New publication: Liquid Assets IIIA：Dongjiang Overloaded – 2011 Dongjiang Expedition Report

Liquid Assets IIIA：Dongjiang Overloaded – 2011 Dongjiang Expedition Report by Civic Exchange
DATE: 30 May 2012 


This publication reports on a field investigation that was undertaken along the Dongjiang River in late 2011, and is the third publication in our water resource management series entitled “Liquid Assets”. The purpose was to investigate the ecological and hydrological impact of agricultural and infrastructure developments, mining and industrial relocation in the Dongjiang Basin, and provide policy recommendations for a more sustainable way forward. Download full report


See the companion document, Liquid Assets IIIB: a photographic report of the 2011 Dongjiang expedition, for a graphical account of the consequences to this vital water source for the region. Download full report

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Call for papers: Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference: Complex Architectures, Multiple Agents

Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference: Complex Architectures, Multiple Agents

28-01-2013 - 31-01-2013

Tokyo, Japan

Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference: Complex Architectures, Multiple Agents
United Nations University Head Quarters, Tokyo, 28-31 January 2013

We invite you to the Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference, to be held 28-31 January 2013 at the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. This event is part of the global conference series organized by the Earth System Governance Project, a ten-year research programme under the auspices of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP). This conference will be the fourth in a global series organized by the Earth System Governance Project. The Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference will be jointly hosted by the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), the International Environmental Governance Architecture Research Group and the Tokyo Institute of Technology on behalf of the Earth System Governance Project.

Key Dates
Deadline for paper abstracts: 1 July 2012Notification of acceptance: 1 September 2012
Full papers due: 1 December 2012
Conference date: 28-31 January 2013

Conference Themes
We invite papers on six interrelated clusters of questions:
1. Earth System Governance Architectures in the 21st Century
2. Climate and Energy Governance Architectures
3. The Nexus between Architecture and the other “A’s” in Earth System Governance
4. Political Dynamics in the Interface of Agency and Architecture
5. Methodological Challenges to Complex Architectures and Multiple Agents
6. Special Conference Stream on Nuclear Safety and Post-disaster Governance

For more info: http://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/events/2011-11-28-earth-system-governance-tokyo-conference

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Conference on Low Carbon and Eco-Cities in East Asia, 7-8 June 2012, Hong Kong

Date : 7 - 8 June 2012 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Venue : Conference Room 2, Block 2, To Yuen Building, City University of Hong Kong
Sponsored by : Governance in Asia Research Centre
Language: English

A very limited number of seats will be made available at the workshop.
Please email to ga@cityu.edu.hk for registration.

SPEAKERS

Prof. MYUNG-RAE CHO, Dankook University, Korea
Dialogue for Making a Low-Carbon Green City : the Case of Suwon City, Korea

Dr BAN YONG UN et al, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University

Korea Building a Master Plan for the Smart-Green City and Setting Priorities of Policies through Governance and an AHP Method: Focused on Cheongju City, Korea

Dr TAEDONG LEE, Assistant Professor, Department of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong

Transnational Cooperation of City-Level Climate Change Policy: Comparison of Three Korean Cities

Prof HIDEFUMI IMURA, Yokohama City University and Nagoya University, Japan Ms IKUYO

KIKUSAWA, Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

Low-Carbon and Eco-Cities in Japan: Searching for Local Energy Solutions in the Shadow of a Nuclear Crisis

Ms BEIJIA HUANG et al, PhD Candidate, College of Environmental Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai

China Policy Instrument Analysis for Improving Low Carbon Society -- Case Study of Building Sector in Japan and China

Dr SANGMIN NAM, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation, United Nations
Ms YUJIA WU, North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation, United Nations Transnational Coalition and Low Carbon City Strategies in China

Dr HAN SHI, Assistant Professor, Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong

Potential and Barriers for Eco-industrial Parks to Serve as a Vanguard of Sustainable Low-carbon Urbanization in China

Dr BO MIAO, Assistant Professor, Department of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong
Prof GRAEME LANG, Department of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong
A tale of Two Eco-cities: Experimentation under Hierarchy in Shanghai and Tianjin

Ms MAI QIANGQING, PhD Candidate, Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong
Unveiling Collaboration Failure at the Local Level in Chinese Transitioning Environmental State: An Analysis of Dongtan Sustainable City Project

For more info: http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/garc/events_detail.asp?id=135

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Seminar on ECONOMICS OF LOW CARBON CITIES, 09 Jun 2012, Hong Kong

ECONOMICS OF LOW CARBON CITIES

Seminar organized by British Council and University of Leeds, UK
Date:09 Jun 2012
Time:10:30
Location: Room 307, British Council Hong Kong, 3 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong

Introduction


What is the most effective and efficient way to decarbonise a city? There are thousands of low carbon options available and, although they present a significant opportunity to reduce energy bills and carbon foot-prints, there is often a lack of reliable information on their performance. The higher the levels of risk and uncertainty that emerge as a result of this lack of reliable information can be a major barrier to action, making it hard to develop a political, business or social case for investment in low carbon options.

