Download Climate Change News 25 February 12

Climate change in the news Issue 25 – 8th February, 2012
Recent Agriculture & Forestry Articles/ Publications
1. Climate Smart Agriculture
2. Forests and climate change adaptation – policy brief and meeting report
3. SPC, CTA Convene Pacific Workshop on Web 2.0 for Agriculture and Development
REDD+
1. UN-REDD Newsletter Highlights Launch of New Publications on Gender, Green Economy
and Asia-Pacific
2. UN-REDD Launches Multiple Benefits Mapping Toolbox
General
1. What Next for Agriculture After Durban?
2. New Book: Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture
3. USAID's new Climate Change and Development Strategy
4. SPREP Issues First Fact Sheet on Building MEA Capacity in PICs
5. PIFS Releases Pacific Plan 2011 Annual Progress Report
6. How to think about climate compatible development
Opportunities and Events
1. Grants for open applications development
2. INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE: Germanwatch poster contest on "Climate Justice"; Deadline
15 February 2012
3. Apps For Climate competition
4. The Center for Sustainable Development
Climate Smart Agriculture
A glance at global mitigation potentials shows that changes in agriculture and land use, including
deforestation in tropical areas, currently account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
FAO figures reveal that 70% of the agricultural mitigation potential can be realized in developing
countries.
However, globally, three-quarters of all malnourished people depend on agriculture and would be
directly affected by international mitigation agreements aimed at agriculture.
Against this background, MISEREOR would like to share two new papers with you. They examine
whether the so called climate smart agriculture solutions No-Till and Biochar actually lead to climatefriendly and equitable agriculture with a clear commitment to a pro-poor approach.
They show that their potential to sequester carbon are far overestimated while at the same time,
their potential to ensure food security and sustainable development is rather low or, regarding
biochar, even contra productive.
No-till agriculture – a climate smart solution?
By Andreas Gattinger, Julia Jawtusch,
Adrian Muller, Paul Mäder, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
(FiBL)
http://www.misereor.de/fileadmin/redaktion/MISEREOR_no%20till.pdf
Biochar – a climate smart solution?
By Almuth Ernsting, Biofuelwatch
http://www.misereor.de/fileadmin/redaktion/Report1_Biochar_111122.pdf
Forests and climate change adaptation - policy brief and
meeting report
The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, RECOFTC - The Centre for People and Forests, and
UNEP recently held a meeting on forests and climate change adaptation in Asia to identify priority
forest-based climate change adaptation measures and discuss how these can be implemented.
A policy brief on forests and climate change adaptation, based on information shared during the
meeting, is available here:
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/rap/files/NRE/Forests_and_climate_change_adaptation_i
n_Asia.pdf
The meeting report and presentations are available here:
http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/forestry-adaptation
SPC, CTA Convene Pacific Workshop on Web 2.0 for
Agriculture and Development
7 December 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) have convened
a workshop on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and
information and knowledge management (IKM) for agriculture and development.
The workshop was convened in partnership with the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural
Cooperation (CTA) in Suva, Fiji.
The collaboration between SPC and CTA aims to better serve the changing information needs of
Pacific stakeholders in the agriculture and rural development sectors. According to SPC, Web 2.0
technologies empower people to become aware of the impacts of climate change and other issues.
The workshop discussed opportunities offered by social media, as well as the challenges of using it.
[SPC Press Release]
UN-REDD Newsletter Highlights Launch of New Publications
on Gender, Green Economy and Asia-Pacific
18 January 2012: The UN-REDD Programme has released its
first newsletter of 2012, highlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo's new national forest
monitoring system, which was launched at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the
UNFCCC (COP 17), as well as updates on Mongolia’s REDD+ roadmap and details on three new
publications recently released by the Programme.
The newsletter reports on recent activities and publications related to REDD+ (reducing emissions
from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of
forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries). The publication
highlights the release by the UN-REDD Programme of a new publication on mainstreaming gender in
REDD+, a publication on lessons learned from Asia-Pacific partner countries, and a new policy brief
on REDD+ and the Green Economy. It also highlights the release of multiple benefits mapping
toolbox and the launch of an Asian-Pacific Listserv "GO-REDD+" that disseminates region-specific
information on REDD+.
