A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP FOR THE WTO
(IISD, November
2009)
This book,
launched at the WTO on the eve of the Organization's 2009 Ministerial
Conference, argues that the WTO has committed to helping achieve
sustainable development, and asks what the institution would look like
it the members took that goal seriously. It surveys current practice and
recommendations in areas as diverse as accession, dispute settlement,
negotiations, trade and environment, trade and development and the
process of self-assessment. At once a blueprint for institutional
reform and a positive vision, the book calls for a process to begin
helping the WTO achieve its full potential for economic, social and
environmental progress. The
book.
THE ECONOMICS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE IN CHILE
(ECLAC, 2009)
The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
published a study on The Economics of Climate Change requested by
the Government of Chile and prepared by a group of experts from the
Catholic, Chile and Valparaíso universities, under the technical
coordination of ECLAC. The document examines the main effects that
climate change will have on the Chilean economy, particularly in
agriculture, mining, energy, fishing and forestry. The
study.
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA (ECA)
(World Bank, 2009)
This report highlights that,
contrary to popular perception, ECA faces a substantial threat from
climate change, with a number of the most serious risks already in
evidence. It also notes that vulnerability over the next ten to twenty
years will be dominated by socio-economic factors, the dire
environmental situation and the poor state of infrastructure, rather
than by the changing climate itself. The
report.
CHANGES IN CO2 EMISSIONS FROM ENERGY USE: A MULTI-COUNTRY
DECOMPOSITION ANALYSIS
(World Bank, October 2009)
This World Bank study, by
Masami Kojima and Robert Bacon, on 100 countries' energy use shows that
growth of GDP per capita and growth in population contributed the most
to the net increase in emissions, and reducing energy intensity
contributed the most to the net decrease in emissions. The study looks
at data from more than 100 countries covering the period 1994-2006. Key
variables that define emission levels include the carbon intensity of
the mix of fossil fuels, the share of fossil fuels in total energy
consumed, the energy required to produce a unit of GDP (energy
intensity), GDP per capita, and population. Reducing the amount of
energy required to produce a unit of gross domestic product (GDP),
particularly in the service sector, has been by far the greatest
contributor to curbing emissions growth. The
study.
TEEB
REPORT FOR POLICY MAKERS
(UNEP TEEB Initiative,
November 2009)
Prepared by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)
Initiative, this new report calls on policy-makers to accelerate,
scale-up and embed investments in the management and restoration of
ecosystems. It also calls for more sophisticated cost-benefit analysis
before policy decisions are made. The report outlines a ten-point plan
aimed at catalyzing a transition to more ecosystem savvy economies able
to meet the multiple challenges and deliver the multiple opportunities
on a planet of six billion people, rising to nine billion by 2050. Key
recommendations include the need to: invest in ecological
infrastructure; reward benefits through payments and markets; reform
environmentally harmful subsidies; address losses through regulation and
pricing; recognize that protected areas are a cornerstone of
conservation policies and provide multiple benefits; halt deforestation
and forest degradation; protect tropical coral reefs; save and restore
global fisheries; recognize the deep link between ecosystem degradation
and the persistence of rural poverty; and agree to a forest carbon deal
at Copenhagen.
TEEB study.
REDUCED EMISSIONS AND
ENHANCED ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES
(World Bank, October 2009)
The World Bank published a note emphasizing the role of good
agricultural practices and integrated natural resource management (NRM)
in addressing both mitigation and adaptation to climate change in
production landscapes. The note focuses on the role of good agricultural
practices in protecting existing stocks of soil carbon in croplands,
peatlands, and wetlands; replenishing soil and biomass carbon and
improving productivity in degraded lands; and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions from crop and grazing land. The
note.
AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT UNDER A CHANGING CLIMATE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR
ADAPTATION
(World Bank, August 2009)
This report by Jon Padgham identifies and summarizes potential climate
change impacts on agriculture in the developing world, examines causes
of vulnerability, and suggests where investments are needed to better
climate-proof agriculture. It concludes, inter alia, that:
diversification of rural livelihoods through agricultural
microenterprise development can reduce exposure to climate risks; farmer
access to credit and information are important for adaptation to climate
change; and increased flooding poses the greatest potential risk from
climate change on urban and periurban agriculture. It also highlights
that using untreated wastewater for irrigation and food production comes
with substantial health and environmental risks, which will only
increase with climate change, thus better wastewater treatment
facilities and risk minimization policies for wastewater use are key
challenges for adaptation. The
report.
BUILDING CLIMATE
RESILIENCE IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
(Asian Development Bank (ADB), October
2009)
This report highlights that agriculture will pose a significant
development challenge for Asia in the present century and discusses how
to build climate change resilience into the agriculture sector in Asia.
It presents broad indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive
capacity in the region; highlights the vulnerability of the agricultural
sector as a livelihood source for many, and as a source of food security
for all; and also exposes the large heterogeneity in farming systems
across Central, East, Southeast, and South Asia and the Pacific Islands.
It further presents the many facets of vulnerability to climate change
across the region, including undernourishment, poverty and slowing
productivity growth, all of which will be exacerbated by the effects of
climate change. The
study.
LOW-CARBON DEVELOPMENT
FOR MEXICO
(World Bank, October 2009)
This study concludes that Mexico could reduce its carbon (CO2)
emissions by at least 42 percent (or 477 million tons) per year by 2030
without sacrificing economic development. Significant opportunities for
CO2 reduction are identified in the areas of transport, power
generation, oil and gas, agriculture and forestry, and energy
efficiency. Implementing these initiatives on a larger scale over the
next 20 years, however, will require changes to the country's financial,
regulatory and institutional frameworks. The
study.
ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE
AND INVESTMENT REPORT 2009: TRADE-LED RECOVERY AND BEYOND
(UNESCAP, October 2009)
This report looks at the validity of the trade-led development model in
Asia-Pacific, and the lessons the crisis has revealed to make
development more inclusive and sustainable in the years ahead. It
examines how regional integration contributes to development, and
whether private enterprise should continue to pursue business-as-usual.
The report also emphasizes the need improve access to green technologies
and services that help countries mitigate and adapt to the impacts of
climate change and use resources in a sustainable manner.
The
report.
INVESTMENT: THE
CHALLENGE
(FAO, October 2009)
This discussion paper was prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization for the High Level Expert's Forum on How to Feed the World
in 2050, which convened at FAO headquarters from 12-13 October 2009. The
paper notes that agricultural investment needs to increase by about 50
percent a year in order to feed over nine billion people in 2050. The
paper estimates that one-third of the resources would be needed to feed
China and India, and sub-Saharan Africa would require about US$11
billion. The paper also notes that primary areas for investments include
crops and livestock production, storage facilities, market facilities
and food processing. The
paper.
THE STATE OF FOOD
INSECURITY IN THE WORLD 2009: ECONOMIC CRISIS – IMPACTS AND LESSONS
LEARNED
(FAO and WFP, October 2009)
This report, prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and
the World Food Programme, examines the impacts of the food and economic
crises and estimates that the number of hungry will exceed one billion
this year. The report notes that almost all
of
the world's undernourished live in developing countries, aggravated by a
weak global food security governance system. The report calls for urgent
reform and increased investments.
The
report.
ECONOMICS OF ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE (EACC)
(World Bank,
September 2009)
The Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change (EACC) study estimates
that the costs of adaptation to climate change in developing countries
will be in the order of US$75-100 billion per year for the period 2010
to 2050. It further notes that the costs of adapting to a 2°C warmer
world are of the same order of magnitude as current official development
assistance (ODA). The study was funded by the Governments of the
Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and has two broad
objectives: to develop an estimate of the global costs of adaptation in
developing countries; and to help decision makers in developing
countries better understand and assess the risks posed by climate
change. This in turn allows the design of strategies to adapt to climate
change. The
study.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, WEATHERING THE STORM
(IMF, October
2009)
This report, released by the International Monetary Fund, notes that
although sub-Saharan African countries have been hit hard by the global
recession, signs of resilience remain. The report indicates that South
Africa and some other middle-income countries have been affected by
international financial markets, and oil exporters had revenues reduced.
