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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE RESOURCES

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

This page was updated on: 01/13/10

 

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UNEP CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
(UN Environment Programme, 2008)
This publication lays out the UNEP strategy for its programme of work for 2010-2011. The priorities detailed in the strategy include: adapting by building resilience; facilitating a transition towards low carbon societies; improving understanding of climate change science; and communication and raising public awareness. The strategy.

UNEP AND PARTNERS UNITED TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
(UN Environment Programme, 2008)
This publication details the ways in which UNEP has and plans to work with governments, civil society and the private sector to combat climate change. The publication.

TUNZA
(UNEP, 2008)
The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for youth is devoted to the issue of food and the environment. Tunza Vol. 6 No. 2: Food and the Environment.

OUR PLANET
(UNEP, 2008)
The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for sustainable development, marking the climate meeting in Poznan, Poland, is devoted to the nexus of employment, energy generation and development. Our Planet: Renewable Energy - Generating power, jobs and development

Public Finance Mechanisms to Mobilise Investment in Climate Change Mitigation
(UNEP, 2008)
UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, under its Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative, commissioned this report, which assesses how public monies can leverage commercial financing. The report.

Carbon and Biodiversity Demonstration Atlas
(UNEP, 2008)
This atlas highlights areas where high carbon content and high biodiversity overlap, demonstrating that reducing emissions from deforestation can combat climate change and biodiversity loss. The atlas.

The Kyoto Protocol, The Clean Development Mechanism, and the Building and Construction Sector

(UNEP, 2008)
This report suggests that the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which governs the main international carbon market, should be revised to tap into the power of the building and construction industry. The report.

 

FAO RESOURCES ON FOREST TENURE
(FAO, November 2008)
This series of papers provides an overview of forest tenure as a founding block for sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation, and includes case studies from South and Southeast Asia and Africa. The papers: Understanding forest tenure in Africa: opportunities and challenges for forest tenure diversification - Understanding Forest Tenure in South and Southeast Asia -

Tenure security for better forestry

 

Atmospheric Brown Clouds: REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT WITH FOCUS ON ASIA

(UN Environment Programme, 2008)
This report shows that, in addition to affecting agriculture and human health, Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABCs) – a layer of soot and manmade particles – can both aggravate, via the absorption of sunlight, and counteract, via the reflection of sunlight and effects on cloud formation, climate change due to greenhouse gases. The report.

 

THE STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2008 – BIOFUELS
(FAO, October 2008)
The 2008 edition of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization State of the World's Food and Agriculture Report focuses on the prospects, risks and opportunities for biofuels. The report addresses key questions relating to the benefits and impacts of biofuel production and use, including impacts on food security, land and water resources, as well as contributions to greenhouse gas reduction and agricultural development. The report assumes that biofuel demand will affect food prices for the coming decade or longer. While higher food prices threaten the food security of poor households in developing countries, they could offer an opportunity for agricultural development if they are accompanied by increased investments in research, institutions and infrastructure as well as sound policies. It also points to the need to harmonize approaches towards assessing greenhouse gas balances and other impacts, and calls for investments in research and development of second generation biofuels. The report stresses that blending mandates and subsidies have resulted in a rush on biofuels in advance of actual knowledge about their effects and impacts, and calls for their revision and additional policy action to ensure they are produced in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. FAO Press Release. State of the World's Food and Agriculture Report.

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON PROTECTED AREAS: A REVIEW OF GLOBAL CONSERVATION PROGRESS IN 2007
(UNEP-WCMC, 2008)
The Annual Report on Protected Areas highlights achievements made in protected areas around the world during the past year. The report addresses both the current status of global and national protected area coverage for terrestrial and marine environments, with additional insights on forest biodiversity and the high seas. Topics such as the management effectiveness of protected areas, livelihood impacts and climate change are highlighted to demonstrate the breadth of conservation issues related to protected areas. The report concludes with a look at the 2008 International Year of the Reef. It indicates that while progress towards achieving the 10% protected area target has been better on land, marine areas remain especially poorly protected. While 12.2% of the planet's land area is under legal protection, only 5.9% of the world's territorial seas and less than 1% of the high seas are protected. The report.

