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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE
RESOURCES
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This page was updated
on: 01/12/10
SUSTAINABLE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
(WIT press, 2003) This
1048-page publication contains proceedings from the first International
Conference on Sustainable Planning & Development. Comprising
almost 100 papers from planners, environmentalists, engineers,
policymakers, economists, researchers, academics and practitioners, this
book focuses on the key concerns of specialists who work together to
ensure sustainable planning and development. Specific topics covered:
environmental management; environmental legislation and policy;
environmental impact assessment; ecosystem analysis, protection and
remediation; environmental economics; social issues; coastal planning
and policy; geo-informatics; regional economics; resources management;
rural planning; urban planning; and waste management. More
information is available at:
http://www.witpressUSA.com/acatalog/9852.html
WORLD AGRICULTURE AND THE
ENVIRONMENT: A
COMMODITY-BY-COMMODITY GUIDE TO IMPACTS AND PRACTICES
(2003, Island Press) In this text, Jason Clay assesses agricultural
commodity production and the environmental problems this activity
causes, along with prescriptions for increasing efficiency and reducing
damage to natural systems. Clay examines 20 of the world's major
commodities, including beef, coffee, corn, rice, rubber, shrimp,
sorghum, tea and tobacco. For each commodity, he offers comparative
information including: main producing and consuming countries; main
types of production; market trend information and market chain analyses;
major environmental impacts; management strategies and best practices;
and key contacts and references. The book recommends that governments
work with farmers and the food industry to develop better management
practices in order to increase efficiency and reduce damage to the
environment. To read an excerpt from the chapter on coffee or to order
the book visit
http://www.islandpress.org/books/detail.html?cart=108562953395998&SKU=1-55963-367-0
SURVIVAL FOR A SMALL PLANET: THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
(Earthprint/IIED, 2003) Tom
Bigg edited this book, which brings together dozens of leading experts
from around the world in a 'post-WSSD' analysis of the prospects for
sustainable development on all the major policy fronts including
security, finance, urban governance, radical partnerships, migration,
health, access to resources and the role of markets. The authors examine
the contributions that governments, business and civil society can each
make to improve our prospects and set out an agenda for those working to
achieve a sustainable world. For further information see:
http://www.earthprint.com/go.htm?to=9286IIED
ONLINE LIBRARY OF WSSD DOCUMENTS
LAUNCHED
An extensive online library
of civil society documents produced in relation to the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) has been launched. Developed by the
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the
Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED), this library contains
approximately 700 MB worth of documents, searchable by title or by the
organization that produced it. The library is located at:
http://www.wssd-and-civil-society.org/
THE METRO: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN LARGE CITIES
(UITP, November 2003) This
position paper by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
aims to make the case for finding appropriate new funding measures for
developing metro systems in large cities, arguing that the metro is the
most efficient mode of transport in terms of energy consumption and
space occupancy. The paper is available online in English, French,
German and Spanish at:
http://www.uitp.com/mediaroom/index2.htm
INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS AND
DECISION MAKING AT THE UNITED NATIONS: A GUIDE
(United Nations, November
2003) This guide, prepared by the
UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) with Gretchen Sidhu, seeks to
provide practical information to individuals and organizations that are
interested in understanding the nature and dynamics of intergovernmental
decision making at the United Nations. It presents information on key UN
bodies and processes, details the life-cycle of a decision, different
types of meetings, the system that supports negotiations and how new
processes begin, chronicles the government blocs that form the
negotiating system at the UN, explains how different kinds of UN
documents are numbered and where to find them, and offers definitions of
different UN decisions, including how they are commonly used and the
level of their political significance. It also examines the basics for
accreditation to attend UN meetings and strategies for participation and
follow-up during and after a meeting. The entire text can be downloaded
by visiting
http://www.unsystem.org/ngls/d_making.htm.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM
- A COMPILATION OF GOOD PRACTICES IN SMES
(World Tourism Organization,
2003) This World Tourism Organization publication compiles 65 case
studies received from 47 countries about exemplary practices in small
ecotourism businesses. It is the third of a series of good practice
compilations and was prepared in the follow up to the International Year
of Ecotourism 2002. The publication is available in English, Spanish and
French. For more information, visit:
http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/doc-pub.htm
ECOLEX
(December 2003) The world's most
comprehensive environmental law database has been launched online. ECOLEX
combines the legal libraries of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
IUCN-the World Conservation Union, and the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), providing online access to over 100,000 legal references. The
information in the system covers treaties, national legislation, soft law
and other non-binding policy and technical guidance documents, judicial
decisions, and law and policy literature. ECOLEX also includes a
significant number of legal references from developing countries, with
over 120 developing countries having provided input to the system. ECOLEX
is located at:
http://www.ecolex.org/
SELF-REGULATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT - GUIDELINES SET BY WORLD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS FOR THEIR
MEMBERS' FIRMS: AN UPDATE 1996–2003
(UNCTAD, December 2003) This
report updates a 1996 effort to appraise the environmental guidelines of
world industry associations. In examining the current guidelines of world