However, some countries with wider natural commodity bases have so far
escaped the worst of the crisis. The report also indicates that, with
many households affected by the crisis, progress toward the Millennium
Development Goals has reversed. The
report.
THE ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
(OECD, September 2009)
The book by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) concludes that a fully-fledged global carbon market would cost
just one-tenth of a percent of average world annual GDP growth between
2012 and 2050 to achieve moderately ambitious climate targets. According
to the OECD, such a market would result in a 4% reduction in GDP in 2050
compared to a scenario where no policy action is taken. Over the same
period, world GDP growth is projected to grow by more than 250%. The
study.
WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT
(World Bank, September 2009)
The World Bank's World Development Report 2010 focuses on Development
and Climate Change. It suggests that developing countries can shift to
lower-carbon paths while promoting development and reducing poverty, but
only if financial and technical assistance from high-income countries is
forthcoming. It also explores how public policy may help cope with new
or worsened climate risks, how land and water management must adapt to
better protect a threatened natural environment while feeding an
expanding and more prosperous population, and how energy systems will
need to be transformed. The
report.
SHAPING CLIMATE-RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT
(GEF, September 2009)
The report by the Economics of Climate Adaptation Working Group provides
a set of tools for decision makers to adopt a tailored approach for
estimating adaptation costs based on local climate conditions, and for
building more resilient economies. The methodology was tested in
localities within eight different countries (China, United States,
Guyana, Mali, United Kingdom, Samoa, India, and Tanzania), which
together represent a wide range of climate hazards, economic impacts,
and development stages. The
report.
INVESTING IN LAND STEWARDSHIP: GEF'S EFFORTS TO
COMBAT LAND DEGRADATION AND DESERTIFICATION GLOBALLY
(GEF, September 2009)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) published a booklet portraying its
activities in combating land degradation and desertification. The
booklet contains several examples of projects in this thematic area and
notes synergies in combating climate change. Land degradation affects
more than 33 percent of the planet's surface area, leading to
deterioration of ecosystem services and negative consequences for 2.6
billion people in more than 100 countries. The goal of the focal area
strategy in GEF-5 is to contribute to arresting and reversing current
global trends in land degradation, specifically desertification and
deforestation. The
booklet.
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2009
(UNCTAD, 2009)
The Trade and Development Report 2009, by the UN Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) addresses both how to respond to the global
economic crisis and the role of climate change mitigation in
development. The report suggests innovation in support of climate change
mitigation is not fundamentally different from other innovation
activities, but since climate change mitigation is increasingly
recognized as a public good, innovation also calls for direct government
intervention. The
report.
BIOFUELS
CERTIFICATION AND THE LAW OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
(ICTSD, August 2009)
This paper by Marsha A. Echols analyzes biofuels certification within
the optic of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and proposes
requirements for compliance with the international trading system. The
paper explains how the compatibility of a biofuels-certification measure
with international trade rules is determined from several perspectives,
to determine whether the nondiscrimination rules of Article I or Article
III of GATT apply and, if there is prohibited discrimination, whether it
is excused by the health or environmental carve-outs of GATT Article XX
(among other possible exceptions). The decisions also determine whether
the detailed substantive and procedural rules of other WTO agreements
apply. The paper further analyzes how implementation of certification
schemes must also be aligned with WTO rules. The
paper.
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.
WORLD COMMODITY TRENDS AND PROSPECTS
(UNCTAD, 2009)
This report, published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
describes historical trends for the commodity market. The report
indicates that commodity prices reached their peak by mid-2008 and
started a downward spiral triggered by the global economic and financial
crisis, and reached their lowest point by the beginning of 2009. The
report.
