Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change in Urban Areas Conference

Climate change has significant impact on society and biodiversity in Europe. Urban inhabitants are most likely to experience climate change effects directly because currently 75 per cent of Europeans live in urban areas. Here, management of urban ecosystems offer sustainable and cost-effective solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation while contributing to human well-being.

This joint European conference in Bonn will bring together experts from science, policy and practice to highlight and discuss the importance of nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas and their rural surroundings. The aim of the conference is to increase knowledge and to foster linkages between science, policy and practice regarding nature-based solutions to meet the challenge of climate change in urban areas. In addition, emphasize is given to the potential of nature-based approaches to create co-benefits.

The conference will be opened by Prof. Jessel (BfN President) followed by keynotes by Dr. Bruynickx (EEA Executive Director) and Dr. Krull (chair of the H2020 expert group on nature-based solutions and re-naturing cities). Latest scientific findings on the impacts of climate change on European urban ecosystems will be discussed. Furthermore, the implementation of conservation measures and nature-based solutions within cities will be outlined. Interactive sessions will focus on case studies of successful nature-based projects and lessons learned. Resulting discussions of policy issues in climate change and nature conservation in European urban areas will lead to recommendations for creating synergies between ongoing policy processes, scientific programes and practical implementation.

Conference organizing team

German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ / German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), European Network of Heads of Nature Conservation Agencies (ENCA)

Click here for more information (more registration and program details to come).

Market-based Instruments for Ecosystem Services: Theroy and Practice for Decision-makers

Organised by Biodiversa, INVALUABLE, and IDDRI (Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations), this conference will create space to usefully engage all stakeholders and confront the latter’s experiences, views and needs to academic research in order to fill knowledge gaps between science and policy in biodiversity conservation.

Presentation:

Biodiversity and ecosystem services have continuously been eroded in the last 50 years, generating socio-economic costs and threatening human well-being. This calls for urgent action. In the context of stagnating public funding and official development assistance, the design and use of market-based instruments (MBIs) is thought to both incentivize and finance biodiversity conservation efficiently. Among other policy tools, payments for environmental services and biodiversity offsets are globally praised for their potential contribution.

Building on results from the INVALUABLE research project, a BiodivERsA (ERA-NET) programme jointly undertaken by several European partners and coordinated by IDDRI, this one-day conference aims at contributing to debates about MBIs, taking stock of their advantages and risks, and going ahead discussing their equitable, fair and efficient implementation on the ground.

Registration:

For logistic reasons, prior registration to the conference is mandatory. Please kindly fill and send by e-mail the registration form displayed on this page to: [email protected]

View the event page here.

XVth IWRA World Water Congress

Held every three years since 1973, the World Water Congress is one of the most important events in the water field. The Congress provides a large cross-section of players from around the world and from all disciplines with a single forum to connect. The Congress not only allows stakeholders to share experiences and promote discussion, but also to present new knowledge, research and developments in the water discipline.

The Congress provides an important platform for placing vital water issues at the forefront of international thinking, policy and management. The XVth Congress follows this tradition through its main theme: Global Water, a Resource for Development: Opportunities, Challenges and Constraints

Go to the event website for more information.

16th Annual BIOECON Conference

The BIOECON Partners are pleased to announce the Sixteenth Annual International BIOECON conference on the theme of “Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability”. The conference will be of interest to both researchers and policy makers working on issues broadly in the area of biodiversity, ecosystem services, sustainable development and natural capital, in both developed and developing countries. The conference takes a broad interest in the area of resource management, development and conservation, including but not limited to: the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services in economic development, plant genetic resources and food security issues, deforestation and development, fisheries and institutional adaptation, development and conservation, wildlife conservation, and international trade and regulation. The conference will have sessions on economic development, growth and biodiversity conservation, as well as on institutions and institutional change pertaining to the management of living resources.

Follow this link for more information.

World Water Week: Energy and Water

World Water Week is hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place in Stockholm. The World Water Week has been the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues since 1991. Every year, SIWI provides a platform for over 200 collaborating organisations to convene events at the World Water Week. In addition, individuals from around the globe present their findings at the scientific workshops. Early Bird discount rate is available till 30 June.

Click here for more information.

To No Net Loss of Biodiversity and Beyond

This gathering will be the first global conference on approaches to avoid, minimise, restore, and offset biodiversity loss. It will bring together experts and professionals from business, governments, financial institutions, NGOs, civil society and research, and intergovernmental institutions with an interst in demonstrating no net loss and preferably a net gain of biodiversity.