industry associations, the monograph looks at global environmental
management, environmentally sound production and consumption patterns,
risks and hazards minimization, and full cost accounting. The review
states that the commitments to self-regulation that were made at the Earth
Summit in Rio in 1992 have been strengthened by major industry
associations in some but not all areas. Increased interest in
environmental reporting and in broadening stakeholder communication has
been seen in the extractive industry sectors. In contrast, other areas,
such as those relating to phase-out of hazardous waste and full cost
accounting, have received few policy commitments. The report is available
at:
http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/iteipc20033_en.pdf
UN-NGLS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
The United Nations
Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) has launched its new website. The
new website seeks to provide civil society organizations with the latest
information on the work of the UN System, its agencies and relevant
intergovernmental processes. In addition to accessing NGLS publications,
visitors can also obtain a number of featured UN publications and civil
society reports, including official reports on the status of the
implementation of major commitments undertaken at UN conferences over the
last decade. The site is located at:
http://www.unsystem.org/ngls
VIRTUAL JOURNAL
ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(Elsevier, 2003) The Virtual Journal of Environmental Sustainability lists
articles published in Elsevier journals that contain an environmental
sustainability component. Listed on a monthly basis, the articles are
selected on the basis of their potential to highlight interesting and
important developments in the area of environmental sustainability. More
information can be found at:
http://www.elsevier.com/vj/sustainability
THE STATE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE
WORLD 2003
(FAO, 2003) This Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) publication monitors progress towards the
World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goal to reduce the number of
undernourished people. It provides estimates of worldwide hunger and
examines trends in developing countries and countries in transition, and
considers the relationships between food insecurity and HIV/AIDS and
between water and food security. A special feature examines the
relationship between international trade and food security. It concludes
with a look at the multiple uses of water for improving diets and incomes,
an identification of the keys to sustainable nutrition programmes, and an
examination of what is needed to mobilize commitment and combat hunger.
The text can be accessed through:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/j0083e/j0083e00.htm
WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN AGRICULTURE:
LIMITS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
(CABI Publishing, 2003) This
publication is the first in a series by the Comprehensive Assessment of
Water Management in Agriculture (CA), a global research programme that
began in 2001 to address the issue of global water scarcity by taking
stock of the investments made in water management in agriculture over the
past 50 years. The text, edited by J.W. Kijne, R. Barker and D. Molden, is
aimed at water managers, technical advisors and researchers and focuses on
both irrigated and rain-fed agriculture. It outlines recommendations that
will contribute to greater water productivity in food production and
highlights improvements that need to be made in the management of
irrigation systems, including policy and institutional reform needed
within and outside the water sector at national and regional levels. For
more information, see:
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/assessment/index.asp?nc=3448&id=892
LEGAL REGULATION OF THE EFFECTS OF
MILITARY ACTIVITY ON THE ENVIRONMENT
(Erich Schmidt Verlag, December
2003) First presented to UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer by German
Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin at the Second International Conference
on Early Warning, this study addresses environmental protection and
international law under conditions of war. The study, prepared by Daniel
Bodansky on behalf of the German Federal Environmental Agency, finds that
while multilateral environmental agreements serve to protect the
environment at times of peace, existing international law offers limited
protection against the threats of war to the environment. By reviewing the
adequacy of the law of war and of the general principles of international
law to protect the environment, the study recommends several possibilities
to better consider environmental concerns in times of conflict and
assesses the feasibility of the suggestions. Proposals include
strengthening existing rules
of international humanitarian law and extending the applicability of
international environmental law in times of internal and international
conflict. More information is available at:
http://www.esv.info/3503078193.htm
TUNZA: ACTING FOR A BETTER
WORLD
(Earthprint, 2003)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
developed this publication to stimulate environmental action among young
people. Young people from around the world helped produce it. The book
seeks to increase young people's
awareness on environmental issues
and to provide them with tips on how to address
the issues in their communities. For more information, visit
http://www.earthprint.com/go.htm?to=3310
FAITH IN CONSERVATION: NEW
APPROACHES TO RELIGION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(World Bank, October 2003)
Martin Palmer and Victoria Finlay wrote this
joint project of the World Bank and the Alliance of Religions and
Conservation (ARC), as part of the World Bank's Directions in Development
series. The book examines how different religions perceive the world, how
these worldviews shape environmental policy, and how the great faiths of
the world use mythology, sacred texts and cutting edge investment
strategies to preach their messages.
According to the authors, scientific data and knowledge are not compelling
enough to protect the earth's natural resources, noting that environmental
movements based on a wealth of scientific data have made little progress
in reversing the trend of unsustainable development. The authors conclude
that the environmental crisis is a crisis of the mind and suggest turning
to the major religions of the world to provide a framework of values and
beliefs to render environmental information useful for conservation
purposes.
