World Bank Report Released: Global Tracking Framework

Recently, the World Bank, a partnership established in 1944, that provides "financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world" released a report titled, Global Tracking Framework v. 3 No. 7789 (2013). According to the executive summary for the 289-page report, available here,

[t]he Global Tracking Framework described in this report provides an initial system for regular global reporting based on indicators that are both technically rigorous and feasible to compute from current global energy databases, and that offer scope for progressive improvement over time. Although the identification of suitable indicators required for the framework posed significant methodological challenges, those challenges were no more complex than those faced when attempting to measure other aspects of development—such as poverty, human health, or access to clean water and sanitation—where global progress has long been tracked. In all these aspects of development, a sustained effort of building analytical capability and data capacity has been required across most countries

EPA Report Released: 2013 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released its 2013 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide. The 96-page report available here, authored by the Office of Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) "updates the 2011 edition. Several new programs and initiatives were added and a few were eliminated. The names of some grant programs changed and several agencies consolidated programs or revised the descriptions of existing programs."

European Energy Agency Report Released: Annual European Union Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2011 and Inventory Report 2013

Recently, the European Environment Agency released a report titled, Annual European Union Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2011 and Inventory Report 2013 . According to the executive summary for the 1159-page document the report discusses the following:

[t]he European Union (EU), as a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reports annually on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories for the years 1990 to t-2 and within the area covered by its Member States (i.e. domestic emissions taking place within its territory).

The present inventory also constitutes the EU-15 submission under the Kyoto Protocol and covers information and data from Member States available until 15 May 2013. Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU-15 took on a common commitment to reduce emissions by 8 % between 2008 and 2012 compared to emissions in the 'base year' The EU-27 does not have a common target under the Kyoto Protocol in the same way as the EU-15.
The legal basis for the compilation of the EU inventory is Decision No. 280/2004/EC concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol.


 

Global Water System Project Releases Bonn Declaration on Global Water Security

Recently, the Global Water System Project (GWSP), a joint project of the
Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP) which focuses on research surrounging the Earth's water system, issued the Bonn Declaration on Global Water Security.  The text of the declaration is available here.

European Environment Agency Report Released: NEC Directive Status Report 2012

Recently, the European Energy Agency released a report titled, NEC Directive Status Report 2012. According to the executive summary for the 46-page document the report discusses the following:

[t]his report describes the most recent emission inventory information provided by the Member States of the European Union at the end of 2012 under Directive 2001/81/EC, the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) (EC, 2001).

The NECD requires all 27 Member States to report information annually concerning emissions for four important air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification and eutrophication of soil and surface water, and damage vegetation by exposure from tropospheric ozone resulting from these emissions. To help protect human health and the environment, the NECD sets pollutant-specific and legally binding emission ceilings for each of these pollutants and for each country, which were to be met by 2010 and in future years.

Previous editions of the report are available here:

• NEC Directive status report 2011
• NEC Directive status report 2010
• NEC Directive status report 2009
• NEC Directive status report 2008
• NEC Directive status report 2007
• NEC Directive status report 2006

 

Second Contemporary Challenges of International Environmental Law Conference Call for Papers

 
CALL FOR PAPERS

This is an opportunity for interdisciplinary academic debate among legal scholars and scientists from various disciplines addressing issues of environmental protection. The topics covered by the conference include, but are not limited to: Climate Change Air Pollution Protection of Oceans Access to Water Forests Biodiversity Sustainable Development Human Rights and Environment Protection of Environment in Armed Conflicts Environment and Indigenous Peoples Green Energy Waste Management International Trade and Environmental Protection Abstracts for papers and posters must be no longer that 350 words in length and should be submitted by Thursday, September 5, 2013 through email to CCIEL@pf.uni-lj.si. The submission must include the name and title of the author, position, name and address of the current institution of employment, and a short biography. Successful applicants will be informed by October 5, 2012. The authors selected for paper presentation at the conference will be expected to submit completed papers with maximum 8,000 words in length (including footnotes and bibliography) by Saturday, March 1, 2014. The papers presented at the conference will be published in a conference book. Travel and accommodation costs will have to be carried by the authors of the selected papers and poster presentations themselves. Please address any further enquiries to CCIEL@pf.uni-lj.si. Click here for more information.

 

George Mason Law & Economics Center Workshop on Environmental Economics for Law Professors

 

Click here for more information.