
Public-Private Partnerships, Inc.; tel: +1-202-466-8930; fax:
+1-202-466-8934; e-mail: training@ip3.org;
Internet: http://www.ip3.org
COURSE ON BEST PRACTICES IN CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UTILITIES: 24 May 2004 - 4
June 2004. Washington, D.C., United States.
This course will prepare members of boards of directors and executive/senior
management of utilities to familiarize themselves with the tools and
requirements of corporate governance to ensure compliance and instill public
and investor confidence. For more information contact: The Institute for
Public-Private Partnerships, Inc.; tel: +1-202-466-8930; fax:
+1-202-466-8934; e-mail: training@ip3.org;
Internet: http://www.ip3.org
ECOSOC HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: 28 June 2004 - 30 June 2004. New York, NY,
United States.
The theme for ECOSOC’s 2004 High-Level segment is
“Resources mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication in
the context of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010.” For more information contact:
e-mail: esa@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/hl2004/index.htm
2004 ECOSOC SUBSTANTIVE SESSION: 28 June 2004 - 23 July
2004. New York, NY, United States.
ECOSOC’s 2004 Substantive Session will commence
with a High-Level Segment. The 2004 coordination segment will take place from
1-7 July 2004 and will address two themes: “Mainstreaming the gender
perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system”
and “Coordinated and integrated United Nations approach to promote rural
development in developing countries, with due consideration to least developed
countries.” The 2004 operational activities segment will take place from 7-12
July 2004 and will undertake the triennial comprehensive policy review of
operational activities for development. The operational activities segment
will be closely related to the humanitarian affairs segment, which will take
place from 12-14 July 2004. The general segment will convene from 15-22 July
2004 and a closing session will take place on 23 July 2004. For more
information contact: e-mail: esa@un.org;
Internet: http:
www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/
2004 TUNZA INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT: 19
July 2004 - 23 July 2004. New
London, CT, United States. Approximately 600
young people, ages 10 to 13, will study, deliberate, and publish their unique
positions on Oceans, Rivers and Waterways; Living on the Edge of Extinction;
Indigenous Healing Ways; and Energy Policy. For more information contact:
International Children’s Conference; tel: +1-860-437-0757; e-mail: info@icc04.org; Internet: http://www.icc04.org/home.html
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION 04 - CREATING AND
DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE NEW BUSINESS MODELS: 25 October
2004 - 26 October 2004. Farnham, Surrey, United
Kingdom. Sustainable Innovation 04 will
consider issues related to sustainability, corporate responsibility and new
business models. This conference aims to explore new approaches to
sustainable product, service and PSS development by providing a platform for
discussion over best practice and new ideas. The event will analyze the
problems, barriers and obstacles to new sustainable and responsible business
models and will highlight opportunities. For more information contact: Martin
Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, The Surrey Institute of
Art &; tel: +44-12-5289-2772; fax: +44-12-5289-2747; e-mail: mcharter@surrart.ac.uk; Internet: http://www.cfsd.org.uk/events/tspd9
2005 AAAS ANNUAL MEETING: 17 February 2005 - 21 February
2005. Washington, DC, United States.
The 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science will take place from 17-25 February 2005 in Washington, DC.
For more information contact: AAAS Meetings Department, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20005;
tel: +1-202-326-6450; fax: +1-202-289-4021; e-mail: aaasmeeting@aaas.org; Internet: http://www.aaas.org/meetings/MPE_08_index_Prop.shtml
Biodiversity and wildlife
SECOND ASIAN CONFERENCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT: 7 April
2004 - 8 April 2004. New
Delhi, India.
This conference is organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, IUCN’s Regional Biodiversity Programme-Asia, and RIS
(Research and Information System for the Non-Aligned and Other Developing
Countries). Conference topics include: agriculture, food security, and the
economic contribution of biotechnology; PPPs for
financing biotechnology; biotechnology, trade, and intellectual property issues;
and national biosafety legislation and the
implementation of the Cartagena Protocol. For more information contact: Nagesh Kumar, Director-General, RIS; tel:
+91-11-2468-2177-80; fax: +91-11-2468-2173-74; e-mail: dgoffice@ris.org.in; Internet: http://www.ris.org.in/web/draft_background_note.htm
GEN ROUNDTABLE: BIOTECHNOLOGY AND TRADE: UNTANGLING THE KEY ISSUES: 19
May 2004. International Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland.
