9 May 2013: The UNFCCC Secretariat has released a report that provides an overview of progress made under the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (NWP) since the 37th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 37).
9 May 2013: Observed concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached the 400 parts per million (ppm) threshold at several stations of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch network.
The Russian Federation has set as the objective of its 2013 Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20): developing a set of measures aimed at boosting sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth and jobs creation around the world. The G20 will look at eight areas in particular in 2013: framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth; jobs and employment; international financial architecture reform; strengthening financial regulation; energy sustainability; development for all; enhancing multilateral trade; and fighting corruption. The G20 brings together finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the US - plus the EU. The G20 Leaders Summit in September 2013 is preceded by a series of outreach events organized in five streams: think tanks; business; labour; civil society and youth.
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 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report, titled 'Green Economy and Trade: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,' which argues that an increase in trade in environmental goods and services and certified products can stimulate the transition to a green economy, while such a transition can create further opportunities for increased trade in such products and services.
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.
7 May 2013: Participants at the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Biofuels Conference have assessed the Biofuels Screening Toolkit, which was developed to help ensure the sustainability of biofuels production, in recognition of the potential negative effects of biofuels production on the environment and on food security.
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.
26 April 2013: Participants at a recent workshop in Kinshasa, assessed the total costs of REDD+ activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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.
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