Engagement between UNEP and civil society is necessary, both for UNEP and for the protection of the planet’s fragile web of life. In this engagement lies the potential for resurgence of democracy and ecological awareness.” (Dr. Vandana Shiva, Natural Allies, 1st edition, 2004). Indeed, responding effectively to today’s pressing environmental challenges will require the full and effective participation of all sectors of society. UNEP has placed particular emphasis in recent years in reachin more...

'In an interview, Ann Florini discussed the difference between 'global government' and 'global governance,' intergovernmental organizations such as the UN, and the role and achievements of civil society and transnational networks, particularly on environmental issues.'

The five-year Armenia Youth and Community Action Program (YCAP) was initiated at a time when Armenia faced mixed progress in its transition toward democratic governance. This publication describes how YCAP has made a difference in Armenia’s future and provides lessons on how to effectively stimulate citizen engagement elsewhere, with particular focus on youth.

YCAP has shown that given a little technical support, a modicum of financial resources, and the freedom to decide what is important more...

The Bulgarian Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit Line (BEERECL) has been developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2004 in close co-operation with the Bulgarian Government and the European Union. The facility extends loans to participating banks for on-lending to private sector companies for industrial energy efficiency and small renewable projects.The BEERECL will help to significantly reduce emissions and will generate considerable amounts of tradab more...

'Viet Nam is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. The government's impressive achievements in pulling millions of people out of poverty are seriously jeopardised by the likely increase in extreme weather events such as severe rainfall and drought, and by slow climate changes like sea level rises and warming temperatures. Poor men and women are particularly at risk.

A team of Oxfam researchers travelled to the two provinces of Ben Tre and Quang Tri in May 2008 t more...

'Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light, they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds of thousands of roots & shoots, hundreds of thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. We CAN change the world. ' Jane Goodall.
The Roots & Shoot more...

'The planet’s ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges ... Reversing global environmental declines demands the full and effective participation of all sectors of society. Natural Allies provides a clear picture of how civil society can and does work with UNEP, both benefiting from and strengthening UNEP’s programme of work.”

El Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones (PPD) de ICAA es un esfuerzo orientado a financiar el desarrollo de capacidades de los pueblos indígenas y el fortalecimiento de sus organizaciones, mediante concurso público. Se espera así contribuir a un mejor manejo y conservación de sus territorios, los cuales constituyen cerca del 20 % de la extensión total de bosques amazónicos. El PPD fomentará también la consolidación de alianzas entre los diversos actores involucrados en la conservación y ma more...

Este curso ofrece principios y técnicas para analizar, de manera integral, los aspectos económicos y ambientales de los proyectos de desarrollo. El objetivo del curso es introducir al participante en el manejo de herramientas económicas relacionadas con la conservación ambiental, para poder incorporarlas en el análisis costo-beneficio de los proyectos de desarrollo.

El curso está dirigido a tomadores de decisiones y profesionales que trabajan en temas relacionados con el desarrollo y la more...

The State Council, China’s cabinet, recently issued a directive banning the production of ultra-thin plastic bags for environmental reasons. The ruling also prohibits shops, supermarkets, and sales outlets nationwide from handing out free plastic bags starting on June 1, according to China News Agency. The imposition of fees on plastic bag usage is likely to influence consumer behavior in China and bring environmental benefits in the coming years.
People in China use up to 3 billion plastic more...