Archives for May 2008

UNFCCC Secretariat Signs MOUs on Exchange of CDM Data

Memorandum_of_understanding22 May 2008: The UNFCCC Secretariat has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES), based in Japan, and UNEP Risoe, in Denmark, to ensure that the organizations receive a faster, smoother flow of information related to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

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India–UNIDO Programme of Cooperation to Boost Competitiveness of Indian Industries

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the government of India recently signed a US$42 million agreement under the UNIDO Country Programme of Technical Cooperation in India 2008-2012.

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UNIDO: Director-General Outlines Climate Change Challenge to Industrial Development Board

Kandeh_yumkella14 May 2008: In his opening statement to the thirty-fourth session of UNIDO’s Industrial Development Board, UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella said the accelerating process of global climate change is “ possibly the most pervasive and irreversible global crisis.” He said the global energy crisis was also significant because of its widespread implications, especially on industry, and pointed out other global challenges, including food and global instability, as the major challenges that UNIDO has been asked to assist the international community to resolve.

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World Bank Members Reach Agreement on Climate Investment Funds

World_banks_global_consultations23 May 2008: Representatives from 40 donor and developing countries, meeting in Potsdam, Germany, reached an agreement on the creation of two international investment funds that will provide innovative financing for developing countries to pursue cleaner development paths and protect themselves from the impacts of climate change.

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GEF and JBIC Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Biodiversity

24 May 2008: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve aid effectiveness by collaborating on projects addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

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FAO: Background Paper on Financial Mechanism for the Food and Agriculture Sectors

28 May 2008: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), jointly with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), have prepared a background paper on financial mechanisms for adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change in the food and agriculture sectors. The paper was prepared for the High-Level Conference on World Food Security, which will take place in Rome, Italy, from 3-5 June 2008.

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WHO: Sixty-first session of the World Health Assembly Adopts Resolution on Climate Change

61st_worldhealthassembly24 May 2008: Warning of the potential risks of climate change to human health, the sixty-first World Health Assembly adopted a resolution (WHA61/19) urging member states to take decisive action to address the health impacts of climate change. Climate change was discussed on Thursday, 22 May, when the plenary considered the Executive Board resolution on health and climate change (E122.R4) and a report by the WHO Secretariat.

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CBD: Link between Biological Diversity and Climate Change Highlighted

Poster_international_day_for_biolog22 May 2008: On the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), which was observed on 22 May 2008, UN and UNEP dignitaries stressed the nexus between biological diversity, food supply and climate change.

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UNDP-GEF Release Publication on Wind Energy

Wind_energy_reportMay 2008: A new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) highlights lessons learned from international experience on the promotion of wind energy.The report notes that 75% of installed wind energy capacity is found in just five countries. The report underscores the role of promoting policies to reduce costs, improve revenues and reduce risk for promoters, and the importance of market access and feed-in laws for providing long-term stability and predictability.

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Fifth European Union (EU) / Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Summit Addresses Climate Change

Logo_cumbre18 May 2008: The Fifth European Union (EU) / Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Summit took place in Lima, Peru, from 16-17 May 2008. The Summit developed the “Lima Declaration on Addressing our Peoples’ Priorities Together,” which addresses, among others, poverty, inequality, inclusion, climate change, environment and energy.

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