Climate Change

Climate change is related to human survival and development, and to the future of our common home, the planet Earth. Addressing climate change is a high priority for the Chinese Government, which has implemented a series of policies and actions to that end.

According to preliminary statistics, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP was reduced by 14.38% in 2009 from 2006 levels. Renewable energy constituted 9% of the total primary energy mix in 2009, and forest cover reached 20.36%.

The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) has announced that three new mayors from the Philippines have become part of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready.

The mayors from the Philippines join 60 other mayors from around the world already committed to the campaign.

The 38th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council took place in Washington DC, US, from 29-1 July 2010, and approved major reforms aimed at helping developing countries to meet international environmental challenges, including those related to climate change and biodiversity.

During the meeting the Council approved major reforms designed to give developing countries and stakeholders more control and access to funds, including: direct access to GEF resources for recipient countries looking to meet various UN convention requirements; streamlined GEF project cycle and a move

The third Global Compact Leaders' Summit took place from 24-25 June 2010, in New York, US, and brought together over 1,200 corporate executives, government representatives, civil society leaders and other participants who committed to step up their efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive global economy.

The Summit concluded with the adoption of the New York Declaration by Business, in which Global Compact leaders express their commitment to making the global economy more sustainable and inclusive through implementation of responsible practices.

Robert Zoellick, World Bank President, announced the appointment of Andrew Steer as Special Envoy for Climate Change, a new position created for focused leadership and representation of the World Bank in the international climate change discussions.

The appointment responds to the growing scale and scope of the World Bank's support to countries on climate change issues, as well as their demand for the Bank to address development and climate change as interlinked challenges.

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Sub-Committee meetings took place from 22-24 June 2010, in Washington DC, US.

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the Government of Indonesia co-organized the third Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) in the city of Solo, Indonesia, from 22-24 June 2010.

The Conference gathered government representatives and experts from Asia and Pacific countries to focus on the theme "Empowering Communities for Sustainable Urbanization." It concluded with the adoption of the Solo Declaration, which: announces the creation of a Permanent Secretariat for the APMCHUD in New Delhi, India; expresses concern about th

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released the first issue in its new Policy Series on Ecosystem Management, titled "Integrated Solutions for Biodiversity, Climate Change and Poverty."

The policy series seeks to facilitate dialogue on policy issues related to ecosystem management.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has awarded the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize to several scientists at the 62nd meeting of its Executive Council, taking place from 8-18 June 2010, in Geneva, Switzerland.

These scientists have made outstanding contributions in the field of meteorology, climatology, hydrology and related sciences. The IMO Prize, the highest WMO award, originates from WMO's predecessor, the IMO, which was founded in 1873.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has sent out its Second Order Draft of the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation for government and expert review.

The Report is being prepared under the auspices of the IPCC Working Group III (WG III), which deals with mitigation of climate change. Experts and governments will comment on the accuracy and completeness of the scientific, technical and socio-economic content of the draft, as well as on its overall balance.