 

GREEN JOBS: TOWARDS DECENT WORK IN A SUSTAINABLE, LOW-CARBON WORLD
(ILO, UNEP, ITUC and International Organisation of Employers, September 2008)

This report suggests that efforts to address climate change could create millions of new jobs, and finds that changing patterns of employment and investment resulting from efforts to reduce climate change and its effects are already generating new jobs in many sectors and economies, in developed and developing countries. Focusing on "green jobs" in agriculture, industry, services and administration, the report also highlights the risks inherent in climate change for the working poor and the vulnerable. The report.

 

INTERACTIVE AQUASTAT MAPS

(FAO, 2008)

AQUASTAT is the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) global information system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Division. It collects, analyzes and disseminates data and information by country and by region. It aims to provide users interested in global, regional and national analyses with comprehensive information related to water resources and agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The FAO has released interactive maps as part of the AQUASTAT website, with population and water indicators. AQUASTAT website.

 

TEACHER'S MANUAL: INTERNATIONAL WATERCOURSES/RIVER BASINS INCLUDING LAW, NEGOTIATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND SIMULATION TRAINING EXERCISES

(FAO, 2008)

This new UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Water Teachers Manual features exercises and activities that can help participants to explore their behaviors in the study of international water law and conflict resolution. The manual addresses issue like trust, encourages learning, and seeks to contribute to improved performance and interaction between group members. The manual.

 

REFORMING ENERGY SUBSIDIES: OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA
(UNEP-DTIE, 2008)
The UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE)  produced  this booklet to raise awareness of energy subsidies and their impact. The publication highlights the negative results that have been linked to energy subsidies, including increased consumption and waste, burdened governments, and reduced investments in renewable energy, and calls for action to facilitate energy subsidy reform. The booklet.

 

GLOBAL TRENDS IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT 2008
(UNEP, July 2008)
This analysis by the UN Environment Programme shows a surge in renewable energy investments in 2007, driven by oil prices and concerns about both climate change and energy security. The report also highlights the increasing proportion of investment in China, India and Brazil. The
report (requires free registration).

ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN AFRICA
(UN and the African Union, June 2008)

This report summarizes the recommendations of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Africa Steering Group. It calls for a "Green Revolution," aid predictability, and an effort to "climate proof" efforts to meet the MDGs. The report.

PROMOTION OF WIND ENERGY: LESSONS LEARNED FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND UNDP-GEF PROJECTS
(UNDP, 2008)
This report provides a review of the active UNDP-GEF wind energy portfolio. It looks at the design, costs and efficiency of existing projects, drawing on the experience of 14 wind energy projects that have been financed through UNDP to help national governments implement wind energy public policies. It includes a detailed analysis and recommendations for future projects on prioritizing countries, choosing types of policies and designing mechanisms. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), for example, emerges as a possible way of increasing revenues of wind energy projects. The report.

BIODIVERSITY: DELIVERING RESULTS
(UNDP-GEF, May 2008)

This publication features the UN Development Programme's (UNDP's) biodiversity work around the world, including the achievements and results from projects undertaken by UNDP's network of 132 country offices and its specialized environment team. It highlights projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to mainstream biodiversity issues, build institutional capacity, and support the implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The publication.

GUIDELINES IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES
(FAO, May 2008)

FAO has made available new guidelines in support of the implementation of the International Code of Conduct for the Distribution and Use of Pesticides: the Guidelines on the Management Options for Empty Containers. The Guidelines on monitoring and observance of the revised version of the Code of Conduct are also now available in French, and the Guidelines on Efficacy evaluation of the registration of plant protection products are now available in Arabic. The  resource.

ENVIRONMENT & POVERTY TIMES
(UNEP GRID Arendal, May 2008)

This edition of Environment & Poverty Times, released during the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), focuses on the links between environment and poverty reduction. Articles focus on, among other themes, the wealth buried in natural capital, rural communities as environmental stewards and the politics of natural resource use. The newsletter.


