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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE
RESOURCES
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS
This page was updated
on: 01/13/10
THE
STATE OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN 2009
(UNICEF, 2009)
This report, the flagship
publication of the UN Children's Fund, celebrates the 20th anniversary
of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It
highlights the progress achieved by the Convention in realizing
children's rights. It acknowledges the mounting evidence on the impact
of climate change on health, water security and food production and that
18 violent conflicts since 1990 have involved struggle for resources.
The report indicates that while climate change and population growth
will exacerbate the competition for resources and access to vital
services, it is important that children and women are key partners in
identifying solutions. The
report.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT DURING ARMED CONFLICT: AN INVENTORY AND
ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
(UNEP, 2009)
This report inventories and analyses the range of international laws
that protect the environment during armed conflict. With a view to
identifying current gaps and weaknesses in this system, the authors
examine the relevant provisions within four bodies of international law
– international humanitarian law, international criminal law,
international environmental law, and international human rights law. The
report concludes with twelve concrete recommendations on ways to
strengthen this legal framework and its enforcement. The
resource.
ROADMAP FOR RECOVERY TOURISM & TRAVEL: A PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR JOB
CREATION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY
(UNWTO, October 2009)
This roadmap, endorsed by the 18th session of the World Tourism
Organization General Assembly (UNWTO), underscores the importance of the
sector for job creation, trade and development, and highlights that
tourism should be integrated into national, regional and international
regulations that encourage green economy strategies. It also highlights
the importance of promoting a green tourism culture in supplies,
consumers and communities. The
roadmap.
TOWARDS
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RESOURCES: ASSESSING BIOFUELS
(UNEP, October 2009)
Based on a review of published research up to mid-2009 as well as the
input of independent experts world-wide, this report by the UNEP
International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management recognizes that
the research that has accrued over recent years presents a complex and
uncertain picture of the risks and benefits of biofuels. The report's
main message is that biofuels' costs and benefits are context-specific,
and therefore simplistic approaches to managing biofuels production are
unlikely to yield environmentally positive results. Considering not only
biofuels for transport, but biomass as a whole, the report's chapters
discuss, inter alia: the full life-cycle approach needed to
completely account for the impacts of biofuels; the issue of land-use
change; options for more efficient and sustainable production; and
strategies to enhance resource productivity. The
report.
CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE COMPENDIUM 2009
(UNEP, 2009)
This report, compiled in association with scientists around the world,
reviews some 400 major scientific contributions to our understanding of
Earth Systems and climate change that have been released through
peer-reviewed literature, or from research institutions, over the last
three years. The
compendium.
CLIMATE AND TRADE POLICIES IN A POST-2012 WORLD
(UNEP and ADAM project, 2009)
This publication is the result of a joint effort by the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the ADAM project ("Adaptation and Mitigation
Strategies: Supporting European Climate Policy"). The publication
provides a collection of short articles by experts on the relationship
between trade and climate change policies. The authors examine, for
example, the potential use of climate-related border adjustment measures
and liberalizing trade in climate-friendly technologies. The
report.
NEGOTIATING ADAPTATION:
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES OF EQUITY AND FINANCE
(UNEP, Stockholm Environment Institute, International Institute for
Environment and Development 2009)
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released this discussion paper,
which was developed jointly with the Stockholm Environment Institute and
the International Institute for Environment and Development. It is the
latest in the UNEP Copenhagen Discussion Series, which consists of
working papers produced by UNEP and its partners in the lead up to the
UNFCCC Climate Talks in Copenhagen in December 2009. The paper
addresses: requirements for adaptation finance in developing countries;
the presence of an adaptation funding deficit; and the need for
systematic appraisal to develop adaptation targets. The
report.
COMMITTING AND ENGAGING –
RESPONSIBLE PROPERTY INVESTMENT
(UNEP, 2009)
The Property Working Group of the UN Environment Programme Finance
Initiative (UNEP FI) has launched a toolkit to help investors better
understand and apply the principles of Responsible Property Investment (RPI).
This toolkit uses case studies to identify seven steps that
organizations should take to institutionalize RPI, including:
understanding the meaning and value of RPI for an organization;
identifying material risks and opportunities; managing and measuring
success; and collaborating with stakeholders to develop and mainstream
RPI practices. The
toolkit.
THE MILLENNIUM
DEVELOPMENT GOALS REPORT 2009
(UN, July 2009)
This report states that, although data are not yet available to reveal
the full impact of the recent economic crisis, it is expected that
progress towards the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been
slowed or even reversed. The report provides the latest information for
global regions regarding nutrition levels, child and maternal health,
water and sanitation coverage, as well as environmental sustainability,
including biodiversity loss. The
report.