Professor Andy Gouldson will be presenting his work evaluating the cost and effectiveness of a wide range of existing low carbon options that could be applied in households, industry, commerce and transport. The research explores the scope for the deployment of these options at the city-scale, along with the analysis of the associated investment needs, financial returns, carbon savings and implications for the economy and employment.

About the speaker:Andy Gouldson is Professor of Sustainability Research. He has nearly 20 years of experience working on a wide range of issues relating to environmental policy and management. From January 2006 to June 2009 he was Director of the Sustainability Research Institute, at the University of Leeds and he is currently a Director of the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics.


Registration and more info: leeds.fikket.com/event/economic-of-low-carbon-cities

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2012 Social Justice and Management Education International Corporate Social Responsibility Forum, 2012/07/02, Taiwan

2012 Social Justice and Management Education International Corporate Social Responsibility Forum

Date: 2012/07/02
Location: Cardinal Tien Cultural Foundation, located at 4F, No. 22 Xinghai Road, Chung Cheng Dist., Taipei 100
Sponsor: The Social Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Taiwan (SEIETW), and the Social Enterprise Research Centre of Fu Jen Catholic University

Date: June 29, 2012 through July 2, 2012
           June 29, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. (Academic Thesis)
            June 30, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (International Forum)
           July 1, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (International Forum)
            July 2, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Visits with Enterprises)

Information:The SEIETW will host the 2012 Social Justice and Management Education International Corporate Social Responsibility Forum from June 29, 2012 through July 2, 2012.  There will be a academic thesis seminar on Friday, June 29th.  Anyone who is interested in the seminar topic, hypothesis, illustrative thesis, or case studies is welcome to attend.

The seminar topic will include the following:
(1) Changing Environment and Social Justice,
(2) Social Innovation and the Disadvantaged Groups,
(3) Social Innovative Industries and Market Management,
(4) CSR and Management Education,
(5) NPO and Social Justice,
(6) Social Justice and Green Technology,
(7) Community Economy and Cultural Innovation,
(8) Community Service and Training,
(9) Religion and Organizational Spirituality, and
(10) Other Relevant Social Justice Topics.


Event website: http://www.twws.org/formview.aspx?sno=320

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Carbon Footprints of Products to Promote Sustainable Operations and Energy Management Seminar, June 15, 2012, Taiwan

Carbon Footprints of Products to Promote Sustainable Operations and Energy Management Seminar

Date: June 15, 2012
Location: Delta Electronics Inc., R&DBuilding, International Conference Hall, Taiwan

Sponsor: SGS Taiwan Limited
Co-Sponsor: Industrial Sustainable DevelopmentCenter, NationalCheng-KungUniversity

Information:
“Low Carbon Economy” has arrived and industries around the world has followed suit to lower its carbon footprint. Big multinational companies have also required its supply chain and manufacturers to conduct greenhouse gas inspections, inspections of the carbon footprint of products, or disclose the carbon footprint information of the products. Since ISO 14064-1 tests for greenhouse gases, products’ carbon footprint and such disclosure has become an important issue. In addition to the conversion of PAS2050 to ISO 14067 topic, the seminar will also discuss key areas to be aware of during such conversion and to help industries expand from greenhouse gas inspections to products’ carbon footprint, and transition to resource management and development. This will promote CSR in companies with sustainable development as the goal and increase international competitiveness.

Event Link: http://b10c10.web.ncku.edu.tw/files/16-1155-92749.php

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Sustainability in Action: The World’s Tallest Green Building and Global Trends, 05 Jun 2012, Hong Kong

The World’s Tallest Green Building and Global Trends

Introduction

Organized by the University of Hong Kong and Siemens Ltd.
Sustainability in the Built Environment


Date: 05 Jun 2012

Time: 13:00 - 16:00

Venue: Concourse, G/F KK Leung, HKU (map & direction)

Sustainability in Action - Informal Lunch and Presentation

Presentation:

"The Green Wave and Global Trends"
-- Bob Dixon, SVP & Global Head of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, Building Technologies, Siemens

"The World's Tallest Green Building - Best practices and Taipei 101"
-- Cathy Yang, Vice President, Taipei Financial Center Corp
 

Display:
- Smart City Model
- Panels: Building Retrofitting at HKU

• Registration

For more info: http://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=19244

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The Joint University Environmental Innovation Forum, (Hong Kong, 2ndJune 2012)

The Joint University Environmental Innovation Forum

(Hong Kong, 2ndJune 2012)

Objectives
 •To provide a diverse platform for multidisciplinary intellectual exchanges on environmental issues;
 •To encourage interactions amongst stakeholders;
 •To increase public awareness of development in the field of environmental innovation.