CONFERENCE ON
THE WORLD FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS AND ITS IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT:
OUTCOME DOCUMENT
(UNGA, July 2009)
The outcome document of the Conference on the World Financial and
Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, which was adopted by the
General Assembly, is now available as an annex to General Assembly
resolution (63/303). The recommendations emphasize solutions that can
foster an inclusive, green and sustainable recovery, and provide
continued support for sustainable development efforts by developing
countries. The
outcome document.
GUIDE
TO THE CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM (CDM): GUIDE 2009
(UNCTAD and UNDP,
2009)
This expanded version of the Guide to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
in Brazil, presented by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
was commissioned by Brazil's Ministry of Science and Technology and
drawn up under the sponsorship of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
It provides information ton CDM project activities, details specific
regulations governing the submission of CDM project activities in
Brazil, and facilitates an understanding of the process to promote the
development of CDM projects in the country. The guide is also available
in Spanish and Portuguese. The
guide.
COMBATING
ILLEGAL LOGGING: INTERACTION WITH WTO RULES
(Chatham House, June 2009)
Written by Duncan Brack, this paper analyzes the extent to which
measures to control international trade in illegal timber are compatible
with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The
paper.
CONVENIENT SOLUTIONS TO AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH:
ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE
(World Bank, 2009)
The World Bank's Environment Department has published a report that sets
out a compelling argument for including ecosystem-based
approaches to mitigation and adaptation as a third and essential pillar
in national strategies to address climate change. Such ecosystem-based
strategies can offer cost-effective,
proven and sustainable solutions contributing to, and complementing,
other national and regional adaptation strategies. The report notes
three of the world's greatest challenges over the coming decades will be
biodiversity loss, climate change, and water shortages. It highlights
that promoting further integration of ecosystem-based
approaches into climate change responses and national adaptation
strategies will require access to much greater sources of funding,
including capitalizing on opportunities to protect natural ecosystems as
part of major energy and infrastructure projects. 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.
UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN DEVELOPING ASIA
(ADB, 2009)
This report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlines ongoing and
planned interventions to help build low-carbon, climate resilient
economies in Asia and the Pacific. To better align its investments and
associated policy and institutional support with the priorities of its
developing member countries relating to climate and development, each of
ADB's
five regional departments has drafted a Climate Change Implementation
Plan to serve as a guide for climate-related responses, both to mitigate
greenhouse emissions and to adapt to climate change impacts. The
report.
DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE: THE WORLD BANK GROUP AT WORK
(World Bank, June 2009)
This booklet provides an overview of the World Bank's activities related
to climate change, including sections on partnerships, strategy, finance
and knowledge and capacity. The
booklet.
LATIN AMERICA AND
THE CARIBBEAN: ECONOMIC SITUATION AND OUTLOOK 2008-2009
(UN ECOSOC, June 2009)
This report (E/2009/19) notes that economic
activity in the Latin American and Caribbean region grew by 4.2% in
2008. It notes that these results will not be repeated in 2009, due to
the impact of the financial crisis and high unemployment rates. It notes
that the slowdown of the world economy, which has affected the price of
primary commodities and volume of exports, has had an impact in reducing
remittances, demand for tourism services and foreign direct investments.
The
report.
DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE: THE WORLD BANK GROUP
AT WORK
(World Bank, June 2009)
This 32-page booklet reviews World Bank activities related to climate
change, including sections on partnerships, strategy, finance and
knowledge and capacity. The
publication.
ENERGÍA Y CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO: OPORTUNIDADES PARA UNA
POLÍTICA INTEGRADA EN AMÉRICA LATINA Y EL CARIBE
(CEPAL, 2009)
This online publication, which is available in Spanish only, was
authored by Jean Acquatella. It assesses opportunities for integrated
policy approaches towards energy security and climate change mitigation
in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries during the 2010-2030
period. It notes that during the next decade, the LAC region will face a
new international context for its energy policy characterized by two
exogenous developments, namely: the implementation of a strengthened
international climate mitigation regime in OECD countries (and other
export markets); and continued energy security concerns due to
international oil market volatility and the investment gap in energy
infrastructure accumulated in most countries during the last decade. In
order to address both challenges, an integrated approach towards energy
policy during the 2010-2030 period is needed for the region. The
report.
