We all are aware of the role of technology in the fight against the climate change. Cleaner technologies contribute to a more sustainable development while we enjoy greater welfare. In this context, the role of intellectual property rights in the transfer of climate change technologies has emerged as a particularly contentious issue in the past two years.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) joined forces to undertake an empirical study on the role of patents in the transfer of clean energy technologies (CETs). As a result of the study named "Patents and clean energy: bridging the gap between evidence and policy", some 400,000 CET patent documents were identified from a pool of 60 million patents at the international level.

The project consisted of three main parts: a technology-mapping study of key CETs, a patent landscape based on the identified CETs and a survey of licensing practices. For the purposes of this study, CETs are energy generation technologies which have the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Results of the study show that the surge of patenting activity in CETs coincided with the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, which provides a strong signal that political decisions setting adequate frameworks are important for stimulating the development of CETs. The fields experiencing the most intensive growth include solar PV, wind, carbon capture, hydro/marine and biofuels.

It’s important to highlight that almost 80 per cent of all patent applications in the CETs reviewed are from six countries: Japan, the United States, Germany, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and France, each showing leadership in different sectors. However, China is the next important filing destination for actors in the top six countries.

Other countries are emerging as significant actors in selected fields when CET patent data is benchmarked against total patenting activity (all technology sectors) in a given country. For instance, India features within the top five countries for solar PV, while Brazil and Mexico share the top two positions in hydro/marine.

Via: UNEP

Five years from the target date for the Millennium Development Goals, leaders from around the world have gathered this week at the United Nations to undertake a comprehensive review of progress and together chart a course for accelerated action on the MDGs between now and 2015.

The meetings resulted in the adoption of a global action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty goals by their 2015 target date and the announcement of major new commitments for women’s and children’s health and other initiatives against poverty, hunger and disease, pledging more than US$ 40 millions to the cause.

But what about the environmental targets? Goal 7 establishes the aim to “ensure environmental sustainability” with four concrete targets:

- Target 1: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources

- Target 2: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss

- Target 3: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation

- Target 4: By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

The results shown so far demonstrate that most of environmental targets are not on the track to meet the commitments made. Next there is a brief summary on how targets are or aren’t being met.

Not meeting the target:

· Deforestation: The rate of deforestation shows signs of decreasing, but is still alarmingly high. Percentage of forested area as percentage of land area has moved from 32% (1990) to 32% (2010).

· Climate change: Emissions of carbon dioxide are increasing substantially. From 21.9 billion of metric tons, in 1990, to 29.6, in 2007.

· Biodiversity: Though some success in biodiversity conservation has been achieved the loss of biodiversity continues—unrelentingly. Nearly 17,000 species of plants and animals are known to be threatened with extinction.

· Habitat loss: In 2010, 100% of world’s 821 terrestrial eco regions—large areas with characteristic combinations of habitats, species, soils and landforms— should have had more than 10 per cent of their area protected. In 2009 only half of these eco regions met the target.

· Endangered species: The IUCN’s Red List Index shows that more species are being driven towards extinction than are improving in status, especially in developing countries. Mammals are more threatened than birds.

· Drinking water in rural households: Despite overall progress in drinking water coverage and narrowing of the urban-rural gap, rural areas remain at a disadvantage in all developing regions (94% in urban areas versus 76% in rural areas). Globally, eight out of 10 people who are still without access to an improved drinking water source live in rural areas.

· Safe water supply: it still remains a challenge in many parts of the world

· Population without sanitation: In 2008, an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world lacked access to an improved sanitation facility. If the trend continues, that number will grow to 2.7 billion by 2015 instead of halving as the target sets.

· Sanitation coverage: Over the period 1990-2008, sanitation coverage for the whole of the developing regions increased by only 5 per cent in urban areas and by 43 per cent in rural areas.

· Improvements in sanitation: The richest 20 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa are almost five times more likely to use an improved sanitation facility than the poorest 20 per cent. These same findings show that open defecation is practiced by 63 per cent of the population in the poorest quintile and by only 4 per cent of the richest quintile.