Organizing Committee
 * Organizer: University of Hong Kong Master’s students in Environmental Management
 * Co-organized by: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, City University of Hong Kong
 * Supporting Organization: Central Oasis Community Advisory Committee (COCAC); the Association of Environmental Management Alumni in Hong Kong (EMAHK); HKU Sustainability Office; Environmental Science Program, CUHK .


Keynote speaker: Dr. Sarah Liao Sau-tung, former Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (2002-2007)

General theme: Environmental Innovation


Date: 2 June 2012 (Sat)


Time: 2:00 to 5:30 pm


Venue: T2, Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Workshops: (a) Energy, (b) Architectural Designs and (c) Environmental Policy


Participants: University students from environmental related courses, academics, representatives from the industry, government and NGO representatives, and general public

Participants are invited to register for the event at https://sites.google.com/site/envinnovation/registration


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New Book: Transnational Environmental Governance: The Emergence and Effects of the Certification of Forests and Fisheries By Lars H. Gulbrandsen

Transnational Environmental Governance: The Emergence and Effects of the Certification of Forests and Fisheries By Lars H. Gulbrandsen


Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Published: 12 May 2012
Format: Paperback 224 pages
ISBN 13: 9781781007105 ISBN 10: 1781007101

Description‘Incisive and nuanced, Transnational Environmental Governance significantly advances our understanding of the capacity of certification to influence the environmental behaviour of corporations and consumers. Lars Gulbrandsen’s subtle analysis leaves us with an innovative toolbox to explain when and why voluntary certification programs succeed – or fail – to strengthen environmental governance. It is essential reading for anyone wanting a more accurate way to evaluate the growing number of non-state certification programs.’
– Peter Dauvergne, University of British Columbia, Canada

For more info:  http://www.e-elgar.co.uk/bookentry_main.lasso?id=13539&breadcrumlink=&breadcrum=&sub_values=&site_Bus_Man=&site_dev=&site_eco=&site_env_eco=&site_inn_tech=&site_int_pol=&site_law=&site_pub_soc=

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New Book: On Environmental Governance: Sustainability, Efficiency, and Equity Oran R. Young

On Environmental Governance: Sustainability, Efficiency, and Equity

by Oran R. Young

Description

In On Environmental Governance, Oran R. Young examines a variety of efforts to meet the challenge of governing human interaction with the environment in the interest of sustainability. At the same time, he considers measures to minimize restrictions on human actors in using their natural resources. Young looks at issues including climate change, biodiversity, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon cycle disruption in exploring impacts from the local to the global. The book draws on general ideas about the nature of governance while exploring new models for governing human-environment relations.



For more info: http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=298804

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Advanced Workshop on Building Energy Efficiency, 30 May 2012

Organized by CUHK

Date: 30 May 2012

Venue: Fok Ying Tung Remote Sensing Science Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Introduction

Energy is a critical issue for the sustainable development of human society. Using renewable energy resources to replace the traditional ones is one solution at supply side. Reducing energy use is the other fundamental and more effective solution at demand side. Buildings are the major consumers. In US, consumption of buildings accounts for over 40% of overall energy consumption. In Mainland of China, it accounts for over 30% and will be increased to over 40% within a few years. In Hong Kong, it accounts for even over 80%.

Due to various causes, energy wastes in buildings are often serious and there are great potentials of saving energy without scarifying the services and built environmental quality. In this one day conference, experts and professionals from Hong Kong and Shanghai will join together to exchange and share their methodologies, technologies and application experiences for saving energy in different types of buildings under different climate conditions, including new buildings and existing buildings, as well as address the building energy saving from the viewpoints of building technologies and government regulations.

For more info: http://www.iseis.cuhk.edu.hk/bee/Introduction.html

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New Book: Economic Growth, the Environment and International Relations: The Growth Paradigm by Stephen J. Purdey

Economic Growth, the Environment and International Relations: The Growth Paradigm
By Stephen J. Purdey

Published 8th May 2012 by Routledge – 192 pages

The ubiquity of the commitment to economic growth, which Purdey refers to as the growth paradigm, is extraordinary. National governments around the world are seized of the same objective. Major international institutions such as the UN, the WTO, the World Bank, IMF and OECD, powerful international organizations such as regional trading blocs and multinational corporations – even civil societies of all kinds enthusiastically pursue a larger economic pie.

This book examines the deep origins and rise to prominence of the commitment to economic growth. It explains why, despite the diversity of regime types, levels of development, cultures and other divisions typical of international relations, all major actors in the modern global polity pursue an identical political priority. Purdey critically examines the growth paradigm highlighting its normative foundations and its environmental impact, especially climate change. Using a neo-Gramscian approach, Purdey re-engages the ‘limits to growth’ controversy, identifying the commitment to growth as a form of utopianism that is as dangerous as it is seductive.

By illuminating and interrogating the history, politics and morality of the growth paradigm, this book shifts the terrain of the limits debate from instrumental to ethical considerations. It will be of interest to students and scholars of political economy, international relations, environmental studies and ethics.

