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/1003/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1003/ 00:00, 13th November 2008 - Global Futures: The Chatham House Annual Conference 2008 Global Futures: The Chatham House Annual Conference will focus on issues of global importance each year. Drawing on Chatham House's extensive range of contacts and its adventurous thinking on international political, economic and geopolitical issues, this annual event offers you the opportunity to hear from, and engage in debate with, leaders from governments, business and international organizations as well as expert commentators. Chatham House has traditionally held an annual members' conference. This annual event, primarily for Chatham House members and Chatham House Foundation Fellows, will take a forward look at future trends in international affairs. Taking advantage of our independent stance and unparalleled convening power, it will provide new insights and high level debate on the most crucial issues facing the world today. Is Globalization in Crisis? Global Futures: The Chatham House Annual Conference 2008 will ask whether the most recent wave of globalization - the growing interdependence of societies and economies through the opening of markets and borders - has reached a turning point, marked by the crisis in financial markets and an increase in protectionist rhetoric. The arrival of a new US administration in Washington, new questions about globalization in the EU, the continuing rise of China and India, combined with financial instability in the West, and increased competition for resources globally, make this a significant moment to review the likely future course of this third wave of globalization of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Most of the speeches were held under the Chatham House Rule. Transcripts which are available are attached below. Previous Chatham House Annual Conferences >> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:03:55 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/141/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/141/ 00:00, 2nd February 2009 - Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:24:53 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/991/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/991/ 09:30, 25th November 2008 - Since it was first conceived the Nabucco gas pipeline project has been the subject of controversy. Questions over the route, potential suppliers, and economic viability remain. Russia's increasingly forthright courtship of both supplier and consumer states along the proposed course further complicates the picture, whilst simultaneously heightening demands for diversification of transit routes. Ambassador Mihály Bayer will address these issues at a roundtable on the prospects for the Nabucco pipeline. Mihály Bayer is Hungary's Ambassador-at-large for the Nabucco gas pipeline project. He joined the Hungarian Foreign Office in 1980 and has served as Ambassador to China and Moldova, as well as Head of the Department of CIS countries, and advisor to the Political Director. This meeting is by invitation only. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:25:11 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/473/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/473/ Chatham House experts offer their perspectives on the key foreign policy and economic challenges facing the new administration. The following quotes and comments from Chatham House are available for immediate use. Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House Mr Obama's first job will be to keep Americans safe and not to please the international gallery. This does not mean that Europeans should resign themselves to be disappointed. Read full comment >> Alex Vines, Research Director and Head, Africa Programme: Reining in stratospherically high expectations both from within Africa, and from within his own administration, will be a principle pre-occupation for the first years of Obama's Africa policy. Read full comment >> Dr Gareth Price, Head, Asia Programme: Barack Obama, whose formative years were spent in Indonesia, in some ways brings greater cultural awareness of the diverse region than any previous president. Read full comment >> Dr DeAnne Julius, Chairman, Chatham House: The downward lurch of the US economy during the final month of the campaign undoubtedly helped Mr Obama win the election. Can he now return the favour by arresting the economic decline? The fundamentals are against him. Read full comment >> Dr Paola Subacchi, Research Director, International Economics Cries for the end of US economic hegemony may be premature. Despite being badly hit by the credit crisis, the US may still show great resilience. Read full comment >> Robin Shepherd, Senior Research Fellow, Europe There are many unanswered questions on Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine and Russia. Obama needs to put meat on the bone now. Read full comment >> Dr Claire Spencer, Head, Middle East Programme: The main headaches for the US administration will remain the three 'Is': Iran, Iraq and the lingering Israel-Palestine conflict. Read full comment >> James Sherr, Head, Russia and Eurasia Programme: It is important for the USA that Russia regain respect for its competence, interests and the judicious use of American power. Read full comment >> Notes to Editors Read all comments in full >> More information on the Chatham House Project, 'Rethinking the United States' International Role' >> Forthcoming event:Monday 17 November 2008 The Whitehead Lecture: Major Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next US President The 2008 Whitehead Lecture will be given by Dr Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States (1977-1981). Contact: Nicola Norton Media Relations Manager ++ (0) 20 7957 5739 ENDS Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:48:08 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/974/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/974/ 14:00, 12th November 2008 - World Development Report 2009 looks at transformations along the dimensions of economic geography: growth of cities; migration of workers and businesses to urban centres; and nations lowering their economic borders and entering world markets to produce at scale and trade in specialized products. The changes along these dimensions - density, distance, and division - are visible in the parts of the world that prosper. World Development Report 2009 'Reshaping Economic Geography' concludes that these transformations are essential, and should be encouraged. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:53:19 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/674/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/674/ This paper is informed by a roundtable workshop held at Chatham House in April 2008 to discuss practical policy options on biofuels. Section 1 introduces the critical role that liquid fuels play in energy systems and outlines the possible contribution that biofuels, properly managed, could make. Section 2 sketches the major risks and opportunities that are associated with biofuels, focusing on their uneven contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation, their relative cost inefficiency, and their possible environmental and social impacts. Section 3 outlines the main policy approaches that currently drive production of biofuels in the developed world. Section 4 concludes with some recommendations. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:35:44 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/968/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/968/ 00:00, 7th November 2008 - The theme of the meeting will be, 'The Business Case for Building Development Principles into Mainstream Buying'. This event is by invitation only. More about the Procurement for Development Forum project >> Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:25:19 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/671/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/671/ Provisions for the transfer of technology will be at the heart of any significant international agreement to decrease the production of greenhouse gases (GHG) by developing nations. The Bali 'Road Map' agreed in December 2007 by the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, makes technology one of its pillars, and calls for 'enhanced action on technology development and transfer,' to be provided 'in a measurable, reportable, and verifiable manner.' This reflects a political reality: developing nations are unlikely to accept any form of commitment to control GHG emissions without a reciprocal commitment by developed nations to assist in providing the technologies needed to help reduce these emissions and to facilitate economic development in a climate-conserving manner. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:59:00 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/471/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/471/ A new paper by Chatham House says that the once-in-a-century economic meltdown means that OECD countries' simultaneous collapse in consumer and business spending will get worse and more extraordinary 'out of the box' measures may still be needed before the situation turns around. The paper, Synchronized Dive Into Recession: Focus on Damage Limitation, by Vanessa Rossi, Senior Research Fellow, International Economics Programme, also analyzes China's increasingly important role as the single largest contributor to economic growth. Summary Points The global financial system has suffered a once-in-a-century meltdown that almost brought the world economy to a halt in late September. Confidence and trust have been shattered. In spite of concerted and extraordinary efforts on the part of central banks and political leaders, including recapitalizing the banks, it is not yet certain that the waves of panic and destruction have been halted. Many of the repercussions have yet to emerge, including possible legal action as well as economic damage. Even before this latest explosion, the leading OECD economies were plunging into an unusually synchronized recession, driven by the simultaneous collapse in consumer and business spending. This will now get worse. Will a severe OECD recession engulf the rest of the world? Up to mid-2008, the emerging markets remained strong - 'decoupling' did work. Now the crisis has deepened, no region will remain immune to shock waves. This time round, the outcome for China will be much more important because it has doubled its share of world GDP over the last decade and is now the single largest contributor to global growth. China will fight to avoid recession, but can it win? If it can keep up growth, bolstered by its enormous pool of savings pent up in the banking system, this will provide important sustenance for the global economy. Without doubt, this crisis will require substantial, persistent and coordinated global efforts to turn around - possibly including yet more extraordinary 'out of the box' measures. The US and EU are now getting to grips with the immensity of the task. The message has become 'whatever it takes' to halt further widespread destruction. Note to Editors Read Synchronized Dive Into Recession: Focus on Damage Limitation Vanessa Rossi is Senior Research Fellow, International Economics Programme, Chatham House. Contact Nicola Norton Media Relations Manager ++ (0) 20 7957 5739 ENDS Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:13:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/668/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/668/ The EU is currently at a hectic stage in the development of its internal climate change policies. Having proposed a package of measures in January 2008, the Commission aims to finalize a deal by the end of the year. The key elements include proposals to improve and extend the EU emissions trading scheme (Europe's flagship carbon market), an allocation of effort between member states on reducing emissions, and an ambitious Directive to meet 20% of the EU's total energy demand from renewable sources. There is also ongoing debate over the support for the demonstration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Added into this mix are the international climate change negotiations which are supposed to reach a global deal by the end of 2009. This paper introduces a novel way of looking at the interaction between carbon markets and technology support mechanisms with the hope that an intuitive picture of the fundamentals will promote a clearer and more productive policy dialogue. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:45:02 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/470/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/470/ The current financial crisis should come as no surprise, writes Dr Paola Subacchi in this month's The World Today. As early as 2004 structural cracks became apparent and now the stability of the international financial system is at stake. The ultimate goal is to prevent a systemic crisis but it is not clear who should take the lead. Also in this month's issue: Martin Plaut, Africa Editor of the BBC World Service, examines the crisis facing South Africa following the removal of President Thabo Mbeki from office. He concludes that what is at stake is the question of whether the judiciary is above political interference. Romilly Gregory of Oxfam explains how cheap mobile phone devices and mobile internet services are fast-becoming critical tools in helping a billion people around the world. Other articles look at Russia and Georgia and the international arms trade. More about The World Today >> Full list of contents: Financial Crisis: Panic, Blame and Crash Avoidance Paola Subacchi Economic Crisis: Down They Fall Vanessa Rossi Russia and Georgia: A Dangerous GameJames Sherr Moscow's Domestic Policy: Russian Roulette Lilia Shevtsova Georgia, Russia and Energy: Going for Gas John Roberts Two-Tier NATO: Alliance DividedTimo Noetzel and Benjamin Schreer Food Reserves: Just One Failed