| Recent events or conferences: The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań |
CAMBODIA SIGNS AVOIDED DEFORESTATION CARBON AGREEMENTS FOR VOLUNTARY CARBON STANDARD PROJECT 2009-06-24
In a ceremony held last month in Samraong, Cambodia's Forestry Administration, in partnership with Community Forestry International, Pact and Terra Global Capital, signed agreements with 9 community forestry groups to develop and market carbon credits for a Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) project in Oddar Meanchey province. Earlier in the same month the Forestry Administration and Terra Global Capital finalized their carbon agreement marking a critical step in the development of Cambodia's first avoided deforestation project for registration under the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). These agreements mark the culmination of years of effort to secure legal forest tenure for communities while at the same time cementing an agreement between the Government and communities to collaborate in conserving forest carbon over the next several decades.
More Mudflow deal closed to further changes 2009-02-20
The government said Saturday that the new deal for the settlement of compensation for the victims of the mudflow disaster in East Java was final and that it would make sure all parties stick to their commitments.
"The compensation scheme is final, Rp 15 million per month per person. The value is higher than the initial demand," Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah said as quoted by Antara state news agency.
More COMESA Program on Climate Change 2009-01-10
The Secretariat for the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Government of Norway have today signed a grant agreement in which Norway will make available to COMESA a financial grant amounting to NOK 17 000 000 (Norwegian Kroner Seventeen Million or US$2.5 million) for the implementation of the Climate Change programme for the 2009 work program.
The Climate Change programme is a joint effort of COMESA, East African Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) which is aimed at supporting the sub-region's vision and efforts to address climate change challenges, including its impact on socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Further the programme will Build and strengthen the capacity of African countries to address adaptation and mitigation to climate change, and to facilitate an African dialogue on the inclusion of sustainable agriculture and land-use practices, forestry, biodiversity conservation, and maintenance of environmental services in the post Kyoto Climate regime.
More Facing climate change in Uganda 2009-01-10
Following the recent climate change talks in Poznan, Poland, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for global solidarity on climate change. This call happens not to have been heard in Uganda since we have failed to recognise climate change as a priority, yet we are vulnerable due the fact that we depend on natural resources.
MoreThis network will supply Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) with knowledge on how the world’s forests can best contribute to reducing poverty whilst diminishing climatic impact.The aim is to make better use of Sweden's overall knowledge in forestry by facilitating a knowledge exchange between researchers, industry, associations, state bodies and agencies on forestry, climate and poverty issues. For this reason, the research network will be linked to a reference group with representatives of all these players.
More Climate-related disasters cost the world $200bn 2009-01-08
Financial damage caused by climate- related natural disasters made 2008 one of the most devastating years on record as costs associated with weather-related catastrophes are put at about $200bn in 2008. This amount is double the losses incurred in 2007.
Munich Re, the world’s biggest re-insurer and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Finance Initiative partner which gave the breakdown said insured losses of $45bn were 50 per cent more than in the previous year. Hurricane Ike cost insurers $15bn in the United States.
Climate extremes, including devastating floods, severe droughts, snow storms, heat waves and cold waves marked the year just as ice volume in the Arctic dropped to its second-lowest level.
REDD Touted as Solution for Business and Environment 2009-01-05
Indonesia urgently needs the Reductions of Emission from Deforestation and Degradation, or REDD, program to preserve its forests, an environmentalist said on Monday.REDD is aimed at developing countries and provides funding for projects that prevent carbon losses from the burning or clearing of land.“REDD is desperately needed here because 20 percent of global emissions is caused by forestry activities,” said Fitrian Ardiansyah, a program director for climate and energy at the World Wildlife Fund.There has long been debate on whether to save the forests or to continue development. Proponents of REDD believe the program could provide a solution to the dilemma.
More The year of environmental challenge makes way for a year of opportunity 2009-01-02
Financial damage and loss of life caused by climate-related natural disasters made 2008 one of the most devastating years on record.
Cyclone Nargis last June claimed 78,000 lives in Myanmar. The Atlantic hurricane season caused devastation in the Caribbean, Central America and the United States. Costs associated with weather-related catastrophes are estimated by Munich Re - the world's biggest reinsurer and UNEP Finance Initiative partner - at about $200bn in 2008, double the losses incurred in 2007. Insured losses of $45bn were 50 per cent more than in the previous year. Hurricane Ike cost insurers $15bn in the United States.
Protecting Forests: Cutting CO2, not Trees 2008-12-18
Trees are worth more dead than alive, despite being critical stores of carbon and generators of life-giving rainfall. That must change to avoid accelerated climate change and catastrophic loss of biodiversity. Of all the major contributors to climate change, deforestation can be tackled most quickly. Power generation will rely on fossil fuels for decades. The internal combustion engine will not disappear soon. But reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forests is simple: No more logging.
More Foresters Support Measures To Reduce Deforestation 2008-12-17
Following conclusion of the fourteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Poznan, Poland, the Presidents of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA), Dr Peter Volker, and the New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF), Dr Andrew McEwen, have jointly expressed support for international recognition of activities to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) within the post-2012 Kyoto framework.
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