For more information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415503501/

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Biodiversity Asia 2012: Science, Policy, and Governance, August 7-10, 2012

Biodiversity Asia 2012: Science, Policy, and Governance

The 2nd Asia Regional Conference of the Society for Conservation Biology - Asia Section

August 7-10, 2012, JN Tata Auditorium, IISc Campus, Bengaluru (Bangalore), India

Biodiversity Asia 2012 will include important updates on conservation research in Asia in lectures, plenary sessions, symposia and poster sessions by leading scientists and students. Biodiversity Asia 2012 will also contribute to capacity-building in Asia by including practical workshops and short-courses for students and practitioners.

The goal is to have every country in Asia represented, and to showcase the advances made in research and conservation of Asia's rich biodiversity. The conference, in addition to organizing cutting-edge symposiums, will feature skill-building workshops for students. In addition, we plan to have public talks and exhibitions to take the conservation message to the wider public, so together we can work towards reversing biodiversity decline as the world rapidly changes.

The conference is being co-organized by organizations such as Society for Conservation Biology-Asia Section, (SCB-Asia), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and several other institutions with the Secretariat housed at ATREE, Bengaluru, India.

Official website: http://www.scbasia2012.org/

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New Publication: Hong Kong’s Participation in the Carbon Intensity Reduction Activities and Carbon Trading Pilots in the PRD Region by Civic Exchange

Hong Kong’s Participation in the Carbon Intensity Reduction Activities and Carbon Trading Pilots in the PRD Region

DATE: 18 May 2012 

This report summarises the findings from an interview conducted in February 2012. Taking place in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, the interview aims to gather insights relevant to study Hong Kong’s participation in the carbon intensity reduction activities and carbon trading pilots in the Pearl River Delta region.


Download full report

For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/201205emissiontrading_e/

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New Publication: Measuring Well-being in Cities – Indices Reviewed by Civic Exchange

Measuring Well-being in Cities – Indices Reviewed
By Civic Exchange

Civic Exchange collected 165 indices as part of our project to develop a Wellbeing Index for Asian Cities. We studied how these indices are constructed so as to understand how we may eventually design and construct a new index. Having collected and studied these indices, and having prepared a report, we believe publishing what we have collected may also be useful to other researchers. This document contains all the 165 indices we have studied from September 2011 to April 2012. Each one of them is presented in what we hope is an easy to understand summary table.


Download full report

For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120430wellbeing_indices/

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「香港環境論壇」之「香港想要幾環保？香港可以幾環保？」

香港環境論壇之香港想要幾環保？香港可以幾環保？


日期：     2012年6月6日（星期三）
時間：     晚上7時至9時30分
地點：     香港公開大學郭得勝樓地下楊雪姬演講廳
報名：     網上登記（費用全免，額滿即止）
查詢：     香港公開大學科技學院朱小姐（電話：2768 6823）


香港公開大學科技學院與環球天道傳基協會將於6 月6日晚上7:00-9:00 pm舉辦「香港環境論壇」，並邀請多個環保團體代表及各界關注環保人士出席參與及交流商討。為使討論更為集中，主辦單位設計了12條近期較受大眾關注的環境議題，以問題形式作問卷調查，希望藉此收集各界人士的回應。香港公開大學科技學院將會在論壇前對調查結果作深入的分析，並將統計結果及當晚討論內容綜合提交新一屆特區政府作跟進。


已答允出席當日論壇的人士及團體代表包括：
A.      環保團體：世界自然基金會（余遠騁博士）、綠色力量（文志森博士）、地球之友（陳美玲女士）、
綠色和平（張韻琪女士）、長春社（蘇國賢）、 環保觸角（譚凱邦）、大埔環保會（邱榮光博士）等
B.      專業人士：黎超英、盧偉國、陳漢輝、温石麟、黎廣德、吳有家、李榮貴、李炳權；工程師社促會、大舜研究中心、滙賢智庫代表、前香港天文台台長林超英先生等
C.      立法會議員： 何鍾泰、梁美芬、譚偉豪、葉劉淑儀（考慮中，或因立法會議事而需派代表出席）
D.      社區代表：方國珊（將軍澳）、張仁康、梁英標、左滙雄（九龍城）、高寶齡（觀塘、深  水埗）等
E.      學術及宗教界人士：蔡少琪博士、李耀全博士、林健枝教授、譚鳳儀教授、邱耀雄博士、黄儀強博士、何建宗教授


For more information: http://guestlistapp.com/events/103395
進行問卷調查: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVTdEx5eVIxRFF4VmN2SGk4X1BrSFE6MQ

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New Publication: Reducing Vessel Emissions – Science, Policy and Engagement in the HK-PRD Region By Veronica Booth & Christine Loh

Reducing Vessel Emissions – Science, Policy and Engagement in the HK-PRD Region

DATE: 30 Apr 2012   

By Veronica Booth & Christine Loh

This report describes the journey led to the creation of the Fair Winds Charter. It also explains the importance of stakeholder engagement in increasing policy understanding and acceptance, the value of data and cross-disciplinary research in air quality and public health for developing a compelling case for policy change; and how the science and stakeholder engagement stimulated regulatory change.
Download full report

For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120430shipping_en/

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International Symposium on Decontamination of Radioactive Materials

"International Symposium on Decontamination of Radioactive Materials" will be held on May 19, 2012 in Fukushima city, aiming to share relevant information internationally, to enrich citizen's understanding on the related resks, and to contribute the further development of technologies.

