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This analytical report, building on a range of lessons learned in the climate policy arena, examines how stronger sustainability criteria and a wider focus on payment for ecosystem services can provide the pathway to significantly increase the amount of climate financing directed towards the agricultural sector for sustainable development. In particular, it points out that, in order to effectively couple climate financing with strong and measurable sustainable development criteria, there is a need to move beyond carbon as a standalone tradeable commodity, by increasingly valuing the significant range of additional ecosystem and socio-economic services provided by sustainable agriculture practices and programmes that simultaneously address climate concerns and sustainable rural development priorities.

This activity report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the significant progress and achievements made by the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD)’s 14 National Programmes and other partner countries, as well as the international support and outreach provided by the Programme throughout 2011. The report also features high-level testimonials from donors, partner countries and other organizations involved in REDD+, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

This slide presentation analyzes the linkages between population dynamics such as population growth, urbanization, migration and ageing, and climate change adaptation, with particular focus on Malawi. It presents opportunities for integrating these issues into national and international policy dialogues and planning and evaluation. It includes definitions of common terms.

This manual provides a comprehensive overview of population and climate change adaptation in the form of training materials. The target audiences are policymakers, practitioners and advocates who are seeking a practical, hands-on, understanding of the ways that population and climate change interact. Parts 1-5 introduce training participants to the multiple facets of population dynamics and climate change adaptation, and part 6 presents opportunities for integration through an examination of international and national policy dialogues, adaptation planning and programs, and planning in other sectors. Part 7 provides a comprehensive, annotated compilation of tools and resources that can serve as a detailed reference for policymakers, planners and practitioners seeking to better integrate data and analysis of population dynamics into climate change response strategies.

This slide presentation analyzes the link between population dynamics and climate change. It starts providing a definition of key terms, such as “vulnerability”, “hazard” and “greenhouse gases”. The presentation is then divided in three parts discussing: 1) climate change and development, 2) population and development, 3) population and climate (both adaptation and mitigation). It concludes presenting additional tools and resources.  

This manual elucidates the ways in which population dynamics (growth, composition and distribution) interact with climate change and impact the well-being of people and the planet. The information is presented across a series of training modules and guidelines for trainers. The manual includes four parts on: 1) climate change and development connections, 2) how population dynamics relate to overall development efforts, 3) population and climate change, 4) how the interactions of population dynamics and climate change can be better integrated in international and national policy dialogues. The target audiences are policymakers, practitioners and advocates who are seeking a practical, hands-on understanding of the ways that population and climate change interact so that they can apply that understanding to their work in meaningful ways.

This manual provides operational guidance on how to manage the risk of floods in a transforming urban environment and changeable climate. It argues for a strategic approach, in which appropriate measures are identified, assessed, selected and integrated in a process that both involves and informs the full range of stakeholders. This integrated approach includes: the construction of drainage channels, incorporating “urban greening” such as wetlands and environmental buffers; the creation of flood warning systems; and improved land planning to counter the effects of potential flooding. The guidebook also advocates for a more cohesive information dissemination system involving web-based flood reports and accessibility to hydrological and hydro-meteorological data and for cooperation from various sectors of government, the public sector, civil society, and other organizations.

This booklet reflects on the outcomes of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In particular, it includes 12 questions and answers on forestry, climate change and reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation plus sustainable management of forests, conservation, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). The responses have been elaborated by eleven climate change and forestry experts gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to reflect on COP16 in November and December 2010.

This policy brief stresses that institutional frameworks that fail to provide incentives to invest in forest management and a succession of high-level national and international priorities in forestry mean that field-level activities are often overlooked. The health and vitality of forests in the Asia-Pacific region and their productivity are often compromised as a result. The document highlights that, with demands on forests increasing and climate change threatening, efforts to maintain ecosystem services and benefits from forests should focus attention on effective management at the field level.

This policy brief highlights that most of the terrestrial biodiversity within the Asia-Pacific region is contained within forests. Protected areas are the mainstay for biodiversity conservation although other forest areas are also important. The document notes that habitat destruction and extraction of high-value species are major threats to biodiversity. Ecosystem stability is based on interdependence among constituent species and with biodiversity loss, resilience to change is reduced. Therefore, it states that awareness raising, stringent environmental impact assessments, and improved law enforcement are required.