It further notes that seven new countries (Benin, Cameroon, Chile, Ghana, Myanmar, South Sudan
and Suriname) have joined as new partners to the Programme. [Publication: UN-REDD Newsletter January 2012]
UN-REDD Launches Multiple Benefits Mapping
Toolbox
6 January 2012: The UN Environment Programme-World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has
developed an ArcGIS toolbox for multiple benefits analyses
under reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation,
sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing
countries (REDD+).
These analysis tools help identify, map and understand the spatial relationship among ecosystem
carbon stocks, other ecosystem services, biodiversity, land use and pressures on natural resources.
The development of the toolbox was funded by the UN-REDD Programme and the German
Environment Ministry (BMU) through its Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). [UN-REDD
Press Release] [REDD Multiple Benefits Mapping Toolbox]
What Next for Agriculture After Durban?
J. R. Beddington, 1 * M. Asaduzzaman, 2 M. E. Clark, 3 A. Fernández Bremauntz, 4 M. D. Guillou, 5
D. J. B. Howlett, 6 M. M. Jahn, 7 E. Lin, 8 T. Mamo, 9 C. Negra, 10 C. A. Nobre, 11 R. J. Scholes, 12
N. Van Bo, 13 J. Wakhungu 14
Summary
Global agriculture must produce more food to feed a growing population. Yet scientific assessments
point to climate change as a growing threat to agricultural yields and food security (1–4). Recent
droughts and floods in the Horn of Africa, Russia, Pakistan, and Australia affected food production
and prices. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that the frequency of such
extreme weather events will increase (5), which, when combined with poverty, weak governance,
conflict, and poor market access, can result in hunger and famine. At the same time, agriculture
exacerbates climate change when greenhouse gases (GHGs) are released by land clearing,
inappropriate fertilizer use, and other practices (6).
Read the Full Text
New Book: Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new edited volume: Climate Change Mitigation and
Agriculture (http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/books/details/9781849713931/)
This book reviews the state of agricultural climate change mitigation globally, with a focus on
identifying the feasibility, opportunities and challenges for achieving mitigation among smallholder
farmers. The purpose is ultimately to accelerate efforts towards mitigating land-based climate
change. While much attention has been focused on forestry for its reputed cost-effectiveness, the
agricultural sector contributes about ten to twelve per cent of emissions and has a large technical
and economic potential for reducing greenhouse gases. The book does not dwell on the science of
emissions reduction, as this is well covered elsewhere; rather, it focuses on the design and practical
implementation of mitigation activities through changing farming systems.
Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture includes chapters about experiences in developed
countries, such as Canada and Australia, where these efforts also have lessons for mitigation options
for smallholders in poorer nations, as well as industrialising countries such as Brazil and China. A
wide range of agroecological zones and of aspects or types of farming, including livestock, crops,
fertilizer use and agroforestry, as well as economics and finance, is included. The volume presents a
synthesis of current knowledge and research activities on this emerging subject. Together the
chapters capture an exciting period in the development of land-based climate change mitigation as
attention is increasingly focused on agriculture's role in contributing to climate change.
USAID's new Climate Change and Development Strategy
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently released a new 5-year Climate
Change and Development Strategy
(http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/policy_planning_and_learning/documents/GCCS.pdf) and a onepage summary (http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/climate/docs/GCC_Strategy_OnePager.pdf). We are very excited to be launching this strategy as a great start to 2012.
SPREP Issues First Fact Sheet on Building MEA Capacity in
PICs
January 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
(SPREP) has issued the first fact sheet in a series titled "Building MEA Capacity
for Pacific Island Countries." The document is part of an EU project on “Capacity
Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) Countries”.
The fact sheet describes pre-Conference of the Parties (COP) trainings conducted by SPREP for
Pacific Island Countries (PICs) participants in preparation for tenth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and 10th session of the Conference
of the Parties (COP 10) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Participants were
given both media skills and negotiation skills training using the Pacific negotiators Handbook “Taking
the Floor”, and developed a Communications Strategy and a Pacific Islands Brief.