(Sponsored by Kankyo Hoshano Josen Gakkai, co-hosted by Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan)

Please refer to the following web-site for further information: http://kh-josen.jp/

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[S. Korean Updates] Korea-Australia to hold a ministerial meeting for cooperative plan against climate change

Minister of Environment Yoo Young-sook and Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Australia, are having a bilateral meeting on 27 and discuss on cooperation plans between the countries against climate change. The meeting held by Minister Yoo’s invitation is a follow-up after bilateral meeting during the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), 2011. Both Ministers had agreed on the need of active measures for reducing the greenhouse gases and emission trading which is a cost effective way to reduce the greenhouse gases based on the market mechanism.

During the meeting, Ministers will share Australia’s experience in carrying forward the emission trading with fixed price which is planned to be implemented in July and look for possibilities for cooperation between the countries’ policies.

Australia is one of the Annex I parties with targets and has adopted National Greenhouse-gas Emission Report (NGER) in 2007, establishing a system which Australian corporations measure, report and verify the greenhouse gas emissions. Possibility of policy cooperation and synergistic effects are expected as Korea is also planning to implement Green House Gas & Energy Reduction system, establishing Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system this year and start pushing ahead with the adoption of emission trading from 2015.

In addition, the two ministries are planning to review holding regular MRV technical meetings from second half of 2012, agreeing that mutual acceptance is required on greenhouse gas MRV system for joint greenhouse gas reduction policy. Also, Minister Yoo is expected to request for Australia’s cooperation so that a new direction for climate change system can be presented during the upcoming Pre-COP in Korea, following Kyoto Protocol.

“As Korea and Australia have similarities in environmental field including emission trading, huge effect is expected from the meeting,” an official of the Ministry of Environment said.

For more information: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=10284&bbsCode=new_news

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Civic Exchange Seminar – Dirty & Thirsty: Is this the future of Dongjiang?

Hong Kong’s fresh water supply is largely taken for granted. It is plentiful and affordable, and by global standards considered safe to drink. However, recent news of a toxic chemical spill in Xijiang and pollution in the Dongjiang River is a warning to Hong Kong that our water supply depends on the health of a larger hydrological system on the Mainland. Building on the two reports reviewing the water quality in the Dongjiang and the Pearl River Basin[1] and the risks of industrial relocation in Guangdong[2], Civic Exchange will launch a report and a photographic documentary on the current state of the Dongjiang River. The principle author of the new report, Ms Su LIU (Greater China Manager of Civic Exchange) will introduce her recent visit to the Dongjiang River Basin and explain the implications for water security and sustainable development in Hong Kong. We are also delighted to have Mr YANG Yong (Founder and Chief Scientist of Hengduan Mountain Research Association) to join this event and share his insight.

Date: Wednesday, 30 May 2012 Time: 9.00am – 10.45am Venue: Main Dining Room, Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong (2 Lower Albert Road, Central) Language: Mandarin and English (This event is fully subscribed. Post-event videos/report will be uploaded for your information. Thank you!)

Ms Su LIU – will introduce her fieldtrip observations and address the problems of urbanization and industrial relocation in Guangdong and its threats to water resources. Mr YANG yong – will articulate the ecological and geological problems of hydropower development in the Pearl River basin, especially the Dongjiang. He will also address the implications of China’s water diversion plans as well as mega hydro development in the southwest China in relation to Guangdong. Mr Mike KILBURN –will comment on the interconnection between climate change, drought, Guangdong’s energy market and air pollution in the Pearl River Delta. Ms Christine LOH – will join all speakers and audiences for a panel discussion session. For more information: http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/120530waterforum/

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[HK Updates] HKIA Pledges to Be the World's Greenest Airport

HKIA Pledges to Be the World's Greenest Airport

(HONG KONG, 8 May 2012) - Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and 40 business partners today pledged to make Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) the world's greenest airport – the first commitment of its kind worldwide. The airport community also announced it achieved a 10% reduction in carbon intensity in 2011, which is on track with its goal pledged in 2010 to lower HKIA's carbon intensity by 25% from 2008 emission levels by 2015.

The airport community has carried out more than 300 green initiatives to achieve the 10% reduction, including installing LEDs, improving chiller systems, introducing more energy-efficient vehicles and launching green educational programmes.

AAHK Chairman Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung says the pledge to become the world's greenest airport marks a big step forward, putting HKIA at the forefront worldwide by providing a delightful airport experience and delivering exemplary environmental performance.

Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng believes that under the lead of AAHK and with the support of the airport community, the airport could become the world's greenest airport with maximum environmental efficiency.

For more information: http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/media/press-releases/pr_1064.html

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[Chinese Updates] Stricter Water Standards to be Applied Nationwide

'China is adopting a new drinking water standard throughout the country in July with stricter requirements on water supplies, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new standard has 106 requirements concerning organic substances, microbes and purification levels, or three times the number of the current version which was instituted in 1985.

It will also unify drinking water standards in cities and in rural areas and for the first time define the meaning of domestic drinking water as that for daily drinking and domestic use.......'

For full text: http://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/media_news/201205/t20120514_227603.htm

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[Chinese Updates] Tripartite Cooperation an Mutual Recognition Agreement on Environmental Labelling among China, Japan and Korea

Signing Ceremony of Tripartite Cooperation an Mutual Recognition Agreement on Environmental Labelling among China, Japan and Korea

2012-05-07

Environment ministers from China, Japan and Korea witness the signing of three cooperation agreements: Agreement on Common Certification Rules of Environmental Labels of China, Japan and Korea, Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Certification Procedures and Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Implementation Rules and at the 14th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting. For more information: http://www.cciced.net/encciced/newscenter/photo/201205/t20120510_227460.htm http://www.cciced.net/encciced/newscenter/photo/201205/t20120510_227461.htm

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New Book: Community, Environment and Local Governance in Indonesia: Locating the Commonweal

Community, Environment and Local Governance in Indonesia

Locating the commonweal

Edited by Carol Warren, John F. McCarthy

Published 15th May 2012 by Routledge – 288 pages

This book explores the forces reconfiguring local resource governance in Indonesia since 1998, drawing together original field research undertaken in a decade of dramatic political change. Case studies from across Indonesia’s diverse cultural and ecological landscapes focus on the most significant resource sectors – agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining and tourism –providing a rare in-depth view of the dynamics shaping social and environmental outcomes in these varied contexts.

Debates surrounding the ‘tragedy of the commons’ and environmental governance have focused on institutional considerations of how to craft resource management arrangements in order to further the policy objectives of economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability. The studies in this volume reveal the complexity of resource security issues affecting local communities and user groups in Indonesia as they engage with wider institutional frameworks in a context driven simultaneously by decentralizing and globalizing forces. Through ground up investigations of how local groups with different cultural backgrounds and resource bases are responding to the greater autonomy afforded by Indonesia’s new political constellation, the authors appraise the prospects for rearticulating governance regimes toward a more equitable and sustainable ’commonweal’.

This volume offers valuable insights into questions of import to scholars as well as policy-makers concerned with decentralized governance and sustainable resource management.

For more information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415541091/

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The 2012 International Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection (ICEEP 2012), June 23-24, 2012

The 2012 International Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection (ICEEP 2012) will take place in Hohhot, China, June 23-24, 2012. A key aspect of this conference is the strong mixture of academia and industry. This allows for the free exchange of ideas and challenges faced by these two key stakeholders and encourage future collaboration between members of these groups.

Organized by: Inner Mongolia University
For more information: http://www.iceep2012.org/

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The Inaugural Pacific Rim Energy & Sustainability Congress , August 6th – 9th, 2012

The Inaugural Pacific Rim Energy & Sustainability Congress

PRESCO 2012 will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Hiroshima, Japan
August 6th – 9th, 2012

The objectives are to exchange ideas, present research, debate issues facing sustainable energy as it intersects with the social, environmental, and economic aspects of the global sustainability paradigm.

Organized by: PRESDA Foundation, University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Environmental Science & Policy

Official Website: http://www.presco2012.org/

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Call for papers: The 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Future for Human Security (SUSTAIN) 2012

Call for Papers

The 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Future for Human Security (SUSTAIN) 2012

Clock Tower Centennial Hall, Kyoto University, JAPAN

3-5 November, 2012

  

The Organization for the Promotion of International Relations (OPIR) Kyoto University, Graduate School Energy Science (ES), Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering (HSE), Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) are co-hosting the 3rd SUSTAIN (International Conference on a Sustainable Future for Human Security) 2012 which is organised by the Indonesian Student Association (ISA) Kyoto, Japan.

The emphasis on a sustainable future is in response to the general awareness of the need to solve numerous human-related problems resulting from the rapid growth of modern society. The topic of a sustainable future for human security needs to be discussed in an integrated way, in accordance with the principles of sustainability, considering energy and materials supply, economies and trade, technology, cities, agriculture, social and environmental aspects.

The conference will address problems of primary importance for human security, discussing and proposing a more constructive and progressive approach to ensure future societal sustainability. The meeting will provide a common forum for a wide range of researchers and practitioners specialising in a range of subjects related to the conference themes.