More information can be accessed at
http://www.arcworld.org/books.asp?sectionID=1
DIALOGUE
ON GLOBALIZATION
This website focuses on different topics and threads of the globalization
debate, comprising sections that consider topics such as the WTO and
development, global finance, and the social dimension. The site presents a
variety of publications ranging from briefing papers to in-depth-studies,
including a section on voices from the south. The Dialogue on
Globalization is part of the international work of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
– a German non-profit institution dedicated to the principles of social
democracy. The website is located at:
http://www.fes.de/globalization
SHARED SPACES
Published quarterly by the
Netherlands Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing and the Environment (VROM),
Shared Spaces is a forum for exchanging views and ideas on best practices
in the policy fields of VROM. The latest edition addresses the
challenges of environmental enforcement
around the world. Topics
discussed include: the merits of
a federal/pan-European approach versus local action; the impact of
anti-terrorist protection on enforcement; and the role of the big business
lobby in setting the environmental agenda. Readers will also encounter the
perspectives of enforcement bodies from the Netherlands and less
well-funded countries such as Lithuania, The Philippines and Costa Rica
explaining the practical challenges and frustrations of enforcement. This
publication is available at:
http://www.sharedspaces.nl/
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
COOPERATION: POLITICS AND DIPLOMACY IN PACIFIC ASIA
(University Press of Colorado,
2002) Written by Paul G. Harris, this book brings together studies of
international environmental politics in the Pacific Asia region. The first
section of the book examines issues and actors impacting international
environmental cooperation, highlighting themes such as cooperation between
developed and developing countries, international justice, and regional
environmental security. This section also illustrates key features of
specific multilateral environmental agreements and the competing interests
of important national bodies, international organizations, multinational
corporations, and nongovernmental entities. The second section focuses on
environmental diplomacy and regime-building in Pacific Asia, examining
issues such as acid rain, nuclear waste, deforestation, and conflict over
regional seas. More information is available at:
http://www.upcolorado.com/bookdetail.asp?isbn=0-87081-678-0
ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING
(Island Press, Sept 2003) This report is the first product of the
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The eight-chapter, 245-page report, which
was written by 61 scientists, presents the approaches, assumptions,
processes and parameters that the scientists participating in the
assessment will use to evaluate the situation of ecosystems worldwide. The most extensive study ever of the linkages between the
world's ecosystems and human well-being, the MA is a four year effort that
aims to establish the scientific basis for actions needed to enhance the
contribution of ecosystems to human well-being without undermining their
long-term productivity. Its research results will be published beginning
in late 2004 in a series of four in-depth reports and up to seven shorter
studies intended for decision-makers in government, the private sector,
and civil society groups. Summaries in six UN
languages are available at
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/2/products.aspx along with
ordering information for the complete report.
LEADING
CHANGE TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY: A CHANGE-MANAGEMENT GUIDE FOR BUSINESS,
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
(Greenleaf, September 2003)
This book presents Bob Doppelt's research on how the leaders of
organizations designed and approached sustainability programmes. The
14-chapter text first reviews why some organizations succeed and others
fail and then turns to identifying how changes can be accomplished. He
finds that organizational and cultural change are critical for
operationalizing sustainability efforts and highlights governance and
leadership as two key areas for changing organizational culture. To view
Chapter 5 ("Sustainability, governance and organizational change") and
William McDonough's "Foreword" online, see:
http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/catalogue/leadchg.htm
UNEP LAUNCHES FRENCH WEBSITE
The United Nations Environment Programme has launched a French version of
its website. This new resource is available at:
http://www.unep.org/french/
WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT
2004: MAKING SERVICES WORK FOR POOR PEOPLE
(World Bank, September 2003)
This World Bank report cautions that significant improvements in human
welfare will not be achieved unless poor people receive greater access to
affordable and better quality services in health, education, water,
sanitation and electricity. While stating that key services often fall
short of providing for the poor, the report also gives examples of where
services have been successful and stresses how success is dependent on the
level of involvement of poor people in determining the quality and
quantity of services they receive. The report also provides examples of
how services are failing poor people and suggests ways in which services
can be improved. While recognizing problems with public services, the
report does not encourage privatizing all social services. The report
concludes that there is no "silver bullet" solution and that the type of
service delivery mechanism needs to be adapted to characteristics of the
service and circumstances of the country. The report can be downloaded at:
http://econ.worldbank.org/wdr/wdr2004/
WORLD DISASTER REDUCTION INFORMATION KIT
The 2003 World Disaster
Reduction Campaign information kit provides information related to the
campaign theme of "Living with Risk: Turning the Tide on Disasters towards
Sustainable Development." Special emphasis is given to activities that
highlight the importance of reducing the impacts of water-related hazards.
The information kit is available at:
http://www.unisdr.org/unisdr/campaign2003/campaign2003.htm
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SECOND
WORLD: UKRAINE AND THE NATIONS IN TRANSITION
(Worldwatch Institute, September
2003) Written by Viktor Vovk, this 56 page publication looks at how the
second world – the former Soviet Union and its Central and Eastern
European outposts – can move toward sustainable development. Noting the
difficult transition following the collapse of communism, which included a
period of predatory capitalism and declining living standards, Vovk
recognizes this transition as an opportunity for nations of the second
world to change their course of development and institute reforms
according to the principles of sustainable development. The paper is
available at:
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/167/
ECOSYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
IV
(WIT Press, 2003) Edited by E. Tiezzi, C.A. Brebbia and J-L. USO, this two
volume set contains most of the contributions presented at the Fourth
International Conference on Ecosystems and Sustainable Development that
was held in Siena, Italy from 4-6 June 2003, and which sought to integrate
thermodynamics, ecology and economics into "ecodynamics" – an approach
emphasizing that biodiversity is at the core of sustainability. Topics
covered in the books include: ecosystems modeling; conservation and
management of endangered areas; environmental management; sustainability
indicators and certification; sustainable chemistry and waste management;
sustainable development issues; biodiversity; economic issues; energy
generation and conservation; landscapes; mathematical and system modeling;
recovery of damaged areas; soil and agricultural issues; water resources;
forestation; and air pollution and the greenhouse effect. Information on
the Conference can be found at:
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2003/ecosud03/index.html, and the
two volume set is available at:
http://www.witpress.com/acatalog/8341.html
WORLDWATCH LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
The Worldwatch Institute has
redesigned it website. Highlights of the new site include: a new homepage;
an interactive map and guide to all global partners and foreign language
editions of Worldwatch publications; a resource center featuring links to
Worldwatch research; a new Press Room, featuring a fully searchable
archive of Worldwatch press releases; and Worldwatch live - an online
discussion forum where visitors to the site can talk to Worldwatch
researchers. The Worldwatch site is located at:
http://www.worldwatch.org/
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES: CASE STUDY
(June 2003) Authored by Qasem
Alnewashi, this book looks at improving environmental education in
developing countries through a case study of Jordan. The book is divided
into three parts that lay the context for the topic, present a case study
surveying the status of formal and informal education in Jordan, and
consider the results of the case study and how to improve environmental
education in developing countries. For more details contact:
newashi@web.de or
qasem17@yahoo.com.
