Arctic Biodiversity Assessment Report Underscores Significance of Climate Change [viewed]
15 May 2013: The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) report, released at the Arctic Council Ministerial, emphasizes that climate change is the most significant driver in overall Arctic biodiversity change, and that it exacerbates other threats to Arctic biodiversity. Released by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council, the report also calls for an ecosystem-based approach to management, and recommends integrating biodiversity into other policy fields.
14 May 2013: According to a series of studies that the European Environment Agency (EEA) undertook on the potential for fiscal reform in Spain, Italy, Ireland and Portugal - EU countries affected by the current economic crisis - environmental taxes can achieve environmental objectives while raising revenues and they have a "less negative effect on GDP compared to other types of taxes, such as direct taxes."
9 May 2013: The first SIDS DOCK Pacific Regional Meeting reviewed the current work of the first phase of the SIDS DOCK Support Programme and discussed its next phase. SIDS DOCK is an initiative developed by small island developing States (SIDS) for SIDS to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and contribute towards sustainable development with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.
16 May 2013: The Adaptation Fund is calling for public comments on concepts and proposals from seven countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The project concepts and proposals will be considered at the 21st meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) to be held in Bonn, Germany, from 1-4 July 2013.
15 May 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a report that synthesizes the views presented by parties and organizations on experiences with the application of the guidelines for the national adaptation plan (NAP) process in the Least Developed Country (LDCs) parties (FCCC/SBI/2013/9). 
15 May 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a report submitted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) (FCCC/CP/2013/INF.8) containing information on the resource status approved for non-Annex I Parties to prepare biennial update reports (BUR). 
15 May 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released an information document on financial support provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the preparation of national communications by non-Annex I Parties (FCCC/SBI/2013/INF.7). 
14 May 2013: The EU has reported that it has surpassed its fast start finance pledge to developing countries by providing over €7.3 billion (approximately US$9.5 billion) of climate finance.
May 2013: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN has announced the winner of the Nurture Forests for the Future – REDD+ for Food photo contest. FAO, as part of the UN-REDD Programme, held the contest to create awareness on the links between food security and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+).
26 April 2013: The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released a brief that outlines CIFOR's perspective on the state of REDD+ policy networks in Indonesia, noting that REDD+ has successfully been adopted and promoted in Indonesia, with the intention of improving forest governance.