The fact sheet also reports on the assistance provided by SPREP to Kiribati in developing national
action plans for climate change, biodiversity conservation, waste, energy, agriculture and water in
relation to MEA implementation.
The fact sheet is targeted to the 15 Pacific ACP countries: the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States
of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. [Publication: Building MEA Capacity in
Pacific Island Countries Fact Sheet 1]
PIFS Releases Pacific Plan 2011 Annual Progress Report
21 December 2011: The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat
(PIFS) has released the 2011 Pacific Plan Annual Progress
Report and Reporting Annex. The report, available in
English and French, provides an update of work undertaken over the last 12 months to implement
the Pacific Plan, and highlights work underway by Forum members including on climate change,
trade integration, fisheries and better coordination of aid.
According to PIFS Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade, the report “is part of the process of
ensuring transparency around the implementation of the Pacific Plan." [PIFS Press Release]
[Publication: 2011 Pacific Plan Annual Progress Report]
How to think about climate compatible development
I’d like to introduce you to our new video presentation. It explores why climate compatible
development is needed and how CDKN is working to help developing countries achieve integrated
approaches to adaptation, mitigation and development.
This video presentation looks at:
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Why we need climate compatible development
What climate compatible development looks like in different developing contexts
How CDKN is supporting governments in developing countries to deliver climate compatible,
sustainable growth
How CDKN can be your source for information and practical advice on the design and
delivery of climate compatible development
You can access the video presentation here
Grants for open applications development
Call for Proposals
The IDS Knowledge Services Open Application Programming Interface (API) provides
easy programmatic access to tens of thousands of thematically organised resources, primarily
academic research, on development issues that are freely available online.
IDS Knowledge Services invites your organisation to apply for a small technical grant. These grants
are available to application developers in developing countries wishing to use information and
communication technologies to repurpose, and contextualise research on development issues and
so inform evidence based policy making.
Individual grant maximum: GBP £3000
Implementation period: 5 weeks
Application deadline: 13 February 2012
We are currently offering two types of grant:
1) Plug in grants
These grants are allocated to design and build plug-ins/modules/add ons to existing content
management systems and web platforms. The plug-ins will import or display a user defined selection
of data from the KS data sets. There are two grants currently available, for developing a Wordpress
plug-in and an HTML embeddable "widget".
2)
Innovation grants
These grants are allocated to design and build applications or services that use innovative ways of
combining data and information from different sources, to create new tools, applications and
systems which are useful, meaningful and relevant for informing development policy and practice.
Preference will be given to proposals that focus on the programme’s key thematic or technological
areas, as follows:
THEMES
•
Climate Change
•
Food and Agriculture
•
Health
•
Governance
•
Gender
TECHNOLOGY
•
Mobile
•
Mapping
•
Applications supporting people in areas of limited connectivity
Full details can be found in the attached documents, or online
http://api.ids.ac.uk/about/grants.shtml
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE: Germanwatch poster contest
on "Climate Justice"; Deadline 15 February 2012
Poster Contest: Climate Justice
Germanwatch calls for a poster contest presenting prizes for the most original, artistically high
qualitative and meaningful poster on climate justice. The three winners will be awarded total prize
money of 1800€. Closing date is the 15 February 2012.
The poster contest shall call the attention of a wider public to the subject of climate justice in the
context of international cooperation. A special emphasis will be put on opportunities of action.
Possible contents could be the following topics:
- Adaptation to the impacts of climate change in developing countries;
- Climate protection as a contribution to global justice;
- People responsible and people affected by climate change;
- Climate protection as a future opportunity for developing countries;
- International climate financing;
- International coalitions for an ambitious climate policy.
- Three Pillars of Climate Justice (right to survival, effort/burden sharing, opportunity sharing)
Participants:
The announcement is directed primarily at students and young professionals in performing arts. But
anyone who is interested in climate and development policy can participate.