The roundtable will address the outcomes of the first Biosafety Protocol
COP/MOP; analyze the ongoing biotechnology dispute between EU and the US and
present some possible conflicts in the international regulation of GMOs. The invitation for this roundtable will be
circulated shortly and made available on the GEN website. For more
information contact: Sofie H. Flensborg,
Geneva Environment Network; tel: +41-22-917-8310; fax: +41-22-797-3464;
e-mail: sofie.flensborg@unep.ch;
Internet: http://www.environmenthouse.ch/roundtables.htm
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY: 24 January 2005 - 28
January 2005. Paris, France. Sponsored by UNESCO, this
conference is organized by the French Ministry of Research and New
Technologies. For more information contact: e-mail: biodiv2005paris@recherche.gouv.fr;
Internet: http://www.recherche.gouv.fr/biodiv2005paris
Climate, energy and atmosphere
GEN ROUNDTABLE: NATURAL DISASTERS: IS CLIMATE CHANGE TO BLAME?: 22 March 2004. International Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland.
The Geneva Environment Network (GEN) and the Secretariat for the
International Strategy on Disaster Reduction in co-operation with the World
Meteorological Organization will mark the World Water Day with a roundtable:
Natural Disasters: Is Climate Change to blame? The invitation for this
roundtable will be circulated shortly and simultaneously made available on
the GEN website. For more information contact: Sofie
H. Flensborg, Geneva Environment Network; tel:
+41-22-917-8310; fax: +41-22-797-3464; e-mail: sofie.flensborg@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.environmenthouse.ch/roundtables.htm
RENEWABLES 2004 CONFERENCE: DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND VILLAGE
ELECTRIFICATION: 1 April 2004 - 2 April 2004. New Delhi, India.
This conference aims to support further international cooperation and action
on “distributed generation,” which involves small-scale, locally-based power
generation. The conference will focus on technology diffusion, information
dissemination and joint action to implement innovative solutions based on
distributed generation in villages in developing countries. The meeting is
being organized The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and sponsored by
the European Commission through its OPET (Organizations for the Promotion of
Energy Technologies) Network. For more information contact: Shirish Garud, TERI; tel:
+91-11-2468-2100; fax: +91-11-2468-2144; e-mail: shirishg@teri.res.in; Internet: http://www.teriin.org
EU-CHINA HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY AND PROJECT
FINANCING: 5 April 2004 - 6 April 2004. Beijing, China.
This conference on implementation of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development
Mechanism will look at cooperation between China and the European Union on
use of this flexible mechanism. For more information contact: Li Hua, Novem, the Netherlands; tel: +31-46-452-8260; fax:
+31-46-420-2288; e-mail: info@novem.org;
Internet: http://www.novem.nl/default.asp?documentId=104363
SECOND INTERNATIONAL AIR CONDITIONING SUMMIT: 14 April 2004 - 15
April 2004. Washington, DC, United States.
This Summit, which is being held in conjunction with the 15th Annual Earth
Technologies Forum (see above), will investigate the benefits of rewarding
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerant containment, fuel
efficiency, improved service practices, and alternative refrigerants. Issues
that will be discussed include a proposal by the European Commission to phase
out HFC-134a in mobile air conditioning by 2009 and possible legislation in California. The
meeting is being hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric
Policy, and is being organized in cooperation with the European Commission,
the Australian Greenhouse Office, Japan’s Environment Ministry, and
international industry associations. For more information contact: Tonya
Hunt, Earth Technologies Forum; tel: +1-703-807-4052; fax: +1-703-528-1734;
e-mail: earthforum@alcalde-fay.com;
Internet: http://www.earthforum.com
13TH INTERNATIONAL EXPERT MEETING ON POWER ENGINEERING: 18 May
2004 - 20 May 2004. Maribor, Slovenia.
This conference will involve discussions on renewable energy sources,
co-generation and efficient energy use, energy supply reliability, power
appliances and devices, information technologies in power engineering, and
municipal services. The meeting is a proposed Energy Efficiency 21 event
involving the UN Economic Commission for Europe.
For more information contact: Jože Voršic; tel: +386-2-220-7050; fax: +386-2-252-5481;
e-mail: power.eng@uni-mb.si;
Internet: http://ke.powerlab.uni-mb.si/html/default.asp
CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO 2004: 3 November
2004 - 5 November 2004. Auckland,
New Zealand.
This international conference will consider the linkages between business and
climate change. Based on the assumption that “climate change is big business
and will remain so whether or not the Kyoto Protocol enters into force,” the
meeting will include discussions on business opportunities and on improving
companies’ bottom line performance by reducing energy costs and emissions.
