Community Forum - August 13, 2008

Vol. 3, No. 5: August 14, 2008

The Ecosystem Marketplace's Community Forum
Connecting people to ecosystem markets

Welcome to the Community Forum, a newsletter dedicated to providing information on community-based payments for ecosystem services from around the world.

In Paris in mid-June, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) committed US$82 million to support efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and land degradation (REDD). To do so, 9 industrialized countries decided to finance 14 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia in order to test and implement initial pilot REDD mechanisms. Given the potential importance of this new source of funding for local communities and ecosystem services preservation, we decided to focus this edition of the Community Forum on news on REDD.

In our “Around the World” section, we first provide a short account of the FCPF decision to fund REDD in 14 developing countries, followed by presenting the results of a World Resource Institute study showing that most of the world’s deforestation is limited to two spots (Brazil and Indonesia) - findings that can significantly affect the implementation of a global REDD mechanism. We follow by reporting on the impending ‘carbon bomb’ if wetlands continue to be degraded; the Ulu Masen avoided deforestation project; the new community adaptation grants from UNDP and GEF and we end with an article which assesses why so few conservation and sustainable development projects actually deliver both objectives. Our “Viewpoint” section presents the journey of Dorjee Sun, a dedicated - some would say stubborn - businessman/adventurer/environmentalist, whose vision allowed for the elaboration of the Ulu Masen avoided deforestation project (the first of its kind). In our “Resources and Tools” section, we review briefly a new methodology, supporting REDD assessments for mosaic deforestation. Finally, take a look at our “Opportunities” section at the end of the newsletter for information on positions that are available in the field, funding sources and interesting conferences and publication opportunities.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the Community Forum!

-Karina Benessaiah, Community Forum

For comments or questions, please email: communityforum@ecosystemmarketplace.com

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Pilot financing for 14 developing countries to tackle with REDD

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), approved by the World Bank in 2007 and operational since June 25, 2008, aims to assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and land degradation (REDD), through two main mechanisms: the readiness program and the carbon finance mechanism. The readiness program helps countries to credibly estimate their national forest carbon stocks, emission sources and define their reference scenarios. The carbon finance mechanism will support countries in implementing and evaluating REDD-based compensation mechanisms. Fourteen countries from the developing world will be the first to receive financing to tackle emissions from REDD through the FCPF. These countries include six in Africa (The Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Madagascar); five in Latin America (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico and Panama); and three in Asia (Nepal, Lao PDR and Vietnam). Nine industrialized countries formalized their participation in the partnership during a meeting of the FCPF steering committee: Australia, Finland, France (the French Development Agency), Japan, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States will contribute to about US$82 million to the FCPF. More public and private sector contributions are expected to accrue. The overall objective of the FCPF is to learn from these initial experiences in order support the development of a larger and more inclusive instrument to tackle REDD in the future.

- Read the press release from the World Bank website
- Read more about the FCPF

14 pays bénéficient de financement afin d’implémenter des mécanismes pilotes de REDD

Le ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’ (FCPF), un organisme approuvé par la banque mondiale en 2007 et opérationnel depuis le 25 juin 2008, soutiendra les pays en voie de développement dans leurs efforts afin de réduire les émissions provenant de la déforestation et de la dégradation des sols (REDD). Deux mécanismes principaux seront mis en place : le programme de préparation et le programme de financement de carbone. Le premier aidera les pays à estimer de manière crédible leur stock national de carbone, leurs sources d’émissions et à définir leur scénarios de références. Le second, supportera des initiatives pilotes dans quelques pays afin d’implémenter et d’évaluer différents systèmes de compensation REDD. 14 pays en voie de développement recevront en premier du financement afin de réduire les émissions provenant de REDD. Les pays sélectionnés incluent : six pays en Afrique (république démocratique du Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia et Madagascar), cinq en Amérique Latine (Bolivie, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexique et Guyane) et trois en Asie (Népal, Laos PDR et Vietnam). Neuf pays industrialisés ont formalisé leur participation au FCPF à Paris quelques semaines auparavant. L’Australie, la France, le Japon, la Norvège, l’Espagne, la Suisse et le Royaume Uni contribueront environ 82 million de dollars americains au FCPF ; des fonds additionnels provenant de contributions privées et publiques sont attendus. L’objectif final du FCPF est d’accumuler de l’expérience a travers ces différents projets pilotes afin de soutenir dans le futur le développement d’un mécanisme plus vaste et plus inclusif de financement REDD.