REPORT
OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
PROGRAMME
(UNHABITAT, June
2009)
The Report of the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements
Programme (UNHABITAT) for its 22nd session, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from
30 March-3 April 2009, has been issued. The report includes a resolution
on cities and climate change that encourages Governments to provide
technical and financial support to initiatives that expand the range of
capacity development approaches to support local authorities in
mitigating and adapting to climate change. The
report.
TRADE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(WTO, UNEP, June 2009)
This
report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN Environment
Programme (UNEP) highlights that there is considerable scope and
flexibility under WTO rules for addressing climate change at the
national level, and that mitigation measures should be designed and
implemented in a manner that ensures that trade and climate policies are
mutually supportive. The report launched by the WTO and UNEP examines
the science of climate change, its economic aspects, multilateral
efforts to tackle climate change, and national climate change policies
and their effect on trade. The
report.
MARINE LITTER: A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
(UNEP, 2009)
This report provides an overview of the status of marine litter in
UNEP's assisted Regional Seas, and highlights the amounts, main sources,
impacts and economics of marine litter. It also discusses: legislation,
policies, compliance and enforcement mechanisms; institutional
frameworks and stakeholder involvement; education and outreach
strategies; monitoring programmes and research; and mitigation
activities. It concludes that there is an urgent need to approach the
issue of marine litter through better enforcement of laws and
regulations, expanded outreach and educational campaigns and the
employment of strong economic instruments and incentives. It proposes
some general and specific recommendations regarding marine litter. The
report.
WORLD DATABASE ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
(UNEP-WCMC, June
2009)
This
decision-making tool aims to provide the most current and relevant
information about marine and coastal biodiversity and its protection
status. The tool was created by the UN Environment Programme's World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) with IUCN, and is part of the
recently redeveloped World Database on Protected Areas – the
authoritative and most globally comprehensive list of marine and
terrestrial protected areas. The
database.
CLIMATE IN PERIL: A POPULAR GUIDE
TO THE LATEST IPCC REPORTS
(UNEP, May 2009)
This resource presents the substance of the Climate Change 2007
Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
in simplified language and structure. The guide, intended for lay
readers, is a joint publication of UNEP GRID-Arendal and SMI Books,
supported by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority and the Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency. It includes chapters on: robust
findings and key uncertainties; present changes, causes and observed
impacts; projected climate change and its impacts; adaptation and
mitigation; mitigation options; adaptation options; the potential of
international and regional cooperation; the limits of adaptation and
mitigation; costs of impacts, mitigation and long-term stabilization
targets; sustainable development, environmental protection and climate
change; and long-term perspectives on key vulnerabilities, impacts and
risks. The
guide.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOD
CRISIS: THE ENVIRONMENT'S ROLE IN AVERTING FUTURE FOOD CRISES
(UNEP, May 2009)
This report on the environmental food crisis provides an overview of how
environmental stresses such as climate change, water stress, invasive
pests and land degradation may impact food prices and world food
security, and proposes a seven-point plan to reduce the risk of hunger
and rising food insecurity in the 21st century. The report stresses,
among other conclusions, the need for a Green Revolution in Africa,
noting the challenges of water scarcity, lack of infrastructure and
impacts from climate change. The report also addresses the problems of
food waste, post-harvest losses, yield loss due to environmental
degradation, drought and weed infestations, and interrelated threats
from climate change. The
report.
UNITED NATIONS WEBSITE
(UN Secretariat, May 2009)
The United Nations has launched a revamped website. The updated website
will continue to provide information on the UN agenda, UN news, main
bodies of the UN, documents and resources, and facts about the UN. The
website.
UN ECOSOC
PRESIDENT'S CORNER WEBSITE
(UN ECOSOC, March 2009)
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOOC)
launched a President's Corner website. The site presents information
about the key issues on the ECOSOC agenda, communications from
the 2009 UN ECOSOC President Ambassador Sylvie Lucas
and online lecture series featuring the views of policy and
decision-makers on the issues. The
website.
GLOBAL GREEN NEW DEAL: POLICY BRIEF
(UNEP, March 2009)
This report aims to inform the debate at the G20 meeting to be held in
London, UK, in early April 2009, and makes the case that investing about
US$750 billion of stimulus monies in the green economy could aid
recovery from the economic downturn, create jobs, address poverty,
promote achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and fight
climate change. The
report.
OUR PLANET
(UNEP, 2009)
The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for sustainable development is
devoted to the development of a green economy.
Our Planet: Green Economy - The New Big Deal.
TUNZA
(UNEP, 2009)
The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for youth is devoted to, inter
alia, the UN's campaign to fight climate change, consumption, and
the UN's push for a "Green New Deal."
Tunza Vol. 6 No. 2: UNite to Combat Climate Change - Paint for the
Planet.
UNEP Year Book 2009
(UNEP,
February 2009)
This Year Book
contains six chapters, which address: new science and developments; the
cumulative effects expected from degradation of ecosystems; the release
of substances harmful to ecosystems and human health; the consequences
of climate change; losses resulting from disasters and conflicts, and
overexploitation of resources. The
Year Book.
