Environmental Sustainability
Brazil as an Emerging Environmental Donor
Kathryn Hochstetler, CIGI Chair of Governance in the Americas at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, comments on the history and future of Brazil as an emerging environmental donor.
Grants of up to $250,000 available for researchers through CIGI-INET’s Spring 2012 Program
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) are accepting research proposals for their joint Spring 2012 Grant Program, with grants ranging in value from $25,000 to $250,000.
The Challenge for Rio+20: Countering Two Decades of Inaction
To mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit, the United Nations is holding its Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012. For a better understanding of the issues at play and a sense of what to expect from “Rio+20,” we talk to CIGI Distinguished Fellow David Runnalls.
Five Canadians among 29 recipients of $4M in CIGI-INET research grants
Five Canadians are among 29 recipients of a total of $4 million in grants for research projects, announced by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET).
China: the path to responsible business and sustainable growth
In an op-ed to The Guardian, CIGI Senior Visiting Fellow Simon Zadek writes that "responsible, green business practice is a pre-condition for China's domestic stability, its moral mandate as an emerging super-power, and hopes for a more sustainable global economy that is currently in environmental freefall."
Reports of Cheap Oil's Death Are Not Greatly Exaggerated
With new sources and methods of global petroleum production coming on stream — shale fracking, ultra-deepwater drilling and new fields in Africa, to name a few — some energy analysts have argued that reports of the death of cheap oil have been greatly exaggerated. In this week's CIGI Interview, Thomas Homer-Dixon takes issue with these "oil optimists," saying that the petroleum our global economy can afford to consume is indeed running out, and that we need to be much more aggressive in developing alternative energy sources.
Brazil as an Emerging Environmental Donor
Over the last 10 years, Brazil has expanded its own domestic development strategies to include offering assistance to other countries and their national efforts. Former President Lula da Silva has suggested that the country’s experience solving problems in unfavourable conditions make it a good partner for other developing countries.
Our peak oil premium
CIGI Chair of Global System Thomas Homer-Dixon writes on "Our peak oil premium." He argues that we're much closer to an oil peak than most people acknowledge.
UN Panel Calls for Integration of Environment into International Economic Reforms
A quarter of a century ago, the Brundtland Commission outlined the concept of sustainable development for the first time. It began its rather sobering report with the memorable phrase, “The Earth is one but the world is not,” to describe the interactions between the world’s environmental and economic and political systems. Sustainable development was to provide a new paradigm for economic growth, social equality and environmental sustainability.
Global Sustainability: Pursuing the Elusive Prize
As the world’s political and business leaders head home from the World Economic Forum in Davos, it is right asking which of the world’s toughest challenges were identified, let alone solved, on the “Magic Mountain.” Timely, then, that today the UN launches the report of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.
Searching for Disruption, Sustainability and Transformation at Davos
Heads of state and leading figures from business and academia gather this week in Davos, Switzerland to “shape global, regional and industry agendas,” as part of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting. With this year’s conference entitled "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models," we talk to WEF Sustainability Adviser and CIGI Senior Visiting Fellow Simon Zadek on what the forum’s unique composition can offer in terms of economic recovery and a move toward green growth.
Event Video: "Geoengineering our Climate" Keynote and Panel Discussion
Concepts for intentionally modifying our global climate — known as geoengineering — are rapidly emerging into the scientific policy and public discussions surrounding climate change. This public event, which took place in Ottawa on January 18, features a keynote address from Professor Steve Rayner (Oxford University) and a responding panel of leading international academics and practitioners.
Public panel opens CIGI conference on scientific policy implications for geoengineering
CIGI is hosting the public panel Geoengineering Our Climate: Science, Ethics and Governance, from 5:30 to 7 pm, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Ottawa’s Lord Elgin Hotel (details below)
2012: the year of the unreasonable
"Time will tell whether 2012 will be a disaster on the scale that Lagarde predicts, and let's hope not. But, as predictions go, one cannot go far wrong in saying that 2012 is going to be ghastly for, quite literally, hundreds of millions of people," warns CIGI Senior Visiting Fellow Simon Zadek.
Climate Negotiations After Cop 17: The Likelihood of Meaningful Action
Throughout two decades of climate negotiations, diplomats have invoked the phrase “common but differentiated responsibilities” — CBDR — as shorthand for the idea that while all countries need to take action on climate change, their actual responsibilities will differ, depending on how developed they are.
Analysis: Canada's Kyoto withdrawal began when Bush bolted
CIGI Distinguished Fellow Paul Heinbecker comments on Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto protocol and says "how do we now tell other people that they have to live by the next [climate change agreement] if we pull out of the first one?"
Climate summit was a pathetic exercise in deceit
In an op-ed to The Globe and Mail, CIGI Chair of Global Systems Thomas Homer-Dixon writes that "dealing with climate change is a prerequisite for prosperity this century – for all people on this planet."
Environment minister expects new climate deal by 2015
In a CBC News story, CIGI Distinguished Fellow Paul Heinbecker, who led the Canadian delegation to the 1997 Kyoto talks, describes the Durban agreement on climate change as significant.
CIGI special report outlines global climate governance challenges beyond COP17 and 2012
A sustained effort is required to reframe the global climate debate beyond 2012 in terms of economic opportunities and mutual benefits, a new special report issued by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) concludes.
In austere times, world needs a climate change 'Plan B'
"What's needed is a Plan B that gets us beyond having to choose between the unlikely and the insufficient. It has to address the problem at scale, rapidly," CIGI Senior Visiting Fellow Simon Zadek argues in making the case for green, inclusive economies.