STATE AND TRENDS OF THE CARBON MARKET 2009
(World Bank, May 2009)
Despite the turmoil in the financial world, during 2008 the global
carbon market doubled to US$126 billion, according to the World Bank's
report on State and Trends of the Carbon Market 2009. The report, based
on data from the trading of European Union Allowances (EUAs) under the
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and from transactions
completed under the Kyoto Protocol's flexible mechanisms (the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI)) as well as
data from voluntary markets, also finds that the value of transactions
from CDM projects in developing countries declined by 12% to an
estimated US$6.5 billion in 2008, with an average price of US$16.8. The
report.
THE ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTHEAST
ASIA: A REGIONAL REVIEW
(ADB, May 2009)
This report by the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) notes that
business-as-usual in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam could
cause combined damages equivalent to more than 6% of those countries'
gross domestic products per year by the end of this century, dwarfing
the costs of the current financial crisis. The Bank has also published
its second Sustainability Report presenting information on the promotion
of environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth, and
minimizing its corporate environment footprint. The
sustainability report. The
Economics of Climate Change report.
DEVELOPING COUNTRY INTERESTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE
ACTION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR A POST-2012 CLIMATE CHANGE REGIME
(UNCTAD, April 2009)
The paper by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable
Development (IISD) focuses on the cross-cutting objective of advancing
development goals throughout the Bali Action Plan in a sustainable way,
making the case that there are strategic interests for developing
countries in simultaneously addressing climate change and
nationally-defined development priorities. The
paper.
THE WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK (WEO) 2009
(IMF, May 2009)
This report, published by the International Monetary Fund, presents the
IMF's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global
level and focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the
analysis of economic development and prospects. The report is prepared
twice a year and is used for activities of global economic surveillance.
The latest report focuses in particular on the topic, "Crisis and
Recovery." The
report.
UNCTAD
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS MONITOR
(UNCTAD, May
2009)
The UN Conference on Trade and Development has launched the first
International Investment Agreements Monitor. This document provides an
analysis of dispute settlement cases of investor-State filed under
international investment agreements (IIAs), which is an UNCTAD programme
that seeks to help developing countries participate in international
rule-setting for investments. The
monitor.
GLOBAL FINANCIAL
STABILITY REPORT
(IMF, April 2009)
This report highlights policies that may mitigate systemic risks that
led to the financial crisis, thereby contributing to financial stability
and sustained economic growth. In the current crisis, the report traces
the sources and channels of financial distress and provides policy
advice on mitigating its effects on economic activity. The
report.
GLOBAL
MONITORING REPORT 2009: A DEVELOPMENT EMERGENCY
(World Bank, April 2009)
This report notes that the global financial
crisis is expected to reverse the MDG achievements made by some
countries thus far and to impair future MDG progress. The report warns
that, although the Millennium Development Goals are still reachable by
2015, a reduction of investments for social services may limit this
option. The report indicates that carbon markets can play an
increasingly important role in mobilizing private financing in support
of investments that promote environmental sustainability and that may
contribute to the well-being of the poor. The
report.
COUNTRY STUDIES ON
AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(World Bank, April 2009)
The World Bank has published country notes for Latin America and the
Caribbean on climate change and agriculture. The Country Notes identify
specific climatic constraints and policy interventions related to the
agricultural sector, highlighting the institutional make-up in the
dialogue of climate change and agriculture. The
notes.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC
PROSPECTS 2009 FORECAST UPDATE
(World Bank, March 2009)
This update on the World Bank's Global
Economic Prospects report published in December 2008 forecasts that the
developing world in 2009 is expected to have 2.1% GDP growth, instead of
the 4.4% predicted earlier, with a weak recovery in 2010. However, the
report update notes that the pace and timing of recovery remain
uncertain. The World Bank predicts that global GDP growth is now set to
contract by 1.7% in 2009. This is a historic contraction, with world
output set to decline for the first time since World War II. The
report update.