- Lire l'article en entier.
- Voir plus d’information sur le FCPF

Study Finds Deforestation ‘Hot-Spots’
By Fred Stolle

A new study by WRI and other researchers, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), finds that much of the world’s deforestation is isolated in a handful of “hotspots,” not spread out over many nations and many locations. In fact, this study showed that over half the world’s deforestation (in this study only clear-cutting is monitored) is happening in just two locations: 48% in Brazil and another 13% concentrated in Indonesia. Deforestation in Africa is negligible in comparison. These findings are especially important for the current negotiations of the 2012 climate change agreement in which forests will play a major role in the REDD mechanism in developing countries. Deforestation and land use change is responsible for almost 20% of the world’s emissions. Forests are both part of the problem and a major part of the solution to combating climate change. The study will be important for the current negotiations and demonstrate the need for Brazil and Indonesia to be included and play a major role in a future climate agreement that includes forests.

– Read the full article

Wetland degradation might lead to the release of a ‘carbon bomb’
By Deborah Zabarenko

Wetlands occupy 6% of the world’s land surface but account for 20% of carbon storage globally and provide a series of key ecosystem services (flood and erosion control as well as water purification) which are essential to human well-being. Wetland degradation and loss constitute a salient threat to the world’s efforts to curb climate change. Indeed, wetlands store about 771 billion tons of greenhouse gases, about 1/5 of all the carbon in the earth. Despite their importance as carbon sinks and as a provider of other ecosystem services, wetlands are shrinking at a dramatic rate as 60% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the past century. 700 scientists from 28 nations were meeting last week at the INTECOL International Wetland Conference in Brazil to brainstorm on the issue of ‘climate change and wetlands’ and warned against the rapid loss of wetlands, which can constitute what their titled a ‘carbon bomb’. While northern wetlands will be inevitably affected by global warming, wetlands in the equatorial zones can be restored, they say. Hopefully international and local efforts to protect wetlands will continue as the carbon bomb is ticking.

– Read the full article from Reuters
– Learn more about the Natural Capital Project

Wall Street Bank Invests into Carbon Forests- the Ulu Masen Avoided Deforestation Project validated by independent auditor Smartwood

Merrill Lynch, in partnership with Fauna & Flora International and the Province of Aceh, Indonesia, will offer Verified Emissions Credits (VERs) starting in 2008 from an avoided deforestation project aiming to protect 750,000 ha of tropical forests in Aceh - an estimated 3.4 millions tons of avoided carbon for the thirty years of project lifespan. The province of Aceh is home to 3.5 million hectares of forest providing a series of ecosystem services such as clean water production and flood and erosion control in addition to carbon sequestration. The project was validated, and passed the additionality test, by independent auditor Smartwood in February 2008, a first validation of the Community Climate Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) standard worldwide. The project is expected to contribute to sustainable development by generating alternative economic activity and maintaining biodiversity; more details regarding these outcomes will need, however, to reassessed at a later stage. Seventy percent of the VERs generated will be sold while the remaining thirty percent will be kept as a buffer in case of leakage or other unexpected risks. The project has already received significant media coverage attracting the attention of renowned newspapers such as The Economist, The Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal (see April 17, 2008 Financial Times, March 27, 2008 The Economist, March 11, 2008 Wall Street Journal). The project will provide invaluable experience for the formalization and implementation of a future global REDD instrument. Actual social and environmental benefits generated by the project will need to be reassessed in the future to monitor the project’s success.