Related Links

IIED conference on Innovations for equity in smallholder PES: bridging research and practice

What are the best ways to make schemes that compensate protectors of natural resources fairer and more inclusive? IIED’s conference on Innovations for equity in smallholder PES: bridging research and practice aims to explore the latest thinking on the issue from researchers, policy makers, funders and practitioners, and to share lessons learned.

Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh on 21 March 2014, the conference on payments for ecosystem services (PES) schemes will include:

  • Conference sessions exploring strategies to promote the inclusion of smallholders and communities in PES schemes
  • Case studies to improve the understanding of participants’ preferences for different PES payment formats
  • Panel discussions among practitioners
  • A post-conference networking event

Go to the event website for more information.

World Forum on Natural Capital

A revolution is taking place in how businesses and governments account for natural capital.

The inaugural World Forum on Natural Capital will be the first major global conference devoted exclusively to turning the debate on natural capital accounting into action. It will build on the enormous private sector interest shown at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio in June 2012 and the many developments that have taken place since.

Against a backdrop of growing global awareness that our ecosystems and biodiversity underpin both wealth creation and human security, the Rio Earth Summit saw the launch of the Natural Capital Declaration, a global finance-led initiative convened by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the Global Canopy Programme.

By signing the Declaration, CEOs at the helm of 39 banks, investment funds and insurance companies announced their commitment to understanding their impacts and dependencies on natural capital, and to incorporating natural capital considerations into their products and accounting. The United Nations Environment Programme is one of the key partners in the World Forum on Natural Capital, which will mark an important step in moving the debate further towards action.

Go to the event website for more information.

State of the Forest Carbon Markets 2013

Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace will unveil its most recent State of the Forest Carbon Markets report on November 6, 2013. The report, which details our latest findings on the state of forest carbon projects’ structure, standards, and finance, will be freely available on both the Ecosystem Marketplace and Forest Carbon Portal websites on and after this date.

 
In 2012, the State of the Forest Carbon Markets report was Ecosystem Marketplace’s most widely-accessed research product. This year’s edition explores topics ranging from global market activity; to the time-cost of the project cycle; to the changing dynamics of forest finance. Supported by more data points and representing projects in more locations than ever before, we’re confident that our 2013 report will inform a broad range of policy, practitioner and investment discussions.
 
Join us to learn about the results first-hand at our London launch event! Hosted by Ecoinvest Services/Bunge Environmental Markets, we will host a panel of experts to present and discuss report findings from 4:30-6pm, followed by cocktails. RSVP here to reserve a space – and act fast, space is limited to 50 seats!
 
 
When: 4:30-6pm
Where: Bunge Environmental Markets/Ecoinvest
 3 More London Riverside SE1 2AQ
 London, United Kingdom
RSVP: By COB November 4, 2013
 
 
 
Ecosystem Marketplace wishes to thank our 2013 report Premium Sponsors:  The Program on Forests (PROFOR), the  World Bank BioCarbon Fund,  Face the Future,  New Forests; and sponsors  Althelia Ecosphere  and Baker & McKenzie,  with additional support from the UK Forestry Commission’s Woodland Carbon Code program; all of which enable Ecosystem Marketplace to explore developments on the frontier of ecosystem service finance.
 

International Water Week Conference

The International Water Week Conference takes place over the course of two days where keynotes, sessions and workshops will cover the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of integrated water solutions. The four main themes /Tracks of the conference include: Technology for optimizing the urban water cycle; Urban Delta Technology, Planning and Management; Integrated urban water management; and Industrial-Municipal water use solutions. The venue for the IWW Conference is Amsterdam RAI.

The programme is a pre-programme based on a preliminary analysis of papers submitted and workshops planned. Authors that have submitted papers for the IWW Conference will be notified of acceptance between August 1st and 7th. Authors need to respond whether they will present before August 15th, and an advanced programme will be prepared by August 19th.

Go to the event website for more information.

10th World Wilderness Congress

WILD10, the 10th World Wilderness Congress (WWC), will convene this October in Spain to “Make the World a Wilder Place.” Involving up to 1200 delegates from over 50 nations, with an estimated 30,000 on-line, WILD10 is focused on state-of-the-art information, inspiration, and practical, positive results in policy, protected areas, economics, business, communications, and more.