· Population living in slums: Over the past 10 years, the share of the urban population living in slums in the developing world has declined significantly: from 39 per cent in 2000 to 33 per cent in 2010. However, in absolute terms, the number of slum dwellers in the developing world is actually growing is (828 million nowadays, compared to 657 million in 1990 and 767 million in 2000).

· Slum prevalence: Despite the efforts of some sub-Saharan African countries and cities to expand basic services and improve urban housing conditions, inaction by others has prevented overall progress from keeping pace with rapidly expanding urban populations.

On the way to meet the target:

· Ozone layer: Between 1986 and 2008, global consumption of ozone-depleting substances was reduced by 98%.

· Global fisheries exploitation: Global production of marine capture fi sheries peaked in 1997 at 88.4 million metric tons and has since declined slightly, to about 83.5 million metric tons in 2006.

· Drinking water: If current trends continue, the world will meet or even exceed the MDG drinking water target by 2015. By that time, an estimated 86 per cent of the population in developing regions will have gained access to improved sources of drinking water.

In order to face all these unmet targets several measures have been announced by countries, corporations and other organizations in order to improve the situation:

- The United States announced a commitment of $50.82 million over the next five years for a Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a public-private partnership led by the United Nations Foundation seeking to install 100 million clean-burning stoves in kitchens around the world.

- Cameroon announced an Energy Sector Development Program to double energy production by 2015 and triple it by 2020.

- Water Health International committed to build 75 water purification plants in Bangladesh and expand its existing network of water purification plants to an additional 100 villages in India, providing access to clean water for 175,000 people in under-served communities in Bangladesh and India

- PepsiCo committed to ensure access to clean water for 3 million people around the world by 2015.

Via: MDG

Four teams are competing in a race around the world in 80 days as we speak. The fabulous thing about this race is that the teams are actually racing in vehicles powered by electricity from renewable energy, hence the name “ZERO RACE”. Australia, Switzerland, Germany and South Korea will prove in the following weeks to come how efficient green sustainable energy can be.

The United Nations Environmental Program and Google Inc. are some of the sponsors for the event. The aim behind the stunt is to acknowledge the existence of vehicles powered by non-polluting fuels that already have spurred automobile manufacturers all around the World. They might bring a very helpful solution in the near future for the growing concerns around pollution and global warming. “Such a clean-technology initiative underscores the importance of individual efforts in building a green, low-carbon future for the world.” said Achim Steiner, UNEP executive director. He adds: the purpose of the race is to “raise public awareness, inspire and help governments and people take action towards a sustainable future”.

This eco friendly race began in Geneva, Switzerland on August 16^th, and will continue it’s course for more than 80 days and will cover 30 000 km. The contestants will drive through numerous cities such as Berlin, Moscow, Vienna and Shanghai before resuming in Vancouver. They will then cruise the US along the West Coast, finally reaching Cancun, Mexico in time for the UN climate conference in November. The contestant’s next stop is then Portugal, in December, where they will undertake the last part of the journey. The ZERO RACE will finally come to an end in late January 2011, by returning to the starting point in Geneva.

ZERO RACE hopes that it will inspire people into taking action to live a more sustainable life. By showing a realistic, possible solution to the planet’s growing environmental issues they are striving for success. It is now in the hands of observers to decide if they are willing to take part in the green revolution.

Via: Bloomberg

As usual, different visions regarding the outcomes appeared. Developing nations in the Group of 77 and China said that many key points proposed by them were eliminated or ignored and the text “puts emphasis on greenhouse gas curbs by the poor, not the rich”. Among rich nations, the United States said that some elements of the text were "unacceptable” but it would have to study it, and the European Union also expressed "concerns" about the text.

The new text outlines a goal of cutting world emissions of greenhouse gases by "at least 50-85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050" and for developed nations to reduce emissions by at least 80-95 percent from 1990 levels by mid-century.

Despite different positions overall, small steps forward were made during the meetings, as a result of improved team spirit among negotiators and a partly renewed and positive environment after the big failure of Copenhagen.

"Bonn made good progress on some crucial building blocks that will be essential parts of a future regime to tackle climate change”, said Kathrin Gutmann, Head of Climate Policy, WWF Global Climate Initiative.

Overall, the meetings resulted in the adoption of draft decisions regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases, the adaptation to the inevitable effects of climate change, the transfer of clean technology, the reduction of emissions from deforestation and capacity building, along with finance and institutional arrangements.

Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, concluded after the meetings that “A big step forward is now possible at Cancun, in the form of a full package of operational measures that will allow countries to take faster, stronger action across all areas of climate change”.

The next UNFCCC negotiating session is scheduled to take place 2-6 August in Bonn, followed by a second one-week intercessional meeting before the UN Climate Change Conference 29 November to 10 December in Cancún (COP-16).

Via: UNFCC | ENN | Xinhaunet | The Star

BUT, we Sustentators believe that in order to progress we need to find the positive side of things. While no binding agreement was reached, there were other accomplishments, possibly minor, but not irrelevant.

To start with, more than 110 world leaders gathered with a common goal: to discuss how to address climate change. We believe this is really remarkable. The Presidents of the USA, China, Germany, France and Brazil, among others, were in Copenhagen. That means the world and political leaders are giving increasing importance to global warming.

Secondly, the conference was covered by thousands of media reporting during the two weeks of Copenhagen on the progress and challenges that occurred there. This breadth in media coverage must have reached many people around the world, which were in contact with environmental problems. This is a virtuous circle, because if more people are aware, the social pressure increases for politicians, and this helps legitimate stronger actions.

Thirdly, an agreement (with all its faults) was achieved. The so-called “Copenhagen Accord” was the result of talks between China, the U.S., India and Brazil. There is now an open door for other countries to adhere to it. This agreement does not oblige countries to meet any goals. But it is a tool for dialogue and mutual support. Registrants will declare their objectives in terms of GHG emissions reductions, and then receive inspections. If the reduction targets are not met, there will be no consequences, since the agreement is not legally binding.

In turn, as mentioned in an article in Worldchanging, this two-week event shows there has been a change in global politics and world order. The fact that both poor and rich countries had the power to affect discussions and be heard is great news. For example, at the beginning of the second week of the CoP15, several African countries boycotted the negotiations, and without them the conference did not follow until an agreement was reached. The methodology of the discussions was democratic. The results were not what was expected, but the good thing is that many countries were able to participate and have a say.

Many leaders, politicians, NGO leaders and media are criticizing Copenhagen. They cite the lack of political will, the failure of the negotiation and decision making mechanisms of the UNFCCC, and the danger we now face because of not having reached an agreement. Certainly, the disappointment is great. But the environmental crisis in which we are forces us to seek to be constructive. We need to try to consider every step, every mistake, as a possible contribution to an effective solution to climate change.

The next stage in global negotiations, framed by the UN, is next year in Mexico. We have much to do. If this year the world was not ready to commit to a binding treaty, perhaps, hopefully it will be in 2010. The greater the awareness and involvement of each one of us, the more leaders will feel bound to find the political will which they lacked in Copenhagen.

Tony La Vina, the chair of REDD negotiations, said that the scheme is “more or less agreed text except in a few places.”

REDD was adopted two years ago during UN climate talks in Bali, Indonesia. If fully adopted it could mark important progress regarding climate change issues, particularly because it could see billions of dollars flowing to developing countries. By paying forest communities and purchasing carbon offsets, richer nations would encourage greater participation, and interest, by some developing countries on these issues. This might also go a long way to resolving disputes between developed and developing nations on the shape of overall global climate change schemes.

Financing has not yet been decided but a US official recently said the US had pledged $1 billion as part of a $3.5 billion scheme of initial financing toward curbing deforestation.

Roman Czebiniak of Greenpeace warned, however, that REDD might become a loophole allowing big corporations to continue to pollute as long as they set up a small forestry project in developing countries. This is why broader targets on reducing deforestation must go hand in hand with schemes such as these. It is not enough to protect certain areas; we also need more sustainable forestry solutions and for that governments need to establish gradual reductions regarding deforestation levels.

La Vina did comment, unfortunately, that the dispute on REDD was unlikely to be resolved in Copenhagen but he thought it might be settled during 2010. This seems to be the case with many of the agreements that were expected during the COP15 summit but it should not be a reason to lose hope. Change rarely takes place overnight but the important thing is that change happens. Hopefully 2010 will, indeed, mark the end of the Copenhagen summit negotiations’ finishing touches. If it does not then I will be worried.