– Read the press release
– Click here for additional information

Maori consider carbon credits pooling
By Ivonne Tahana, New Zeland Herald, June 25th, 2008

Maori leaders are considering pooling their carbon credits to maximize the economic benefits of two new treaty deals. The proposed carbon pool would be part of a $500 million Central North Island (CNI) Collective Settlement involving 179,000 hectares of the Kaingaroa forest. The carbon pooling would involve 40 million of carbon credits that would most probably be kept as leverage for loan approval, as most Maori were unlikely to sell their land. However, the proposal still needs to be clarified because not all forested lands hold the same value under the proposed emissions trading scheme. Most CNI forests have a value of 18 units while forests planted before 1990 have a value of 60, an inherent inequality according to some observers. More importantly, the proposed emission trading scheme needs to ensure that forest owners are ready to change their land use as the cost of non-compliance would be high. Given the present food crisis debate, land flexibility remains a key concern for landowners, thus threatening plans to crystallize land uses into carbon pools. Regardless of the outcome of the proposed emissions trading scheme, the Maori people were celebrating the successful settlement of the Kaigaroa Forest Issue. The bill will provide the Maori with a $100 million (including $ 38.6 million in cash and the return of 19 geothermal sites) to be dedicated to their development.

– Read the full article

UNDP and GEF invest into small grants community-based adaptation (CBA) projects

Recognizing that small communities are often the most severely affected, yet the least equipped, to deal with the impacts of climate change, the GEF council proposed that 10% of the resources under the Strategic Priority on Adaptation be channeled to community-based activities via the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). In response, UNDP‘s SGP has designed the CBA project to achieve the goal of reducing vulnerability and increasing adaptive capacity to the adverse effects of climate change, and building the resilience of communities, ecosystems, and resource-dependant livelihoods in the focal areas in which the GEF work. The CBA represents the community-based component of the GEF Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA). The SPA is an ecosystem-based climate change adaptation fund, designed to support ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change, including variability. The CBA is a global project, implemented as a key component of UNDP-GEF's wider adaptation portfolio. In addition, the CBA uses an innovative system for monitoring and evaluation, termed the Vulnerability Reduction Assessment (VRA). The VRA uses a system of question-based indicators to assess changes in community-level perception of their own capacity to adapt to changing climate, and forms an index. This evaluation focuses on the priorities of local stakeholders, and allows for monitoring and aggregating over a highly diverse range of countries, communities, and ecosystems while retaining locally specific information. This US$5M pilot project will support 80-200 community-level climate change adaptation projects in 10 countries over the next four years, leveraging community action for policy impact, while generating lessons on CBA best practices aimed at stakeholders globally. Individual projects will receive up to US$ 50,000 in GEF support plus co-financing. Countries supported include Bangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Samoa, and Vietnam.

– Further project information
– For more details regarding the Vulnerability Reduction Assessment (VRA)

El PNUD y el GEF están invirtiendo en proyectos de adaptación en comunidades

Debido al reconocimiento que pequeñas comunidades son frecuentemente las mas afectadas por cambios climáticos pero las menos habilitadas a resolver los impactos de estos cambios, el GEF ha propuesto que los 10% de recursos del programa de Prioridad Estratégica de Adaptación sea canalizado para actividades al nivel comunitario a medio del mecanismo de GEF de pequeñas donaciones (SGP el siglo en ingles). En respuesta, el PNUD, en colaboración con SGP, ha designado el proyecto de Adaptación Enfocada en las Comunidades (CBA por sus siglos en ingles) para reducir la vulnerabilidad, aumentar la capacidad adaptativa, y fortalecer la resiliencia de comunidades, ecosistemas y actividades económicas dependiente de recursos naturales cuando enfrentadas a los efectos adversos del cambio climático en áreas de enfoque del GEF. El CBA utiliza una metodología de evaluación y reducción de la vulnerabilidad (VRA en ingles) que usa un sistema de indicadores basado en cuestionarios de comunitarios. El VRA permite que la evaluación se enfoca en las prioridades de las comunidades afectadas y permite un monitoreo y una agregación de información de diferentes comunidades, naciones y ecosistemas mientras reteniendo especificidades locales. Este proyecto de US$5M suportará entre 80-200 proyectos de adaptación al nivel comunitario en 10 países en los próximos 4 anos. Eso permitirá de capacitar a comunidades y generar lecciones para mejor prácticas al nivel mundial. Proyectos individuales recibirán un máximo de US$50,000 de GEF más co-financiamiento. Naciones ya elegidas incluyen Bangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Samoa, y Vietnam.

