Issue 2013-2 February 27, 2013
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The GGKP (www.ggkp.org) is looking to develop a new state-of-the-art web platform to facilitate a dynamic green growth community of practice, including practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and the private sector, and to provide this community with easy access to the knowledge products required to support a green economy transition. As a primary consumer of green growth knowledge, we are eager to hear your thoughts. Please take our survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q3NJDV2) to have your voice heard and tell us what you would like to see in the development of the new GGKP web platform!
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The Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) is a global network of researchers and development experts that identifies and addresses major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice. Through widespread consultation and world-class research, GGKP provides practitioners and policymakers with better tools to foster economic growth and implement sustainable development.
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ILO, UNEP, UNIDO, UNITAR
4-5 March 2013
Turin, Italy
4-5 April 2013 Paris, France
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Two new OECD reports provide wide-ranging evidence of how reforming subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels and rationalizing fuel taxes can help countries boost finances and meet environmental objectives. " Taxing Energy Use" compares energy taxes in OECD member countries, concluding that variations in tax rates across countries suggest environmental externalities are not being fully accounted for in a consistent manner. " Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels 2013" collects details on over 550 fossil fuel support measures across OECD member countries, and outlines examples of and strategies for, successful fossil fuel subsidy reform.
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The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has published a series of indicators on the impact of production, consumption and trade on resource use and pollution, as well as a set of country fact sheets applying these indicators in the EU and other countries.
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The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), GGGI, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) have developed a series of research papers analyzing the feasibility of a Sustainable Energy Trade Agreement. A book containing these papers and more will be published in mid-2013.
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The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) has released a new report, "TEEB for Water and Wetlands", which shows how recognizing, demonstrating, and capturing the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more efficient, and fairer decision making. This report supports evidence-based decision making by presenting an array of ecosystem service values in varying contexts.
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A new book "Investing in Water for a Green Economy - Services, Infrastructure, Policies and Management" (edited by Mike Young and Christine Esau) provides a global and interdisciplinary overview of the world's water resources and the infrastructure used to manage it. Topics covered include the macro-economic case for investing in water, policy guidelines and regional experiences.
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The World Bank and AusAid have produced a Green Infrastructure Finance Framework. The Framework seeks to re-evaluate how green projects can be assessed, structured and financed with the aim of positioning these investments as viable and attractive opportunities to polluting alternatives.
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The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was launched by UNEP, ILO, UNIDO and UNITAR last week. Under the partnership, these agencies plan to support 30 countries over the next 7 years in building national green economy strategies that will generate new jobs and skills, promote clean technologies, and reduce environmental risks and poverty.
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A global database for green economy policies and initiatives, developed as an information resource by UN DESA in the lead up to Rio+20, has registered a total of 304 policies and initiatives in the field of green economy by national, regional and local governments, international organizations and major groups. The database is open for further additions and more information about registering initiatives can be found on the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform.
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UNEP has launched the Global SCP Clearinghouse, a platform dedicated to advancing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) worldwide. The Global SCP Clearinghouse offers stakeholders tools to: browse regional or thematic communities dedicated to SCP; share and find information and initiatives on SCP; build networks and identify partners through an interactive marketplace, working groups and forums; and strengthen capacities with an experts/resource persons directory, e-library and other tools.
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The Development Research Center of China's State Council (DRC) has launched a new website on Climate Change and Green Growth. The creation of the website marks a major step forward following the release in 2012 of the World Bank - DRC join report "China 2030: Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative High-Income Society", which highlighted green growth as a priority reform area.
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Zambia, the African Development Bank, Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the OECD, recently hosted two workshops on the theme "Green Growth in Africa: Concepts, Tools and Strategies for Building Greener Economies and a Sustainable Future." The workshops, attended by participants from over 20 African countries, focused on sharing African experiences on green growth including challenges and Strategic Environmental Assessments.
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