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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE RESOURCES

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

This page was updated on: 01/13/10

2006

TUNZA
(UNEP, 2006) The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for youth is devoted to the issue of forests. More information.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRACY – THE GAP BETWEEN LAW AND PRACTICE
(Access Initiative, 2006)
This report by a global coalition of public interest groups analyzes comparative levels of environmental democracy – understood as access to environmental information, public participation, and justice in environmental decision-making – among Central and East-European countries. The report.

SIXTY YEARS OF SCIENCE AT UNESCO 1945–2005
(UNESCO, November 2006)
This book commemorates the UNESCO Constitution's coming into force sixty years ago, and describes the highs and lows of science policy over the past six decades. Among the highlights, the steep rise in budgets for science policy in 1960 is mentioned, and among the lows, the book emphasizes the disappointing outcome of the Vienna Conference on Science and Technology for Development in 1979. For more information on the book.

CARROTS AND STICKS FOR STARTERS: CURRENT TRENDS AND APPROACHES IN MANDATORY AND VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

(UNEP, 2006) UNEP jointly prepared this report with KPMG's Global Sustainability Services. Following an overview of selected standards and case studies from five regions, the report argues in favor of an approach coupling mandatory regulation and voluntary standards for better corporate reporting on environmental and other non-financial performance. The report.

NEW WEBSITE OF THE GEF SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME

(UNDP, 2006) This new site of the Small Grants Programme funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) features a new mapping tool allowing precise illustration of the small grant programme project locations through Google Earth, a new project photo galleries and an indicator system for improved monitoring of project impacts. The new website.

THE REAFFIRMATION OF THINKING GLOBALLY, ACTING LOCALLY

(UNDP, 2006) Launched by the GEF Small Grants Programme at the GEF Assembly, this publication documents the successes and challenges faced by non-governmental and community-based organizations implementing GEF-supported projects, providing lessons learned for enhanced project implementation. The publication.

THE WORLD HERITAGE BOOK

(UNESCO, 2006) Authored by Patrick Bonneville and Philippe Hemono, this book is an updated publication on all 830 of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The book includes information on the 18 most recent additions to the World Heritage List made at the 30th Session of the World Heritage Committee, and features color images, maps, historical and scientific quotes on all sites. The book is available for purchase online.

PROTECTING OUR PLANET TO BENEFIT THE POOR

(UNDP, 2006) The UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator's 2006 Annual Report presents UNDP's work on Environment and Energy. The report illustrates UNDP's activities supporting countries' efforts to protect the environment and manage their resources efficiently, and promoting cooperation among countries in tackling common environmental challenges. The report.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: A REFORM AGENDA

(IISD, 2006) Authored by Adil Najam, Mihaela Papa and Nadaa Taiyab, this paper discusses the history of the global environmental governance debate, and the key challenges to effective global environmental governance. The paper further proposes elements of a reform agenda, including: leadership, knowledge, coherence, performance and mainstreaming. The paper.

WOULD A UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION HELP TO ACHIEVE THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS?

(RECIEL/Ecologic, 2006) This article, authored by Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, discusses the need for international environmental governance reform, the advantages and disadvantages of creating a United Nations Environment Organization (UNEO) and its potential in helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. More information (subscription/fee required for full text).

GOVERNING COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE: ENHANCING DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES BY IMPROVING PARTNERSHIP GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

(Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative –Harvard University, 2006) This paper examines accountability and governance aspects of public-private partnerships, and proposes a Partnership Governance and Accountability (PGA) Framework for advancing a more systematized approach to the effective governance and accountability of multi-stakeholder, or public-private partnerships in the future. The paper.

POLICY ENGAGAMENT: HOW CIVIL SOCIETY CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE

(Overseas Development Institute, 2006) This report explores the potential for progressive partnerships between civil society organizations and policymakers in developing countries in light of increased democratization, reductions in conflict, and advances in information and communication technologies. The report.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

(UNEP, 2006) The UN Environment Programme's Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and 14 of the world's largest investment companies have prepared a report that confirms the growing importance of environmental, social and governance concerns to the global investment industry. The 47-page report draws on work by a group of leading financial institutions and considers the impact of qualitative and new risk issues on company value. Industries covered include the auto-industry, aerospace and defense, the media, and the food and beverage industries. The report.