With a significant history of accomplishments, the WWC is the world’s longest-running, international, public project and process for wild nature and human society. WILD10’s collaborative process was invited to Europe by the Spanish Government, the European Commission, and a host of conservation NGOs. Delegates are from governments, NGOs, business, science, indigenous communities, recreation and sport, the arts and the public. WILD10 is an exciting and diverse array of best-practice models, newly forged solutions, cultural events, trainings, associated meetings, and symposia.

Second BiodiversityKnowledge Conference

The objective of this second conference is to discuss and finalize the recommended design of a future Network of Knowledge (NoK) on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe.

The focus of the conference will be on presenting options for the NoK, which BiodiversityKnowledge has been developing over the past two years through a broad consultation with more than 300 active participations of representatives of the biodiversity and ecosystems services knowledge community. Stakeholders involved ranged from practitioners, researchers to policy makers.

For supporting the discussion, the project team will provide a White Paper prior to the conference. This White Paper provides a concrete concept for such a NoK, including its context, its functions, overall objectives as well as the practicalities of such a NoK through the lessons learned from three demonstration cases. The paper also elaborates on governance issues, rules and procedures and highlights the strong and weak points as well as the uncertainties for future implementation.

The conference will provide the space for institutions and any interested players to voice their interests in contributing to the network of knowledge and outline the roles they can envisage for themselves.

Go to the event website for more information.

World Water Week

World Water Week is hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place each year in Stockholm. The World Water Week has been the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues since 1991.

Every year, over 200 collaborating organisations convene events at the World Water Week. In addition, individuals from around the globe present their findings at the scientific workshops.

Each year the World Water Week addresses a particular theme to enable a deeper examination of a specific water-related topic. While not all events during the week relate to the overall theme, the workshops driven by the Scientific Programme Committee and many seminars and side events do focus on various aspects of the theme. 2013 theme is Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships.

Learn more here.

Webinar: How to Sell your Carbon Credits in a Difficult Market?

Developers of carbon credit projects are looking for opportunities to sell their carbon credits, as carbon markets are facing their deepest and most serious crisis since their inception. Carbon markets suffer from low demand and from oversupply of permits and credits, resulting in low prices, poor liquidity and high uncertainty. There seems to shine some light at the end of the tunnel however. New emissions trading systems are established worldwide, that consider access to carbon credits from existing CDM projects in due course. Planned investments in emission reduction activity are likely to benefit from instruments called Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions or NAMAs. In the short run, voluntary carbon markets and dedicated carbon funds may offer a worthwhile alternative.    

This seminar will begin on Wednesday 3 July 2013 at 1:00 PM (CEST) and will finish at 2:00 PM (CEST) .

Read more about the event here.  

Side Event “NAMAs in the Transport Sector – Experiences and perspectives”

The upcoming GIZ Side Event “NAMAs in the Transport Sector – Experiences and perspectives” which will take place during UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference on Wednesday, 5 June, 6:30 – 8:00 pm in Room Solar, Ministry of Environment.

 
Join us for presentations and discussions around transport NAMAs, and for food and drinks after the event. We look forward to seeing you in Bonn!  
 
Please note: Only registered persons in possession of a conference badge (UNFCCC SB38) will be able to attend.
 
Transport contributes the second highest share of energy-related CO2 emissions. In the near future, emissions from transport are expected to rise rapidly unless ambitious actions are taken.
How can NAMAs leverage the transport sector’s contribution to climate change mitigation? What is required to pave the way for more transport NAMAs?
Delegates from different countries and representatives of donor and observer organisations will discuss these questions. They will present lessons learned and opportunities for the transport sector to steer towards more sustainable transport via NAMAs.

Read more about the event here.  

 

All-Encompassing REDD+: From Projects to Integrated Jurisdictional Programs

At CARBON EXPO, VCS will hold a side event on government and private sector efforts to scale up to first-of-their-kind integrated jurisdictional REDD+ programs.

Jurisdictional REDD+ programs present a major opportunity for governments to dramatically increase the scope of forest conservation in a region, while simultaneously unlocking the economic power of carbon finance. This panel will discuss new examples of implementing integrated REDD+ programs with those who are on the front lines, featuring expert representatives from some of the private businesses, project developers and NGOs who helped develop the VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Requirements.
 
