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ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference 2010 Adopts Hyderabad Action Plan

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:25:20 +0000

4 June 2010: The fifth International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication Development Conference 2010 (WTDC-10) convened from 24 May-4 June 2010, in Hyderabad, India, to consider development priorities in telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICT), and agree on the programmes, projects and initiatives to implement them.
During the Conference, participants considered global challenges, such as the effects of climate change and the use of ICTs and emergency communications to mitigate the effects of disasters. Policy makers and regulators pledged to promote affordable access to telecommunications and ICTs to promote sustainable development worldwide, with attention given to least developed countries (LDCs) and countries with special needs. The event concluded with the adoption of the Hyderabad Action Plan, which outlines a road map, including goals and strategies, to foster the global development of telecommunication and ICT networks and services over the next four years.
The Action Plan comprises a package of five programmes aimed at promoting the equitable and sustainable development of telecommunication and ICT networks and services worldwide, to be implemented by ITU over the coming four years. The five programmes identified are: information and communication infrastructure and technology development; cybersecurity, ICT applications and Internet protocol-based network-related issues; enabling environment; capacity building and digital inclusion; and LDCs, countries in special need, emergency telecommunications and adaptation to climate change. With regard to the last programme, the objectives are, inter alia, to provide assistance in disaster prevention, preparedness and relief/response, as well as assistance in the use of ICTs to mitigate and address the effects of climate change, taking account of the impact of ICTs on the environment.
In addition to the Action Plan, WTDC-10 also adopted the Hyderabad Declaration, which acknowledges, inter alia: the potential contribution of telecommunications and ICTs to monitoring, mitigating and adapting to the adverse effects of climate change; and that green ICTs and renewable energy sources can assist in preserving the environment by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing living standards.
ITU member States, sector members and other stakeholders were invited by WTDC-10 to contribute towards the successful implementation of the Hyderabad Action Plan. [Conference Draft Report] [ITU Press Release]

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Celebrated

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:28:57 +0000

17 May 2010: In a message to mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged fully using the potential of telecommunication and information technologies to improve life-saving services, promote sustainable development and foster international peace.

In his message, Ban notes that the theme of this year’s Day, “Better Cities, Better Life with ICTs,” is a reminder that communication technologies must be employed and disposed of in a manner that raises living standards while protecting the environment. Lauding the efforts of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and its partners to promote broadband access in rural and remote areas around the world, he highlighted that greater access can mean faster progress toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He cited examples of uses of these technologies, including the use of telemedicine to improve health care, Earth monitoring satellites to address climate change, and green technologies to promote cleaner cities.
The purpose of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to raise awareness of the possibile uses of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. It was celebrated on 17 May 2010, in Shanghai, China. [UN Press Release]

WORLD URBAN FORUM 5 DEVELOPS RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE INCLUSIVE CITIES

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:08:00 +0000

The fifth World Urban Forum (WUF-5), which took place from 22-26 March 2010, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme “The Right to the City: Bridging the Urban Divide,” was hosted by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the Government of Brazil. The event gathered a record of over 13,700 participants from 150 countries to discuss issues related to the sustainability of cities in the context of rapid urbanization, and a changing climate and environment. During the forum, UN-HABITAT Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka unveiled the World Urban Campaign, which will provide a platform for action for local communities, neighborhoods and leaders to promote democracy and human rights, and enhance global health, food security and energy efficiency.
On 23 March, congress members of several countries participated in a debate on “Parliamentarians of the world about climate changes and human settlements,” coordinated by Peter Goetz, President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat. On 25 March, participants engaged in a dialogue on “Sustainable Urbanization: Cities in a Changing Climate,” during which they addressed broad concepts and ideas, and then held thematic open debates on: “Sustainable urbanization: cities in a changing climate,” which presented policies and practices that cities, governments and communities around the world are embracing to address the challenges of climate change; “Reducing vulnerabilities to climate change,” which stressed the need to address climate change impacts within a framework that acknowledges the presence of the urban divide and embraces social inclusiveness; and “Promoting inclusive and environmentally sustainable cities,” which addressed how cities can reduce their carbon footprint and effectively engage the informal sector in low carbon economic growth, while fostering inclusive economic development.
UN-HABITAT, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank jointly launched a Global Greenhouse Gas Standard for cities, which will provide a global and harmonized protocol for quantifying the amount of greenhouse gases emissions attributable to cities and local regions. It is expected that this common methodology for calculating GHG emissions on a per capita basis will support policy and access to finance, allowing cities to compare their performances.
During the closing ceremony, Tibaijuka called on governments and leaders at all levels to “provide the requisite resources and to make investments that will provide sustainable cities in a changing climate.” Participants also considered the recommendations from the World Urban Forum, which will be presented to the UN-HABITAT Ministerial Governing Council, a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2011. The Rio Declaration endorsed by participants outlines recommendations related to the need to promote civil society participation and governance to build inclusive policies and cities. The sixth World Urban Forum will be hosted by the Government of Bahrain in 2012.
Links to further information
World Urban Forum-5
UN-HABITAT Executive Director’s speech

