New Publication: Climate Change Policy and Subjective Well-Being

Climate Change Policy and Subjective Well-Being

by Felix FitzRoy, Jennifer Franz-Vasdeki, Elissaios Papyrakis

Environmental Policy and Governance
Volume 22, Issue 3, pages 205–216, May/June 2012

ABSTRACT
A small (but increasing) number of economists has recently started to recognize that the costs of climate change mitigation measured as reduced growth in GDP need not reduce welfare in view of the weak correlation between the two in richer economies, provided that mitigation and employment policies are properly combined. In this paper we sketch neglected links between these – now major – research areas and discuss how subjective well-being and employment could be raised in the medium term by cost-effective mitigation and green fiscal policy, in addition to the long-run benefits of greenhouse gas reductions. A ‘green new deal’ placing more emphasis on climate change mitigation and happiness (rather than GDP as the key proxy for welfare) could be the appropriate strategy in the current economic climate of austerity and worsening recession, while also initiating the large-scale mitigation investment for job creation that is so urgently needed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

GET PDF: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/doi/10.1002/eet.1581/pdf

For more details: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/doi/10.1002/eet.1581/abstract

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New Publication: Human Rights and the Environment co-authored UNEP and OHCHR

June 20, 2012

by Murray 

A new report released on June 20th, in conjunction with an event held at the Rio+20 Conference, co-authored by UNEPand the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), addresses human rights and the environment.

“This report addresses how human rights and the environment can play an integral, indivisible role in achieving sustainable development and equality of access to basic needs such as freshwater food and employment while demonstrating how environmental and human rights policies affect each other and can support each other in common cause,” said UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. ”Both the two themes for Rio+20 – the Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development – go to the heart of the current international debate on human rights and the environment,” he added. “Rio+20 is an opportunity to elevate environmental sustainability from the margins into the center of fundamental human values and human rights – not only for this generation but for those generations to come.”

“Efforts to encourage sustainable development must recognize the relationship between human rights and the environment and ensure their mutual benefits are realized,” said Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights. “Without integrating human rights and environmental protection, sustainable development and the green economy will not succeed.”

The report addresses a number of salient aspects of the role human rights plays in the institutional framework of sustainable development. Specifically, the report: (1) Highlights the relationship between human rights and the environment at the international, the regional, and national levels; (2) Integrates human rights and the environment in developing the green economy using green accounting. Recognizes substantive human rights that require sustainable development, procedural rights in the environmental context, and the rights of indigenous peoples; (3) Deconstructs the institutional framework, including the proliferation of institutions to address sustainable development and mechanism to provide international accountability of actions involving human rights and the environment; and (4) Demonstrates a way forward, addressing both barriers to rights-based approaches and the implementation of a rights-based approach to human rights and the environment within the context of sustainable development.

A pdf of the report is available here.

(Source of article: http://www.environmentalgovernance.org/featured/2012/06/human-rights-and-the-environment/ )

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Call for Papers: International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, 23-25 January 2013, Japan

The International Advisory Board is pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the Ninth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability and the call for submissions to the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability.  The Sustainability Conference will be held 23 – 25 January 2013 at the International Conference Center Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. http://onsustainability.com/conference-2013/

The plenary speakers for the 2013 Conference will include:
* Hideyuki Doi, Institute for Sustainable Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
* Rohit Jigyasu, Research Centre for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan;  ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness, Paris, France; and UNESCO Chair.
* Junko Edahiro, Japan for Sustainability and Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy and Society, Tokyo, Japan.

This interdisciplinary conference is for scholars, teachers, and practitioners from any professional discipline who share an interest in - and concern for – sustainability in an holistic perspective, where environmental, cultural, economic and social concerns intersect. Proposals are invited that address issues of sustainability through one of the following categories:

a) Environmental Sustainability
b) Cultural Sustainability
c) Economic Sustainability
d) Social Sustainability

Proposals for paper presentations, workshops, posters/exhibits, or colloquia are invited.  The current deadline for proposals is 8 August 2012 with the final deadline for late submissions being 11 November 2012. Full details of the conference, including an online proposal submission form, may be found at the conference website - http://onsustainability.com/conference-2013/

Presenters may also choose to submit written papers for publication in the fully refereed International reviewed International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability.  If you are unable to attend the conference in person, virtual registrations are also available which allow you to submit a paper for refereeing and possible publication, as well as access to the journal.