INTERLINKAGES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
(United Nations University, April 2008)
This book seeks to fill the existing gaps in knowledge and policy-making with regard to the need for greater coordination and synergies among environmental institutions, policies and legal instruments, particularly focusing on international law. It also
provides a framework for measuring the effectiveness of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and shows how the effectiveness of MEAs can be improved by interlinkages. The report.

 

Mechanisms for the Protection of Water Resources in Arab Countries
(UNEP/GPA, 2008)

As one a contribution to the International Year of Sanitation, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)/
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) Coordination Office, jointly with the Arab Water Council, the Egyptian Ministry for Water Resources and Irrigation, and Delft-Environment, coordinated the delivery of a regional training course on wastewater management for decision-makers from Arab Countries, held 3 -5 January 2008 in Cairo, Egypt. This is the final report of this course, which was subtitled "Improving Municipal Wastewater Management." The report.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORCED MIGRATION
(UNHCR, 2008)
This research paper, authored by Etienne Piguet and issued by the UN High Commissioner on Refuges (UNHCR), explores what impact climate change is likely to have on migration and provides suggestions on how the international system of protection should respond to these challenges, including by increased international cooperation for collective burden sharing, and by the opening of emigration channels with the recognition of environmental push factors in subsidiary international instruments of protection. The research paper.

BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES – BLOOM OR BUST?
(UNEP FI, March 2008)
This report, developed by the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP FI) Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services Work stream, argues that the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services is not just about conserving endangered species, but rather that the benefits provided by biodiversity are valued and accounted for within traditional business risk frameworks. The report also provides direction for financial institutions that wish to manage biodiversity and ecosystem service risks more effectively. The report.

CLEARINGHOUSE FOR NATIONAL SCP PROGRAMMES
(UNEP, February 2008)
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has developed an online clearinghouse for national sustainable consumption and production (SCP) programmes, through a UK Government funded project to develop guidelines for national programmes on SCP. The database contributes to the UN Marrakech Process on SCP, and offers users the opportunity to search programme criteria including priority areas, status, type of programme, region and country name. Query results are displayed as country lists that link to individual national programme summaries. Relevant national SCP documents are also available for download in several languages. The clearinghouse.


IEA ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY DATABASES
(IEA, 2008)
The International Energy Agency (IEA) collaborates with governments to collect and classify national policies on climate change mitigation, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and makes available online databases of these policies. The IEA has recently updated its Energy Efficiency Database and the Renewable Energy Database. The Energy Efficiency Database. The Renewable Energy Database.

 

GREEN PASSPORT WEBSITE

(UNEP, March 2008)
The Green Passport Website, launched by UNEP, provides tips for environmentally responsible tourism. The site aims to raise tourists' awareness of their potential to contribute to sustainable development by making responsible travel choices.
The website.

 

UNEP YEAR BOOK 2008
(UNEP, February 2008)

The UNEP Year Book 2008: An Overview of Our Changing Environment, was launched at the tenth special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (20-22 February 2008, Monaco). The latest UNEP Year Book
– which in previous years was known as the GEO Year Book – highlights the increasing complexity of and interlinkages between climate change, ecosystem integrity, human wellbeing, and economic development. The Year Book also examines the emergence and influence of economic mechanisms and market-driven approaches for addressing environmental degradation, arguing that the emerging "green" economy is driving invention and innovation to an extent not witnessed since the industrial revolution. The Year Book is the fifth annual report on the changing environment produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with many international environmental experts. When presenting this year's publication in Monaco, UNEP's Executive Director Achim Steiner noted that investment in environmentally-friendly projects is growing rapidly, highlighting that combating climate change is increasingly being perceived as an opportunity rather than a burden. The Year Book
.

UNEP 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
(UNEP, 2008)
This report summarizes the activities carried out by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007 and, among other things, provides an overview of UNEP's contribution to combating climate change. The report.