AFRICA CARBON FORUM HOPES TO HELP BOOST AFRICA

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:08:00 +0000

The second Africa Carbon Forum, which was held from 3-5 March 2010, in Nairobi, Kenya, sought to help build on growing interest in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in Africa, and concluded with expectations for a boost in Africa’s share of the global carbon market. The Forum was held under the Nairobi Framework, an initiative launched in 2006 to help developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to increase their participation in the CDM. It was organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UNFCCC Secretariat and the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), and brought together about 1,000 members of the public and private sectors.
Highlighting the prospects for the continent, John Kilani, Director of the Sustainable Development Mechanisms programme of the UNFCCC Secretariat, noted the growing number of projects in Africa and a growing number of countries hosting projects. He added that “some project developers are even prepared to pay a premium for offset credits originating from Africa, no doubt because they are confident in the long-term growth prospects for CDM on the continent.”
Also speaking during the Forum, Henry Derwent, IETA President and CEO, commented that, “Africa Carbon Forum 2010 has been a serious and businesslike meeting of people with African emissions reduction projects and people who want to invest in them. Africa’s slow start in the CDM business seems now to have been more about finding the right ways to structure projects in the sectors that are Africa’s national specialties than about a fundamental incompatibility.” The third Africa Carbon Forum is scheduled to be held in March 2011, in Morocco.
Links to further information
African Carbon Forum website
UNFCCC press release
UNEP press release

IFAD GOVERNING COUNCIL CONVENES 33RD SESSION

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:32:00 +0000

The Governing Council of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) held its 33rd session from 17-18 February 2010, in Rome, Italy, to discuss: the Eighth Replenishment of IFAD’s resources; IFAD’s budget; revisions of IFAD’s lending policies and criteria; progress on the performance-based allocation system; progress on the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); and a synthesis of the global meeting of the Farmers’ Forum 2010. Among other things, the Council called for investment in smallholders to accelerate progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Link to further information
IFAD Governing Council website

ITU Secretary-General Highlights ICTs as Part of Climate Solution

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:39:20 +0000

4 December 2009: The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Hamadoun Touré, has called on delegates who will attend the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 15) to take advantage of the potential of advanced technologies to dramatically reduce emissions across a wide range of industrial sectors.
Touré highlighted research showing that more effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can deliver tremendous greenhouse gas emission reductions, stressing that “ICT is the single most powerful tool humankind has at its disposal to avoid potential climate catastrophe.” According to the ITU, specific mention of ICTs in key areas of the Copenhagen negotiating text, together with the adoption of a methodology to measure the carbon footprint of ICT equipment and its inclusion in national adaptation/mitigation plans, would incentivize the ICT industry to invest in developing countries and help reduce the digital divide while addressing climate change, presenting a “win-win” scenario.
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At COP 15, Touré will join other UN agency Heads and industry leaders at the UNFCCC iSeeT@theClimateChangeKiosk to raise awareness of how technology can make a difference. [ITU Press Release]

UNFCCC Secretariat Releases Further Bali Action Plan Submissions

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:37:12 +0000

20 November 2009: The UNFCCC Secretariat has received eight further submissions (FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/MISC.6/Add.1) from parties on ideas and proposals on the elements contained in paragraph 1 of the Bali Action Plan.
A joint submission has been received from Australia, Belarus, Canada, Croatia, the European Community, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and Ukraine. Other submissions are from: Belarus, on behalf of the Russian Federation and Ukraine; the G-77/China; Indonesia; Japan; Nigeria; Switzerland, on behalf of the Environmental Integrity group; and Uruguay.
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The UNFCCC Secretariat has also received four further submissions (FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/MISC.7/Add.1) from intergovernmental organizations. The submissions are from: the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); the International Maritime Organization (IMO); the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); and the UN University (UNU). [Submissions from Parties] [Submissions from IGOs]

UNWTO LEADERS CALL FOR GREEN ECONOMY SUPPORTING GLOBAL POLICIES

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:37:00 +0000

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ministers’ Summit convened in London, UK, on 10 November 2009. The Summit called for global policies that are supportive of the travel and tourism industry, recalling that tourism is one of the world’s top job creators and can be a key driver of recovery and the transformation towards the Green Economy. As the global economy recovers, governments were requested not to impose extra burdens on travel, such as fiscal measures, and to maintain stimulus policies in support of tourism as this in turn will contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Link to further information
UNWTO press release, 11 November 2009

ITU Council Addresses Climate Change and Environmental Protection as Top Priorities

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:01:42 +0000

3 November 2009: During its 2009 annual session, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council addressed climate change and environmental protection as its top priorities.
The session of the ITU Council, which is the ITU’s governing body, convened in Geneva, Switzerland, from 20-30 October 2009. During the meeting, the ITU Council agreed to transmit a message requesting inclusion of the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the outcome of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, to be held in December 2009.
In his State of the Union address during the session, ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré underlined ICTs as part of the climate solution, not the problem, and further stressed that “ITU has an important role to play in the lead up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December. As the single most powerful tool at our disposal to combat climate change, the Copenhagen Agreement must include ICTs as part of the solution.” ITU Deputy Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, who chairs a taskforce on Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications, also highlighted that ICTs have a major role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all industry sectors.
As part of the goal of reducing its carbon footprint, the ITU Council worked in a paperless environment during the session as much as possible. This resulted in the reduction in paper usage of 766 kilograms, or almost one and a half tons of greenhouse gas emissions. [ITU Press Release]

ITU Highlights ICTs as Part of the Climate Solution

Climate-L.org - IISDRS — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:01:52 +0000

29 October 2009: As participants prepare for the Barcelona Climate Change Talks, which will convene from 2-6 November 2009, in Barcelona, Spain, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has highlighted the critical importance of including information and communication technologies (ICTs) as part of the climate solution.
The Barcelona meeting is expected to produce draft text to be considered by COP 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, and the ITU is calling for specific mention of the role of ICTs in the draft, in order to help commit policy makers around the world to seek technical solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In its call, the ITU has highlighted the contribution of the ITU and the ICT industry to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as their potential to further contribute to this goal.�
At the Barcelona Climate Change Talks, the ITU will participate in the iSeeT@theClimateChangeKiosk alongside the UN, UN agencies including the UNFCCC, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and other partners to showcase current ICT-related climate projects around the world.