– Para más información sobre el proyecto
– Para mas detalles sobre la metodología ‘Vulnerability Reduction Assessment’ (VRA)

Lessons learned from conservation and sustainable development projects- why aren’t there more win-win cases?
By Tallis et al. 2008

In their article “An ecosystem services framework to support both practical conservation and economic development” from a special feature on payment for conservation from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Tallis et al. assess the lessons learned from many concluded projects which had both conservation and sustainable development as their objectives. To do so, they mainly examined projects from the World Bank, due to the longevity and consistency of its dataset. Out of 11,155 projects funded since 1947, about 20% have a focus on ‘environment and natural resource management’. Thematically, climate change-funded projects were found to be on the rise while pollution and health projects were in decline. Out of 32 projects examined in more detail, only 16% showed a win-win situation between conservation and sustainable development goals, demonstrating that achieving a dual purpose is possible but not widespread. The authors argue that when ecosystem services are easily measured and valued, and/or when long term indicators of ecosystem services stocks and flows are readily available, the chances of a win-win situation occurring are greatly enhanced. The Quito Water Fund project illustrates this argument well. Indeed, the presence of a long record of sedimentation and flow records held by hydroelectric companies helped to make the case for a degrading environment. Additionally, the authors discuss the failure of most projects to account for potential trade-offs as illustrated by the following quote “most real-world conservation, development, and ecosystem service projects have paid attention to only a select few services that represent a narrow slice of the full spectrum provided by nature” (p. 9462). The link between landscape degradation and health (i.e vector borne diseases) has seldom been integrated in conservation and development projects. Lastly, the authors argue that natural ecosystems need to be assessed as dynamic entities and that the mapping of ecosystem services needs to incorporate both stocks and flows of services to allow for proper accounting and use of those services. The authors conclude by making a plea for more rigorous science as “much of the current enthusiasm for ecosystem service projects in the conservation world is an act of faith. At some point, however, that faith will need to be backed up by irrefutable data showing that these projects benefit both people and nature” (p. 9464).

– Read the full article

Dorjee Sun- Pushing for REDD
By Cameron Walker, the Ecosystem Marketplace

Dorjee Sun, one of the architects of the renown Ulu Masen avoided deforestation project in the province of Aceh, Indonesia (see around the world section for more details), is a fascinating mixture of keen business man, adventurer and idealistic environmentalist. In her article “Dorjee Sun: Rockin’ for REDD”, Walker provides a funny and inspiring account of Sun’s journey from the dot-com world to that of REDD, a business that has the potential to ally sound investments with a passion for the earth. Indeed Sun described his entry into the REDD negotiations as the result of the desire for something more. “I never felt fulfilled, and I felt that just being in front of a computer didn't really satisfy the urges that I had. I couldn't explain what they were. All I knew was that I wanted adventure and I wanted passion and I wanted to go out and change the world." Read the full article an account of the journey of a man, an idea and the crazy world of business where everything can happen in the hallway.

– Read the full article

Accounting for mosaic deforestation- a new tool for REDD

The World Bank website presents a new methodology to estimate reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from mosaic deforestation- defined as spread out deforestation on accessible forests as characterized in patchy forested landscapes. This new methodology will allow for more rigorous carbon accounting in humanized landscapes (where most of these patchy landscapes are located) and provides an important tool to support the implementation of stringent REDD standards.