The panel will focus specifically on how leading national and subnational jurisdictions, as well as forward-thinking project developers and funds, are collaborating on the development of jurisdictional REDD+ programs. These efforts include applying the VCS Jurisdictional REDD+ (JNR) Framework as well as the CARE/CCBA REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards to quantify carbon benefits of innovative forest practices while ensuring safeguards are enforced and multiple benefits are delivered.
 
Time:    15:30 CET
Where:  Side Event Room 8, Carbon Expo
Who:    
  • David Antonioli, Chief Executive Officer, Verified Carbon Standard Association
  • Kevin Brennan, Portfolio Manager, Terra Global Capital
  • Joanna Durbin, Director, Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance
  • Ludovino Lopes, Ludovino Lopes Lawyers
  • Mike Korchinsky, CodeREDD+
 
Comments or questions about the side event may be sent to Garrett Russo at [email protected].

Read more about the event here.  

9th South-Еast European Congress & Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

 

Leading companies will showcase innovative systems for wind-, bio- and hydro energy, solutions for increasing the energy efficiency, e-mobility and environmental services.  

The Congress topics: Financing of EE & RES Projects, Energy Efficiency, RES Electricity, Bio Energy, etc. A highlight in the program will be the topic ‘Smart energy storage’.

Delegates will have also excellent opportunity to see at one place plenty of new products and services at the parallel EE & RES, SEE Solar and Waste Management, Recycling & Environment Exhibitions.


Exhibitor Profile:  

RES: Bioenergy; Geothermal; Solar Thermal and PV; Wind Energy; Energy Efficiency: Cogeneration; Energy-Efficient Equipment and Technologies in Industry and Construction; Retrofitting of Buildings; Passive Houses; E-Mobility.

Visitor Profile:  

Agriculture; Chemical Industry; Construction, Architecture; Consulting, Ecology (Waste Management & Recycling); Electronics; Power Engineering; Energy-Saving Technologies; Finance; Food Industry; Investment; Machine Building and Metallurgy; Packaging; Renewable Energy; State and Municipality Administration and Tourism.

Post Event Report 2012: www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/upload/en/PostEventReport_eng.pdf

Testimonials: www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/en/exhibition/testimonials

Press releases: www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/en/news/press-releases

Photogallery: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151497502250241.837828.494171385240&type=3  

Organiser: Via Expo

http://www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/en/exhibition/  

 

 

Carbon Expo

Equip yourself with crucial information on the challenges and opportunities in the global Carbon Market. Carbon Markets have proven to be a fundamental tool to expediently spur economy-wide abatement activities and steer finance towards low carbon technologies.

Nevertheless, a combination of market based approaches with additional policies and measures are needed to meet global climate aspiration. CARBON EXPO is the global platform to explore the detailed development of carbon markets worldwide and interrelated policies and measures that will shape the international climate regime of the future.

Conference Program 2013

Within a 3 days program comprehensively grouped into three streams, featuring over 220 speakers in 9 plenaries and 27 workshops, find below an initial overview of what will be in store for you:

  • The Future of Global Carbon Trading – The Dearth of Demand and the Implications of that for Cost Effective Mitigation Effert.
  • A Global Carbon Merkat – Funding a Low Carbon and Energy Secure Future
  • The Era of Regional Carbon Markets – Informing National Policy and Driving International Policy
  • Reforming the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme
  • Latest Developments in Emerging Emissions Trading Programs in China, South Korea, California, Australia, Quebec
  • EU Carbon and Energy Prices amid Sluggish Economic Growth
  • The Creation of Global Carbon-Pricing Mechanisms
  • Voluntary Co2 Offset   Prices – Wanting More than Mere Emission Cuts from Investments
  • Financing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs)
  • Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon investments
  • The Voluntary Carbon Market & REDD
  • Reducing Risks Associated with Policy Uncertainty
  • The Viability of NEW Market Mechanisms
  • CDM Issues and PoAs
  • The Future of Kyoto “Filling the Gaps”
  • Aviation and Shipping – EU ETS Compliance and Prospects for a Global Scheme
  • What is the Role of Carbon Capture & Storage in the New Energy Future
  • The Oil & Gas Industry – Finding Effective Solutions

See Carbon Expo’s website for more details

Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Solution for Climate, Food Security and Ecosystem Services

The conference Soil Carbon Sequestration, for climate, food security and ecosystem services is hosted by the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland and the Agricultural University of Iceland and held in cooperation with several international and Icelandic institutions.  The conference will review the state of science, identify tools for enhancing Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) sequestration and recommend means to bridge the gap between science, policy and action. Among topics to be discussed are land use and land restoration practices that enhance SOC, how to verify carbon sequestration and linkages with UN-FCCC and post-Kyoto goals, agreements, and negotiations. The question of how to increase flow of climate linked funding for restoration of soil and land quality will also be explored.