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New Book:Green Economy and Good Governance for Sustainable Development: Opportunities, Promises and Concerns

Green Economy and Good Governance for Sustainable Development: Opportunities, Promises and Concerns

Edited by Jose Antonio Puppim de Oliveira

PUBLICATION DATA

• ISBN-10: 92-808-1216-5
• ISBN-13: 978-92-808-1216-9
• LANGUAGE: English
• PAGES: 360
• PRICE: US$37.00
• PUBLISHER: United Nations University Press
• PUBLISHED: June 2012

Much of the debate on green growth and environmental governance tends to be general in nature, and is often conceptual or limited to single disciplines. Even though recent discussions on these topics have benefited from the accumulation of empirical and theoretical knowledge over the last few decades, these discussions have not produced the kind of conceptual novelty and tools necessary to place the notion of a green economy within mainstream political, social and economic agendas. Furthermore, discussions on governance remain mostly in the international sphere with merely tenuous talk on governance at the national and sub-national levels – the levels at which implementation is key. The contributors to this book present the gap that can emerge between intentions and results when green initiatives are put into practice, and highlight the lack of discussion on important topics such as equity. This book includes in-depth discussion on and analysis of specific issues, such as oceans, cities and biodiversity, in order to bring forth solutions that are politically legitimate, socially acceptable and economically viable.

Green Economy and Good Governance for Sustainable Developmenttakes stock of the achievements and obstacles towards sustainability over the last 20 years, and proposes new ideas and changes to create a more sustainable future. Students, academics and professionals interested in understanding the potential and limitations of the discussions on a green economy and good governance in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication are recommended to read this book.

For more details: http://unu.edu/publications/books/2010-2012/green-economy-and-good-governance-for-sustainable-development-opportunities-promises-and-concerns

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Sustainable Mobility Transition Seminar and Consultation, 28 June 2012, Hong Kong

Sustainable Mobility

Transition Seminar and Consultation

28 June 2012 (THURSDAY)

1:30-5:00pm

Room 303, 3/F., T.T. Tsui Building, Pokfulam

The University of Hong Kong

Jointly organized by Kadoorie Institute and the Initiative om Clean Energy and Environment

13:30 – 13:50 Registration

13:50 – 14:00 Welcome Speech

Prof. Peter Hills, Director and Chair Professor, Kadoorie Institute, HKU

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14:00 – 14:30 Managing Transitions towards Sustainable Mobility: The Way Forward

14:00 – 14:15 Prof. Victor O.K. Li, Chairman, Executive Committee, Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment; Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Academic-Industry Collaboration for Sustainability Transitions: The Way Forward

14:15 – 14:30 Prof. C.C. Chan, Founding President, World Electric Vehicle Association & Electric Vehicle Association of Asia Pacific; Founding Director, International Research Centre for Electric Vehicles; Honorary Professor, HKU

Global Outlook of EV Development and the Niche of Hong Kong

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14:30 – 15:45 EV Roadmap Setting

14:45 – 14:55 Dr. Wilton Fok, Assistant Dean (Knowledge Exchange) Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Visions, Goals and Strategies

14:55 – 15:05 Mr. Raymond Lo, Managing Director, Great Dragon Int. Corp. Ltd.

Marketing and Communication

15:05 – 15:15 Mr. Herman Fung, General Manager, Sino Parking

Charging Infrastructure

15:15 – 15:25 Mr. Lixin Situ, Associate Director, Hong Kong Automotive Parts & Accessory System R&D Centre

EV Technology

15:25 – 15:35 Mr. Korby Chen, Regional Manager (HK & Macau), BYD

Funding, Costing and Economics

15:35 – 15:50 Q&A

(1) What are the critical success factors for EV transition?