From Conflict to Peacebuilding - The
Role of Natural Resources and the Environment
(UNEP,
2009)
This report
highlights that: without a focus on the environment and natural
resources, intrastate conflicts are likely to escalate; post-conflict
and peacebuilding plans and activities need to account for linkages with
the environment and natural resources; and natural resources can
contribute to peace. The
report.
Environment Outlook in the
Amazonia: GEO Amazonia
(UNEP 2009)
This report is part of UNEP's Global Environment Outlook (GEO) series.
It reveals the variety of environmental degradation occurring in the
Amazon region of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru,
Suriname and Venezuela. The publication highlights population growth,
urbanization and expanded economic activity, and the resulting
deforestation, loss of biodiversity and climate change impacts in the
region. The
report.
BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(UNEP, 2009) This assessment, conducted by independently appointed
assessors, finds that the Beijing Olympics met or exceeded many of its
environmental goals. The assessment recommends, inter alia, that
there is a need to: agree on a harmonized standard to measure carbon
neutrality in sport; fully engage with non-governmental organizations;
and institute mandatory guidelines for Olympic suppliers on materials.
The
report.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2009 – BREAKING
IN AND MOVING UP: NEW INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGES FOR THE BOTTOM BILLION AND
THE MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
(UNIDO, February 2009)
The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has released its
flagship publication, for which
Paul Collier, Oxford
University, and John Page, Brookings Institution, served as the main
authors. The report focuses on
the opportunities and constraints faced by the countries of the "bottom
billion," which are trying to break into global markets for manufactured
goods; and the middle-income countries, which are striving to move up to
more sophisticated manufacturing. The report
emphasizes that sustainable industrial development provides alternatives
to lift the world's bottom billion out of poverty living in low income
countries and middle-income countries. The
report.
Freshwater Under Threat: South Asia
(UNEP and Asian Institute of Technology,
2009)
This report highlights, inter alia, the threat that climate
change poses to the freshwater supply of hundreds of millions of people.
It forecasts that, given the dependence on receding Himalayan glaciers,
climate change is likely to eventually lead to severe water shortages in
all of South Asia's water basins, and calls for urgent policy attention.
The
report.
Kenya Atlas of Our Changing Environment
(UNEP, 2009)
This report documents changes in Kenyan ecosystems, including
transboundary issues, environmental hotspots, and Nairobi, and details
Visions 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals. The
report.
ASSESSMENT OF
EXCESS MERCURY IN ASIA, 2010-2050
(UNEP, 2008)
The UNEP Chemicals Mercury Programme has released this report, which
presents the facts and basis for governments in the Asian region to make
an informed choice on options to take in managing excess mercury supply
in Asia for the next 40 years. UNEP Chemicals has also requested
comments on the report, which should be sent to:
mercury@chemicals.unep.ch. The
report.
BUILDING
AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO AQUACULTURE
(FAO, January 2009)
These UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) proceedings present the
output of an expert workshop organized by FAO and the University of the
Baleares from 7-11 May 2007, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. They include
contributed papers on definitions, principles, scales and management
measures, human dimensions, economic implications and legal implications
that are relevant for an ecosystem-based management in aquaculture. The
proceedings.
NATIONAL
AND REGIONAL NETWORKS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: A REVIEW OF PROGRESS
(UNEP-WCMC; 2008)
This report by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the UNEP Regional Seas Programme
explores national and regional efforts to develop representative
networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and offers recommendations
for strengthening the planning of such networks worldwide. This 156-page
report reviews 30 nations' networking initiatives, including progress
made and lessons learned. The
report.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE
CHANGE AND BIOENERGY ON NUTRITION
(FAO and IFPRI, 2008)
This paper examines the consequences of climate change and rising
bioenergy demand for sustainable development, food security and
nutrition throughout the lifecycle. It also explores the implications of
climate change and rising bioenergy demand for nutrition and analyzes
potential strategies for cultivation of bioenergy crops that can
contribute to poverty reduction, food security and sustainable natural
resource management. The authors note that efforts to assure food
security and good nutrition in the face of current climate change
challenges must continue in order to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals. The
report.
THE
ESCALATION IN WORLD FOOD PRICES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CARIBBEAN
(ECLAC, November 2008)
This report, published by the UN Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), focuses on the
dynamics of world food prices, the causes for increases and the effect
of these increases on the Caribbean. The
report.
THE STATE OF
FOOD INSECURITY IN THE WORLD 2008: HIGH FOOD PRICES AND FOOD SECURITY –
THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES
(FAO, December 2008)
This report, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
notes that another 40 million people have been pushed into hunger in
2008, primarily due to higher food prices. According to the report,
nearly two-thirds of the world's hungry live in Asia, and one in three
people in sub-Saharan Africa are chronically hungry. The
report.
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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