Let’s Re-think Climate Finance for Agriculture and Livelihoods (ICRAF policy brief)
Climate Finance for Agriculture and Livelihoods, a new World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) policy brief, says agricultural carbon projects involving smallholder farmers can take up to 16 years to generate a profit from carbon credits. Meanwhile, farmers’ direct income from poles, timber and fuel-wood could be 50 times higher than the value of carbon revenue. The … Continue reading →
Reminder: Register for the CaribDA “Water Reuse Workshop”
There’s still time to register for the Caribbean Desalination Association (CaribDA) “Water Reuse Workshop“, which is slated to be held in St. Maarten, SXM on June 7, 2013. The CaribDA Workshop will be held at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa. The cost for members/affiliates is US$150 and US$200 for non-members . The … Continue reading →
UNITAR Opens ‘Climate Change Adaptation, Loss and Damage’ Online Course
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is now accepting applicants for the new online course on “Climate Change Adaptation, Loss and Damage”. The five week long Climate Change Adaptation, Loss and Damage course will run from June 3 to Juny 7, 2013. This course aims to facilitate international negotiations, public sector work, … Continue reading →
Funding Available for International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management
Dresden University of Technology, through the UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Training Programme on Environmental Management, is now accepting applications for the 37th International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing and Emerging Countries. This 6-month course covers environmental management as an integrated interdisciplinary field. The broad curriculum is organized in modules comprising issues of global sustainable development, … Continue reading →
Cuba to host the 9th International Convention on Environment and Development
The 9th International Convention on Environment and Development will be held in Havana, Cuba on July 8-12, 2013, under the slogan “urge a major change for the future we want”. The convention, which is aimed at researchers, decision-makers, teachers, specialists, managers, entrepreneurs, and the general public, started in 1997, five years after the landmark United … Continue reading →
The Associated Press Profiles Climate Change in the Southern Caribbean
The Associated Press ran a comprehensive feature on climate change in the southern Caribbean this week, in which it cites the Centre’s key role in the regional response. “The Caribbean Community Climate Change Center in Belize is managing the regional response.” The expose also quoted significantly from the Centre’s landmark Implementation Plan: Delivering Transformational Change … Continue reading →
Brian Bernal Tackles Climate Change Resilience and Building Codes in the Caribbean
Climate change will result in dramatic changes in livelihoods in small islands with extensive coastlines featuring intensive development. Build Better Jamaica spokesperson Brian Bernal addressed these issues in a seminal presentation at last week’s Architect’s Week workshop at the Caribbean School of Architecture in Jamaica. Review his presentation slides below. Build Better Jamaica spokesperson Brian … Continue reading →
The Caribbean network of the Global Water Partnership, officially known as the Global Water Partnership- Caribbean (GWP-C), is currently accepting applications for its Media Awards on Water 2013 until May 12th, 2013. Through the Media Awards on Water, GWP-C hopes to inspire Caribbean journalists in the areas of print, television, radio and multi-media to report … Continue reading →
Major overhaul of international negotiations needed to save global coastal cities
Experts warn that only a complete overhaul of our economic growth and international negotiations can prevent sea level rises that will destroy coastal cities like New York and London. Projektipäivät 2012 keynote by Ian T. Dunlop on the same issues he spoke about at the UN. From Infocrea on Vimeo. Energy expert Ian Dunlop and … Continue reading →
CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food Poster Shows the Complexity of Climate Change
To learn more, read Mulligan, M., et al. 2010. The Andes basins: biopphysical and development diversity in a climate change. Water International. Vol. 35 No. 5.
CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Guyana - March 18, 2013 - Secretary-General of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin
LaRocque has welcomed an €8.6 million euro programme
to boost the Region’s agriculture sector.
The Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) applauds the success of three day conference CUF 2013: [R]Evolution, the 3rd Annual Caribbean Urban Forum. As an advocate for local economic development projects in the Caribbean, CARILED continues to partner with groups that promote local governance, community engagement and knowledge transfer in urban planning and overall growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in the Caribbean.
Feb. 21, 2013 - The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) affirms its full support for Antigua
and Barbuda in its fight to obtain United States
of America compliance with the ruling of the
World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute
Settlement Body on the subject of cross-border
provision of gambling and betting services.
Jan. 17, 2013 - Haiti will host the Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), February 18-19.