(2) What is the resistance to EV transition?

Moderator: Prof. Victor O.K. Li, Chairman, Executive Committee, Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment, Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Engineering, HKU

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15:50 – 16:00 Break (Tea and Coffee)

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16:00 – 17:00 Towards Sustainable Mobility: Visions and Policies

Venue: Room 303 & 403, T.T. Tsui Building, HKU

Group A: Civil Society (Room 403)

Moderator: Dr. Wilton Fok, Assistant Dean (Knowledge Exchange), Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Group B: Experts (Room 303)

Moderator: Dr. Jacqueline C.K. Lam, Postdoctoral Fellow, Kadoorie Institute;

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, HKU/ Dr. Lawrence Y.L. Cheung, Assistant Professor, CUHK

For more details: http://icee.hku.hk/activities/evsmt/index.htm

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第三屆海峽兩岸生物多樣性與森林保護文化研討會, 29-30 June, Taiwan

第三屆海峽兩岸生物多樣性與森林保護文化研討會免費開放參加

本校生物多樣性研究中心與森林環境資源系及園藝系主辦第三屆海峽兩岸生物多樣性與森林保護文化研討會，將於6月29~30日於本校森林系一樓演講廳舉行。大陸方面參加者包括來自復旦大學、廈門大學、華東師範大學、中科院城市環境研究所等學者專家，及國家林業局，福建省林業廳、環保廳、發改委等廳處長，地市林業局長，及武夷山與戴雲山二國家自然保護區管理局局處長等。台灣方面則有本校生農、生科兩院、臺師大、東海大學、龍華科技大學、台南科技大學等學者專家發表演講。研討會免費開放，歡迎參加。聯繫請電本校生物多樣性研究中心，3366-2121吳小姐。 For more details:  http://bc.zo.ntu.edu.tw/biodivctr/jsp/content.jsp?SlaveNo=20&NotifyNo=53

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3rd International Conference on "Forests and Water in a Changing Environment", 18-20 September 2012, Japan

3rd International Conference on "Forests and Water in a Changing Environment" (Combating Desertification Group)

Ecohydrologic science has tremendous value for maintaining, restoring, and enhancing water quality and supply. In order to provide a forum for experts from around the world on ecohydrology, restoration ecology, forest ecology, watershed management and global change sciences to share knowledge and research experiences, and develop long-term international collaborations on watershed research, The International Conference on Forest and Water in a Changing Environment has been held every three years since 2006.
At this 3rd conference, we will continue to discuss forest and water relations in a changing environmental in Fukuoka, the gateway city linking Japan to the rest of Asia.

• - DATE: 18-20 September, 2012
• - PLACE: FIT Hall, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan

• - Conference Website

  English

  http://www.forest.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~ecohydrol/3ForestWater/index.html

  Japanese

  http://www.forest.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~ecohydrol/3ForestWater/index-jp.html

  Chinese

  http://www.forest.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~ecohydrol/3ForestWater/index-cn.html

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Chinese Updates: Wen Urges Joint Efforts for Sustainable Development

