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The climate change-sustainable development nexus: A proposal for convergence
Posted on: 29 November 2013
By: mackene
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This thesis is founded on the proposition that climate change and sustainable development are inextricably linked with each other and form a “nexus” that should be understood in a pragmatic and holistic way. Accordingly, the climate change “problem” cannot be adequately addressed in “silos” or by traditional output control techniques but instead should be viewed as a multidimensional challenge that calls for transformative change in the world energy sector in light of the wider contexts of sustainability and social equity. This thesis observes that with the emergence of a post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations, the world is at or is fast approaching an inflection point in global development. While efforts to improve the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process are laudable, this thesis argues for a transformative approach to converge international collective action on climate change with the broader frameworks of global sustainable development processes. This thesis makes a proposal for the convergence and integration of the UNFCCC and sustainable development work streams, and suggests that China consider taking a leadership role under the broad aspirational goal of building “eco-civilization”.
The City Fix
Posted on: 27 November 2013
By: mackene
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TheCityFix is an online resource for learning about the latest in sustainable urban mobility and planning. Launched in 2007, the site connects a global network of writers, urban planners, designers, engineers, and citizens who work to make cities better places to live. The blog is produced by EMBARQ, a not-for-profit program of the World Resources Institute that works to catalyse and help implement environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable transport and urban planning solutions.
Urban development with climate co-benefits: Aligning climate, environmental and other development goals in cities
Posted on: 26 November 2013
By: mackene
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Rapid urbanization in developing countries demands a massive provision of infrastructure, public transportation, housing and jobs for their population, as well as a healthy environment. Consequently, urban areas in those countries contribute increasingly to climate change, and suffers its impacts. The climate co-benefits approach in this report refers to the development and implementation of policies and strategies that simultaneously contribute to addressing climate change and solving local environmental problems, which also have other development impacts. Relying on the results of research carried out in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Japan, this report offers lessons to understand projects and policies that generate co-benefits and the factors that influence them.
Sustainable Development Goals e-inventory: Analysis of proposals in the SDGs e-Inventory related to the themes of the Fifth Session of the Open Working Group on SDGs
Posted on: 26 November 2013
By: mackene
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This is an interactive online tool which enables stakeholders to outline their visions for new post-2015 global goals. This may be in the form of fully formed proposals, which include detailed targets and indicators, or simply principles and themes that should be applied to the goals. The e-Inventory also enables stakeholders to search existing proposals. The UN General Assembly’s Open Working Group (OWG) on SDGs was mandated by Member States at Rio+20 to propose a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by September 2014. The Fifth Session of the OWG (November 25-27) will consider the thematic areas of: Sustained and inclusive economic growth, Macroeconomic policy questions (including international trade, international financial system and external debt sustainability), infrastructure development and industrialisation (all of which, for the purpose of this report, will be referred to collectively using the abbreviation, SIGMIDI); and Energy. In order to inform the deliberations of the November OWG meeting, Stakeholder Forum has conducted an analysis of the proposals currently housed within the SDGs e-Inventory which relate to the thematic areas of the Fifth Session.
Imagine society, build democracy. Rabat, 1-4 October 2013
Posted on: 22 November 2013
By: mackene
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This was the second World Summit of local and regional leaders, providing an opportunity for sharing and exchange between Africa and the rest of the world. Owing to the high tension of the current global context, marked by the economic crisis and the reduced resources at our disposal, we are pushed to imagine new ways to promote the development of our territories and ensure solidarity and sustainability. With this aim in mind, the Congress held debates on fostering wellbeing, managing diversity, solidarity between territories, and shaping the urban future. Documentation is available online.
Climate change, sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and food security. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, 3-5 October 2013
Posted on: 22 November 2013
By: mackene
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This second International Conference on Ecosystem Conservation, Climate Change and Sustainable Development provided an opportunity to share innovative ideas on ecosystem conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable development. Presentations and a report of recommendations are available online.
Towards a European model of a sustainable city. Brussels, 9 October 2013
Posted on: 22 November 2013
By: mackene
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The Reference Framework for European Sustainable Cities (RFSC) is an online toolkit designed to help cities promote and enhance their work on integrated sustainable urban development. It is available free of charge to all European local authorities and offers practical support in integrating sustainability principles into local policies and actions. The event presented the free toolkit which helps cities on their way towards integrated and sustainable urban development. Almost 200 delegates representing more than 20 European countries attended the event, contributing to the discussions on the future of the RFSC community and the role of cities in reaching the EU2020 goals. Presentations are available online together with more information on the toolkit.
Communitas Coalition for Sustainable Cities and Regions in the new UN Development Agenda
Posted on: 21 November 2013
By: mackene
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Communitas, a coalition generating technical expertise on urban sustainability, has mobilised work groups coalescing around the emerging Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In partnership with ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD), UN Habitat, the Tellus Institute and the Ford Foundation, these six work groups are charged with the task of providing ambitious targets for Member States to consider in their negotiations next year:
1.Integrated urban design and planning for inclusive public space, and city-region connectivity and efficiency
2.Participatory democracy, poverty and inequalities reduction
3.Growth, prosperity and jobs for all within planetary boundaries, with a focus on youth and women
4.Universal access to affordable and quality social services and public utilities, including housing, water and sanitation, transport and energy
5.Linkages with rural development, including food security and resources provision
6.Resilience through risk prevention and management, and environmental sustainability
Meeting the sustainability challenge in the post-2015 era – A vision for resilient nations, large and small. Geneva, 15 November 2013
Posted on: 21 November 2013
By: mackene
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This talk was organised by UNISDR and the embassy of New Zealand. A video of the event is available online.
Institute for Sustainability
Posted on: 20 November 2013
By: mackene
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The Institute for Sustainability is an independent charity established in 2009 to support cross sector collaboration and innovation. Its mission is to significantly accelerate the delivery of economically, environmentally and socially sustainable cities and communities. This is done by driving innovative demonstration projects and developing programmes to actively capture and share learning and best practice.
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