The conference is supported by the Australian and New
Zealand governments, and is being co-organized by
business and union groups, as well as the Pew Center
on Global Climate Change. For more information contact: The Conference
Company Limited; tel: +64-9-360-1240; fax: +64-9-360-1242; e-mail: secretariat@climateandbusiness.com;
Internet: http://www.climateandbusiness.com
Forests, deserts, land
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF TROPICAL FORESTS:
PRIVATE-SECTOR EXPERIENCES: 13 April 2004 - 15 April 2004. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This conference is an
activity of the ITTO and is being implemented by the Forestry Department of
Peninsular Malaysia. It aims to promote the sustainable management of
tropical forests, facilitate access to and promote the use of data,
information and experiences related to successful forest management, and
contribute to the attainment of ITTO Objective 2000 at the forest management
unit level. The conference will review 14 case studies demonstrating best
practice in the tropical forest sector. For more information contact: Kamaruzaman Ali Budin, ITTO
International Conference Secretariat, Forestry Department Pen; tel:
+60-32-696-2571; fax: +60-32-692-5657; e-mail: kamaruzaman@forestry.gov.my;
Internet: http://www.itto.or.jp/live/PageDisplayHandler?pageId=223&id=596
MEETING ON THE ROLE OF MULTI PURPOSE AGRICULTURE IN SUSTAINING THE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT: 20 October 2004 - 24 October 2004. Udine, Italy. The theme for the fourth
Agro Environ symposium will be “The role of multi-purpose agriculture in
sustaining the global environment.” For more information contact: Giuseppe Zerbi; tel: +39-43-255-8670; fax: +39-43-255-8603;
e-mail: zerbi@dpvta.uniud.it;
Internet: http://www.dpvta.uniud.it/~agroenv/docs/brochure.pdf%20
Human development
GEN ROUNDTABLE: HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT: 12 March 2004.
International Environment House, Geneva,
Switzerland.
A political consensus that human rights and the environment are closely
related clearly exists – but how have 30 years of high-level declarations
been translated into reality? This roundtable will examine the progress to
date on human environmental rights and the legal, political and practical
results of this debate. For more information contact: Sofie
H. Flensborg, Geneva Environment Network; tel:
+41-22-917-8310; fax: +41-22-797-3464; e-mail: sofie.flensborg@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.environmenthouse.ch/roundtables.htm
GLOBAL FORUM ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE: 25 March 2004 - 26 March
2004. UNHQ, New York, United States. Organized under
the auspices of the UN Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task
Force, the Global Forum will provide an opportunity to engage in open
discussions on all aspects of Internet governance. For more information
contact: Interim secretariat of the UN ICT Task Force; tel: +1-212-963-5796;
fax: +1-212-963-1712; e-mail: icttaskforce@un.org;
Internet: http://www.unicttaskforce.org/common/documents_full_text.asp?ID=757
Trade, finance and investment
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS: 1 March 2004 - 1 December
2004. Geneva, Switzerland. Dozens of meetings
of the WTO’s various councils, committees and
negotiating bodies are scheduled to take place in 2004, including many of
relevance to the development and environment sectors. The General Council,
which last met on 11 February, is expected to reconvene on 17-18 May, 27 and
29 July, 20-21 October, and 13, 14 and 16 December. The Sub-Committee on
Least Developed Countries is scheduled to meet on 9 March, while the
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
will meet from 17-18 March, 23-24 June, and 13-14 October. Meanwhile, the
Committee on Trade and Environment is expected to convene on 16 April, from
6-7 July, and again from 12-13 October. The Committee on Trade and
Development is scheduled for 11 May, 28-29 September, and 16 November. The
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights will meet
from 15-17 June, 21-23 September, and 30 November to 2 December. For more
information contact: WTO Secretariat; tel: +41-22-739-5111; fax:
+41-22-731-4206; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org;
Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.pdf
IGES INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM “BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT” FY2003 - DEVELOPMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT:
5 March 2004. Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Organized by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), this
symposium aims to explore best current knowledge and national and global
trends in Environmental Management Accounting. The symposium will also
explore the application of EMA principles to Green Supply Chain Management,
an emergent area in corporate environmental management. For more information
contact: IGES Kansai Research Centre; tel: +81-78-262-6634; fax:
+81-78-262-6635; e-mail: kansai@iges.or.jp;
Internet: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/event/
WORKSHOP ON BANKING AND FINANCE IN SMALL STATES: ISSUES AND POLICIES:
3 May 2004 - 14 May 2004. Valletta,
Malta. The
workshop is being organized by the Islands and Small States Institute in
collaboration with the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Malta. The aim of the workshop is to
disseminate knowledge and provide training on banking and finance, covering a
variety of themes with a focus on small states. The workshop is primarily
intended for officials, at senior and middle management levels, operating in
banking and financial institutions or in the public sector. Participants
should normally be nominated by the national governments and sponsored by the
Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. A limited number of self-funded
participants can also participate. Certificates of attendance will be awarded
to those participants who complete the entire programme. For more information
contact: The Director, Islands and Small
States Institute, Foundation for International Studies, Un; tel:
+356-2124-8218; fax: +356-2123-0551; e-mail: islands@um.edu.mt; Internet: http://www.iisd.ca/whats_new/sidsbanking_Brochure.doc
SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS - TRADE, POVERTY AND
THE ENVIRONMENT: 17 June 2004 - 19 June 2004. Washington, D.C., United States. Jointly organized
by the World Bank and the Center for Global Trade Analysis, with additional
support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the USDA Economic
Research Service, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the U.S.