WORLD RESOURCES
2002-2004: DECISIONS FOR THE EARTH: BALANCE, VOICE, AND POWER
(World Bank, UNDP, UNEP and World Resources Institute, July 2003)
This tenth biennial
report on global environmental and development issues focuses on the
importance of good environmental governance by exploring how citizens,
government managers and business owners can foster better environmental
decisions that meet the needs of people and ecosystems with equity and
balance. The report argues that greater transparency and accountability
can lead to fairer and more effective management of natural resources. It
calls on governments to include the public in decisions that affect
ecosystems and urges integration of environmental impacts into economic
decision-making. It also identifies public access to information from
governments, business, and non-governmental organizations as a necessary
precursor to improved environmental performance. For more information, and
to download the text in PDF format, visit
http://pubs.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm?PubID=3764
INTERNATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY IN AFRICA
(Kluwer
Academic Publishers, June 2003) Beatrice Chaytor and Kevin R. Gray edited
this collection of essays on environmental law and policy in Africa from
experts within and outside the region. The text seeks to demonstrate how
African countries are responding to their international environmental
obligations contained in instruments such as the Convention on Biological
Diversity, Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to
Combat Desertification. The essays are divided into three sections:
multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs); natural resources sector
management; and the development of law and policy instruments. For more
information visit:
http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/1-4020-1287-X
THE 21ST CENTURY NGO: IN
THE MARKET FOR CHANGE
(SustainAbility,
June 2003) Seb Beloe, John Elkington, Katie Fry and Sue Newell authored
this report, which details the results of a global study of the NGO
landscape. In addition to identifying 21 internal and external challenges
for international NGOs, the report: examines market and political changes
that are driving a "paradigm shift"; describes challenges facing NGO
boards; explores NGO engagement with business; and asks how successful
NGOs are likely to be in bringing change to market. For more information
or to purchase the report visit:
http://www.sustainability.com/publications/latest/21C-ngo.asp
SWITCHED ON: RENEWABLE ENERGY
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
(UNEP, June 2003) This handbook
by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) explores how clean and renewable
forms of energy can sustainably power the expanding tourism sector. It
offers the latest information on solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and
biomass (plant and animal matter) resources and demonstrates how tourism
business powered by renewable energy can reduce environmental impacts,
generate benefits for local communities and, often, lower costs. The
handbook can help small and medium-sized tourism businesses assess these
systems and technologies. It can also be used as a reference manual by
policy makers seeking to develop sustainable consumption projects or
policies. The handbook is available through
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/energy.htm, or visit
http://www.uneptie.org/tourism
THE
IMPACT OF OECD MEMBERS' AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES ON WELFARE AND FOOD
SECURITY IN SUB-SAHARAN: THE CASE OF MAIZE
(Hunger Task Force of the Millennium Project and the Earth Institute
at Columbia University, May 2003) Maria Soledad Bos prepared this policy
analysis, which evaluates the impacts of OECD agricultural subsidies for
maize on welfare and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study asks
two main questions: 1) How would Sub-Saharan African farmers and consumers
be affected by a decline in OECD agricultural subsidies? and, 2) How would
a decline in agricultural subsidies affect food security in Sub-Saharan
Africa? The author concludes that a decline in subsidies in OECD countries
using the case of maize will have a negative net welfare effect on all
countries under consideration. The effect of declining agricultural
subsidies on food security is undetermined, as the increase in production
will improve it but the decline in consumption of maize will harm it.
However, it is difficult to predict how consumers will substitute cheaper
food in the face of rising maize prices. The report is available at:
http://www.ictsd.org/issarea/ag/resources/ImpactMaizeSubsidiesOnSSA.pdf
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(Greener Management International, Issue 38) This
special theme issue, edited by Michael Schaper, Curtin University of
Technology, Australia, examines questions related to the role that
entrepreneurial individuals have to play in the adoption of more
sustainable business practices. The nine papers consider the essence of
Ecopreneurship, develop a typology of green entrepreneurs, examine
barriers for start-up entrepreneurs and present case studies from various
perspectives. The introductory chapter and paper entitled "The Making of
the Ecopreneur" (by Robert Isaak, Pace University, US), plus abstracts of
all the papers and ordering instructions can be accessed at:
http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/gmi/gmi38.htm
UNFOLDING STAKEHOLDER THINKING 2:
RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATION, REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE
(May 2003, Greenleaf) This
13-chapter book, edited by Joerg Andriof, Sandra Waddock, Bryan Husted and
Sandra Sutherland Rahman, offers essays that focus on the practice of
stakeholder engagement in terms of relationship management, communication,
reporting and performance. This book is the companion to "Unfolding
Stakeholder Thinking: Theory, Responsibility and Engagement" (October
2002), which examined theoretical and normative issues.
