Climate change is happening. We need to take action. And solutions exist. This was the overall message of the conference on “Sustainable Development on a warming planet” on 24 April at the UN’s European Headquarters in Geneva. Among the high-ranking speakers were Prince Albert II of Monaco, Jean-Pascal Van Ypersele, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Sunita Narain, Director General of the India-based Centre for Science and Environment.

Referring to the recent Fifth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel, Van Ypersele said that it’s no longer a question of whether human-generated climate change will occur—we can already see the effects all over the world. The report again predicts among other environmental impacts extreme weather events, a rise in sea levels and acidification of the oceans. Van Ypersele highlighted, however, that possible solutions do exist if strong political action is taken.

Sunita Narain sees these solutions as being especially connected to the future of the poorest countries. Developing countries are the most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, she said, but they also have a great chance for a green transformation by learning from the past mistakes of developed countries.

Similarly, Prince Albert stressed the opportunities for strong political action for a green transition. He said the climate crisis should be looked at as a new chance for a well-thought-out flourishing green economy.

Similarly, Prince Albert stressed the opportunities for strong political action for a green transition. He said the climate crisis should be looked at as a new chance for a well-thought-out flourishing green economy.

The Prince is known for being highly active in the field of sustainable development. In 2006 he set up the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation dedicated to environmental protection and promotion of sustainable development globally.

For more information about the IPCC`s Fifth Assessment Report, see: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/index.shtml

Over 76,600 people would be employed in green and healthy transport every year and 10,000 lives would be saved if major European cities reached the cycling modal share of Copenhagen. This is the conclusion of a new publication released by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, with substantive and financial support from UNEP. For the first time, Unlocking new opportunities estimates that investing in “green and healthy transport” not only has positive health and environmental effects but is also economically profitable.

Transport, health and environment come together in Paris
The new findings were presented by Jan Dusik, UNEP’s Director, Regional Office for Europe on the occasion of the Fourth High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment, organized by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe and hosted by France. From 14 to 16 April 2014, European ministries of transport, health and the environment gathering in Paris examined how innovative transport policies can create employment opportunities, along with healthier and greener societies.

Summarising the report, Mr Dusik said: "Multiple benefits of sustainable transport for health and environment, as well as creation of green jobs in this sector, are a clear proof that green economy is possible in practice and already happening".

Cost of transport threatens to offset benefits

Transport provides jobs and access to leisure activities and livelihoods. On the other hand, the overall costs associated with the environmental and health impacts of transport can be up to 4% of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In the WHO European Region outdoor air pollution, largely caused by traffic, results in almost 500 000 deaths annually, according to new evidence. Road accidents kill 90 000 people prematurely each year. Exposure to excessive street noise affects almost 70 million people. Transport adds 24% to total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and North America. When it discourages physical activity, transport contributes to nearly 1 million deaths per year.

To access the report: http://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/unlocking-new-opportunities-jobs-in-green-and-healthy-transport

THE PEP – a unique policy platform

THE PEP, run jointly by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, addresses basic questions of how best to move around in cities.

More information: rie.tsutsumi@unep.org

The conference, ”A New Spring for the Bees”, held in Brussels on 2 April, was organized as part of the 3rd European Week of Bees and Pollinators by the sustainable development Intergroup of the European Parliament. It was supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The purpose of the conference was to assess the current state of bee health and present concrete ways to coordinate action at EU level to support the beekeeping sector.

Addressing the 150 participants in a video message, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said that pollination services and biodiversity were crucial to ensuring a transition to a green economy.

The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloș, said that 30% of the budget allocation for direct payments and rural development under the reformed Common Agricultural Policy would go towards promoting sustainable agricultural practices. And in the next three years, the EU would be allocating over €100 million to Europe’s beekeeping programmes.

More Information: http://bit.ly/1n5MBDI

Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon at Sydney's Taronga Zoo during their recent Royal Tour to discuss the illegal wildlife trade. They met in front of rhinoceros sculptures that have been decorated by some of Australia’s finest artists including Ken Done, and students from over 50 schools, to draw attention to the plight of these animals in the wild.

The sculptures were on public display until 28 April and then put up for sale to raise funds for the Taronga Foundation’s conservation efforts.

Following the meeting, the Australian Newspaper reported: "The Duke speaks passionately about his child - Prince George - having the opportunity to see these animals in the wild," Mr Scanlon said afterwards. "He's very passionate and engaged in this issue."

In February, The Duke attended a high-level summit on the illegal wildlife trade in London alongside his father Prince Charles and brother Prince Harry to ensure the "survival of some of the world's most treasured species" and set up his own initiative, a wildlife charity, United For Wildlife.

See article in The Australian newspaper: Newspaper

More information: Juan.vasquez@cites.org