International Trade Commission, this conference aims to promote the exchange
of ideas among economists conducting quantitative analysis of global economic
issues. For more information contact: Judy Connor; tel: +1-765-494-4267;
e-mail: connerjr@purdue.edu;
Internet: http://www.gtap.org
TWELFTH ANNUAL SHORT COURSE IN GLOBAL TRADE ANALYSIS: 7 August
2004 - 13 August 2004. Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana,
United States.
This course aims to: introduce participants to a standardized framework for
conducting global trade analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting;
provide participants with training on software that has been tailored to
global trade analysis within a standard modeling framework; and give
participants the opportunity to interact with economists working on global
trade and resource use issues. For more information contact: Judy Connor;
tel: +1-765-494-4267; e-mail: connerjr@purdue.edu;
Internet: http://www.gtap.org
SECOND ANNUAL SHORT COURSE IN GLOBAL TRADE ANALYSIS: 8 October
2004 - 13 October 2004. Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana,
United States.
This course aims to: introduce participants to a dynamic model designed for
conducting global trade analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting;
provide participants with hands-on training with software that has been tailored
for undertaking analysis using a dynamic recursive model; and give
participants the opportunity to interact with economists working on global
trade and resource use issues. For more information contact: Judy Connor;
tel: +1-765-494-4267; e-mail: connerjr@purdue.edu;
Internet: http://www.gtap.org
Water, wetlands, oceans, coasts
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES IN THE 21ST
CENTURY: 29 February 2004. Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Organized by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), this
symposium will feature notable academics and environmental activists from
within and outside Japan,
who will discuss freshwater problems in the Asia-Pacific region, and how Japan can
contribute to solving for these issues. For more information contact: Ms.
Murakami, Secretariat for IGES International Symposium; tel: +81-3-5511-1505;
fax: +81-3-5511-1502; e-mail: sympo-iges@ccc-inc.co.jp;
Internet: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/event/index.html
GPA OUTREACH ONLINE DEBATE: 8 March 2004 - 17 March 2004. online, Stakeholder Forum website. Launch by Stakeholder
Forum and the UNEP GPA, this online debate aims to enable stakeholders to
provide input to the 5th Global Civil Society Forum, which will take place
prior to the upcoming Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global
Ministerial Environmental Forum. The debate will focus on water management
and governance, and water and poverty reduction. For more information
contact: Karen Dickinson; e-mail: kdickinson@stakeholderforum.org;
Internet: http://www.unedforum.org/
COURSE ON ADVANCED ISSUES IN REGULATING WATER/WASTEWATER UTILITIES: 12
April 2004 - 23 April 2004. Washington,
D.C., United
States. This advanced course, designed for
regulators, utility managers, and ministerial officials, focuses on the key
challenges involved in the regulation of water and sanitation services. The
course addresses issues such as structuring tariffs and subsidies in a
sustainable manner, using benchmarking and comparative competition to improve
sector performance, taking consumer involvement in the regulatory process to
the next level, and ensuring that regulation has pro-poor considerations. For
more information contact: The Institute for Public-Private Partnerships,
Inc.; tel: +1-202-466-8930; fax: +1-202-466-8934; e-mail: training@ip3.org; Internet: http://www.ip3.org
WORKSHOP ON OCEAN ZONING – CAN IT WORK IN THE NORTHWEST
ATLANTIC?: 10 May
2004 - 11 May 2004. Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada.
This workshop aims to explore the concept and effectiveness of ocean zoning
as a tool for integrated management of marine resources and activities. For
more information contact: Penny Doherty; tel: +1-902-429-1335; fax:
+1-902-422-6410; e-mail: oceanzon@dal.ca;
Internet: http://www.oceanzoning.ca
12TH MEETING OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REVIEW PANEL OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION:
1 February 2005 - 4 February 2005. Gland, Switzerland.
The dates of the 12th meeting of the STRP have been changed from December
2004 to 1-4 February 2005 to provide the Panel and its Working Groups time to
complete their tasks for transmission to the 31st meeting of the Standing
Committee and COP9. The postponement will also permit time prior to the Panel
meeting for members and observers to review the draft “Ramsar Synthesis
Report” being prepared as part of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s contribution
to the Ramsar Convention. It is anticipated that the draft of this report
will become available for review in early December 2004. For more information
contact: Ramsar Convention Secretariat; tel: +41-22-999-0170; fax:
+41-22-999-0169; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org;
Internet: http://ramsar.org/w.n.strp-datechange.htm
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