The first part of the book examines a range of corporate-NGO
collaborations to determine what makes them effective and what makes them
fail. It identifies the need for companies, considered as the focal
entity, to actively communicate with stakeholders, manage their
relationships and listen to the messages that stakeholders are sending
them. The second part of the book examines schemes for the assessment,
measurement and reporting of business in society and relationships
involving stakeholders, including social auditing and sustainability
reporting. To view the "Introduction" and Chapter 6 on "State of the
Union: NGO-Business Partnership Stakeholders" (by Jonathan Cohen), or to
order the text, visit:
http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/catalogue/unfold2.htm
ALIGNING COMMITMENTS:
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, INTERNATIONAL DECISION-MAKING, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(World
Resources Institute, 2003) This 24-page report by Crescencia Maurer, with
Suzanne Ehlers and Andrew Buchman, surveys public participation policies
"across a range of international institutions and environmental agreements
to better understand whether opportunities exist for meaningful
participation in international decisions that affect the environment." The
authors conclude that policies on public participation are becoming the
norm, but public participation at the national level is uniformly weak and
domestic stakeholders have limited ability to influence international
decisions that affect their environment. The report can be accessed online
at:
http://governance.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm?PubID=3796
BALTIC 21 REPORT 2000-2002: TOWARDS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION
(Baltic 21, June 2003) This
report is a comprehensive guide regarding sustainable development in the
Baltic Sea Region and addresses the three dimensions of sustainable
development - environmental, economic and social. It describes the
Region's progress towards the Baltic 21 sustainable development goals,
which were adopted by Baltic 21's 11 governments and other members. Baltic
21 is a multi-stakeholder forum for co-operation for sustainable
development in the Baltic Sea Region initiated by the region's Heads of
State and Government. The report's conclusions include support for the
multi-stakeholder character of Baltic 21 and recommendations for further
involvement of civil society. The report also emphasizes the instrumental
role of commitment, allocation of resources and support of sectoral
ministries in pursuit of sustainable development within each sector. The
enlargement of the EU is noted to be one of the major future challenges to
regional cooperation. To obtain further information or to download the
report visit:
http://www.baltic21.org
ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
IN CENTRAL ASIA: RISKS, POLICIES, CAPACITIES
(Adelphi Research, 2003)
Prepared by Alexander Carius, Moira Feil and Dennis Tänzler on behalf of
UNDP, this study explores the potential threats to human development and
security emanating from environmental risks in five Central Asian states.
It describes the socio-economic context, and institutional and policy
framework available to address such risks in the five countries. The
report is available in English and Russian at:
http://www.adelphi-research.de/projektberichte/UNDP_Governance_english.pdf
and
http://www.adelphi-research.de/projektberichte/UNDP_Governance_russian.pdf.
TOWARDS A GIS-BASED ANALYSIS OF
MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTS AND POPULATIONS
(FAO, May 2003) This UN survey
was carried out with the aim of helping policymakers develop strategies to
help vulnerable communities address agricultural and environmental
challenges. The survey was prepared using the latest geographic
information system (GIS) technology and newly available GIS maps and
databases. It employed the latest global mapping technology to study the
effects of climate change, overgrazing and deforestation on the people and
economies of mountain ecosystems, producing a detailed snapshot of
environmental conditions and providing new insight into how rural mountain
families secure their livelihoods. A summary report and more information
is available at:
http://www.mountains2002.org/files/pdf/mountain.booklet.summary.final.en.pdf
PROMOTING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT
GOALS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC: MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF POVERTY REDUCTION
(UNESCAP and UNDP, 2003) The first-ever regional report on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) finds that despite having achieved "one of the
largest decreases in mass poverty in human history," the Asia-Pacific
region is still faced with the need to enhance basic education, gender
equality, child health, maternal mortality and environmental
sustainability. Identified in the report as key obstacles to poverty
reduction and attainment of the other MDGs in the region, are slow
economic growth, declining official development assistance, uneven
distribution of income, and unfavorable social conditions. The report
further indicates that declines in aid flows to the least developed
countries are "unacceptable" and urges reform of the international trade
system to assist the poorest countries. It further recommends combining
market-based incentives with pro-poor measures that enhance the capacity
of the poor to take advantage of new opportunities, while also ensuring
adequate social protection for the most vulnerable groups. The report is
available at:
http://www.unescap.org/LDC&Poverty/MDG.asp
THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
(UNDP Development Policy
Journal, April 2003) UNDP has published a series of articles on the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Organized under three sections -
goals and targets; sustainable development and the MDGs; and global
partnerships – the articles address a range of issues, such as whether the
MDGs are feasible, capacity building for monitoring the MDGs, financing,
and mainstreaming development in trade and finance. It also considers
gender and HIV dimensions of poverty, and the environmental and poverty
nexus. The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.undp.org/dpa/publications/DPJ3Final1.pdf
UNEP INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT – SHOPPING
FOR A BETTER WORLD: SUSTAINABILITY AND RETAILING
(UNEP-DTIE, January-March 2003)
A recent issue of UNEP-DTIE's quarterly review Industry and Environment
focuses on sustainability in the retail world, and how consumers can
be encouraged to consume more sustainably. It opens with facts and figures
of the retail world, and contains papers addressing a range of issues,
such as how Europe's retail sector helps promote sustainable production
and consumption, and the social dimension of sustainable development and
the retail sector. It also presents case studies on Finland's Kesko, Marks
and Spencer, Switzerland's
Coop, UK's Safeway, the METRO
Group, the Musgrave Group, Pick 'n Pay, and the Ito Yokado concept of
sustainability. The report is available at:
http://www.uneptie.org/media/review/vol26no1/UNEP0103.PDF
UNEP DESK STUDY ON ENVIRONMENT IN IRAQ
(UNEP, April 2003) UNEP's Post Conflict Assessment Unit
prepared this report to contribute to international efforts to provide
humanitarian assistance to Iraq. It is based on published and online
information sources, with heavy reliance on media reports and military
briefings for the most recent conflict. The report offers a preliminary
assessment of the main environmental threats facing the country and
recommends actions for immediate relief and long-term recovery. The report
stresses the need for urgent measures to address humanitarian issues.