Wen Urges Joint Efforts for Sustainable Development 2012-06-21 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday called on the international community to make joint efforts to promote sustainable development, and pledged that China is going to live up to its responsibilities as a major developing country on this issue. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 summit), which opened in Rio de jaeiro Wednesday. [Xinhua] "To jointly promote sustainable development, we should take a fair, just, open and inclusive approach," said Premier Wen at the three-day UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 summit), which opened in Rio de jaeiro Wednesday. He said that countries around the world should continue to work as partners, adhere to the Rio Principles, "especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities." He announced that China will contribute US$6 million to a UN Environment Program trust fund for projects and activities that help developing countries raise capacity for environmental protection. He also promised that China will make available 200 million yuan (US$31.7 million) for a three-year international project to help small island countries, least developed countries and African countries tackle climate change. Meanwhile, the premier said China is ready to live up to its responsibilities. "The more it develops, the more opportunities China will create and the more contribution it will make to the world," he said. China will help other developing countries raise capacity for environmental protection, ecological preservation and desertification control, Wen said. Noting that major progress has been made in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, Wen pointed out that the global process of sustainable development is "not balanced" as the gap between the North and the South is widening and resources and environment related issues remain acute. "Sustainable development faces new and grave challenges posed by the international financial crisis, climate change, energy and food security and local conflicts," Wen said, adding that "preserving resources and the environment to achieve sustainable development is the only choice we have." Creating "a green and prosperous world" should be "the ultimate goal we should pursue as we work together to advance the global process of sustainable development," the premier said. He proposed that to jointly promote sustainable development, the international community should explore effective models of growing green economy, he proposed. While there are no uniform standards or models for green economy, "green economy should be pursued according to the actual conditions of a country," he said. "We should pursue green economy as an effective way of promoting sustainable development in all countries and advancing global economic recovery," he said. The premier also proposed improving the mechanism of global governance to promote sustainable development, stressing that the United Nations should play a leading role in developing an effective institutional framework of sustainable development. "Its (the UN's) capacity for guidance, coordination and implementation should be enhanced so that it can better integrate the three pillars of economic growth, social progress and environmental protection," he said. He called for "a new type of partnership" for sustainable development with the participation of international agencies, governments and the public. He said promoting sustainable development is a great cause that will benefit both current and future generations and pledged that China will work with the international community to share opportunities and meet challenges. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also called on world leaders to give more attention to "global interest" as they strive to work for a sustainable future for planet Earth. "My message is clear: sustainable development is an idea whose time has come," the secretary-general told a press conference on Wednesday. "It is time to act as global leaders... We must be united for the global common good and united for humanity." "The challenge here in Rio is to bring that vision to life, not just with words, but through actions. Let us never forget that Rio+20 is about people," he added. More than 100 heads of state and government and over 40,000 representatives were attending the three-day summit, which aims to review the progress made since the 1992 Earth Summit, also held in Rio de Janeiro, and act urgently to promote sustainable development. For more info: http://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/media_news/201206/t20120621_232022.htm

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Korean Updates: Environment Minister attends ‘Rio+20’ and introduces green growth of Korea

Date: 2012.06.18

Minister of Environment Yoo Young-sook will attend the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20, which will take place June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and discuss about green economy for sustainable development.

The conference is the world’s biggest environmental event with the participation of heads of more than 190 countries along with leaders of civil, industrial and academic societies and stakeholders.

With President Lee Myung-bak heading Korea delegation, participants from the government including Minister of Environment Yoo Young-sook, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan and Minister of Strategy and Finance Bahk Jae-wan and representatives of industrial societies and NGOs will be attending the conference.

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Earth Summit in Rio, 1992, ‘Green Economy’ is selected as efficient measure for practical implementation of sustainable development
* Theme: ① Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication and ② Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development

Korea is planning to make ‘Rio+20’ an opportunity to expand and establish green growth to be an action-oriented measure for implementing green economy.

First of all, efforts to draw a statement, ‘the Future We Want’, to derive political agreement for enhancing the world to shift to green economy will be made.

Also, along with the President Lee’s keynote speech as head the head of delegation and high-level roundtable meeting (Environment Minister Yoo Young-sook), Korea’s green growth experience and success stories and green Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiative which can be a practical help to developing countries implementing green growth will be presented through different side events.

Green ODA initiative is to gradually increase the ODA to support developing countries and put more weight on green ODA by 2020.

In addition, Ministry of Environment and UNESCAP is co-organizing ‘High Level Policy Forum on Development of Framework for Green Economy’, held on June 19. Korea’s green consumption policy and green card system will be introduced as successful policy cases for implementing green economy while at the forum and discussion on global cooperation plan to expand and develop the policies will be made.

Presentations on green growth of Asia-Pacific region, green infrastructures, sustainable consumption and production and capacity development policy cases and ministerial panel discussion will be followed by Minister Yoo’s opening speech and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP’s welcome speech
Korea will also take part in holding high level forum on 21, and discuss detail plans to support developing countries to carry out environmental improvement and green growth.