Important Date

• Deadline for Extended Abstract : May 31, 2012
• Notification of Acceptance : July 15, 2012
• Final Submission for Full Paper : August 15, 2012
• Deadline for Conference Registration : August 15, 2012
• Sustain Conference : November 3-5, 2012

For more information: http://sustain-kyoto.com/index.php

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Book launch seminar: Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development in China: Hong Kong in Global Context by Professor Paul G. HARRIS on 25th May 2012 (Friday)

The Centre for Governance and Citizenship (CGC), Social and Policy Research Unit, and Department of Social Sciences (SSC), of The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd), are jointly presenting to you a book launch seminar, Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development in China: Hong Kong in Global Context by Professor Paul G. HARRIS on 25th May 2012 (Friday), 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Room 12, Podium, Block B3 (B3-P-12), The Hong Kong Institute of Education, (Tai Po Campus), 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po.

Drawing on practices and theories of sustainability, Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development in China explores the prospects for achieving environmentally benign economic and social development in China. Using the Asian ‘world city’ of Hong Kong as a backdrop and case study, it introduces major conceptions of sustainability, describes historical and political contexts for environmental policymaking, and analyses key challenges related to sustainable development, including air pollution, water quality, waste, transport and climate change.

The book will be a valuable and unique resource for students, teachers and readers interested in environmental policy, sustainable development and ecological governance, especially in China and Hong Kong. Professor HARRIS will introduce the book’s main aims and content, and use the opportunity to informally discuss with the audience the prospects for environmentally sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Paul G. HARRIS is Senior Centre Research Fellow of CGC, and Chair Professor of Global and Environmental Studies of SSC, HKIEd.

For details please refer to the poster attached. For registration and enquiries please contact Miss Peggy Tang at 2948-8944 or by email: pyhtang@ied.edu.hk .

Online Registration:

http://www.ied.edu.hk/cgc/view.php?secid=293&id=637&act=regform

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Second Asia-Europe Forum on Methods and Perspectives of Risk Analysis

Following the success of the first Asia-Europe Risk Forum in 2011, the second annual Asia-Europe Forum on Methods and Perspectives of Risk Analysis will take place in Hong Kong on 8-10 November 2012.

The Forum is organized by the Hong Kong Advanced Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Studies at City University of Hong Kong with support from the Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST) of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, in association with its Research Training Group on “Risk and East Asia”.

The Asia-Europe Forum on Methods and Perspectives of Risk Analysis serves as a venue to bring together Asian and European scholars from a range of disciplines to discuss their methods and perspectives, while the forum is also open to participants from other regions and seeks to engage practitioners of risk analysis and management working in public policy, law or business.

The conference will focus on two related sets of issues, under the broad framework of risk-related aspects of large-scale public science-, technology- and engineering-related issues and projects

8-9 November:
We welcome papers concerned with (i) the technical evaluation of risk and strategies to manage it in such areas as water supply and water pollution, air quality and air pollution, large-scale public engineering projects, mass transport systems, the civil use of nuclear power, etc. (ii) the official communication and management of risk, public education, and related issues such as transparency, independent monitoring and evaluation, and levels of public trust and confidence. Papers with a particular focus on risk and disaster management in cities are particularly welcome.

10 November:
The final day of the conference will focus entirely on the risk environment in Hong Kong. Papers are welcomed on all aspects mentioned in the paragraph above, and may also extend to border issues, the role of the media and of non-governmental organizations and independent bodies, agenda setting ‘think-pieces’ and proposals for policy change, codes of practice, or legislative reform. One session will take the form of a round table, with local and international experts. We intend that the whole of the final day will take place in a public setting outside the University (location currently under discussion), and will be jointly hosted by local partners.

We are pleased to offer accommodation and meals for all participants whose papers are accepted for the forum. In addition, the following financial assistance towards participants’ travel costs will also be provided: up to 500 Euros for those travelling from outside East and South East Asia, 200 Euros from within East Asia and South East Asia (excluding mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong), and 100 Euros for those travelling from within mainland China and Taiwan.

Those interested in making a presentation should please send an email with the proposed title, together with an abstract (ca. 200 words) and short bio (ca. 50 words) to the email address below by 15 June, 2012.

Hong Kong Advanced Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Studies, City University of Hong Kong, hkaics@cityu.edu.

For more information: http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/hkaics/images/activities/20121108eaf/cfp.pdf
http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/hkaics/activities/20121108eaf/e_cfp.html

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New Publication: The Clean Development Mechanism in China: Institutional Perspectives on Governance

The Clean Development Mechanism in China: Institutional Perspectives on Governance by Katarina Buhr, Philip Thörn1 and Mattias Hjerpe

Environmental Policy and Governance
Volume 22, Issue 2, pages 77–89, March/April 2012

ABSTRACT

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has grown into a central feature of the global carbon market. Besides a range of normative and evaluative research into the CDM, scholars have applied international relations perspectives in which the CDM has been analysed as an example of global governance, engaging multiple actors across administrative levels. This paper focuses on a national government and how its activities affect the CDM market. We draw on an empirical case study of China to demonstrate how governmental action can be understood in light of national institutional factors, defined as normative, cognitive or regulative elements. The paper describes and explains the extensiveness of Chinese government action regarding the CDM and discusses its consequences for the market. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