Read more about the event here.  

Semantics for Biodiversity – International Workshop

Semantic Web standards, tools, ontologies and related technologies have considerably matured in recent years. The access to a wide catalogue of biological, social, environmental and ecological data sources that can support biodiversity stakeholders to resolve complex questions is wider than ever before.

This 2-day international workshop, Semantics for Biodiversity, held in Montpellier, France, will define key challenges identified by the bioinformatics community, discuss solutions and identify opportunities emerging from interactions across plant science and informatics disciplines. Bioinformatics experts at the workshop will explain how they are applying web semantic standards and tools to their scientific area of expertise – including biology, agro-ecology, genomics, environment, social sciences and citizen sciences.

Read more about the event here.  

Planted Forests on the Globe: Renewable Resources for the Future

Demand toward forest sector is expected to increase in the next decades not only for traditional sector but also for bio-energy, biochemical and by-products. Lessening the pressure for wood production, tree planting has released natural forests to be managed for other purposes -carbon sinks, soil and water protection, conservation of biological diversity, recreation and amenity. Representing a complement, but not an alternative, to natural forests, planted forests have become increasingly important for reducing worldwide deforestation, loss of forest ecosystems and forest degradation (FAO, 2009).

Planted forests are composed of trees established through planting and/or through deliberate seeding of native or introduced species. Establishment is either through afforestation on land that until then was not classified as forest, or by reforestation of land classified as forest, for instance after a fire or a storm or following clear felling (FAO 2010).

Planted forests yield a diverse range of wood, fibre, fuel and non-wood forest products for corporate and smallholder investors pursuing commercial or subsistence purposes. They can also provide a number of social and environmental services, ranging from rehabilitation of degraded lands, combating desertification, soil and water protection, sequestering and storing carbon, recreation and landscape amenity. Planted forests conserve genetic resources and provide shelter, shade and fodder for livestock . They deliver valuable services to urban populations, particularly in arid zones, by mitigating sand-storms, preventing sand-drift and recycling waste water. Responsible management of planted forests can reduce pressures on indigenous forests for forest products and allow them to be designated for other protective and conservation purposes. They can also complement and supplement the REDD and REDD + initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. As such, planted forests have multiple values, many of which cannot be provided by other types of land use.

Planted forests are long-term investments that require awareness and diligence in policy and planning, but particularly in management practices in order to avoid negative impacts. This relates to the selection of germplasm, nursery production, site preparation, establishment, tending, weeding, silviculture, protection and harvesting interventions. Unfortunately, planted forests have not always lived up to their potential. The causes for failures of planted forests in the past include inappropriate governance frameworks and insufficient application of established knowledge, technology and techniques. The lack of capacity and capability in providing enabling policies, laws, regulations, plans and technical support systems have lead to controversy and poor management of planted forests. Some planted forest investments have produced land-use, social, cultural and environmental conflicts, as well as unsustainable management practices.

Two international conferences on planted forests have been held previously, in Chile in 1999 ( http://www.globalregister.co.nz/evergreen/reports/roleofforests.pdf) and New Zealand in 2003 ( www.un.org/esa/forests/pdf/cli/report-nz-plantedforests-sfm.pdf) . Both of these conferences highlighted the need to promote the multiple dimensions of Sustainable Forest management (SFM) in view of the social and environmental challenges of the 21 st century. Since then, new research, global assessments of planted forest resources and outlook studies for wood from planted forests, best practice guidelines and many interesting cases of country applications from around the world have documented and further emphasized the global significance of planted forests. In parallel, international processes and financing mechanisms have increasingly recognized the central role of planted forests for mitigating climate changes, conserving biodiversity and combating land degradation. In contrast to these positive developments, negative social and environmental impacts of planted forests have given rise to concern.

It is therefore timely to investigate the contribution of planted forests to sustainable development in the context of global changes and to organize a Third International Congress on Planted Forests. Central topics would include the sustainability of planted forests in the context of changing climates and the future role of planted forests in envi ronmental protection and REDD+. The aim is to address issues surrounding planted forests today, their productive, environmental and social functions and the challenges they present. The target audience includes forest scientists, policy makers, the private forestry sector and forest managers.
 

