Event: First Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance [viewed]
The first Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance will take place on 28 May 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. The meeting is expected to address, among other issues: strategic perspectives on climate finance; financing and investment drivers for mitigation activities; and the provision of recommendations and conclusions. Four groups will further discuss: innovative approaches to climate finance; innovative approaches in providing finance for adaptation; the role of local investors in mobilizing climate finance; and tracking climate finance. The meeting is organized upon a request by the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCCC for the communication and continued exchange of information among bodies and entities dealing with climate change finance in order to promote linkages and coherence.
8 May 2013: The SEED Initiative has launched its 2013 SEED Awards, calling for entries from start-up entrepreneurs that aim to generate environmental, social and economic benefits at the local level, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, in developing countries, least developed countries (LDCs), or emerging economies.
6 May 2013: The European Commission adopted a green infrastructure strategy designed to: promote green infrastructure in the main policy areas; improve research and data, strengthen the knowledge base and promote innovative technologies; improve access to finance for green infrastructure projects; and support EU-level green infrastructure projects. 
9 May 2013: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are critical in creating smart sustainable cities and addressing climate change, according to participants at the Eighth International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change. Participants adopted a 'Turin Roadmap' that calls on ITU to promote smart technologies in cities and develop key performance indicators to assess ICTs impacts in cities and countries around the world.
8 May 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released an addendum to document FCCC/SB/2013/MISC.3, containing the views from three countries on issues related to activities described in paragraph 70 of decision 1/CP.16 (REDD+). The submissions are from Brazil, Japan and Malaysia. 
7 May 2013: The Fourth Petersberg Climate Dialogue on 'Shaping the Future' convened in Berlin, Germany, from 5-7 May 2013, to discuss how to enhance climate action domestically and make progress in the UN climate negotiations in advance of the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19), scheduled to take place in Warsaw, Poland, in November 2013.
17 April 2013: The World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has highlighted the Philippines as an example of a country committed to policy and institutional reform aimed at driving the country's energy transition, despite challenges.
1 May 2013: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) made a US$30 million equity investment in NSL Renewable Power Private Ltd. (NRPPL) for the construction of hydropower and wind power projects designed to generate 530 gigawatt-hours of electricity in India. The projects are expected to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 400,000 tons per annum after 2017.
April 2013: The UN Development Programme's (UNDP) Environment and Energy Group (EEG) has released a report, titled ‘Towards Transformational Change: UNDP's Work in Environment and Sustainable Development 2008-2012.' The publication features a collection of stories from around the world in four strategic areas: mainstreaming environment and energy; mobilizing environmental finance; promoting adaptation to climate change; and expanding access to environmental and energy services for the poor. 
