Publications
Climate change has severe adverse effects on the livelihood of millions of the world’s poorest people. Increasing temperatures, water scarcity and droughts, flooding and storms affect food security. Thus, mitigation actions are needed to pave the way for a sustainable future for all. Currently, agriculture directly contributes about 10-15 percent to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions....
Environmental injustice—in the form of limited access to and control of natural capital—negatively impacts the livelihoods and security of rural households in Tajikistan.1 Its primary victims are impoverished households, especially those headed by single women, living in Gorno-Badakhshan, and/or engaged in cotton farming (see figure 10.1). Moreover, the country’s governance structures and...
This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (gray WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in...
The guidebook has synthesized relevant material from IPCC, UN reports and other documentation on emerging issues on environment, climate change and development. It is written in a style suitable for policymakers and practitioners and provides guidance and practical advice on how to address climate change issues in the development and implementation of actions leading to sustainable development....
This paper traces the progressive shift at the international level from purely voluntary approaches (corporate social responsibility or CSR) towards accountability mechanisms to ensure the environmentally sound conduct of private entities. It examines whether the most recent international discussion on human rights and corporate accountability have adequately considered environmental protection...
Although developing countries are called to participate in CO2emission reduction efforts to avoid dangerous climate change, the implications of proposed reduction schemes in human development standards of developing countries remain a matter of debate. We show the existence of a positive and time-dependent correlation between the Human Development Index (HDI) and per capita CO2 emissions...
This new IEA Information Paper outlines a "Policy Strategy for Carbon Capture and Storage". Successful deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is critically dependent on comprehensive policy support. While policy plays an important role in the deployment of many low-carbon technologies, it is especially crucial for CCS. This is because, in contrast to renewable energy or applications of...
This report begins with brief descriptions of North America’s major mountain ranges. Next, it explores some of the critical issues they face. The 11 themes discussed are:waterglaciersmineralsbiodiversityclimate changeencroachment/wildland-urban interfaceconservation/protected areasrecreation/ecotourismmountain eventsmineral extractionpoverty/wealth discrepanciesFinally, the report highlights...
The present synthesis report is part of the APN’s larger aim to contribute, from the science perspective, to the development of policy options for appropriate responses to climate vulnerability and impacts, including adaptation and mitigation, which in turn will contribute to sustainable development. The timing of this publication also leads into three major activities of the “Planet Under...
The countries Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are facing the worst food crisis of the 21st century as a result of devastating droughts. The crisis is causing starvation and leading to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation for over 12 million people. Not only are the direct drought effects endured now by the population, but they have weakened response capacity and created...