BASIC INFORMATION ON SECRETARIATS OF MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS: MISSION, STRUCTURE, FINANCING AND GOVERNANCE

(UN, June 2006) This document is intended to provide "snap-shots" of information on the different MEA missions, structures, financing and governance. The document contains fact sheets prepared using information provided by individual MEA Secretariats in response to a series of questions posed by the Secretariat of the UN High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and the Environment. The document.

WEBSITE FOR THE HIGH-LEVEL PANEL ON UN SYSTEM-WIDE COHERENCE

(UN, June 2006) A website with information on the mandate, members, meetings, documents and press releases of the High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment has been established. The website.

MANUAL ON COMPLIANCE WITH AND ENFORCEMENT OF MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

(UNEP, 2006) This manual aims to strengthen the capacity of governments to implement and enforce MEAs and to comply with environmental law more broadly, facilitating the use and application of the UNEP "Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements," which were approved by UNEP's Governing Council in 2002. The Manual provides specific examples from around the world on how governments, NGOs, the private sector, and other institutions have utilized the various approaches to ensuring compliance and enforcement. It also sets out more detailed explanations, checklists and additional resources, to serve as a reference tool and guide for a wide audience of stakeholders who have a role in ensuring the effective implementation of MEAs. The Manual.

UN REFORM: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT PILLAR

(UNEP, 2006) This paper prepared by the UN Environment Programme seeks to contribute, with views, perspectives and proposals, both to the work of the Secretary-General's High-level Panel in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment and the UN General Assembly's informal consultations on environmental governance. The paper starts by addressing UNEP's mandate, and its role in contributing to UN coherence. It then presents views and perspectives on how to ensure more effective environmental activities in the UN System, including: enhanced coordination; improved policy and guidance; strengthening scientific knowledge, assessment and cooperation; treaty compliance; better integration of environmental activities in the broader development framework at the operational level; capacity building; and exploring a more coherent UN environmental institutional framework. The paper.

UNEP ANNUAL REPORT 2005

(UNEP, 2006) This annual report presents UNEP's work and achievements during 2005. The report is divided in two sections, on "securing the future" and "protecting natural capital." The Report also contains information on UNEP funding in 2004. The report.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN: THE BLUE PLAN'S ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK

(UNEP, April 2006) This report was prepared under the auspices of the UN Environment Programme's Mediterranean Action Plan, which warns that if current trends continue, Mediterranean countries will suffer from increasingly saturated coastal development over the next 20 years, 63 million people will lack sufficient water, and desertification will worsen rural poverty and biodiversity loss. The report calls for a new regional agreement aimed to ensure greater private and public financing to reduce pollution, the development of demand-driven management and local sustainable development policies, and multi-stakeholder inclusion in policies integrating environment and development. The report.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AREAS DISENGAGED BY ISRAEL IN THE GAZA STRIP

(UNEP, March 2006) This report by the UN Environment Programme assesses the environmental impacts of Israel's disengagement from Gaza in 2005, finding no significant risk to the environment or public health arising from contaminated water, land or buildings, with the exception of some localized pollution and issues associated with asbestos. The report also outlines recommendations for the necessary clean-up, removal and disposal of rubble, and restricted use of unlined dumpsites pending further investigation and risk assessment, to avoid environmental constraints to Palestinian settlement in the area. The report.

THE SUSTAINABLE DIFFERENCE: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT TO ACHIEVE THE MDGS

(UNDP, 2005) This book showcases UNDP's work on energy and environment for sustainable development and poverty reduction in pursuit of the MDGs. It describes UNDP's efforts to support 140 countries to integrate energy and environment issues into their national development plans and poverty reduction strategies, through capacity development, policy advisory services and trust fund management. The book.

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK (GEO) YEAR BOOK 2006

(UNEP, February 2006) This year's Global Environment Outlook (GEO) Year Book focuses on energy and air pollution, concluding that indoor air pollution may be responsible for up to 2.4 million premature deaths a year while outdoor air pollution from industries and vehicle may trigger about 800,000 premature deaths annually, with 65% of the deaths occurring in the developing countries of Asia. In addition, its section on emerging challenges focuses on crop production in a changing climate, and fish and selfish farming in marine ecosystems. The Year Book.

If you would like to submit details of
recently published documents and online resources,
send a message to
Diego Noguera, IISD

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