Felix Dodds comments on sustainable development, coffee & life

UN Climate Change News , 31 July 2021 – Against the backdrop of extreme weather emergencies throughout the world, yesterday was an important day in our collective effort against climate change. It marked the cut-off date for the submission of new or updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to be included in a synthesis report that will be issued later this year, ahead of COP26. NDCs embody the national plans designed by each country to address climate change. Taken together, they provide the most comprehensive and accurate record of global climate action. I want to express my recognition and gratitude, as well as that of the UNFCCC as a whole, to those countries that submitted new or updated NDCs in time for their inclusion in the forthcoming synthesis report. By the cut-off date yesterday, the secretariat received new or updated NDCs from 110 Parties. This compares favourably with new or updated NDCs from 75 Parties received up to the end of December 2020 and included in the

From Irelands   Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications   Published on  23 July 2021 The journey to Net Zero emissions has begun The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has welcomed the signature by the President today of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Ireland is now on a legally binding path to net-Zero emissions no later than 2050, and to a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade. The Act provides the framework for Ireland to meet its international and EU climate commitments and to become a leader in addressing climate change. Minister Ryan said: "Today is a landmark day, as we turn climate ambition into law, and set out on a journey to net zero emissions. The extreme weather events around the world over the past month have shown us all that we must act quickly, to protect ourselves and our planet. Our immediate target of halving emissions by 2030 is challenging, but it is al

Guest blog by Yunus Arikan Director of Global Advocacy ● ICLEI World Secretariat - Local Governments for Sustainability  On 27 July, the day after the COP26 July Ministerial, UK COP26 President Designate Alok Sharma convened a meeting with 9 Constituency Focal Points. The meeting aimed to have a frank discussion on the COP26 logistics and an exchange of information on the vision for an "inclusive climate action" which is one of the key priorities of UK COP26 Presidency.   At the beginning, CPD Alok Sharma provided a basic overview on the highlights and outcomes of COP26 July Ministerial. Official communication from UK COP26 Presidency regarding the COP26 July Ministerial is available here -  Ministers have renewed common mission for climate action, but more work to do says COP26 President - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)   After hearing the questions and concerns raised by numerous CFPs, CPD Alok Sharma acknowledged the challenges and difficulties that Constituencies are facing in t

Dr. Ron Dembo is an academic, successful, entrepreneur and consultant to the some of the world’s largest corporations and banks. He has had a distinguished academic research career as a professor of Operations Research and Computer Science at Yale University and as well as a visiting professor at MIT. He was the Founder and CEO of Algorithmics Incorporated, growing it organically from a startup to the world’s largest enterprise risk-management software company, with offices in fifteen countries, over 70% of the world’s top 100 banks as clients, and consistent recognition as one of Canada’s 50 best-managed companies. Algorithmics was sold to Fitch in 2005 and later to IBM in 2012. Risk Thinking is a book about codifying common sense in a world of radical uncertainty. Our brains are wired to think forward, to imagine future situations and to plan for the unknown. It’s an ability engrained in our genetic software but somehow lost in translation to a globalized society where corporations a

Guest blog by SUNx: On World Environment Day, SUNx Malta announced its Climate Friendly Travel to Zero flagship initiative,   aligned with the UN Race to Zero .  Based on the latest science, a  2050 target of Zero Greenhouse Gas ( GHG)   is the minimum   ultimately needed  to beat the existential Climate Crisis. By advocating a Z ero GHG 2050 target  we take the direct line to the UN Paris 1.5 goal.  Starting now . However, recognizing  net carbon neutral  is today’s norm, within the SUNx Malta Climate Friendly Travel to Zero framework, we will work with companies and communities via our  CFT Registry  and through  Strong Climate Champions , to help them develop Sustainability and Climate Plans that transform over time from Net Zero Carbon to Absolute Zero GHG. Professor Geoffrey Lipman said:  “Science tells us we have almost reached 1.2o towards the Paris Agreement’s targets today and are heading for 3-5o increase by 2050. That would be an existential catastrophe, with weather e

So the news of Henrietta Fore early departure as Executive Director of UNICEF two years before her term is up allows President Biden to nominate a new head of UNICEF. Traditionally the  head of UNICEF has come from the United States and that is highly likely to continue. The rumor in Washington is that the front runner for President Biden to nominate is Catherine M. Russell . She served as chief of staff  for the second lady-elect Jill Biden (2009 - 2013). She then became the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues (2013-2017).  An extract from one of her last speeches in that position: "The Peace Corps is also a critical component—their volunteers are fostering community-based solutions to empower adolescent girls. The State Department has worked to develop the policy framework of Let Girls Learn. And we’re supporting our diplomats who address this issue in the field. We’re working with our embassies and missions around the world to ensure they have the t