Statement by CARICOM Council for Trade & Economic Development on the Threat to CARICOM Exports of Rum to the US
CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana - Dec. 13, 2012 - The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, on 10-11 December 2012, underlined that rum production and export are critical to the social and economic well-being of the Region.
CARICOM Calls for Robust International Arms Trade Treaty
CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana - Dec. 7, 2012 - Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) has called on the global community to come back to the negotiating table to conclude an Arms Trade Treaty.
CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana - Nov. 9, 2012 - A Regional Media Workshop on the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), organized by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat-based EPA Implementation Unit, will be convened in St George’s, Grenada on 12-13 November.
CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana - Sept. 25, 2012 - Trinidad and Tobago will, on 27 September 2012, play host to the Second Meeting of the Trade and Development Committee (TDC) under the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM)-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Aug. 27, 2012 - The First Meeting of the Joint Technical Committee of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-Kingdom of Spain Joint Fund has launched the operation of the CARICOM-Spain Joint Fund as the new mechanism to manage the Regional Cooperation Programme between CARICOM and Spain.
The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) was established to coordinate climate change dialogue and networking in the region. PCCR also facilitates linking global and regional stakeholders with the national and community levels. It is expected to host over 100 participants from across the region and internationally and to focus on building resilience to climate change through collaboration. PCCR is coordinated by SPREP in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) with funding provided by Switzerland, the European Union Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA /SPC- PSIS) project, AusAID, the British Government and Germany's International Cooperation agency (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ). The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable will be held alongside the Pacific Meteorological Council (1-5 July) and before the Joint Meeting of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management and the Pacific Climate Change Round Table (8-11 July 2013).
Event: Latin American and Caribbean Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs (Spanish)
Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Latin American and Caribbean Region.
Event: Asia-Pacific Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs
Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Asia-Pacific Region.
UNISDR's DRR Assessment Calls on Private Sector to Reduce Risk
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has released the third edition of the UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) subtitled “From Shared Risk to Shared Value: The Business Case for DRR.” The publication aims to provide a resource for understanding and analyzing current and future global disaster risk.
The first SIDS DOCK Pacific Regional Meeting reviewed the current work of the first phase of the SIDS DOCK Support Programme and discussed its next phase. SIDS DOCK is an initiative developed by small island developing States (SIDS) for SIDS to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and contribute towards sustainable development with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.
EU Reports It Has Exceeded Fast Start Climate Finance Pledge
The EU has reported that it has surpassed its fast start finance pledge to developing countries by providing over €7.3 billion (approximately US$9.5 billion) of climate finance.
Washington Communique Calls on HLP to Address Fragility
Participants at the Third Global Meeting of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) have issued 'The Washington Communique,' appealing to the UN High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP) to tackle conflict and fragility.
GEF's IWRM Releases Progress Snapshots on Fiji, Majuro Atoll, Samoa, Niue and Palau
The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Pacific "Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries" project has issued progress snapshots for Fiji, Majuro Atoll (Marshall Islands), Niue, Palau and Samoa.
The Russian Federation has set as the objective of its 2013 Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20): developing a set of measures aimed at boosting sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth and jobs creation around the world. The G20 will look at eight areas in particular in 2013: framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth; jobs and employment; international financial architecture reform; strengthening financial regulation; energy sustainability; development for all; enhancing multilateral trade; and fighting corruption. The G20 brings together finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the US - plus the EU. The G20 Leaders Summit in September 2013 is preceded by a series of outreach events organized in five streams: think tanks; business; labour; civil society and youth.
Event: First Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance
The first Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance will take place on 28 May 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. The meeting is expected to address, among other issues: strategic perspectives on climate finance; financing and investment drivers for mitigation activities; and the provision of recommendations and conclusions. Four groups will further discuss: innovative approaches to climate finance; innovative approaches in providing finance for adaptation; the role of local investors in mobilizing climate finance; and tracking climate finance. The meeting is organized upon a request by the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCCC for the communication and continued exchange of information among bodies and entities dealing with climate change finance in order to promote linkages and coherence.
