Fourth International Forum: Energy for sustainable development. Tbilisi, 17-19 September 2013

Posted on: 17 October 2013
By: mackene
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The Forum debated policies and legislation needed to support energy efficiency improvements, access to cleaner energy, financing energy efficiency, and energy efficiency in buildings and infrastructure. Forum participants also discussed the necessary conditions for enabling and encouraging investments in energy efficiency and sustainable use of energy. Four thematic workshops were organised within the framework of the Forum: Policies and legislation to promote energy efficiency and clean energy technologies in the Caucasus region; A road map to an energy efficient residential sector; Case studies on policy reforms to promote financing energy efficiency investments and advanced energy efficiency technologies; Sustainable energy challenges and opportunities in countries in transition. Presentations are available online.

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The geography of poverty, disasters and climate extremes in 2030

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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This report from the Overseas Development Institute examines the relationship between disasters and poverty. It maps where poor people are likely to live by 2030 and it develops a range of scenarios aimed at identifying potential patterns of vulnerability to extreme weather and earthquakes. The report considers how threats may change, which countries face the greatest risk and the role that disaster risk management plays.

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BIM: What you need to know

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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As the use of BIM spreads throughout the construction industry, this article considers the type of legal and contractual implications that may arise.

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Climate Asia

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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Climate Asia is the largest ever study of people’s experience of climate change in seven countries, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. In 2012, Climate Asia surveyed more than 33,500 people in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. Using both quantitative and qualitative research, Climate Asia has built a picture of how people in the region live and deal with climate change. The Data Portal can be used to access this survey data by country and by region, read detailed reports of the findings, use the research tools, and discover how the data was analysed. This unique data provides information for governments, donors, the media, NGOs and everyone who wants to support people to adapt to the changing environment.

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The 2013 Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness in Africa: promises and performances

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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The Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness is an exercise in mutual accountability undertaken jointly by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the OECD following a request of NEPAD Heads of State and Government in 2003. Its purpose is to assess what has been done by Africa and its development partners to deliver commitments in relation to development in Africa, what results have been achieved, and what the key future priorities are.

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Urbanization, biodiversity and ecosystem services: Challenges and opportunities

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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This is described as the world’s first global assessment of urbanization and the links to ecosystem services and biodiversity. The project is a joint collaboration between the Stockholm Resilience Centre and the UN Convention of Biological Diversity. Related reports can also be found here, including assessments of India and Bangalore.

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Event management: Budgeting challenges and event ROI

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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In this survey of 400 event planners from agencies and enterprises around the world, Azavista sought to identify the severity of the budge­tary and other problems event plan­ners face, as well as the corellation between these challenges and the measurement of Event Return on In­vestment (ROI).

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UK Services Apartment Report

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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Savills has published the latest quarterly report (4^th quarter 2013) on the UK serviced apartment market.

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Msheireb heart of Doha: An alternative approach to urbanism in the Gulf Region

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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The objective of this article is to highlight some of the challenges faced by emerging Gulf nation states in modernizing their cities. The Msheireb Heart of Doha Masterplan is used as an exemplar project to offer an alternative approach in urban planning and regeneration in the region. The article describes how the challenges of land ownership, privatization, climate, social diversity and cultural relevance are dealt with in the masterplan, which seeks to create a modern Qatari homeland that is rooted in its local traditions and heritage. Towards the end of the article, reflections and evaluations are examined to prompt further thoughts and discussions.

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Post-legislative scrutiny of the Greater London Authority Act 2007 and the London Assembly

Posted on: 16 October 2013
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The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee has published a report which notes that, while recent legislation has enhanced the powers of the London Mayor, it has built anomalies and confusion into the powers and operation of the London Assembly.

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