PLANT FOR THE PLANET – THE BILLION TREE CAMPAIGN
(UNEP, 2008)

This booklet introduces some of the stories behind the success of UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign, conveying the range of partners that has been engaged in the campaign, from children to giant corporations, from women's groups to technocrats, dancers to diplomats, farmers to national governments. The booklet.

IN DEAD WATER: MERGING OF CLIMATE CHANGE WITH POLLUTION,

OVER-HARVEST, AND INFESTATIONS IN THE WORLD'S FISHING GROUNDS

(UNEP, February 2008)

This report, which was compiled by researchers including many from various UN Environment Programme (UNEP) offices, suggests that at least three-quarters of the world's key fishing grounds may become seriously impacted by changes in circulation as a result of the ocean's natural pumping systems fading and falling. The report draws on a range of new and emerging science, including the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Meteorological Organization. The report.

 

World Water Day website

(UN-WATER, 2008)

UN-WATER officially launched its website for World Water Day 2008, which will be celebrated by the UN on 20 March. In 2008, the day will highlight issues on sanitation in accordance with the International Year of Sanitation 2008. The Website features factsheets, videos and news on the upcoming World Water Day celebrations in Geneva. The website.

 

ADAPTING TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE: A GUIDANCE MANUAL FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
(USAID Climate Change Program, 2007)
This guidance manual looks at how to incorporate climate change adaptation when planning and designing development projects, and it outlines a six-step approach for assessing vulnerability and implementing adaptation, including to: screen for vulnerability; identify adaptation options; conduct analysis; select a course of action; implement adaptations; and evaluate adaptations. The manual also gives examples of USAID projects applying this approach in different countries. The manual.

WATER AND ENERGY FUTURES IN AN URBANISED ASIA: SUSTAINING THE TIGER
(Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2007)

This paper addresses the problems of water shortages in Asia, noting that, in spite of Asia's bleak environment picture, there are opportunities for actualizing sustainable development in the region, especially in the fields of technology and governance. The paper also proposes new approaches to environmental governance that can be implemented in China and neighboring developing countries. The paper.

BETTER MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL WASTE WILL REDUCE GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
(EEA, January 2008)
This briefing paper, issued by the European Environment Agency (EEA), analyzes how better management of municipal waste can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While predicting a significant decrease in net GHG emissions from municipal waste by 2020, mainly due to increased recycling and waste recovery, in addition to incineration combined with energy production and diverting waste away from landfills, the paper also warns that unsustainable consumption and production patterns may overshadow the improvements taking place in the waste management sector. The briefing paper.

INFORMATION ECONOMY REPORT 2007-2008
(UNCTAD, February 2008)

The Information Economy Report 2007-2008, published by UNCTAD, analyses the role of information technology in knowledge creation and diffusion and focuses on the effect of ICT on trade, economic performance and development, and how these relate to developing countries' e-strategies. The report.

STRENGTHENING EFFORTS TO ERADICATE POVERTY AND HUNGER:

DIALOGUES AT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
(OESC/DESA, 2007)

This book presents an overview of the key debates that took place during the Economic and Social Council meetings at the 2007 High-level Segment, at which the Annual Ministerial Review and Development Cooperation Forum were launched. The
book.

 

G8 IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS - GOOD OR BAD?
(Ecologic, 2007)
This paper, authored by Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf and Henrike Peichert, analyzes the recent Group of Eight (G8) Summit outcomes and their practical impacts on international climate change negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The paper maintains that G8 Summit outcomes appear to yield overall positive influence on the UNFCCC processes, although more ambitious action needs to be taken and implemented. The paper.

A CHALLENGING CLIMATE – WHAT INTERNATIONAL BANKS SHOULD DO TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
(
BankTrack, 2007)
This report, published by BankTrack -
a network of civil society organizations tracking the operations of the private financial sector, contends that commercial banks are of crucial importance in the transition to a low-carbon economy based on energy efficiency and renewable energies, underlining their importance in mobilizing and allocating the necessary financial resources for long run investment. The report.