Registration will open in November

For more information, click here.

Planted Forests on the Globe: Renewable Rersources for the Future

Demand toward forest sector is expected to increase in the next decades not only for traditional sector but also for bio-energy, biochemical and by-products. Lessening the pressure for wood production, tree planting has released natural forests to be managed for other purposes -carbon sinks, soil and water protection, conservation of biological diversity, recreation and amenity. Representing a complement, but not an alternative, to natural forests, planted forests have become increasingly important for reducing worldwide deforestation, loss of forest ecosystems and forest degradation (FAO, 2009).

Planted forests are composed of trees established through planting and/or through deliberate seeding of native or introduced species. Establishment is either through afforestation on land that until then was not classified as forest, or by reforestation of land classified as forest, for instance after a fire or a storm or following clear felling (FAO 2010).

Planted forests yield a diverse range of wood, fibre, fuel and non-wood forest products for corporate and smallholder investors pursuing commercial or subsistence purposes. They can also provide a number of social and environmental services, ranging from rehabilitation of degraded lands, combating desertification, soil and water protection, sequestering and storing carbon, recreation and landscape amenity. Planted forests conserve genetic resources and provide shelter, shade and fodder for livestock . They deliver valuable services to urban populations, particularly in arid zones, by mitigating sand-storms, preventing sand-drift and recycling waste water. Responsible management of planted forests can reduce pressures on indigenous forests for forest products and allow them to be designated for other protective and conservation purposes. They can also complement and supplement the REDD and REDD + initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. As such, planted forests have multiple values, many of which cannot be provided by other types of land use.

Planted forests are long-term investments that require awareness and diligence in policy and planning, but particularly in management practices in order to avoid negative impacts. This relates to the selection of germplasm, nursery production, site preparation, establishment, tending, weeding, silviculture, protection and harvesting interventions. Unfortunately, planted forests have not always lived up to their potential. The causes for failures of planted forests in the past include inappropriate governance frameworks and insufficient application of established knowledge, technology and techniques. The lack of capacity and capability in providing enabling policies, laws, regulations, plans and technical support systems have lead to controversy and poor management of planted forests. Some planted forest investments have produced land-use, social, cultural and environmental conflicts, as well as unsustainable management practices.

Two international conferences on planted forests have been held previously, in Chile in 1999 ( http://www.globalregister.co.nz/evergreen/reports/roleofforests.pdf) and New Zealand in 2003 ( www.un.org/esa/forests/pdf/cli/report-nz-plantedforests-sfm.pdf) . Both of these conferences highlighted the need to promote the multiple dimensions of Sustainable Forest management (SFM) in view of the social and environmental challenges of the 21 st century. Since then, new research, global assessments of planted forest resources and outlook studies for wood from planted forests, best practice guidelines and many interesting cases of country applications from around the world have documented and further emphasized the global significance of planted forests. In parallel, international processes and financing mechanisms have increasingly recognized the central role of planted forests for mitigating climate changes, conserving biodiversity and combating land degradation. In contrast to these positive developments, negative social and environmental impacts of planted forests have given rise to concern.

It is therefore timely to investigate the contribution of planted forests to sustainable development in the context of global changes and to organize a Third International Congress on Planted Forests. Central topics would include the sustainability of planted forests in the context of changing climates and the future role of planted forests in envi ronmental protection and REDD+. The aim is to address issues surrounding planted forests today, their productive, environmental and social functions and the challenges they present. The target audience includes forest scientists, policy makers, the private forestry sector and forest managers.

 Registration will open in November

For more information, click here.

5th Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

ACI’s 5th Carbon Capture & Storage Summit will take place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, arguably the European centre for CCS. In fact, a limited number of conference attendees will receive the unique opportunity to attend a site visit to the CATO pilot during the afternoon of Tuesday 14th May 2013.
 