This policy brief highlights that addressing the role of women in forestry is central to sustainable resource management and rural livelihood improvement. It stresses that improving women’s access to forest resources and effectively including them in decision making leads to greater investment in children’s welfare and has positive effects on economic growth and sustainable resource management. It also notes that opportunities for women to adopt new roles and improve their livelihoods are increasing but gender imbalances still threaten sustainable development. As challenges associated with globalization, food- and energy security and climate change emerge, a renewed focus on gender in forestry is needed.

This policy brief highlights that under Millennium Development Goal 1, Asia-Pacific governments are committed to halving extreme poverty by 2015 and many have adopted poverty-related measures in national forestry policies and programs. The high incidence of poverty in forested areas and the high dependence of the poor on forest resources suggest a leading role for forestry in poverty eradication. The document notes that achievements to date have, however, fallen short of expectations. However, by strengthening tenure, building local capacity to manage resources, providing credit and supporting livelihood development and income generating activities, the forestry sector can tackle poverty and help to achieve MDG 1.

This policy brief highlights that, with pressure growing on natural resources in the Asia-Pacific region, good governance is becoming increasingly important in maintaining forests and the broad range of non-market benefits that they provide. Indications of falling governance standards across the region suggest that a large proportion of the social and environmental benefits of forests to current and future generations may be lost, along with timber revenues and other market values. It also notes that, with increasing national and international interest in forestry and recent development of measures aimed at eliminating international trade in illegally sourced forest products, Asia-Pacific forestry now has a chance to address governance issues and move towards a greener and more equitable path.

This policy brief stresses that, with demands on forests expanding and diversifying, and the forestry agenda becoming increasingly fragmented, institutions responsible for forest management must compete with and complement other sectoral interests to prove their worth to society. It highlights that institutional restructuring or “reinvention” may be necessary to grasp opportunities and ensure that society’s demands are effectively and efficiently provided for. In particular, institutional structures need to reflect transitions in forest policies from timber-focused management to focus on protection, conservation and management for a wide range of goods and services.

This policy brief stresses that with only 0.2 hectares of forest per person, the Asia-Pacific region is, per capita, the least forested region in the world. It highlights that reinvestment in forests is necessary to reduce timber import dependence, support biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, revitalise rural economies and protect land and populations from environmental hazards and the impacts of climate change. Expanding the region’s forest base is an essential component of a greener future.

This policy brief highlights that national and international focus on forests and forestry has grown rapidly in recent times. New factors are coming into play and an increased understanding of forest-related processes and how to manage them for the greatest benefit is required. It stresses that improved performance at all levels will be necessary and it is likely that a protracted period of institutional strengthening and training will be required to implement new standards and expectations effectively.

This analytical report looks at different “green industries” from an occupational safety and health (OSH) perspective, and shows that while green jobs improve the environment, revitalize the economy and create new employment opportunities, they may also present a number of known and unknown risks for workers. For example, the manufacture and installation of wind mills requires new specific skills that may entail new occupational hazards, while risks related to their installation and maintenance are similar to those prevalent in construction. The report also stresses that the transition towards energy-efficient construction and sustainable refurbishment requires skills development and training far beyond those for traditional buildings. Therefore, capacity building for employers, designers, contractors, managers and workers is fundamental to equip them with the new skills and risk prevention methods required to deal with these challenges. Also available in Italian and Portuguese.

This analytical report reviews the history of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the outcomes of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC, held in Durban, South Africa, at the end of 2011, and the opportunities and challenges that the climate change negotiations will face in the coming years. In particular, it evaluates the substantive results of the Durban conference, draws implications for developing countries and considers the next steps as a new phase of intergovernmental climate negotiations gets underway.

The policy document seeks to provide guidance for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)’s dialogue with governments, civil society, and the private sector concerning regional and national climate policy agendas. The strategy also integrates public and private financing and capacity building into a single framework for climate action, and orients the Bank’s efforts to strengthen and consolidate its own capacities, readiness and comparative advantages. Its objective is to contribute to low carbon development and address key vulnerabilities due to the consequences of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

This analytical report is the third report of its kind since 2009 when the United Nations (UN) first published details of its annual carbon footprint. It explains the UN’s ambition towards climate neutrality. It also details the greenhouse gas emissions from UN agencies in 2010 and looks back over 2011, explaining and illustrating efforts which are happening across the world, with the UN system, to reduce carbon emissions.