Priorities should include restoring the water supply and sanitation
systems, cleaning-up possible pollution 'hot spots' and cleaning-up waste
sites to reduce the risk of disease epidemics from accumulated municipal
and medical wastes. Recommendations include conducting environmental
impact assessments, using environmentally friendly technologies for major
reconstruction projects and maximizing the exchange of information between
key stakeholders to avoid accidental further risks to human health and the
environment. The Desk Study is available at
http://postconflict.unep.ch. See
http://www.unep.org for environmental data and documents on conflict
and environment in the region.
POVERTY AND VULNERABILITY IN SOUTH ASIA
(World Bank 2003) Stating that
people living in poverty are more vulnerable to risks and that poor people
lack the means of coping with these risks, this new World Bank report
suggests a range of new and existing innovative policies and programmes to
combat the cycle of poverty and vulnerability. Highlighted are: short-term
employment or public works schemes to reduce vulnerability following
seasonal downturns and community-wide shocks; need-based assistance
programmes; microfinance, particularly group-lending schemes; and
innovative community-based insurance initiatives. The report also
underscores the importance of savings in reducing risks, noting that
community-based efforts have been effective in mobilizing savings of poor
people in certain areas, and suggests incorporating a social protection
strategy into every country's poverty reduction plan. More information is
available online at:
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:
20102922~menuPK:34463~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: AN OVERVIEW OF UNEP ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES
(UNEP, March 2003) This 164 page
booklet describes the broad scope of UNEP capacity building initiatives
for sound environmental management. It contains a series of examples of
areas in which UNEP works, and the activities it performs within those
areas, providing a sense of how UNEP supports the environmental pillar of
sustainable development. The report is available online at:
http://www.gpa.unep.org/Training/documents/UNEP%20Capacity%20Building%20Book.pdf
INTERACTIVE WEBSITE ON PERSIAN GULF
COUNTRIES
(World Resource Institute 2003)
WRI'S Earth Trends has created a website covering economic, social, and
environmental information on Iraq and other Persian Gulf countries. The
site contains country profiles, global oil statistics, data on watersheds
and other statistics for each country in the Middle East. See
http://www.wri.org/iraq/index.html for more information and links to
the profiles and data.
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AVIATION
(Earthscan, March 2003) Callum
Thomas, David Raper, Paul Upham and Janet Maughan edited this 13-chapter
collection that focuses on the environmental consequences of air
transportation. Thirty authors offer their perspectives on trends and
issues, mitigations and potential solutions, and multisector commentaries
with analyses of technological, policy and management issues. For more
information see:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3892
BUYING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT:
EXPERIENCES, OPPORTUNITIES AND POTENTIAL FOR ECO-PROCUREMENT
(Greenleaf Publishing, April
2003) This 14-chapter volume, edited by Christoph Erdmenger, International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), resulted from the
research segment of the RELIEF project, funded by the EU's 'City of
Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage' programme, which was established to define
the potential of eco-procurement and to develop a strategy for change in
Europe. A further stage - to design a Europe-wide action plan – will
follow in 2004. The first chapter, "Public purchasing: a new, old policy
tool," can be downloaded or the book can be ordered online at:
http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/catalogue/buying.htm
THE FUTURE OF THE CSD: SURVEY REPORT
(Stakeholder
Forum, April 2003) This report was prepared to feed into the deliberations
at the eleventh session of the CSD. It presents the responses received to
a survey regarding stakeholder preferences for future CSD agendas,
participation and institutional mechanisms. For agenda items, respondents
preferred Agenda 21, CSD and WSSD commitments rather than the WEHAB
issues. The option for convening international, regional and subregional
workshops supporting implementation processes was popular and respondents
supported the increased involvement of the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization in the follow-up to
Johannesburg, with the majority agreeing that these institutions should
report their activities to ECOSOC. The 18-page report can be accessed at
http://www.earthsummit2002.org/csd-survey-web.pdf
JUST
SUSTAINABILITIES: DEVELOPMENT IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD
(Earthscan,
2003) This book, edited by Julian Agyeman, Robert D. Bullard and Bob
Evans, argues that social and environmental justice within and between
nations should be an integral part of the policies and agreements that
promote sustainable development. It addresses the links between
environmental quality and human equality and between sustainability and
environmental justice. The 15 chapters address the topics of
anthropocentrism, biotechnology, bioprospecting, biocultural assimilation,
deep and radical ecology, ecological debt, ecological democracy,
ecological footprints, ecological modernization, feminism and gender,
globalization, participatory research, place, identity and legal rights,
precaution, risk society, selective victimization, and valuation. For more
information visit:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3845
DIVISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
LAUNCHES REDESIGNED WEBSITE
The Division for Sustainable
Development is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website
