http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/rss/9 This feed contains all new content on the Chatham House website related to Energy, Environment and Development. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1236/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1236/ 23:00, 15th September 2009 - Energy and the environment both involve the European Union in relations of interdependence with non-member states. Increasing reliance on energy imports means that the EU must find ways of increasing coherence in its relations with a diverse set of producer and transit countries such as Russia, Algeria, Egypt, Ukraine and Turkey. The trans-boundary nature of many environmental problems is something EU policy makers also need to address. In response to these concerns, the EU's strategy is to use external governance to encourage a common regulatory area of shared trade, transit and environmental rules which will facilitate well-functioning regional and inter-regional markets. While this strategy of influence makes theoretical sense, its use in practise raises a number of critical questions that this seminar will aim to address by drawing on case studies conducted as part of a major research project. Attendance at this event is strictly by invitation only. This event is jointly organized by Strathclyde University and the Energy, Environment and Development Programme at Chatham House. For more information please contact Tim Eaton. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:14:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ Iran's elections were a monumental miscalculation and now the Islamic Republic faces the most serious crisis of authority in a generation, writes Ali Ansari in this month's The World Today. Hard liners may have overreached in their quest for democratic approval. On climate change, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt write that the international community is not doing enough to deviate from 'business as usual' in tackling greenhouse gas emissions. Politics is trumping science as national interests come before a concerted global effort to do something about emissions. Economist Max Watson outlines a programme of action for the Euro area where policy often lags behind events. He argues that the Euro area cannot afford to wait and see what strains emerge over the medium term; it needs stronger policy coordination now. Full contents Iran Elections: Monumental Miscalculation, Ali Ansari Democracy: Dicing With Democracy, Richard Youngs Democracy: The Quiet Democrat, Nicolas Bouchet Engaging Iran - European Lessons for America: Tempting Tehran, Riccardo Alcaro Burma: All Change or No Change?, Richard Horsey Burma: Trust the People, Maung Zarni Climate Change Politics: Dangerous Game of Dare, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt Russia: Strategic Loneliness, Vadim Kononenko Central Asia: Power Plays, Graeme P Hern and Katva Palazzolo Mexico - Swine Flu: Victor or Victim?, Rodrigo Delgado Aguilera The Euro and the Global Financial Crisis: Surviving Strain, Max Watson Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:49:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/641/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/641/ There is an urgent need for progress at the G8 on a number of key items that were not adequately addressed at the London G20 Summit, says this new briefing paper. Issues such as toxic assets, reform of economic governance and strong legal measures to counter protectionism were not resolved. The G8 agenda is much broader and includes a wider variety of issues - such as development, security, Africa or climate change - but there is a real need to continue to push for progress on the economic front, particularly since it seems that many G20 members have gone off and 'done their own thing' since April. Now that IMF resources have been increased, the priority should be reform of IMF governance. Discussing the EU representation within the IMF is politically difficult, but it cannot be avoided for much longer. Europe should show leadership and be the 'first mover', rather than be eventually forced to confront the question of IMF governance. It would be relatively easier for the Italians to raise the issue, given that Italy does not have a seat on the IMF's board. The Italian presidency should promote the idea of a single EU constituency. But most of all, it should seize the opportunity to link major economic discussions between the G8 leaders and key partners among developing countries, indicating that action is needed in the short term and ensuring clarity for the G20 agenda for Pittsburgh in September 2009. What is at stake is Europe's relevance at the international level. This is especially critical in view of the increasingly intense US-China dialogue. Europe's 'big four' (UK, Germany, France, Italy) therefore have a responsibility as well as the interest to bring up such a dialogue and move it forward. Notes to Editors From London to L'Aquila: Building a Bridge between the G20 and the G8 Chatham House and CIGI Briefing Paper, Paola Subacchi and Eric Helleiner, June 2009 Event: The G20-G8 Continuum: Global Governance in a World of Crisis Monday 6 July 2009, held in Rome. Chatham House and CIGI are jointly launching a blog to track the G8. Read >>Read more on Crisis and Reform of the International Financial Architecture >> The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, nonpartisan think-tank that addresses international governance challenges. Contact Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager +44 (0)20 7957 5739 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:34:44 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1230/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1230/ 23:00, 27th April 2009 - This Chatham House consultation on the EU's draft 'due diligence' regulation on trade in illegal timber, is held with the UK Defra and Dfid. More information >> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:55:31 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1218/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1218/ 23:00, 14th October 2009 - This meeting will provide updates on the latest initiatives, regulations and research in the area of fisheries governance and trade in illegal fish products. The agenda will contain sessions on the new EU illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulation, the economic implications of IUU fishing, addressing IUU fishing in Africa, control and monitoring, and fisheries governance. The meeting is open