A promotion center under the topic, ‘Green Growth for All’, will also be run June 13-23, to promote green card system, greenhouse gases trading and the four major rivers project.

Minister Yoo expects Rio+20 to be an important momentum for setting the common vision and paradigm, green economy and green growth, as ‘the Future We Want’.

For more info: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=10504&bbsCode=new_infocus&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=

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HK Updates: 粵港澳共同公布《共建優質生活圈專項規劃》

粵港澳共同公布《共建優質生活圈專項規劃》
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

　　香港環境局、廣東省住房和城鄉建設廳及澳門運輸工務司今日（六月二十五日）共同發布《共建優質生活圈專項規劃》（《專項規劃》），在環境生態、低碳發展、文化民生、優化區域土地利用及綠色交通組織等五個主要領域訂定長遠合作方向。

　　為落實《珠江三角洲地區改革發展規劃綱要（2008-2020年）》，三地政府於二○○九年十月共同開展《專項規劃》的編制工作，並於去年九月就《專項規劃》的初步建議，共同展開為期三個月的公眾諮詢。

　　環境局副局長潘潔博士說：「我們在公眾諮詢期間收到不少意見及建議，大部分均支持粵港澳三地共同編制《專項規劃》，並認同《專項規劃》提出的願景。回應者認為大珠三角地區有很大的合作空間及潛力，希望三地政府攜手，共同將大珠三角打造成宜居和可持續發展的區域。公眾意見經深入分析及歸納後已適當地納入《專項規劃》內。」

　　潘潔說：「《專項規劃》是首份粵港澳三地共同編制的區域性專項規劃，提出了共同將大珠三角地區打造成優質生活圈的願景，通過構建一個低碳、高科技、低污染的優質生活城市群，提升大珠三角地區的競爭力和吸引力。」

　　在粵港澳共同提升環境生態質量方面，《專項規劃》建議加強區域大氣污染物減排控制合作，粵港兩地將在落實《珠江三角洲地區空氣質素管理計劃（2002－2010年）》的基礎上，完成並公布2011至2020年香港及珠三角地區空氣污染物減排計劃；並會優化區域大氣監測網絡；以及探討控制大珠三角海域大氣污染，包括研究在大珠三角港口推動船舶泊岸轉用更清潔能源的措施。

　　《專項規劃》亦建議三地共同促進低碳發展，推進區域應對氣候變化的合作，包括在總結「清潔生產伙伴計劃」經驗的基礎上，研究進一步推動企業實行清潔生產的方向；促進環保產業發展，透過環保博覽會及貿易考察活動，為區內環保產業確立優越的品牌；與及支持新能源及再生能源發展，促進新能源與可再生能源產品的廣泛應用等。

　　潘潔表示：「為落實《專項規劃》所建議的具體措施和項目，粵港澳三地政府將會善用現有的粵港、粵澳合作聯席會議機制，將《專項規劃》提出的合作建議納入相關專責小組的議事日程積極考慮，並會根據實際情況協調推進落實合作建議，同時會按既定機制及程序進行項目審批及諮詢。在落實合作建議時，將會優先考慮推行共識較高的建議。一些具備合作基礎，或有延續性的建議，屆成熟時會陸續落實推行。 」

　　《專項規劃》及「《專項規劃》初步建議 － 公眾諮詢結果報告」現已上載環境保護署網站（www.epd.gov.hk），供市民參閱。

完

２０１２年６月２５日（星期一）
香港時間１４時３０分

For more info: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201206/25/P201206250261.htm

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New Book: Reforming Justice: A Journey to Fairness in Asia by Livingston Armytage

Reforming Justice: A Journey to Fairness in Asia

Livingston Armytage
The Centre for Judicial Studies and The University of Sydney

Hardback  (ISBN-13: 9781107013827) 
Published May 2012

'Reforming Justice' calls for justice to be repositioned more centrally in evolving notions of equitable development. Justice is fundamental to human well being and essential to development. Over the past fifty years, however, overseas development assistance - foreign aid - has grappled with the challenge of improving 'the rule of law' with underwhelming and often dismal results around the world. Development agencies have supported legal and judicial reforms in order to improve economic growth and good governance, but are yet to address mounting concerns about equity and distribution. Building on new evidence from Asia, Livingston Armytage argues that it is now time to realign the approach to promote justice as fairness and equity.

