-
A Change for Climate Change: Obama’s Environmental Plan
Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States in what many observers are calling one of the most important elections in the country’s history. Americans strongly backed Obama and his promises for ‘change’ in the 4 November election. And when it comes to environmental issues, such as climate change and energy, there…
-
Climate Technology Meeting Highlights Developed-Developing Country Divide
Traditional differences between developed and developing countries in current climate change negotiations resurfaced at the recent High-level Conference on Climate Change Technology Development and Technology Transfer in Beijing, China. The 7-8 November conference took place against the backdrop of the global financial crises and the potential chilling effect it will bring with regard to investment…
-
Energy Agency Calls for Tough Action on Climate Change
The 2008 edition of the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook reaffirmed previous predictions about the world’s continued heavy reliance of fossil fuels. The agency somewhat scaled back its projected oil growth rates due to the current recession, and called for urgent action to address climate change. “Current trends in energy supply and consumption are patently…
-
Coalition Continues to Press for Demands on Biodiversity and Geographical Indications
The EU and many developing countries reaffirmed their support for a requirement to disclose the source of genetic resources in patent applications and for wider protection for geographical indications in WTO meetings on intellectual property held in Geneva earlier this month. But opponents continued to resist such proposals. At the same time, the Council of Trade-Related…
- In Brief
-
First batch of certified palm oil en route to Europe
The first shipment of ‘sustainable’ palm oil left Malaysia for the Netherlands this week, but some conservationists argue that the system used to certify the oil is not strong enough to prevent environmental damage. Four years ago, a coalition of industry groups and the environmental NGO WWF set up the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, or…
-
EU Outlines Strategy on Raw Materials; NGOs React
The European Commission has announced a wide-ranging plan aimed at improving and securing access to raw materials, amidst growing fears that the financial crisis could prompt a surge of protectionist policies around the globe. “We must act, to ensure that access to raw materials for enterprises will not be hampered,” the EU’s Commissioner for Enterprise and…
-
Tropical Timber Organisation Launches New Sustainable Trade Initiatives
Investments of some US$5.65 million towards new initiatives aimed at improving sustainable use of forest resources in tropical timber producing countries were announced at a 3-8 November meeting of the governing body of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) in Yokohama, Japan. The proposed funding will be split into two separate initiatives. The first, a US$3.5…
-
Asbestos, Endosulfan Remain Off Trade Watch List at PIC COP 4
A recent meeting on dangerous chemicals made limited progress, as parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides failed to agree on the treatment of two still actively traded chemicals. The fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) of the Rotterdam Convention met in Rome, Italy, from 27-31…
- Events
-
Events
Coming up in the next two weeks: 14-17 November, Hannover, Germany. COUPLING SUSTAINABLE SANITATION AND GROUNDWATER PROTECTION. This international symposium will serve as a forum for exchange between practitioners of development cooperation, technical and scientific specialists and representatives of political institutions who are committed to substantive support for improved sanitation. It will therefore…
- Resources
-
Resources
If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy for review by the Bridges staff to Malena Sell at msell@ictsd.ch. INDUSTRIAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND ITS IMPACT ON SMALLHOLDERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Susanne Gura. League of Pastoral Peoples (LPP), April 2008. This report…