–Read the full report

Katoomba Group releases new version of Paso a Paso

Paso a Paso: Un Manual para Diseñar Transacciones de Servicios Ecosistemicos, the Spanish versión of Getting Started: An Introductory Primer to Assessing and Developing Payments for Ecosystem Service Deals, has been updated and is now available online. Getting Started is an introductory resource on developing payments for ecosystem services (PES) agreements. The primer aims to highlight key questions to assess whether engaging in PES is appropriate for a particular locale and community, lay out core factors that will shape the success, sustainability, and buy-in of stakeholders, describe the series of actions during PES planning and entering into negotiations with potential buyers, and offer resources to aid in the crafting and implementation of PES.

– Download Getting Started or Paso a Paso

Grupo Katoomba publica una versión nueva de Paso a Paso

Paso a Paso: Un Manual para Diseñar Transacciones de Servicios Ecosistemicos, la versión de Getting Started: An Introductory Primer to Assessing and Developing Payments for Ecosystem Service Deals en español ha sido actualizado y está disponible en el internet. El manual es una introducción al diseño y a la implementación de esquemas para pagos por servicios ambientales. El Manual está dirigido principalmente hacia personas interesadas en el desarrollo económico rural y la conservación del medio ambiente. Documenta lecciones aprendidas de experiencias de desarrollo de proyectos de pagos por servicios ambientales (PSA) y resalta temas clave a ser tomados en cuenta cuando se diseña un acuerdo de PSA, herramientas desarrolladas por varios compañeros y miembros del Grupo Katoomba para ser usados en PSA, consejos sobre aplicaciones prácticas, una vista a las transacciones de PSA y mucho más.

– Descargar Getting Started o Paso a Paso

1) CONFERENCES, EVENTS AND PROJECTS

International Congress : Provoking Change: Strategies to promote forest users in the Amazon
Location : Hotel Los Tajibos, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia | Deadline: August 15th, 2008

We are pleased to announce the organization of the International Congress: "Provoking Change: Strategies to promote forest users in the Amazon," which will take place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, from November 10 – 14, 2008. The purpose of the event is to create a platform for dialogue between scientists, politicians, development agencies and representatives from civil society to catalyse a process of reflection on the options and requirements of a broader operational framework for sustainable development based on the use, management and conservation of the forests of the Amazon region. At this stage, the organizing committee is working intensely on completing the final details to ensure that the congress is a success. The deadline for sending proposals for presentations has been extended until the 15th of August and the selection communication will be issued at the end of August.

- For more information about the Congress
- Contact the Congress Secretary, Inka Montero

Congreso Internacional: Provocando el Cambio: Estrategias de promoción de usuarios forestales en la Amazonía
Lugar: Hotel Los Tajibos, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia| Fecha limite: 15 de Agosto, 2008

Tenemos el agrado de anunciar la organización del Congreso Internacional "Provocando el Cambio: Estrategias de promoción de usuarios forestales en la Amazonía" que se llevará a cabo en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, del 10 al 14 de noviembre 2008. El propósito del evento es de crear una plataforma de diálogo entre científicos, políticos, agencias de desarrollo y representantes de la sociedad civil para catalizar un proceso de reflexión sobre las opciones y requerimientos de un marco operacional más amplio para el desarrollo sostenible con base en el uso, manejo y conservación de los bosques en la región Amazónica.En este momento el Comité Organizador se encuentra en pleno trabajo y ultimando detalles para garantizar el éxito del congreso. Destacamos que la fecha límite para el envío de presentaciones ha sido extendida hasta el 15 de Agosto y la comunicación de selección será a finales de Agosto.

– Para mas información sobre el Congreso
–contactar la Secretaría del Congreso, Inka Montero

Launch of a new journal in Autumn 2008: Climate and Development

Published by Earthscan, in partnership with the Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training (START), and supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Climate and Development is the first academic journal dedicated to the range of issues that arise when climate variability, climate change and climate policy are considered along with development needs, impacts and priorities. It aims to make complex analysis of climate and development issues accessible to a wide audience of researchers, policymakers and practitioners, and to facilitate debate between the diverse constituencies active in these fields throughout the world. The journal provides a forum to communicate research, review and discuss the interfaces between climate, development, policy and practice. It presents conceptual political, analytical and empirical studies of the interactions between climate impacts, adaptation, mitigation and development on scales from the local to the global.