For full text and more information: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/doi/10.1002/eet.597/abstract

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New Book: Reflexive Governance for Global Public Goods by Eric Brousseau, Tom Dedeurwaerdere and Bernd Siebenhüner

Reflexive Governance for Global Public Goods Edited by Eric Brousseau, Tom Dedeurwaerdere and Bernd Siebenhüner

April 2012
6 x 9, 376 pp.
8 figures
$27.00/£18.95 (PAPER)

ISBN-10: 0-262-51698-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-262-51698-3

Global public goods (GPGs)--the economic term for a broad range of goods and services that benefit everyone, including stable climate, public health, and economic security--pose notable governance challenges. At the national level, public goods are often provided by government, but at the global level there is no established state-like entity to take charge of their provision. The complex nature of many GPGs poses additional problems of coordination, knowledge generation and the formation of citizen preferences. This book considers traditional public economy theory of public goods provision as oversimplified, because it is state centered and fiscally focused. It develops a multidisciplinary look at the challenges of understanding and designing appropriate governance regimes for different types of goods in such areas as the environment, food security, and development assistance.

The chapter authors, all leading scholars in the field, explore the misalignment between existing GPG policies and actors’ incentives and understandings. They analyze the complex impact of incentives, the involvement of stakeholders in collective decision making, and the specific coordination needed for the generation of knowledge. The book shows that governance of GPGs must be democratic, reflexive--emphasizing collective learning processes--and knowledge based in order to be effective.

For motr information: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=12881

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Sixth ACAS International Conference: NATURE and CULTURE: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES in ASIA, July 29

Sixth ACAS International Conference

NATURE and CULTURE: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES in ASIA

(Organized by ACAS in cooperation with the

Confucius Institute of the Ateneo de Manila University)

July 29, 2012

Ateneo de Manila University

Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall Auditorium

Katipunan, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Tentative Program

8:00 – 9:00              Registration

9:00 – 9:15              National Anthem

                               Invocation      

                               Welcome Remarks: Fr. Jose “ Jett” Villarin, S.J. (President, Ateneo de Manila  

                               University)

9:15 – 10:00            Keynote Paper: Bao Maohong, Ph.D. (Beijing University)

10:00 – 10:30              Seng Loh Kah: Kampong Fires, Cultures of Disaster and Historical Change in Singapore

10:30 – 11:00              Break

11:00 – 11:30              Rosalie Arcala Hall, Ph.D.: The Politics of Land/ Riverside Transformation: Batanes (Philippines) and Kali Code (Indonesia)

11:30 – 12:00              Cristina Lim, Ph.D.: Co-Management Approach to Environmental Pressure: The Case of Khiriwong, Thailand

12:00 – 12:30              Theresita Atienza, Ph.D.: Against All Odds: Khiriwong’s Creative Community

12:30 – 1:30                Lunch

1:30 – 2:00                  Valerie Pagasa P. Buenaventura: Uncommon Sense: The Global Governance of External Accountability in Foreign Aid for Disaster Management

2:00 – 2:30                  Hasan Parvizi: Locative Assessment of Industrial Estates in Urban Planning

2:30 – 3:00                  Eli Mihardja and Nik Norma Nik Hasan, Ph.D.: Environmental News Reporting in Indonesia and Malaysian Newspapers

3:00 – 4:00                  Break

4:00 – 4:30                  Rajendra Kumar Pandey, Ph.D.: Using Culture to Live with Nature: A Comparative Study of Cultural Practices in Managing Floods in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal

4:30 – 5:00                  Yen-ling Tsai: Sustainable Agriculture and New Ruralism in Taiwan

For more information: http://www.ateneo.edu/offices/acas/

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World Cities Summit 2012, 1-4 July

Event Date:	1 July, 2012 (Sunday) - 4 July, 2012 (Wednesday)
Event Time:
Venue:	Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands
Contact:	Ms Daphne Yeo
Email:	info@worldcities.com.sg
Website:	www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg

Business Environment Council is happy to be a supporting organization of the World Cities Summit that is jointly organized by the Centre for Liveable Cities and Urban Redevelopment Authority in Singapore.
Global Challenge

In the 21st century, cities worldwide will become the focal points of economic development, geopolitical competition and collaboration while balancing needs for long-term sustainability. With increasing population demands, cities will also become the centres of human habitat and cultural development.

However the challenges of developing and managing cities will grow increasingly complex. Integrated urban solutions will be needed to create optimised economic, environmental and social outcomes.

About World Cities SummitThe World Cities Summit (WCS) is a biennial summit focusing on cities. It is an exclusive and premier platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships. Held in conjunction with Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS), World Cities Summit 2012 is expected to attract around 15,000 government leaders, industry experts and business leaders from around the world.

For further details, please click here to download the brochure.

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