GEF Reports on Federated States of Micronesia IWRM Demonstration Project
The project titled 'Ridge to Reef – Community to Catchment', which is funded by the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) 'Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries' project (GEF Pacific IWRM Project), has reported improved national coordination in the water and sanitation sectors and enhanced community involvement in water resource management in the Pohnpei and Chuuk states, part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
Event: 22nd Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry
The Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has approved the dates of the next Committee on Forestry (COFO), set for 23–27 June 2014. The biennial session will be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and will bring together heads of forest services and other senior government officials to identify emerging policy and technical issues, to seek solutions and to advise FAO and others on appropriate action. Participants will also include representatives from other international organizations and non-governmental groups. Participation in COFO is open to all FAO member countries.
The 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (BC COP11), the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (RC COP6), the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (SC COP6), and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three conventions (ExCOPs2) convened from 28 April-10 May 2013, in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNFCCC Releases Parties' Views on Various Approaches
The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a miscellaneous document containing the views of parties in ten submissions on matters referred to in paragraphs 44-47 of decision 1/CP.18, including information, experience and good practice relevant to the design and operation of various approaches (FCCC/SBSTA/2013/MISC.11).
Bioversity International Supports Resilience to Coconut Diseases
Faced with a new lethal disease, Bogia syndrome, which affects coconut palms, and other palm species and some banana varieties, Bioversity International, a member of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), is working with a coconut genebank in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea to fight the disease and to re-locate the genebank.
CIFOR Working Paper Compares REDD+ Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms in 13 Countries
CIFOR has released a working paper which examines policies for REDD+ benefit-sharing in 13 countries. The publication aims to provide a global overview, comparative analysis, and profile of five types of REDD+ benefit-sharing mechanisms.
Event: Workshop to Launch Subregional Resource Mobilization Strategy
Representatives from countries and territories that are part of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and La Réunion) will gather to validate a subregional resource mobilization strategy (RMS) to strengthen environmental processes, with a specific focus given to sustainable land management (SLM). The workshop will take place in Ebène, Mauritius, at the new headquarters of the IOC. The subregional RMS seeks to define common goals for IOC countries. Participants at the workshop will identify priority actions to implement the strategy and the roles and responsibilities of the main stakeholders. The RMS process has been supported by the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
CIF Increases Support to Solar Energy, Establishes Index of the Business Environment for Energy
During their 2013 annual meeting, the Trust Fund Committees and Sub-Committees of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) approved five revised Investment Plans for the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and established a global index of the business environment for energy aiming to improve opportunities for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access under the Program for Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries (SREP).
Report of the Adaptation Fund Board's 20th Meeting Released
The 20th meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) approved four new projects in Africa, Central Asia and Latin America, totaling almost $30 million, as well as one new project concept.
Event: Second Meeting of the ADAPT Asia-Pacific Programme and Pacific Climate Change Financing Workshop
The Second Meeting of the ADAPT Asia-Pacific, a programme funded by USAID aimed at sharing information and best practices to facilitate governments to build capacity to access international climate change adaptation funds, will be held from 3-4 June 2013, in Nadi, Fiji. It will be preceded by the Pacific Climate Change Financing Workshop, which will be held from 30 May-1 June. The workshop aims to provide an opportunity for stakeholders involved in climate change financing to collaborate in engaging with Pacific Island countries' Governments and strengthen efforts on climate change and its effective resourcing in the region. The events are organized in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a miscellaneous document containing the views of eight parties and one NGO on land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) issues referred to in Decision 2/CMP.7, paragraphs 5-7 (FCCC/SBSTA/2013/MISC.8).
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Pacific "Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries" (IWRM) project has issued a progress snapshot on Tuvalu, reporting overall improvements in wastewater management and sanitation.
UNFCCC Publishes Views on the NAP Process Guidelines
The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a miscellaneous document containing the views of five parties, one intergovernmental organization, and one NGO on experience with the application of the guidelines for the national adaptation plan (NAP) process for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (FCCC/SBI/2013/MISC.2).
Event: Expert Consultation on SIDS Perspectives for Global Sustainable Development Report 2013
This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The meetings are being organized to review and complete draft chapters of the report, which is expected to be finalized by September 2013.
Event: First Session of the High-Level Political Forum
The first session of the high-level political forum (HLPF) on sustainable development is expected to take place on 24-26 September 2013. This will be the first formal meeting of the HLPF since a decision was taken to establish the forum at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) in June 2012. The HLPF aims to follow up on the implementation of sustainable development, and to build on the strengths, experiences, resources and inclusive participation modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), and to replace the Commission.