ACCESS TO WATER - THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SMALL MUNICIPALITIES
(
Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, 2007)

This case study emphasizes that, despite uncertainties around quantitative assessments of climate change impact and water resource management, climate change will have an effect on water resources. Focusing on the economic consequences of water resource scarcity on poor and small municipalities, the study aims to assist municipal planners to develop appropriate strategies to ensure the sustainability and affordability of long term water supplies. The case study.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND ACCESS TO CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: AN ANALYSIS OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC, BIO FUEL AND WIND TECHNOLOGIES
(ICTSD, 2007)

This paper, issued by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), explores whether developing countries will face barriers accessing technologies in reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases due to intellectual property rights (IP). Focusing on the structure of the solar photovoltaic, bio-mass and wind energy sectors, the paper concludes that developing nations have good access to the current generation of bio fuel technology, and that the wind sector is competitive enough for developing nations to build wind farms without enormous IP costs. The paper.

BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION: A QUALIFIED ANALYSIS AND UNQUALIFIED SUGGESTIONS 
(ANPED, 2008)
This report compares the place biodiversity and consumption hold in the overall sustainable development discourse, and focuses on the known reasons for biodiversity loss and how they could be influenced by sustainable consumption. The report concludes that the discussion about biodiversity policy must no longer be restricted to the levels of nature protection efforts, but should address the drivers behind the pressures leading to biodiversity loss. The report.

STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO PREPARE FOR AND PARTICIPATE IN NEGOTIATIONS ON FUTURE ACTIONS UNDER THE UNFCCC AND ITS KYOTO PROTOCOL
(Institute of Development Studies, 2007)
This report, authored by Farhana Yamin, summarises the activities undertaken by the BASIC Project (Building and Strengthening Institutional Capacities on Climate Change in Brazil, India, China and South Africa), which has focused on supporting the institutional capacity of key developing countries to determine what kind of national and international climate change actions best fit their social, political and economic circumstances. The report.

GREATER MEKONG ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK
(UNEP, December 2007)

According to this report, a joint publication of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Thailand Environment Institute, economic growth together with growing population pressures has led to widespread pollution, land degradation and depletion of natural resources in the Greater Mekong region. The report calls for a strong mechanism for an integrated approach to address environmental challenges in the region. The report.

LIVEABLE CITIES: THE BENEFITS OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
(UNEP et al., December 2007)

This report, published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Cities Alliance and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, explores various options for sustainable urban development, emphasizing that environmental management can prove a strong marketing tool for attracting investors, in addition to helping address climate change and contributing to public health and poverty eradication. The report.

THE TROUBLE WITH TRAVEL AND TREES: THE AVIATION INDUSTRY AND CARBON OFFSETTING
(International Institute for Environment and Development, 2007)
This briefing paper maintains that offsetting schemes based on tree planting or forest conservation may trigger a number of other problems, including that: communities may be evicted from land allocated for tree planting or denied access to forest resources; forest-based offsetting schemes are subject to uncertainty as forests can be chopped down or burnt, which releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere; some schemes fail to prevent "leakage," in which planting trees in one place just shifts deforestation to another. The paper suggests that for real progress to be made on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, action needs to go beyond tree-planting and offsetting. The briefing paper.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE: TOURISM AND INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS - TOGETHER TOWARDS ETHICAL SOLUTIONS: THE IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
(Minority Rights Group International, 2007)
This briefing paper argues that many indigenous communities who traditionally occupied current ecotourism destinations have been evicted in order to create these spaces, thus limiting their access to ancestral land and undermining their traditional livelihoods. The paper concludes that ecotourism stakeholders must strive to ensure that global standards are established, monitored and met, to ensure that those affected by ecotourism may benefit. The briefing paper.

CARBON CRUNCH – COUNTING THE COST
(UNEP FI, December 2007)

This briefing paper, published by the UNEP Finance Initiative's (UNEP FI) Climate Change Working Group, highlights the role of the finance sector in climate change mitigation and adaptation, owing to its influence in directing investment and financial flows,
and reviews what leading financial institutions are doing to address climate change. The paper also underlines the importance of the policy making community in setting up the regulatory frameworks that will provide long-term investment horizons. The briefing paper.

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