Bringing together 60-80 of the industry’s leading experts and executives from across the entire value chain (power production & energy intensive industry, capture technology, chemical process, transportation, storage, utilisation & EOR) for two days of interactive discussion, excellent networking opportunities and the very latest updates from CCS projects around the globe, ACI’s 5th Carbon Capture & Storage will present you with the knowledge, experience & contacts you need to drive your business forward.
Panelists include:
Lars Hende, Director, Commercial & Strategy (CO2EOR), Maersk Oil
Tim Bertels, Manager CCS Portfolio, Shell International Exploration & Production B.V.
Gérard Moutet, Sustainable Development & Environment, Vice President – Energy, Total
Beatrice Coda, Senior Policy Officer, DG Climate Action, European Commission
Peter Radgen, Head of Innovation Centre Carbon Capture & Storage, E.ON
Ward Goldthorpe, Programme Manager CCS & Gas Storage, The Crown Estate
Tore Amundsen, Managing Director, CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad DA (TCM DA)
Derek Taylor, Director, CCS Activities, Bellona
Sean Simpson, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder, LanzaTech
Giles Dickson, VP Environmental Policies & Global Advocacy, Alstom
Alastair Rennie, Project Director, AMEC
Narasi Sridhar, Vice President, Director – Materials Program, Research & Innovation, Det Norske Veritas (U.S.A.), Inc.
Peter Petrov, Research Programme Officer, DG Research & Innovation, CCS Group, European Commission
Niels Poulsen, Senior Scientist, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland & President, ENeRG
Sanjeev Kumar, Senior Associate, E3G
Carmen Dybwad, CEO, IPAC-CO2
Gilles Munier, CEO, Geogreen
Hannah Chalmers, Institute for Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh
Senior Representative, TNO

Key topics include:  
European storage opportunities
EOR vs. pure storage: Analysis of key pros & cons
CO2 as chemical feedstock
Challenges in the pipeline
Policy & regulation: Key developments in the EU
Stakeholder & community engagement
Eurozone back in recession: Impact on the ETS & CCS funding
CCS – How We Make IT Work
Bio-CCS: Large-Scale Carbon-Negative Technology
The fastest growing CCS industry in the world: China focus
Project updates: Energy intensive industries
Project updates: Power production & energy intensive industries
Operational flexibility of power plants with CO2 capture
Future insight: New carbon capture process developments
Power companies, oil refiners, steel manufacturers, ammonia producers, (petro)chemical companies, cement plant owners, pipeline operators, ship owners, upstream oil & gas companies, capture technology developers, chemical process industry, government representatives, energy, environment & climate consultants and lawyers.
 

Read more about the event here.  

Payments for Environmental Services Workshop

A Payment for Environmental Services (PES) workshop will take place in Poblet, Catalonia as part of the Sylvamed Project.Hosted at the Poblet Monestary, pilot studies on PES in Catalonia will be presented to regional stakeholders and participants will have the opportunity to discuss the valuation of environmental services.  

SylvaMED (2010-2013) is a european territorial cooperation project, part of the MED transnational program that intends to facilitate innovative integration of forests environmental services into regional policies through to demonstrate that PES and MBI systems are feasible and sustainable both environmentally and economically in our mediterranean rural communities, providing for both long-term conservation of natural resources and additional income for local populations.

Read more about the event here.  

Conference “Soil Carbon Sequestration, a Solution for Climate, Food Security and Ecosystem Services”

The aim of this conference is to highlight the growing importance of conserving and restoring soil organic carbon for a multiple of win-win benefits within various land type and land use settings.  

 
Carbon has a crucial role in soil fertility, and hence for food security, nutrient and water retention, biodiversity and ecosystem services. The conference will review the state of science and further knowledge needs involved. Among topics to be discussed are land use and land restoration practices that enhance SOM, how to verify carbon sequestration and linkages with UN-FCCC and other global goals, agreements, and negotiations. The question of how to increase flow of climate linked funding for restoration of soil and land quality will also be explored.

Read more about the event here.  

4th South-East European Conference & Exhibition “Save the Planet” – Waste Management, Recycling, Environment

The exhibition will put on display new waste-to-energy technologies and equipments for waste collection, treatment, landfill and composting, transport vehicles, recycling systems, environmental monitoring & protection services, etc. The Conference program will include the following sessions: Waste prevention, Recycling/Resource Recovery, Energy and resource recovery, Landfilling and Environmental aspects of waste treatment technologies.

Environmental issues are highly prioritized in the worldwide agenda and are also a priority theme for South-East Europe. The countries from the Region are in need of expertise, technology products and equipment. ‘Save the Planet’ will present the latest solutions in waste management, recycling and environment and will encourage the foreign investments and creation of public-private partnerships. The exhibition and the parallel conference will gather representatives of business, public authorities and institutions involved in these sectors.