to all. However, pre-registration is essential and must be received by Friday 2 October to guarantee admission. For more information please contact Heike Baumüller. More information on the project Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing >> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:33:01 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1217/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1217/ 23:00, 9th September 2009 - Nanotechnology will impact our lives on a global scale. Over the past year experts from Chatham House, the London School of Economics, Environmental Law Institute, and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, have been examining issues of transatlantic regulatory cooperation. Their research findings are to be published in a major report which will be launched at this international conference. The conference will bring together regulatory experts from the US and EU. Its purpose is to discuss recommendations from this research effort but also to generate and examine new ideas that would enable greater transatlantic cooperation and convergence on nanotechnology oversight today and in the future. Participation in the conference is by invitation only. Please send an email to Carmen Gayoso at nanotech@lse.ac.uk if you are interested in attending. More information on the project >> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:05:39 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1209/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1209/ 23:00, 23rd June 2009 - The seminar will assess competing definitions of energy security across Europe and Eurasia, and examine the future of the European Union's energy strategy, considering both traditional and alternative responses to the problems of political risk, future supply shortages, and climate change. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. A copy of the draft agenda is attached. For more information please contact the Russia and Eurasia Programme. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:31:39 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1208/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1208/ 17:30, 15th July 2009 - Lord Stern will give the 30th Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture on climate change and India's role in tackling it. Nicholas Stern is an economist and academic. He was the Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank (2000-03) and then an economic adviser to the UK Government. In 2007 he became the first holder of the I. G. Patel Chair at the London School of Economics (LSE) and head of the newly created India Observatory within the Asia Research Centre. In 2008 he was appointed Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at the LSE. This event is organised in association with The Tata Group (UK). For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:23:31 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/754/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/754/ Controlling international trade in illegal timber is an essential part of the international effort to reduce illegal logging, and consumer countries are taking a range of measures to exclude illegal timber from their markets. To date these include the EU's FLEGT licensing scheme and due diligence regulation, the US Lacey Act, and public procurement policies. Since these measures are designed to alter the existing patterns of international trade in timber and timber products, they may interact with the rules governing international trade overseen by the World Trade Organization. Concerns are often raised about whether measures like these are compatible with WTO rules. Since the outcome of any possible dispute case would rest on the interpretation of various clauses of the GATT and other WTO agreements, and since there is no experience to date of WTO dispute cases dealing with even vaguely similar issues, in fact it is impossible to be definite about the outcome of such a case. Nevertheless it is important to be aware of the broad constraints placed by WTO rules in designing measures such as these, which seem likely to be increasingly used in controlling trade in illegal timber. The more the measure diverges from the core WTO principle of non-discrimination in trade, and the more trade-disruptive it is, the more vulnerable it could be to challenge. Within these broad constraints, governments have plenty of flexibility to adopt measures designed to exclude illegal timber from international trade. None of the main measures being pursued at present should experience any conflict with WTO rules. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:51:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1206/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1206/ 16:00, 10th July 2009 - A fascinating but complex web of interdependence binds China and Russia. Oil and gas supplies from Russia and growing energy demand in China are at the heart of this and the development of the relationship has important ramifications for other regions depending on Russian resources. At this meeting, Professor Xu will discuss recent developments in the Russia-China relationship and the prospects for energy deals between the two countries. Professor Xiaojie (Steven) Xu is the Head of Institute of World Economics & Politics' International Energy Program, China Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, and an independent petroleum investment advisor to State Energy Bureau, national oil companies and energy service firms. Xu was the first director of Overseas Investment at China National Petroleum Corporation and remains the Chief Professor of the Institute of Geopolitics and Energy Economics at the East China Normal University, Shanghai. Xu has been a leading expert in numerous Chinese and English professional consulting reports, speeches, research papers/chapters and books including 'Petro-Dragon's Rise: What It Means for China and the World' (European Press, 2002). Attendance at this event is strictly by invitation only. This is the sixth meeting of the Chatham House Fossil Fuels Expert Roundtable. For more information please contact Tim Eaton. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:20:06 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1205/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1205/ 11:00, 22nd June 2009 - The Procurement for Development Forum brings together food business leaders to discuss ways that purchasing practices can help development in African countries. It provides a neutral space where retailers, manufacturers and specialist importers can identify ways that their purchasing practices can do more to encourage sustainable development in the developing world, and develop business models that bring more benefits for the poor. The Forum has focused on how supply chains for food products - from cocoa to fresh vegetables - can bring more benefits to the developing world, especially in Africa. The Forum is coming to the end of its first year. This public meeting, which will be opened by Gareth Thomas MP, Minister of State for International Development, will discuss the various perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of pro-poor procurement, with special reference to the UK's food supply chain. For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. Information on the Procurement for Development Forum >> Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:11:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1193/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1193/ 10:00, 3rd July 2009 - There is a new determination, and increased funding, to promote science-based agricultural development in Africa. But why are spending and commitments so sluggish? Is this because 'He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still'? Many African leaders, now under pressure to respond to the growing demand for fertilisers, irrigation and modern plant breeding, harbour deep doubts about these - as do some opinion-forming NGOs. Do the physical crises of African agriculture - food output per head lower than in the 1960s, soil erosion and nutrient loss, water scarcity - require 'organic', low-input, farming with minimal modern inputs, or science-based, yet conservation-sensitive, farm development and research? For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. More information about the project, The Role of Agriculture in African Development >> Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:56:46 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1191/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1191/ 15:00, 4th June 2009 - **PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE** At this event, co-hosted with the Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI), Dr Emma Archer will discuss how climate change is affecting southern Africa and what the future may look like for the region. She will remark on how this issue pertains to the whole of government as it is not only an environmental issue. Barbara van Logchem will reflect on Dr Archer's comments and discuss those climate change challenges specifically related to Mozambique. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Chatham House is cooperating with the Maputo-based Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI) on a capacity-building project sponsored by the British High Commission in Mozambique. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:32:17 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1187/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1187/ 15:00, 1st June 2009 - Seven years after discussions to develop the Nabucco pipeline first began, Russia continues to enjoy a virtual monopoly on the westward transit of energy from Eurasia to Europe. Numerous pipeline plans are on the table, but in many cases their commercial and political viability remain uncertain. Meanwhile, January's gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine has underlined the fragility of the current energy governance regime in Eurasia, and the urgent need for stronger political leadership to address energy security concerns. Dr Ariel Cohen will discuss the future of energy security in Eurasia. He will examine the prospects for new transit pipeline projects, and the security and geopolitical implications of their construction - or abandonment. Dr Cohen is Research Fellow in Russian and Eurasian Studies at the Davis International Studies Institute at the Heritage Foundation. He has consulted for the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the US Government, and the US Senate. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please contact the Russia and Eurasia programme. Tue, 26 May 2009 14:58:59 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1186/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1186/ 07:00, 8th June 2009 - A major report, 'Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change', launched jointly by The Lancet and University College London warns that climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Covering patterns of disease and mortality, food, water and sanitation, shelter and human settlements, extreme events, population and migration, and identifying five critical challenges to address, this groundbreaking report brings health to the forefront of the climate change debate. This meeting will bring together leading experts from government, civil society, academia and other key stakeholders to debate the findings of the report and to catalyse the financing and organisation of a global biennial review process. Read the report on The Lancet >> Attendance at this event is by invitation only. The meeting is held in association with The Lancet and UCL. For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. Fri, 22 May 2009 16:50:44 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1182/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1182/ 23:00, 7th July 2009 - Jointly organised by Chatham House and the Rights and Resources Initiative, this is the first in a series of meetings aiming to promote learning and frank discussion on the key issues facing forests and forest communities as the world scales up efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The meeting is organised around four topics: Forests and REDD in the UNFCCC climate negotiations Forest funds: creating precedents and standards? Rights, rules, people and emissions reductions Carbon financing mechanisms and governance. THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. More details, including provisional agenda >> For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. Fri, 22 May 2009 15:41:05 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ In this month's issue, Dr David Heymann, Head of Chatham House's new Centre on Global Health Security, and formerly Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization, traces the means of managing the risks of influenza and outlines today's challenges for practitioners to identify emerging infections such as swine flu. Prem Shankar Jha, columnist and former