• Provides solutions to improve justice reform endeavor around the world
• Analysis of the philosophical justifications for reform exposes the pervasive influence of ideology in the justification of development
• Examines a substantial body of new evidence from Asia, an area which has hitherto been the subject of little scholarly analysis

For more info: http://www.cambridge.org/asia/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9781107013827

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International Conference on Biodiversity & Sustainable Energy Development, 14-15 September 2012, India

OMICS Group invites all the participants across the globe to attend the International Conference on Biodiversity & Sustainable Energy Development during September 14–15, 2012 at Hyderabad, India. Biodiversity-2012 paves a path to move towards the nature respecting the beautiful lives comprising the diversity. The conference states a call to the scientific community to take the Social responsibility saving the Mother Nature and providing a ground to explore the survival opportunities by sharing thoughts through scientific research and applying them into social life. Biodiversity-2012 shares the opportunity to bring together researchers from academia and corporate, activists, ecosocial organizations and NGOs to foster collaborations through the research talks & presentations to put forward many thought provoking strategies sharing the common agenda of Biodiversity Conservation.

Conference highlights the following topics:

• Ecosystem and Ecography    • Origin of Species and Evolution    • Biodiversity, Energy Systems and Environmental Sustainability    • Plant Pathology and Microbiology    • Biofertilizers and Biopesticides   • Linking Hydrology and Biodiversity    • Biodegradation and Bioremediation for Conservation    • Biodiversity in Earth Science and Climate Change   • Biogeochemical Cycles and Food Webs • Sustainable Energies and their Development • Governance for Sustainable Development • Biothreats and Biosecurity • Current Issues and Measures For more info: http://www.omicsonline.org/biodiversity2012/index.php

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The 4th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health: Sustaining Ecosystems, Supporting Health, 15 - 18 October 2012, China

The 4th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health: Sustaining Ecosystems, Supporting Health 

15th   to  18th October 2012
Kunming City, Yunnan, China

EcoHealth 2012 is for experts, practitioners, health leaders, policy makers, stakeholders & students globally who are interested in transdisciplinary approaches to health research conducted at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.

Organized by: International Association for Ecology and Health


Website: http://www.ecohealth2012.org/Default.aspx 

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2012 International Forum on Social Responsibility of Social Fairness and Management Education,June 29 to July 2 2012, Taiwan

2012 International Forum on Social Responsibility of Social Fairness and Management Education

Date: 2012/07/02

By: Taiwan Social Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society, Social Enterprise Research Center

Date: June 29 to July 2, 2012
Sponsors: Taiwan Social Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society,SocialEnterpriseResearchCenter

Information:
The number of disadvantaged persons has grown exponentially and their condition worsened due to globalization and government aid to technology or other large enterprises. Hence, the Taiwan Social Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society will host the “2012 International Forum on Social Responsibility of Social Fairness and Management Education,” to promote a new type of corporation that promotes social values in additional to business profits.


研討主題
環境變遷與社會公義
社會創業對社會弱勢
社會產品創新與社會市場經營
企業社會責任(CSR)與管理教育省思
NPO事業與社會公義
社會公義與綠色科技
社區或社群經濟與文化創意
社會志工與服務學習
宗教與組織靈性(spirituality)
其他與社會公義相關之議題


Location: Cardinal Tien Cultural Foundation (4/F, No.22, Sec.1, Hsin Hai Rd., Taipei).

