If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy or review by the BRIDGES staff to Malena Sell.
ICTSD Resource
LINKING TRADE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY. ICTSD, November 2006. This special collection of issue briefs begins with an introduction that summarises ICTSD’s analysis of the key links between three broad areas that are too frequently addressed in isolation from each other: trade, climate change and energy. The second section explains more specifically some of the most important issues facing policy-makers concerned with international policy on energy and trade, including the specific circumstances in Asia and especially China. The final section focuses on bioenergy, looking both at the global picture and at experiences in Africa, Asia and Brazil. To access the paper, visit http://www.trade-environment.org/output/ictsd/resource/Energy_issuebriefs.pdf.
Other Resources
BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL NEWS. This newsletter is published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biodiveristy (CBD). The inaugural issue, published on 16 October 2006, covers a vast array of biosafety and biodiversity issues. Among other topics, it includes a Biosafety calendar of events, an overview of COP-MOP 3 outcomes, and articles on the implementation of the Biosafety Protocol, the Living Modified Organisms Registry, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The newsletter can be downloaded at http://www.biodiv.org/doc/newsletters/default.asp#bpn.
AT LOGGERHEADS? AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION, POVERTY REDUCTION, AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE TROPICAL FORESTS. By the World Bank, October 2006. This report concludes that financial incentives are necessary to strengthen national forest governance in order to preserve the world’s rapidly shrinking tropical forests and improve the economic prospects of millions of poor people. For further information see http://www.worldbank.org/tropicalforestreport.
BIOMASS ISSUE BRIEF: ENERGY AND CLIMATE. By the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, October 2006. This brief outlines the sustainability issues associated with biomass: its carbon neutrality, its use in heat and power generation, its use in biofuels, and its future. To access this document, visit http://www.wbcsd.org/DocRoot/QkcE9Vn4PrMoUbDl5rpS/biomass.pdf.
POWERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. By the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, October 2006. This report contains an "agenda for concerted action" to secure future electricity generation, to bring more power to more people and to decrease the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. The report warns that unless there is a marked shift in the way electricity is generated and regulated worldwide, increased energy production will have serious environmental impacts. The report highlights the huge potential for end-use energy efficiency, which can provide more energy, more securely and sustainably, and at a lower price. Utilities need to work with governments and citizens’ groups to find ways to make it a higher priority, and make sure it is understood and used as a resource option and investment alternative. To access this document, visit http://www.wbcsd.org/DocRoot/0d6TANhJQ0ZhGXGHDcJ3/powering_sustainable_future.pdf.
"Specific Environmental Effects of Trade Liberalization: Sugar." By Jane Earley and Thomas Earley in INTERNATIONAL POLICY COUNCIL Brief #20, October 2006. This paper is the second in a series examining whether recent trade liberalisation might have adverse environmental effects that could be ameliorated if governments correctly anticipate them. The study finds that changes in the biofuels market will have a greater impact on world sugar production, and in turn, the environment, than policy changes in trade. Also among findings are country-specific recommendations for policymakers on how to mitigate negative impacts. The brief discusses the important roles of resource endowments, law enforcement, and technology in creating national policies to overcome the adverse environmental effects of increased sugar production on the world stage. To access this brief visit http://www.agritrade.org/publ.htm.
"Nanotechnology: Mapping the Wild Regulatory Frontier" in FUTURES (38, 9) 2006). By Diana M. Bowman and Graeme A. Hodge. This paper examines the phenomena of nanotechnology and takes some tentative steps towards defining new regulatory frontiers within which this technology may operate. While nanotechnology has attracted much attention with respect to its scientific and business potential, debate on associated ethical, policy, regulatory and legal aspects has been limited. This paper seeks to address the regulatory challenges posed by the novel properties and products emerging from nanotechnology. It considers the current regulatory frameworks that impact upon nanotechnology in Australia, and concludes that there is an emerging regulatory gap between the exciting commercial advances being made in this sector and the community’s expectations for regulatory safeguards and protections. The paper also concludes that, unlike earlier technologies, there is now a unique opportunity to carefully consider the benefits as well as the impacts of nanotechnology before it arrives. This will require clearer articulation of policy, regulatory and legal frontiers crucial to the emerging nano-age.
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