located at:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/index.html
GREENIOLOGY - HOW TO LIVE WELL, BE GREEN
AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Touted as the definitive 'how to
help the environment' guide, this publication shows ordinary people how
they can help the environment in their day to day lives. The book can be
purchased online at:
http://www.allenandunwin.com/shopping/product.asp?ISBN=186508929X
THE WORLD COMES TO ONE COUNTRY
(Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2003)
Authored by Victor Munnik and Jessica Wilson, this publication attempts to
find out what happened at the WSSD from a civil society perspective. The
book analyses the relationship between South African civil society and the
South African government, offering a glimpse of the nature of civil
society in the South, and the role it could play in global governance. The
book is available online at:
http://www.emg.org.za/pages/EMGPublications.htm
MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY: LEARNING FROM
DOING
(Earthscan,
February 2003) In their newest book, Simon Bell and Stephen Morse, who
also wrote Sustainability Indicators (1999), present practical
advice on how to develop measurements that will work in real-life
development contexts. They describe and analyze how to derive, validate
and apply indicators in the course of an actual development project – in
this case the Mediterranean Action Plan in Malta. Further information on
this six chapter text, including ordering details, can be accessed
through:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3886&field=new
FREE MARKET: AT WHAT
COST? INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(IIED,
February 2003) In this book, Nicola Borregaard, CIPMA, Chile, and Mark
Halle, IISD, Switzerland, review what has gone wrong in the process of
trade liberalization and offer some remedies. The research concludes that
the sense of threat felt by people in the social and environment fields is
very real. For an international trade system to be sustainable, the
following recommendations are offered: harness trade and economic growth
so that they support the fundamental principles of sustainable development
– greater social equity and the sustainable use of natural resources;
ensure that the trade policy process is open to all legitimate
stakeholders, not just narrow commercial interests; increase support to
developing countries to enable them to take advantage of more open trade;
and develop initiatives such as the Sustainable Trade Centre, which can
demonstrate that sustainable development is a means to greater equity in
world trade, not a barrier. A review of the text can be found at
http://www.id21.org/society/s7bnb2g1.html
SUPPORTING AFRICA'S EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: DIALOGUES
AT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
(UN ECOSOC, 2003) The Division for ECOSOC Support and Coordination prepared
this book in collaboration with the Office of the Special Coordinator for
Africa and the Least Developed Countries, the Department of Economic and
Social Affairs of the United Nations. It is based on the UN
Secretary-General's report to the High-level Segment of the Economic and
Social Council on the role of the UN in supporting the efforts of African
countries to achieve sustainable development. It also draws on the debates
and outcome of the Council's session and a series of panels organized in
preparation for the session. The statements are organized into four
chapters: key issues for African development; coordinating UN system
support for African development; the High-level Segment; and NGO
contributions to the High-level Segment. The text can be accessed through:
http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/SupportingAfrica'sEfforts.pdf
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: VICTIMS OF
PARTICIPANTS – THEIR CHANGING ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
(Overseas Development Institute
2003) In this paper, Sheila Page asks whether developing countries
can participate effectively in international negotiations, what lessons
can be learned from past negotiations, and whether international
institutions or donors can help. The paper also explores the implications
of more extensive and effective participation in such negotiations for the
way these negotiations are conducted. The paper can be downloaded by
visiting:
http://www.odi.org.uk/iedg/Publications/index.html
PROGRESS OR PERIL? PARTNERSHIPS AND
NETWORKS IN GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE. THE POST-JOHANNESBURG AGENDA
(Global Public Policy institute
2003) Jan Martin Witte, Thorsten Benner and Charlotte Streck edited this
collection, which speaks to the ongoing debate about Type II partnerships
and pinpoints the challenges the partnership agenda faces. It combines
essays from researchers and policymakers from all sectors – public,
private, and civil society – who offer their analyses and viewpoints. With
this book, the Global Public Policy institute (GPPi) hopes to provide a
balanced perspective on current discussions in the post-Johannesburg
context. More importantly, the institute hopes to push the debate forward
by injecting some fresh thinking and specific action recommendations for
the creation and management of partnerships.
The text's nine chapters can be downloaded
by visiting:
http://www.gppi.net/index.php?page=cms&id=151
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND THE
NATION STATE: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2001 BERLIN CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN
DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(Potsdam Institute for Climate
Impact Research, 2002) Frank Biermann, Rainer Brohm and Klaus Dingwerth
edited this report, which contains 50 papers from 96 presentations at the
2001 Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental
Change. These papers examine the role of the nation state in environmental
policy and how issues such as new environmental law, sovereignty and a new
role of NGOs and IGOs could develop as new environmental concerns emerge.