Link: http://www.seinsights.asia/news/132/427

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GARC Public Forum - Hong Kong’s Governance: Retrospect and Prospect, 30 June 2012

SynergyNet and Governance in Asia Research Centre of City University of Hong Kong are going to co-host a public forum for discussing the retrospect and prospect HKSAR’s governance. Details are as follows:

Date: 30 June 2012 (Saturday)

Time:  2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Place:  SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre, City University of Hong Kong (Room UR8, 8/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong)

Language: Cantonese and English (Cantonese-English Simultaneous Interpretation provided)

Enquiry and Registration: Mr Sze  tel: 2377 3117 or  Mr Lau  tel: 2377 1002

Email: office@synergynet.org.hk

  

Website and Online Registration:

http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/garc/events_detail.asp?id=136

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New Book: Gender, Development and Environmental Governance Theorizing Connections by Seema Arora-Jonsson

Gender, Development and Environmental Governance
Theorizing Connections
By Seema Arora-Jonsson



To Be Published 16th July 2012 by Routledge – 288 pages

A major challenge in studies of environmental governance is dealing with the diversity of the people involved at multiple levels – villagers, development agents, policy-makers, private resource users and others – and taking seriously their aspirations, conflicts and collaborations. This book examines this challenge in two very disparate parts of our world, exploring what gender-equality, resource management and development mean in real terms for its inhabitants as well as for our environmental futures.

Based on participatory research and in-depth fieldwork, Arora-Jonsson studies struggles for local forest management, the making of women’s groups within them and how the women’s groups became a threat to mainstream institutions. Insights from India, consistently ranked as one of the most gender-biased countries, are compared with similar situations in the ostensibly gender-equal Sweden. Arora-Jonsson also analyzes how dominant ideas about the environment, development and gender equality shape the spaces in which women and men take action through global discourses and grassroots activism.

Questioning the conventional belief that development brings about greater gender equality and more efficient environmental management, this volume scrutinizes how environmental imaginations are key to crafting gender relations. It shows gender to be at the heart of environmental negotiations while at the same time making a case for environmental sensibilities as integral to gender relations. At the confluence of development, environmental and gender studies, the book contributes to a much-needed dialogue between these fields, proposing new futures in environmental management.

For more info: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415890373/

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New Publication: Ideas for a Sustainable Development Outlook by Laguna-Celis, Jorge.

Ideas for a Sustainable Development Outlook

Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2012-05-15 09:40

 

Author(s):     

Laguna-Celis, Jorge.

 

 

Reference:     

Ideas for a Sustainable Development Outlook. Earth System Governance Working Paper, No.24 2012.

 

 

Type:     

working papers

     
  

Abstract:

The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability recently recommended a Global Sustainable Development Outlook (SD-Outlook) in addition to other science-related initiatives, such as the appointment of a chief scientific adviser and the inclusion of representatives of the scientific community in relevant national bodies dealing with sustainable development. As a response, Mexico proposed the establishment of an integrated and scientifically credible global sustainable development assessment to support decision-making processes at all levels, to assist member states in identifying policy options to speed up the achievement of the sustainable development goals and to inform, including through an agreed summary for policy makers, the high-level discussions of the forum responsible of following the Sustainable Development agenda. This paper’s intention is to shed some ideas on this proposal. An SD-Outlook might be a valuable addition to the sustainable development institutional arrangements. However, for such a report to go beyond the shelves of ministerial offices around the world, the SD-Outlook will have to add value to an already crowded landscape. It should: First, avoid overlapping the existing assessment landscape; second, be build around a legitimate and policy-relevant process; third, influence global, regional and national implementation; fourth, use existing structures; and fifth, it should include incentives and support mechanisms for data collection.

       

File Link(s):

 ESG-WorkingPaper-24_Lauguna-Celis.pdf

For more info:  http://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/publication/laguna-celis-jorge-ideas-sustainable-development-outlook

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4th International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP2012), 24-25 July 2012, Japan

ISAP2012, under the umbrella theme of "Steering towards a sustainable and resilient future", will be convened focusing on four timely issues - follow-up to Rio+20, climate change, resilience, and green economy. ISAP2012 will also serve as a platform to introduce new publications - the fifth Global Environmental Outlook (UNEP/GEO5); Global Outlook on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Policies; and the fourth IGES White Paper entitled "Greening Governance in Asia-Pacific".