COUNTRY STUDIES ON AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(World Bank, March 2009)
The country notes for Latin America and the Caribbean on climate change
and agriculture identify specific climatic constraints and policy
interventions related to the agricultural sector, highlighting the
institutional make-up in the dialogue of climate change and agriculture.
The
country notes.
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.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE WORLD BANK GROUP: EVALUATION OF WORLD BANK
WIN-WIN ENERGY POLICY REFORMS
(World Bank Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), 2009)
This report finds, among other issues, that fuel pricing is a key policy
affecting emissions and that important information for the design and
management of emissions-related policies is missing. The report
constitutes the first phase of a broader analysis of the Bank's impact
on combating climate change. It focuses on policies that combine gains
at the country level with globally beneficial greenhouse gas reductions,
namely the removal of energy subsidies and promotion of end- user energy
efficiency. A response of the Management to the IEG's findings is also
included. The
report.
TOWARDS A GLOBAL GREEN RECOVERY: RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE G20 ACTION
(Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, LSE Grantham Research
Institute on Climate Change, March 2009)
This report, written by a team led by Ottmar Edenhofer and Lord Nicolas
Stern, highlights key measures in seven strategic areas that G20 members
can take to tackle the economic crisis and reorient development towards
sustainable, low-carbon growth. The areas for immediate action include:
improving energy efficiency; upgrading physical infrastructure;
supporting clean-technology markets; initiating flagship projects;
enhancing international research and development; incentivizing
investment; and co-ordinating G20 efforts. The
report.
HARNESSING TRADE FOR A GLOBAL GREEN TRANSITION
(ICTSD and GEG-University College, Oxford, March 2009)
This chapter, authored by Mark Halle, highlights the challenges to
addressing the global economic crisis and climate change. It emphasizes
that the path ahead should take bold action to relaunch the economy on a
green basis, decoupling growth from energy use, de-carbonizing the
economy, and accelerating the transition to a sustainable globe. The
chapter is part of the book "Rebuilding Global Trade: Proposals for a
Fairer, More Sustainable Future, Short Essays on Trade and Global
Economic Governance," edited by Carolyn Deere Birkbeck and Ricardo
Meléndez-Ortiz. The
book.
SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE: HOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE COPING WITH THE
GLOBAL CRISIS
(World Bank, March 2009)
This paper, issued in preparation for the meeting of the G-20, indicates
that debt issuance by high-income countries is set to increase, crowding
out developing country borrowers, both private and public. The paper
notes that many institutions that have provided financial intermediation
for developing country clients have virtually disappeared. Developing
countries that can still access financial markets face higher borrowing
costs, and lower capital flows, leading to weaker investment and slower
growth in the future. The
paper.
REPORT
OF THE FOLLOW-UP INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONTERREY CONSENSUS
(UN Secretariat, March 2009)
The Report of the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for
Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus held
in Doha, Qatar from 29 November-2 December 2008 is now available. The
report focuses on the debate about the global challenges including the
financial crisis, and additional costs of climate change mitigation and
adaptation. The
report.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: A REVIEW
(ECLAC, March 2009)
This review, presented by the UN Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), highlights that
Latin America and the Caribbean may suffer more impacts of climate
change than other regions due to the island States in the region, low
coastal areas and prevalence of hurricanes. It further emphasizes that,
considering that greenhouse gas emissions in the region are relatively
low (11.7% of global emissions in 2000), authorities' attention must
focus on adaptation. The
review.
GREEN TRANSPORT:
RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION IN THE ROAD SECTOR IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA
(Asian Development Bank, 2009)
This study examines how the development of China's road system affects
land, energy and environmental quality. It recommends policies and
guidelines and presents a handbook to better balance the needs of
economic growth with energy, resources and environmental impact
concerns. The
book.
"FROM RIDGE TO REEF"
WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND COMMUNITY SECURITY: GEF ACTION ON TRANSBOUNDARY
WATER RESOURCES
(GEF, March 2009)
This publication explores the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) work
on International Waters projects. The GEF has supported regional
collaborative efforts for 22 transboundary surface water basins, 16
large marine ecosystems, and 5 cross-border groundwater systems. The
publication.