editor, The Hindustan Times, argues that the Obama administration must understand that there will be no peace settlement in Afghanistan if India is left out of the process. And Kerry Brown, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House, writes on how China is rising again but faces a major task in communicating what it calls its 'benign objectives and intentions' to the rest of the world. Full list of contents: Afghanistan and Pakistan: Obama's Quagmire, Prem Shankar Jha Afghanistan and Pakistan: Taliban Toxin, Wolfgang Danspeckgruber and William Maley Health: Preparing for Pandemics, David L Heymann Health - China and Russia: Life Support, Christopher Davis Group of Eight - Aid in Africa: Party Over, Tom Cargill Group of Eight: Thinking, Not Talking, Alex Vines China: Rising Again, Kerry Brown Coal and Climate Change: Electrifying Issue, Michael Hogan Coal and Climate Change: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Jon Gibbins Europe: Jobs for the Boys, Richard Whitman Thu, 21 May 2009 15:51:04 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1176/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1176/ 13:00, 8th June 2009 - Indonesia is one of the world's resource giants: the country is rich in petroleum, natural gas and minerals, and is also an important consumer of energy. The speakers will discuss Indonesia's role in the global energy economy. Michael Putra is a CO2 Strategy Analyst for the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies. He is responsible for supporting the development of the CO2 Management Strategy and for providing analysis for global climate change and CO2 regulation. Dr Cho-Oon Khong is Chief Political Analyst in Shell International's Global Business Environment team. Dr Khong has over 15 years of experience in leading and participating in country scenario projects and development for risk analysis for the Shell Group. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Tue, 19 May 2009 12:01:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1166/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1166/ 10:30, 14th May 2009 - When commercial, security and geopolitical concerns are intertwined, the obstacles to international consensus on resource management are likely to be substantial. In light of yet another energy crisis this winter, and with Russia refusing to ratify the Energy Charter, is it time to rethink energy governance in Eurasia? How can this be achieved when the actors involved have very different understandings of energy security? Will the economic crisis make countries more amenable to shared norms for energy investment, sale and transit, or less? Ambassador André Mernier, Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, will examine the future of multilateral energy agreements, including the recent Russian proposals for a new 'conceptual approach' to the legal basis of international energy cooperation. Ambassador André Mernier became Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat in January 2006. Previously, André Mernier was Head of Energy Services in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium and Ambassador in Moscow from 2000-2004, during which period he was also accredited to Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. For more information please contact Alex Nice. Thu, 14 May 2009 09:57:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/743/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/743/ This is the second paper in the project on Managing Energy: for Climate and Security. This paper challenges the conventional view of energy in society, and offers a more promising vision. The first paper, Managing Energy Wrong, was published in June 2008. Wed, 13 May 2009 11:03:09 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1161/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1161/ 00:00, 20th November 2008 - This meeting is part of the project, Trade, Finance and Climate Change: Building a Positive Agenda for Developing Countries. Fri, 08 May 2009 12:08:08 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1160/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1160/ 00:00, 12th November 2008 - This meeting is part of the project, Trade, Finance and Climate Change: Building a Positive Agenda for Developing Countries. Fri, 08 May 2009 11:58:50 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1159/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1159/ 23:00, 1st October 2008 - This meeting is part of the project, Trade, Finance and Climate Change: Building a Positive Agenda for Developing Countries. Fri, 08 May 2009 11:51:55 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/741/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/741/ This is a transcript of a Fossil Fuels Expert Roundtable meeting at Chatham House on 15 April 2009. Thu, 07 May 2009 15:35:35 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1151/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1151/ 23:00, 22nd June 2009 - This illegal logging update meeting will provide updates on the latest initiatives, regulations and research in the area of forest governance and trade in illegal timber. The agenda will contain sessions on the EU's 'due diligence' regulation and the US Lacey Act, forests and climate change, Transparency International's Forest Governance Integrity programme, and updates on the VPA negotiations in Indonesia, the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. The meeting is open to all and there is no charge for admission. However, pre-registration is essential and must be received by Wednesday 17 June to guarantee admission. More details >> For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. More information on the project, Control of Illegal Logging and International Trade in Illegally Logged Timber >> Tue, 05 May 2009 11:46:48 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2384/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2384/ The 1990s was a period of strategic innovation in US foreign policy. Operation Allied Force in particular represented an important step in the contorted evolution of America's attitude towards the use of force in the post-Cold War period. That operation demonstrated the growing influence of humanitarian concerns and the extent to which America was willing to reconsider Cold War criteria on the prudence and utility of force in support of its foreign policy. In its decision to intervene in Kosovo, the Clinton administration also divided opinion among the military. This, in effect, reduced the premium placed on the counsels of the armed forces and made it easier for the Bush administration subsequently to ignore their advice. Furthermore, having fought the war multilaterally through NATO, Operation Allied Force made America more wary of doing so again. In other words, the intervention set a number of precedents and left a significant legacy for the way in which US foreign policy was pursued in the decade that followed. This legacy is considered in two parts: the first analyses those issues associated with the use of force debate; the second considers how the Kosovo experience affected US attitudes to coalition warfare. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:49:13 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2383/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/ia/archive/view/-/id/2383/ The Kosovo war was a decisive catalyst in the development of the EU's international security role. The escalating crisis in Kosovo confirmed that the EU was still unable to prevent, contain or end violent conflict along its own borders. This led the EU to augment both its hard and soft power through the launch of the European Security and Defence Policy and the Stabilisation and Association Process. These initiatives endowed the EU with the potential to make a distinct contribution to international conflict management. Unsurprisingly, this continuing transformation has encountered significant obstacles relating to capabilities, political will and coordination. Concerns have also been raised about how the development of a military dimension has changed the nature of EU power. However, the EU has not abandoned the core principle upon which its international role was founded, namely the need to transcend conflict. Ten years after its failings in Kosovo, the EU is assuming increasing responsibility for conflict management and becoming a more capable international security actor. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:46:05 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/737/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/737/ Much energy infrastructure lies in areas that are predicted to become increasingly physically unstable owing to changes in the environment. Already there have been environment-related disruptions to hydroelectric installations, offshore oil and gas production, pipelines, electrical transmission and nuclear power generation. As a result of scheduled decommissioning, revised environmental standards, stimulus spending and new development, there is likely to be substantial investment in new energy infrastructure. It is critical that new and existing infrastructure be designed or retrofitted for changing environmental conditions. It is no longer sufficient only to assess our impact on the environment; now we must also assess the impact of a changing environment on us. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:38:23 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ Climate of Change? Ahead of the Copenhagen summit in December, this month's The World Today looks at how China, Russia and Brazil are preparing for a post-Kyoto climate change agreement. Linda Jakobson, Senior Researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, writes on the delicate balancing act the Chinese government are pursuing: while some Chinese leaders are adamant that combating climate change must not deter economic development, they are also keen to show they are willing to shoulder international responsibilities in line with the status of a rising power. However, the view that China is a victim of climate change, rather than a country to be held responsible for it, is shared across the party. Looking ahead to Iran's presidential elections, Ali Ansari, Associate Fellow, writes that the faltering economy will be a key issue, but with political comebacks beckoning and harsh criticisms of Ahmadinejad by potential candidates rife, one thing stands out: everyone is arguing about the need for change. And, Tony Elumelu, Chief Executive, United Bank for Africa, writes on how in a world of largely negative economic growth, African stocks and shares are showing strong results. But Africa needs to get the message across that it is a continent of growing economies, with institutions and entrepreneurs willing to play important roles in providing solutions to the economic crisis. Full list of contents: Climate Change: China's Changing Climate, Linda Jakobson Russia and Climate Change: Costs or Benefits?, Anna Korppoo Brazil and Climate Change: Global Positioning, Paulo Wrobel Moldova: Question of Power, James Sherr Global Economc Crisis: Crunching Eastern Europe, Sean Hanley European Elections: Big Yawn, or Wake-Up Call?, Julie Smith Europe's Eastern Partnership: Between Europe and Russia, Georgy Bovt Council of Europe: Conscience of a Continent, Martyn Bond The Global Economic Crisis and Africa, Tony Elumelu Iranian Presidential Elections: Ghost at the Election Banquet, Ali Ansari Lebanon Elections: Into the Shadows, Hussain Abdul-Hussain Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:23:36 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1126/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1126/ 23:00, 5th May 2009 - According to recent scenarios - focused variously on price volatility, reserves depletion, lack of investment and climate change - we urgently need to rethink our current level of dependency on crude oil, specifically within the transport sector. Transport, by enabling the movement of goods and people, facilitates economic activity, thus the health of the global economy is inextricably linked to crude oil markets. Climate change and other environmental constraints provide further stimuli to the development of alternatives to conventional petroleum. Consequently, there is growing interest in liquid fuel substitutes, such as biofuels, gas-to-liquids, and even coal-to-liquids. But how do these options compare to fuels derived from crude oil on environmental, economical and political grounds? And is it sensible to invest in these rather than in vehicles powered by alternative energy carriers, such as gaseous fuels or electricity? This meeting will consider what widespread changes in transport will mean for the fossil fuel industries, and debates the kind of infrastructure changes, costs and timescale necessary to facilitate the necessary transformation. This is a meeting of the Chatham House Fossil Fuels Expert Roundtable. Attendance at this meeting is strictly by invitation only. For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:29:03 +0100