Implementation:
There are no regulations about the methodological implementation; however, the proposals should
refer explicitly to climate change in the development context. As part of the poster, it is
recommended to add not only a slogan, but also a brief text in German or English explaining the
topic. The target format is A2 to A1.
Use of the designs:
The objective is to use the three winner posters for the education and information work of
Germanwatch, for example in the run-up to the Rio +20 Summit,
The printing and distribution of at least 500 copies is planned. Submissions can be made in German
or English.
Prize money:
1st place: 1.000, - € | 2nd place: 500, - € | 3rd place: 300, - €
Closing date: 15 February 2012
Submission with complete application form to: [email protected] (preferably e.g. as pdf file)
or alternatively by post to:
Germanwatch, keyword “Poster Contest”, Kaiserstr. 201, 53113 Bonn.
By participating in the competition, the participants agree with the terms of competition.
More information can be found shortly at: http://www.germanwatch.org/zeitung/2011-4-postere.htm
Apps For Climate competition
We wish to invite you to participate in the World Bank's Apps For Climate competition. The World
Bank launched Apps For Climate at Durban as part of its Open Climate Data Initiative, which aims
to make it easier to access and use climate information from various sources, including the Bank's
open data catalogue. The competition encourages scientists, software developers, development
practitioners and others to create applications (for instance, websites, mobile apps, Facebook apps,
etc) that leverage open data to help address climate challenges in some way.
Apps For Climate is open to individuals, teams, and organizations. Winners will receive cash prizes
(first prize is $15,000 USD) and have their application featured by the World Bank. The submission
deadline is March 16th, 2012, and winners will be announced in June.
If you or your colleagues are interested, we would appreciate your help in spreading the word!
Please don't hesitate to contact Tim Herzog, Open Data Specialist, World Bank Group
[email protected]; +1 (202) 473-1701 for any further enquiries.
More information, including criteria, official rules, and updates is available at
http://worldbank.org/appsforclimate or on Twitter at #app4climate. A schedule of upcoming
informational events will be posted soon.
CSDi is launching a winter quarter diploma of four online field courses on Community Based
Adaptation to Climate Change.
These courses begin by introducing basic climate change concepts, and develop as participants
identify local community vulnerabilities, investigate solutions, develop full projects, launch and
manage them.
CSDi provides the following course/continuing learning resources
All learning resources and course materials are freely downloadable from the course site and
include:
 200 manuals & field guides of development activities
 300 Community Based Adaptation for Climate Change field activities
 Community-based training guides for 150 development activities
 Scholarship opportunities for citizens of developing nations
Online course participants are using our courses to develop on-the-ground projects with real
communities; students from 113 different countries and 320 organizations have developed projects.
Course Outputs. Students produce and circulate activity and outcome documents on their field
projects with colleagues, donors, and North/South project partners. These include project
management documents, proposals, and case studies.
To learn more about these Community Based Adaptation field projects, the students, the projects
they developed, and about their communities, be sure and read our CBA Newsletter and our
compilation of mainstreamed 'Adaptation/Island/Water/Forest' projects from 2011.
DIPLOMA MODULE 340: ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
OL 341. Adapting to Climate Change 1: Designing & Funding Community-Based Adaptation
Projects.
January 10 - March 5, 2012.
Gain an insight into contemporary methods of developing community-based, sustainable,
impact-oriented projects.
OL 342. Adapting to Climate Change 2: Planning for Impact.
March 14—May 1, 2012.
Imbed impact into your adaptation project design with a powerful set of management tools.
OL 343. Adapting to Climate Change 3: The Community Focus.
May 8—July 2, 2012.
What does adaptation mean at the community level? What practical tools are available
today for communities to use in adaptation?
OL 344. Adapting to Climate Change 4: Sustainable Implementation.
July 10—August 20, 2012.
How do you launch and implement a community-centered adaptation project?
Complete information and course syllabi:
http://www.csd-i.org/adapting-overview/
Who should participate? Course participants are of all different ages, genders and professions—and
have included Northern and Southern staff from INGOs, field staff from in-country NGOs, donors,
executive directors, students, scientists, consultants and people who would like to transition into
development work.
Questions? Please contact:
[email protected]