CIVIL SOCIETY
CONSULTATION ON REFORMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AND FINANCIAL
SYSTEM
(UNGLS, March 2009)
The UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) has issued this report
summarizing the results of civil society consultations on the work of
the President of the UN General Assembly's Commission of Experts on
Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System. Proposals
presented suggest using the current crisis as an opportunity to develop
a green global economy that "respects and preserves our global common
goods, prevents further global warming and ensures a sustainable, safe
and clean environment for future generations." The
report.
A NEW CLIMATE FOR
FORESTS: GEF ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
(GEF, March 2009)
This publication reviews the GEF's work on sustainable forest management
and its current portfolio as well as potential roles of the GEF in the
post-2012 climate regime. The
report.
WTO TRADE PROFILE 2008
(WTO, February 2009)
This report, published by the World Trade Organization (WTO), provides a
synopsis of national and trade statistics of WTO members and countries
that are in the process of negotiating WTO membership. The report also
combines information on trade flows and trade policy measures of
members, WTO observers and other selected economies. It focuses on
indicators on basic economic facts, trade policy, merchandise trade,
commercial services, and industrial property. The
report.
ASSESSING THE
IMPACT OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS ON GLOBAL FDI FLOWS
(UNCTAD, February 2009)
This report indicates that the fall in
global foreign direct investments in 2008-2009 is the result of two
major factors. First, the capability of firms to invest has been reduced
by a fall in access to financial resources and, second, the propensity
to invest has been affected negatively by economic prospects, especially
in developed countries that are hit by a severe recession. The
report.
WORLD BANK ANNUAL
REPORT 2008: YEAR IN REVIEW
(World Bank, February 2009)
The World Bank Group has issued its Annual Report 2008. The report
covers the work of the Bank in 2008 in areas ranging from the Global
Food Crisis Response Program, which provides up to US$1.2 billion of
accelerated financial support to vulnerable countries, to its work on
employment and inclusive growth. The report recalls the recommendations
in the World Development Report 2008 to increase agriculture
productivity, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, to reduce income
inequalities between rural and urban areas, and to contribute to
environmental sustainability. The
report.
INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT RULE-MAKING: STOCKTAKING, CHALLENGES AND THE
WAY FORWARD
(UNCTAD, February 2009)
The report reviews sixty years of
international investment rule-making, identifies the core
characteristics of the existing universe of international investment
agreements and highlights the importance of a collective effort to make
the system more conducive to growth and development. The
report.
INVENTION AND TRANSFER
OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES ON A GLOBAL SCALE: A STUDY
DRAWING ON PATENT DATA
(Mines ParisTech, CERNA, AFD, 2008)
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the geographic distribution
of climate mitigation inventions since 1978 and their international
diffusion on a global scale. It uses statistics to suggest that the
Kyoto Protocol has induced technological innovation in the recent
period. This increase has taken place in Annex 1 countries that have
ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but not in Australia and in the US. In
contrast, there is no visible effect of the Kyoto Protocol on technology
transfer: international technology flows have been increasing in the
recent period, but the growth rate is the same as the average. The
study.
DEVELOPMENT
AND CLIMATE CHANGE: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE WORLD BANK GROUP:
TECHNICAL REPORT
(World Bank, 2009)
This technical report serves as a background for the Bank's strategic
framework for climate change, which was approved in 2008. The technical
report covers in detail how the World Bank Group will support climate
actions in country-led development processes, as well as how to mobilize
additional concessional and innovative finance. It represents the
culmination of a global multistakeholder consultation process that
benefitted from feedback from thousands of development professionals,
policy makers, academics, scientists, youth, indigenous peoples and the
private sector representing a wide range of countries, views and
perspectives. The
technical report.
Executive Summary.