Exhibitor Profile

Waste Management: Technologies and Equipment for Waste Collection; Thermal-, Biological-, Mechanical-, Sewage- and Medical Waste Treatment; Landfill; Composting; Transport Vehicles and Technology; Waste-to-Energy; Recycling: Recycling Systems and Technologies for Glass, Metal, Electrical and Electronic Waste, Paper; Plastics & Rubber, Textile; Demolition Waste

Visitor Profile

Agriculture; Chemical Industry; Construction, Architecture; Consulting, Ecology (Waste Management & Recycling); Electronics; Power Engineering; Energy-Saving Technologies; Finance; Food Industry; Investment; Machine Building and Metallurgy; Packaging; Renewable Energy; State and Municipality Administration and Tourism.

Post Event Report 2012: www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/upload/en/PostEventReport_eng.pdf

Testimonials: www.eco.viaexpo.com/en/exhibition/testimonials

Photogallery: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151497502250241.837828.494171385240&type=3  

Press Releases: www.eco.viaexpo.com/en/news/press-releases

Organiser: Via Expo

www.eco.viaexpo.com/en/exhibition

World Water Day

World Water Day

Our event is organized in Geneva on the United Nations’ World Water Day held on March 22nd each year.

Who should Attend?

Decision makers in Banks, Insurance companies, Family Offices, Trading companies, Defense companies, Water technology and service providers, Pension funds, Real Estate investors, Supervision companies, Private Equity Managers, advisors in philanthropy and other market makers.

Why You should Attend?

Water is the underlying commodity of every goods and services.

Knowledge is the best defence and tool for food//energy//commodities prices water nexus and water procurement security.

This event is a unique opportunity to access strategic water interdependencies information to measure, manage and anticipate water risks and impact investing opportunities

See more details here

Water Interdependencies

 World Water Day

 
Our event is organized in Geneva on the United Nations’ World Water Day held on March 22nd each year.  
 
Who should Attend?
 
Decision makers in Banks, Insurance companies, Family Offices, Trading companies, Defense companies, Water technology and service providers, Pension funds, Real Estate investors, Supervision companies, Private Equity Managers, advisors in philanthropy and other market makers.  
 
Why You should Attend?
 
Water is the underlying commodity of every goods and services.  
 
Knowledge is the best defence and tool for food//energy//commodities prices water nexus and water procurement security.  
 
This event is a unique opportunity to access strategic water interdependencies information to measure, manage and anticipate water risks and impact investing opportunities.  

Read more about the event here.  

European Advanced Biofuels Congress

The European Commission in October announed a major new policy direction for the use of food-based biofuels within the EU. The policy proposes strictly capping food-based biofuels in favour of supporting production of more environmentally friendly next generation biofuels processes.

 
The change represents major boost for next generation biofuels production within Europe and means the European Advanced Biofuels Congress is an even more timely platform for discussion for every key policymaker, stakeholder and interest group involved in future biofuels production and use in Europe.

For more information on this event, click here

Payments for Environmental Services: a Way Forward for Mediterranean Forests

Mediterranean forests and woodlands, which cover 73M ha, are the main ecological infrastructure in the region. They provide valuable ecosystem services, relevant for the most strategic resources of the region to sustain life: water, soil and biodiversity.  
 
However, the sustainable provision of forest goods and services is seriously threatened by drastic and rapid climate and land use changes. The challenge is to find ways to finance adaptive forest management strategies, given the low profitability of traditional forestry. Payments for environmental services (PES) are increasingly acknowledged on the policy arena as an approach to recognize the value of ecosystem services and to generate financing for effective ecosystem management.
 
The ThinkForest forum, facilated by EFI, is organising a seminar called Payments for Environmental Services: a Way Forward for Mediterranean Forests? which will be concentrating on the above-mentioned issues. The seminar will be take place on 27 November 2012 at 16.00-18.30 in the European Parliament, Brussels.
 
The objectives of the event are to:
  • discuss the specific economic nature of Mediterranean forests and their goods and services;
  • present the latest scientific knowledge on payments for environmental services and their practical implementation in the Mediterranean region and
  • discuss the potential of PES to address specific problems of Mediterranean forests (e.g. forest fires, deforestation).
A detailed programme of the event is available at the ThinkForest website. Registration is currently open, and an online registration form is available here. Please register before 19 November!