To access this report visit:
http://www.glogov.org/publications/bc2001/index.html
INDIAN ENVIRONMENT ONLINE
Indian Environment Online is a
new website launched by the Society for Environmental Information and
Sustainable Development (SEISD), New Delhi. It contains links to news,
articles, press releases and resources related to the environment in
India. For more information contact: M. Tamil Selvan, Editor, Indian
Environment Online, Society for Environmental Information and Sustainable
Development (SEISD), New Delhi; e-mail:
editor@indianenvironmentonline.net; Internet:
http://indianenvironmentonline.net
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ONLINE
Sustainable Development Online (SDO)
seeks to map the continually changing and vital area of sustainable
development and to provide access to significant websites built by
organizations supporting the move towards sustainable development. It is a
free web portal that is regularly updated and offers a comprehensive
resource for policy makers, NGOs, academics and business people alike. SDO
has recently added 16 additional TOOLS and 20 additional EVENTS. For
further information see:
http://sd-online.ewindows.eu.org/
INTERNETWORK FOR
SUSTAINABILITY
The InterNetwork for
Sustainability is a web based data and information center dedicated to
sustainable development issues. It aims to make information on sustainable
development visible and easily accessible. This resources is available at:
http://www.insnet.org
THE GLOBAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT: POWER
WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY?
(One World Trust, 2003). In this report,
Hetty Kovach, Caroline Neligan and Simon Burall compare the degree to
which 18 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental
organizations (IGOs) and transnational corporations (TNCs) can be held
accountable to their stakeholders (both internal and external). Rankings
are based on access to information and member control of governance. The
report can be accessed through:
http://www.oneworldtrust.org/Ch99/htmlGAP/report/report.htm
STATE OF THE WORLD 2003
(Worldwatch
Institute, 2003) The 2003 release represents the 20th anniversary edition
of Worldwatch's classic evaluation of the state of the world. The text
argues that past successessuch as the elimination of smallpox and the
encouraging drop in birth rates in many countriesprove that humanity is
capable of redirecting itself in positive ways. Substantive chapters
examine the disappearance of birds, links between population, women and
biodiversity, efforts to combat malaria, energy technologies, mining
dependence, urban issues, and engaging religion for sustainable
development. For more information on the text and how to order it see:
http://worldwatch.org/pubs/sow/2003/.
FOREIGN AID IN THE
NATIONAL INTEREST: PROMOTING FREEDOM, SECURITY, AND OPPORTUNITY
(USAID January 2003) This USAID policy
report stresses the critical link between national security and foreign
assistance and lays out a framework for development in the coming decades.
The report's six chapters discuss: promoting democratic governance;
driving economic growth; changing health needs; mitigating and managing
conflict; providing humanitarian aid; and the full measure of foreign aid.
Development scholars and academics outside USAID, including Larry Diamond
of the Hoover Institute, Michael Porter of Harvard, Peter Timmer of
University of California-San Diego and Carol Adelman of the Hudson
Institute, served as primary authors. The report seeks to capture
accomplishments to date and the state of the art in development strategy
as it educates about the state of development assistance and fosters
discussion about the challenges that lie ahead. The report can be accessed
through:
http://www.usaid.gov/fani/
SC.NET – UNEP'S
PLATFORM ON SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
UNEP has launched a Sustainable Consumption website
http://www.uneptie.org/sustain
with information on its follow-up of the Johannesburg decisions on
sustainable consumption and production, its Advertising and Communication
Forum, the Life-Cycle Initiative, the UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection
survey, the joint UNEP/UNESCO youth and sustainable consumption and
lifestyles project and product and service design. Most documents and
meeting reports are directly downloadable. Through "SC.net," UNEP and a
wide variety of contributors exchange information on the global activities
on Sustainable Consumption on a monthly informal basis. For more
information, contact: Bas de Leeuw, Coordinator of UNEP's Sustainable
Consumption activities; tel: +33-14-437-3009; e-mail:
mailto:sc@unep.fr
UNEP.NET SOCIOECONOMIC INTERNET PORTAL
The UNEP.Net Socioeconomic portal provides a
data and information access service focused on socioeconomic data related
to the environment. It contains links to major sources of social and
economic assessment information used by UNEP and its partners for
integrated environment assessments as part of the GEO process. Offerings
include links to policy/strategy documents such as the World Bank's
World Development Report 2003, datasets including UNDP's Human
Development Indicators, and maps and graphics including WHO World Health
Maps. The portal is located at:
http://socioeconomic.unep.net
UNEP'S EUROPEAN REGIONAL INTERNET PORTAL
UNEP has launched a new European-wide environmental portal
on the Internet at
http://europe.unep.net. The goal of the European Regional
Portal is to make available the best existing sources of information on
the European environment at regional, sub-regional and national levels.
The portal also aims to provide a means of integrating, analyzing and
adding value for improved environmental management and related
decision-making. For more information, contact: Jaap van
Woerden, GEO & Earthwatch Data Coordinator; tel
+41-22-9178169/8294; e-mail
woerden@grid.unep.ch
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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