Source: REUTERS

One of the main problems these past days in Copenhagen had to do with the differences between developed and developing countries. Developed countries want a deal that includes and, in a way, surpasses the Kyoto Protocol by making both the rich and the poor limit their greenhouse gas emissions; whereas developing nations (mainly African countries) want to extend the Kyoto Protocol (that only binds industrialized nations), and create a new deal for the poor.

Yesterday, African nations demanding more commitment toward Kyoto, boycotted the main session of climate talks, just before noon. But thanks to informal talks with the COP presidency, negotiations were resumed.

On the other hand, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon wisely suggested negotiators to get their job done, and not to leave “tough issues” to world leaders, because this might bring about a defective deal, or no deal at all.

However, many world leaders will be arriving early to try to bridge the gaps. Among them is British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who arrives in Copenhagen today. He will be meeting different chiefs of state.

This afternoon is the formal start of the intensive, high-level stage of negotiations. Ban Ki-Moon will be leading an opening ceremony at 1630 GMT.

Importantly enough, last Friday, a draft climate pact was released. It proposes to reduce emissions in at least a half by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Though it has been accused of having some gaps, such as a lack of specificity on how much money richer nations should give poorer ones to help them fight climate change, and on when GHG emissions should peak, it has nevertheless aroused hope.

The draft focuses on the main targets for the world to achieve if it plans to avoid climate catastrophe.

Lastly, COP President Connie Hedegaard said on Saturday that “we have made considerable progress over the course of the first week”. Let’s hope we keep up this progress and that it turns out to be effective in facing the largest challenge we have ever confronted as humans.

VIA:

Reuters

COP15

Below we present some of the selected main news of these past two days’ progress.

• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has shown his optimism that a strong agreement to fight climate change can be reached in Copenhagen. “From all corners of the globe we see unprecedented momentum for a deal… I’m encouraged and I’m optimistic.”
• An alleged Danish draft proposal for climate initiatives was published by British newspaper The Guardian. Apparently, developing nations are not exactly thrilled with the draft’s content.
• A study released yesterday claims that between 25 million and one billion people might have to leave their homes in the next four decades, due to natural disasters. However, few of them might be able to do so, because of a lack of the necessary means to move to more secure places. The study is from the International Organization for Migration. It adds that in recent years, the “number of people affected by natural disasters has more than doubled”.

• The UN weather agency announced yesterday that this decade has almost certainly been the warmest one ever recorded. 2009 might be one of the warmest years.
• The US E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) officially declared that greenhouse gases are threatening to human health and the environment. This announcement can be of help for showing US will to achieve an agreement. It also adds pressure to the US in a way.

This first week will mainly be dedicated to elaborating a text for a draft treaty. Decisions will be taken by the end of the conference by environment ministers and heads of state.

Let’s hope all those in charge of drafting proposals and making decisions are aware of the responsibility they have. They have the chance of solving the climate crisis and the dangerous and also unforeseeable consequences it may bring.

VIA: COP15

Today starts the fifteenth meeting of the members of the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). They meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss how the world will jointly address climate change. The challenges are numerous, and so are the opportunities.

COP15 stands for Conference of the Parties, and the number 15 is there because this is the fifteenth meeting. The parties are 192, and they meet once a year to discuss the convention’s actions and developments in terms of addressing climate change.

The first COP was in Berlin in 1995.

The Danish government, being in charge of the organization of the conference, wants this COP15 to result in an ambitious global agreement, to which all countries adhere.

Many argue that this our last chance to achieve an international agreement to fight climate change, that establishes mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, and the agreement hopefully approved and ratified these next two weeks will replace it and surpass it.

Yesterday, the UN chief on climate change Yvo de Boer said that: “Never in the 17 years of climate change negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together”. China, India, the US, Indonesia and others have announced their planned targets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The amount of studies that prove that global warming is happening as a consequence of human actions keeps growing. Scientific evidence is more than enough. What we need is to show our concerns, let politicians know that we care. We need world leaders to realize the transcendence of the climate crisis, and act consequently. A legally binding treaty is possibly the only warrantee that countries will respect whatever pledges they make. Let’s hope one is achieved.