– Submissions should be sent as rich text format (RTF) files to the Managing Editor Tom Gill or by post to Editorial office, Climate and Development, c/o Tom Gill, Stockholm Environment Institute, Kräftriket 2B, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
– Submissions should be Visit the website for more information

International Society for Ecological Economics Biennial Conference
Location: Bonn, Germany | Date: November 5-7, 2008

Since the dawn of agriculture, people have adapted their land use systems to changing environments. But now, with global warming, the environment is changing faster than ever before. Food security is jeopardized worldwide. According to latest projections, grain production in many tropical countries of Africa and Latin America will decrease significantly during the next 50 years. Many different types of adaptation will be needed. How can we – stakeholders in rural development – take up this challenge? ClimAdapt will provide space to explore your questions, ideas and potential solutions. The exchange will spawn new ideas, encourage entry into new territory and trigger positive action – both individually and in joint initiatives of participants.

– For more information

2) EMPLOYMENT AND FUNDING

Impacts et Adaptations spécialiste
Organization: Ouranos | Lieu: Montreal, Canada | Date limite: 15 Aout 2008

Ouranos est un consortium sur la climatologie régionale et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques. Il développe avec ses partenaires et ses collaborateurs le savoir nécessaire au développement de stratégies d’adaptation pour permettre au Québec de faire face aux changements climatiques anticipés. Ouranos est à la recherche d’un spécialiste pour le volet « Impacts et adaptation » chargé de mettre en oeuvre une programmation spécifique pour différents enjeux.

– French fluency required
– Pour plus d’information, consultez les pages web suivantes
– Contactez Ouranos inc. «Poste Impacts et adaptation» 550, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, 19e étage, Montréal, H3A 1B9 ou ressources.humaines @ ouranos.ca

Several positions available at Climate Change Capital Land Fund
Location: London, UK | Deadlines: End of August, 2008

Climate Change Capital, a leading investment banking group specializing in the low carbon economy, is looking for agricultural and forest economists to create a Land Fund that will invest in agricultural lands and forests around the world.

– For more information visit the Climate Change Capital Land Fund website

IDRC Internship Awards
Location : varied | Deadline: September 12th, 2008

Two internship positions are available in the Rural Poverty and Environment (RPE) Program. The interns will work with the team to further its multi-regional programming to strengthen institutions, policies and practices that enhance the food, water and income security of the rural poor living in fragile or degraded upland and coastal ecosystems. The ideal candidates should have an interest in rural livelihoods, sustainable development, and environmental governance and equity. The candidates' research proposals should focus on:

1) Payments for Environmental Services. This position will be based in Singapore. We encourage applications that address the theme of payments for environmental services (PES) under voluntary carbon markets (VCM). The applicants should be interested in the following question: how can we enable local communities to benefit from voluntary carbon credit? Other questions and issues that could be considered under this topic: are hindering factors surmountable for rural people that are excluded from VCM? Is land tenure a key factor for success or failure in VCM? How do we build on existing frameworks, i.e. fair trade, to ensure benefits that are equitable and sustainable? What are the necessary factors for an enabling environment (e.g. rules)? What makes a difference in factors that can stimulate market (e.g. fair trade)?

2) Adaptation to Climate Change. This position will be based in Ottawa, Canada. We encourage applications that address the theme of climate change and the environment with a regional focus on Latin America and/or Asia. The applicants should be interested in the technical issues, social issues, and complexities of adaptation to climate change. Applicants should be interested in at least one of the following questions: how can locally-led research (e.g. strengthening local government, participatory planning approaches that builds on local knowledge and indigenous practices, linking of local level initiatives to national level policy planning) contribute to policy and implementation programs for adaptation, particularly as those relate to the poor and other vulnerable communities? What adaptation strategies by local communities to climate change have been documented? How can we effectively use tools such as economic analysis, vulnerability assessments, poverty mapping, availability of infrastructure, social networks, etc., to assess adaptive capacity at the local and regional scales? How can new international adaptation funds enhance in practice the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities?