Basic Information

• Date: 24-25 July 2012 (Tue/Wed)>>Special Pre-event: Japan-India Symposium on 23 July (Mon.)
• Venue: PACIFICO YOKOHAMA, Conference Center 5F (1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan)
• Languages: Japanese and English with simultaneous interpretation
• Capacity: 300 per day
• Fee: Free of charge

Organisers

Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)

Collaborators

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Supporters

Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Hyogo Prefectural Government, City of Kitakyushu, City of Yokohama, City of Kawasaki, Yokohama City University GCI (Global Cooperation Institute for Sustainable Cities), Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance, Yokohama National University, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Nikkei Inc., Nikkei BP Cleantech Institute

Contact

ISAP Secretariat

Tel. +81-3-3524-3134
Fax. +81-3-3524-3135
E-mail: isap2012@simul.co.jp

 

 

For further details: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/news/event/isap2012/index.html

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New Publication: Environmental governance and its implications for conservation practice

Environmental governance and its implications for conservation practice

1. Derek Armitage,
2. Rob de Loë,
3. Ryan Plummer

Article first published online: 24 APR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00238.x

Copyright and Photocopying: ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Issue

Abstract

Governments are no longer the most important source of decision making in the environmental field. Instead, new actors are playing critical decision-making roles, and new mechanisms and forums for decision making are becoming important (e.g., in some contexts regulation is being supplemented or replaced by markets and cooperative arrangements). New ways of governing in relation to the environment have important implications for the practice of conservation. Greater awareness of key ideas and concepts of environmental governance can help conservation managers and scientists participate more effectively in governance processes. Understanding how conservation practice is influenced by emergent hybrid and network governance arrangements is particularly important. This short review explores key environmental governance concepts relevant to the practice of conservation, with specific reference to institutional fit and scale; adaptiveness, flexibility and learning; the coproduction of knowledge from diverse sources; the emergence of new actors and their roles in governance; and changing expectations about accountability and legitimacy. Case-based examples highlight key directions in environmental governance.

 

 

For full text and more info: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00238.x/full#abstract

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New Book: Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management by Measham, Thomas., Stewart Lockie

Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management

Author(s):Measham, Thomas., Stewart Lockie (editors).

Reference:Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management. CSIRO Publishing. 2012.

Type:Books

Abstract:

Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management marks a timely contribution, given that environmental management is no longer just about protecting pristine ecosystems and endangered species from anthropogenic harm; it is about calculating and managing the risks to human communities of rapid environmental and technological change. Firstly, the book provides a solid foundation of the social theory underpinning the nature of risk, then presents a re-thinking of key concepts and methods in order to take more seriously the biophysical embeddedness of human society. Secondly, it presents a rich set of case studies from Australia and around the world, drawing on the latest applied research conducted by leading research institutions. In so doing, the book identifies the tensions that arise from decision-making over risk and uncertainty in a contested policy environment, and provides crucial insights for addressing on-ground problems in an integrated way.

For more info: http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6581.htm

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New Publication: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GREEN GROWTH IN CHINA by Wanxin Li and Duoduo Li

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GREEN GROWTH IN CHINA

Wanxin Li, Duoduo Li
Article first published online: 18 JUN 2012

DOI: 10.1002/pad.1626

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Public Administration and Development
Special Issue: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE ROLE OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Volume 32, Issue 3, pages 324–334, August 2012




SUMMARY
Environmental information transparency performs social and learning functions indispensable for green growth. Still facing the challenges of a lack of local commitment and less than optimal institutional capacity, there is no doubt that China has made substantial progress on granting and enforcing public right to environmental information. This will help build the social infrastructure necessary for green growth — the rule of law, trust, social organizing, consensus building, social learning, and collective action. A focused approach is desirable because resources and capacity are limited in China — targeting pollutants and sectors that exert the most environmental and health risks as well as those that need technological upgrade most urgently. Then, in the long run, environmental information transparency serves the fundamental goals of ‘good public policy and legitimate governmental decision-making’ on environment-related issues in China, in line with both the green growth framework and the long-term development goal of constructing a harmonious society in China. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (192K)

For more further info: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pad.1626/abstract

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