WORLD
ECONOMIC SITUATION AND PROSPECTS 2009
(UN, January 2009)
World Economic Situation and Prospects
2009, an annual publication by the UN Department of Economic and Social
Affairs, emphasizes that the world economy is mired in the worst
financial crisis since the Great Depression. The report notes that world
gross product will slow down to 1.0 percent, a significant deceleration
compared to 2.5 percent growth in 2008. The report details the measures
undertaken by policy makers to deal with the crisis and emphasizes that
world commodity prices will continue to depreciate. Previous editions of
the report have warned about the risks of the economic depression. The
report.
ADDRESSING CHINA'S WATER SCARCITY: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SELECTED WATER
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES
(World Bank, January 2009)
This report commends China's leadership for its awareness of the
worsening water situation, and its commitment to transforming China into
a water-saving society. It aims to
provide an overview of China's water scarcity situation, assess the
policy and institutional requirements for addressing it, and recommend
key areas for strengthening and reform. Based on government
priorities, the report focuses on the following areas: water governance;
water rights; water pricing and affordability; watershed ecological
compensation mechanisms; water pollution control; and emergency
prevention. This report synthesizes the main findings and
recommendations from over 30 technical reports, case studies, and
background papers recently produced by the World Bank in these areas.
The
report.
CLIMATE CHANGE
ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION IN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(World Bank, January 2008)
The World Bank has released a guide that provides guidance to
policy-makers and development agencies on the linkages between the
design of development programmes and the objectives of adapting to
climate change and limiting emissions of greenhouse gases. The
guide.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
TRANSPORT: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN CHINA
(Asian Development Bank, 2009)
This paper, authored by Manmohan Parkash, evaluates the state of China's
transport sector in light of volatile fuel prices and increasing
greenhouse emissions. It makes six key recommendations for promoting
environmentally sustainable transportation in China, including to:
implement administrative reforms; use economic instruments to promote
sustainable transportation; and promote environmentally friendly
transportation. In this regard, measures are proposed to optimize motor
vehicle fuel consumption standards, establish fuel oil consumption
standards for all new motor vehicles by 2010, and enforce the limits on
fuel consumption by passenger cars. The fuel consumption of new motor
vehicles should be reduced by 40–50% per 100 km by 2015. The
paper.
INVENTION AND
TRANSFER OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES ON A GLOBAL SCALE: A
STUDY DRAWING ON PATENT DATA
(Mines ParisTech, CERNA, AFD, 2008)
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the geographic distribution
of climate mitigation inventions since 1978 and their international
diffusion on a global scale. It uses statistics to suggest that the
Kyoto Protocol has induced technological innovation in the recent
period. Between 1998 and 2003, innovation in climate mitigation
technologies has been growing at a faster rate than other technologies,
with an average annual rate of nine percent. This increase has taken
place in Annex 1 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but
not in Australia or the US. In contrast, there is no visible effect of
the Kyoto Protocol on technology transfer: international technology
flows have been increasing in the recent period, but the growth rate is
the same as the average. The
study.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC
PROSPECTS: COMMODITIES AT THE CROSSROADS
(World Bank, 2009)
This report, published by the World Bank, notes that world poverty has
increased due to increasing costs, food and fuel price rises in
developing countries. The report predicts that global GDP growth is
likely to decline to 0.9 percent with developing economies expanding by
4.5 percent in 2009, below the 7.9 percent growth rate recorded in 2007.
To address the global food crisis, the report suggests that governments
and aid agencies take concrete steps to increase investment in rural
infrastructure, agricultural research and development and agricultural
extension services in developing countries, conclude the Doha Round of
multilateral trade negotiations and address carbon emissions. The
report.
DATA AGAINST NATURAL
DISASTER
(World Bank and UN, 16 December 2008)
This report aims to assist countries to put into place systems necessary
to identify needs, manage data, and calibrate responses for effective
relief operations vis-à-vis natural disasters. It emphasizes aid
effectiveness in the context of disaster response, as
inefficiencies in aid distribution may lead
to unnecessary economic losses, increased suffering and poverty.
The report examines six country-level efforts to establish information
management systems to coordinate disaster response, including
the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in
Indonesia and Sri Lanka, hurricanes and floods in Guatemala, Haiti and
Mozambique, and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. 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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