– For more information, visit the IRDC website

Stages rémunérés au CRDI
Lieu : Ottawa, ON, CA| Date limite: 12 Septembre 2008

Le programme Pauvreté rurale et environnement (PRE) accueille deux stagiaires. Ces derniers travaillent avec le reste de l’équipe en vue d’enrichir sa programmation multirégionale qui vise à renforcer les institutions, les politiques et les pratiques destinées à améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et hydrique et la sécurité du revenu des pauvres des milieux ruraux vivant dans des hautes terres et des écosystèmes côtiers fragiles ou endommagés. Le (La) candidat(e) idéal(e) possède un vaste intérêt pour les moyens de subsistance ruraux, le développement durable de même que la gouvernance et l’équité environnementales. Les deux positions se concentrent sur les sujets suivants :

1) Paiement des services environnementaux – poste offert à Singapour Le programme PRE est à la recherche de propositions portant sur le paiement des services environnementaux dans le contexte des marchés de compensation volontaire des émissions de carbone. Les candidat(e)s doivent s’intéresser à la question suivante : comment peut-on faire en sorte que les collectivités profitent de la compensation volontaire ? Voici d’autres questions qui peuvent s’appliquer à ce sujet : les facteurs nuisibles qui font que les populations rurales sont exclues des marchés volontaires du carbone sont-ils surmontables ? Le régime foncier est-il un facteur de taille dans l’échec ou la réussite des marchés volontaires du carbone ? Comment faire fond sur les cadres en place (le commerce équitable par exemple) pour faire en sorte que les avantages soient durables et répartis de façon équitable ? Quelles sont les caractéristiques essentielles d’un contexte propice (des règles par exemple) ? Quelles différences caractérisent les facteurs susceptibles de stimuler les marchés (le commerce équitable par exemple) ?

2) Adaptation aux changements climatiques – poste offert à Ottawa, au Canada. Le programme PRE est à la recherche de propositions portant sur les changements climatiques et l’environnement en Amérique latine et (ou) en Asie. Les candidat(e)s doivent s’intéresser aux aspects techniques, aux aspects sociaux et aux complexités de l’adaptation aux changements climatiques. En outre, ils (elles) doivent s’intéresser à au moins l’une des questions suivantes : en quoi des recherches menées par des gens de l’endroit (par exemple renforcement du gouvernement local, démarches de planification participatives faisant fond sur les connaissances et les pratiques locales, création de ponts entre les initiatives locales et la planification de politiques à l’échelon national) peut-elle contribuer à des politiques et à des programmes de mise en oeuvre favorisant l’adaptation, en particulier en ce qui concerne les collectivités pauvres et autres collectivités vulnérables ? Quelles stratégies d’adaptation utilisées par les collectivités ont été consignées ? Comment utiliser efficacement des outils tels l’analyse économique, l’appréciation de la vulnérabilité, la délimitation des zones de pauvreté, l’évaluation de l’infrastructure, les réseaux sociaux, etc., pour évaluer la capacité d’adaptation aux échelles locale et régionale ? En quoi la création de fonds d’adaptation internationaux peut-elle, dans la pratique, améliorer la capacité d’adaptation des collectivités vulnérables ?

– Pour plus d’information, visitez le site.

Call for entries : 2009 St Andrews Prize for the Environment
Deadline: October 31st, 2008

Aimed at helping ordinary people find solutions to environmental problems, The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is an initiative by the University of St Andrews in Scotland and the international integrated energy company ConocoPhillips. The prize recognizes significant contributions to environmental conservation. Since its launch in 1998, the prize has attracted entries from more than 50 countries each year on diverse topics including: sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest, urban regeneration, recycling, health and water issues, and renewable energy. Applications are invited from individuals, multi-disciplinary teams or community groups for the 2009 annual prize, consisting of an award of $75,000 USD for the winner and $25,000 USD for each of the two runners-up.

– Visit the St. Andrews Prize Website for further information about the Prize and how to enter the annual competition.

Appel de candidatures: 2009 Le Prix St Andrews pour l'Environnement
Date limite : 31 Octobre, 2008

Destiné à aider les gens ordinaires de trouver des solutions aux problèmes environnementaux, le Prix St Andrews de l'Environnement est une initiative de l'Université de St Andrews en Écosse et la société d'énergie intégrée, ConocoPhillips. Le prix reconnaît une contribution importante à la conservation de l'environnement et, depuis son lancement en 1998 a attiré des entrées de plus de 50 pays chaque année sur divers sujets, notamment: le développement durable dans la forêt amazonienne, la rénovation urbaine, le recyclage, la santé et les questions de l'eau, et les énergies renouvelables. Les demandes sont invités à des individuels, des équipes multidisciplinaires ou des groupes communautaires pour le prix annuel 2009, consistant en une bourse de US$75000 pour le gagnant et $US 25000 pour chacun des deux finalistes.

– Visitez le Prix St. Andrews Website pour de plus amples informations sur le prix et la façon d'entrer dans le concours annuel.

Convocatoria de entradas: 2009 Premio St Andrews para el medio ambiente
Fecha limite: 31 de Octubre 2008

Destinado a ayudar a la gente común encontrar soluciones a los problemas ambientales, El Premio St Andrews para el Medio Ambiente es una iniciativa de la Universidad de St Andrews en Escocia y la internacional empresa integrada de energía, ConocoPhillips. El premio reconoce las contribuciones significativas para la conservación del medio ambiente. Desde su lanzamiento en 1998, el premio ha atraído entradas de más de 50 países cada año en diversos temas tales como: el desarrollo sostenible en la selva amazónica, la regeneración urbana, reciclaje, salud y temas relacionados con el agua y la energía renovable. Invitan a individuos, equipos multidisciplinarios y grupos de la comunidad mandar solicitudes para el premio de 2009 de 75000 USD para el ganador y 25000 USD para cada uno de los dos finalistas.

– Visita el Sitio Web del St Andrews Prize para más información sobre el Premio y la forma para entrar en la competencia.

Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy-seeking projects
Deadline: October 21, 2008

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects based in countries with developing economies. Entry is free, and up to seven winners will receive £20,000 each in prize money for project development, with one Energy Champion awarded £40,000. The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2009.

– Download the application form
– For further information, contact Jane Howarth tel. + 44 (0)20 7410 7023.

Africa Small Grant 2009- call for pre-proposals
Deadline: August 15th, 2008

START, the global change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training, seeks to enhance scientific capacity for global environmental change (GEC) research in developing regions. START seeks Pre-Proposals from African scientists for one-year projects on global environmental change in Africa. START will fund projects for up to USD$ 15,000.

– More information available on the Start website

Grants in environmental and resource economics to Latin American and Caribbean researchers
Preliminary deadline: September 15th, 2008

LACEEP, the Latin American and Carribbean Environmental Economics Program, is currently starting the process for their seventh round of awards. LACEEP provides research grants in environmental and resource economics to Latin American and Caribbean researchers. It provides not only financial support, but meetings, resource persons, access to literature and opportunities for comparative research. Interested researchers should first fill and submit the two-page preliminary proposal form by September 15, 2008.

–For more information, consult the LACEEP website
–Send all necessary documents to the L

Becas de investigación y cursos de capacitación para economistas latinoamericanos
Fecha limite de propuesta preliminar: 15 de Septiembre, 2008

El Programa Latinoamérica y del Caribe de Capacitación en Economía Ambiental (LACEEP por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece becas para economistas latinoamericanos para realizar investigaciones, cursos de capacitación, supervisión del más alto nivel y reuniones periódicas con científicos reconocidos en el área de la economía pública, con énfasis en economía ambiental (y su relación con la salud, la pobreza, etc). Personas interesadas deben de llenar y presentar el formulario de propuesta preliminar antes de 15 de septiembre del 2008.

–Para mas información consultar el sitio web
–Mandan los documentos adecuados al secretariado de LACEEP

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