Harvest...Daryll E Ray and Harwood D Schaffer Mobile Phones: Dialling Change Romilly Gregory South African Judicary: Threat to JusticeMartin Plaut South Africa's Leadership: Uncertain Future James Hamill International Arms Trade Treaty: Gun Control Paul Cornish Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:56:19 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/667/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/667/ Download Paper here (French version) This is a report of a meeting, Alternative Management Models and Finance Mechanisms for Sustainable Forest Use in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which took place at the Grand Hôtel de Kinshasa from 23-24 June 2008. The objectives of the Kinshasa workshop included (1) the presentation of five proposals developed by different organisations with a view to analysing their feasibility and effectiveness, strengths and weaknesses, and any challenges which have to be overcome; (2) the description of the next steps to be taken, identification of who should implement these and development of a timeline for activities. This meeting was part of the workshop, Towards Sustainable Management and Financing of the Democratic Republic of Congo. More information on the project Developing Innovative Management and Financing Models for the Forests of The Democratic Republic of Congo >> Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:13:26 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/941/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/941/ 14:30, 13th October 2008 - In this wide-ranging book, international experts explain the links between climate change and forests, highlighting the potential role of this sector within emerging climate policy frameworks and carbon markets. Analysing the operation and efficacy of marketbased mechanisms for forest conservation and climate change, the contributors draw on project examples from around the world to present concrete recommendations for policymakers, project developers, and market participants. This event will be followed by an open reception. Book details >> Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:26:47 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/books/view/-/id/966/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/books/view/-/id/966/ In this wide-ranging volume, international experts explain the links between climate change and forests, highlighting the potential role of this sector within emerging climate policy frameworks and carbon markets. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:15:48 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/140/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/140/ 00:00, 9th March 2009 - Political and Practical Challenges Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:25:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/917/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/917/ 08:00, 8th October 2008 - This Chatham House briefing organized by EEDP in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy is an opportunity for key individuals from academic, business and diplomatic fields to express views on what has become a major focus for global energy security. Minister Andre Correa do Lago, Director of the Department of Energy in the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, will open proceedings before giving the floor to discussions on sustainability, ethanol production and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions, growing food and energy demands in Brazil and the impact on land-use. Speakers will include representatives from ICONE, Wageningen University, ODI, NIPE/UNICAMP, EEF, ProForest and the University of Sao Paolo. For more information email Lucy Ellinas. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:36:24 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/655/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/655/ This background paper attempts to summarise some of the issues for discussion at a Energy, Environment and Development Programme workshop around the following questions: Will biofuels have a large role in the energy mix of the future? What is driving biofuels demand? What are the opportunities and constraints for the supply of biofuels to meet this demand, including their impact? What are the factors that will shape the market for biofuels? The paper concludes by referring to some of the practical policy measures that are being proposed to ensure that biofuels play an appropriate role in a sustainable energy future. Workshop details >> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:12:57 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/134/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/134/ 00:00, 5th March 2009 - Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:15:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/132/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/132/ 00:00, 9th February 2009 - The Politics of Investment and Supply Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:29:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/905/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/905/ 08:00, 12th February 2008 - This event is strictly by invitation only. To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:21:56 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/902/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/902/ 07:00, 15th May 2008 - Most conventional oil market forecasts are expecting the demand for oil to rise inexorably as we move towards 2030. However, there are growing concerns that the supply is unlikely to be available. This is nothing to do with scarcity of oil reserves or misplaced notions such as 'peak oil'. Rather it is the result of very significant structural changes in the international oil industry. These changes mean that international and national oil companies are not investing enough in the supply chain. Consequently, in the next five to ten years, oil markets are likely to face a serious supply crisis leading to an oil price shock which will have huge implications for global energy. This event is strictly by invitation only. To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:02:16 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/900/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/900/ 23:00, 17th September 2008 - Please note this event is strictly by invitation only. This event will launch a Chatham House Commission Report, A British Agenda for Europe. The report addresses some of the key policy challenges facing Britain in the next couple of decades, and considers the part the European Union has to play in tackling them. Commission Chair Sir Stephen Wall and other Commission Members will introduce the key findings and recommendations of the report. There will then be opportunity for an in-depth discussion of these issues and to question the Commission members. During 2007-08 Chatham House convened a Commission on Europe after Fifty: Policy Implications for Britain, whose members would bring to the study a combination of different areas of individual expertise and experience on the European Union, including economics, energy, security and foreign policy. The majority of the Commission members are British, however, non-British perspectives were also included in the Commission in order to encourage a more rounded discussion of British policy options and how they might be received in other European capitals. More about the work of the Commission. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:11:07 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/460/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/460/ The world will experience a serious oil supply crunch within five to ten years unless there is a collapse in oil demand. This is the conclusion of a new Chatham House report, The Coming Oil Supply Crunch, which predicts a resulting oil price spike that could exceed $200 a barrel. Investment in new supplies has been and will be inadequate. This is partly due to incentives for international oil companies to return dividends to shareholders rather than reinvest them. It is also a result of a resurgence in 'resource nationalism' and some governments starving their national oil companies of investment funds. To ward off a potential crisis, the report recommends helping producers manage 'resource curse' issues, welcoming sovereign wealth funds and bringing OPEC into the International Energy Agency's emergency sharing mechanism. The rise in price itself has continued partly because OECD governments are reluctant to intervene in energy markets. The market alone cannot necessarily provide sufficient incentives for conservation, fuel-switching or bringing more energy on-stream, so this laissez-faire attitude has failed to either constrain demand or increase supply. But, given the coming price spike, governments may well be forced to change tack. Professor Paul Stevens, the report's author, explains the dynamics of current high prices in comparison with past oil shocks. The report argues that not enough money and expertise were invested in the 1990s to maintain excess capacity to produce crude oil if consumption continues along present trends. History shows us that whenever such excess capacity is run down, the oil price rises sharply. Notes to Editors: Read The Coming Oil Supply Crunch >> Paul Stevens is Senior Research Fellow for Energy at Chatham House and Emeritus Professor at Dundee University. He has published extensively on energy economics, the international petroleum industry and the political economy of the Gulf. For media enquiries please contact: Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager Direct: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 Mobile: +44 (0)7917 757 528 Email Nicola Norton Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:33 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/652/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/652/ This report argues that unless there is a collapse in oil demand within the next five to ten years, there will be a serious oil 'supply crunch' - not because of below-ground resource constraints but because of inadequate investment by international oil companies (IOCs) and national oil companies (NOCs). An oil supply crunch is where excess crude producing capacity falls to low levels and is followed by a crude 'outage' leading to a price spike. If this happens then the resulting price spike will carry serious policy implications with long-lasting effects on the global energy picture. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:02:49 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/books/view/-/id/965/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/books/view/-/id/965/ This book sets the ongoing saga of Caspian pipeline politics against the background of global energy security. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:24:01 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/459/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/459/ As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approaches its sixtieth anniversary, this month's The World Today looks at the status of human rights worldwide. Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2004-8, writes that while there may be much to celebrate, the goal of making human rights truly universal is far from being achieved. Profound and deepening divisions between rich and poor, a security environment that exposes minorities to additional risks, and an expanded UN membership, have all amplified and exacerbated cultural, religious and political divisions especially on issues such as human rights. Against this background of shifting interests and values, in the name of which, all too often, discrimination is perpetrated, international human rights law provides the best, most reliable and fairest guide for managing and protecting multiple identities. The task now is not only to prompt states to give real effect to human rights but also to create a constituency for the middle ground where different national and regional interests, concerns and experiences can meet, be reconciled and directed to honour the purpose of the Universal Declaration. This will ensure future generations are better equipped to uphold the Declaration's universal principles. Read article. More about The World Today >> Full list of contents: Human Rights Anniversary: Without Want or Fear Louise Arbour China and Human Rights: Power to the People Kerry Brown Rights in Africa: Why Africa? Bonita C. Meyersfield Children's Rights: Young and Vulnerable Mary Buckley Islam and Human Rights: In the Name of Islam Maha Azzam United States and Human Rights: Ending Lapse into Lawlessness Kenneth Roth US Presidential Election: Choice or Echo? Robert Singh UN and EU Terrorist Blacklists: I've Got a Little List Monika Heupel Book Review: Punishing the Wicked David Bentley Ukraine and NATO: Destination Unknown James Sherr Angola Elections: Back to Ballots Indira Campos Politically-Capped Reserves: Let the Oil Flow? Daniel Litvin Securing Electricty: Blackout Bill Durodié Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:37:15 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/458/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/458/ In this issue of International Afffairs, Thomas Hegghammer traces the history of the Saudi jihadist movement. Based on primary sources and extensive fieldwork in the Kingdom, the article argues that jihadism in Saudi Arabia differs from jihadism in the Arab republics as it's driven primarily by extreme pan-Islamism and not socio-revolutionary ideology. The article also traces the outbreak - and failure - of the 2003 terrorist campaign by 'Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula' (QAP). This campaign was made possible by the presence in 2002 of a critical mass of returnees from Afghanistan, a clever two-track strategy by Al-Qaeda, and systemic weaknesses in the Saudi security apparatus. The near-absence of violence in the Kingdom before 2003 was due to Al-Qaeda's weak infrastructure in the early 1990s and bin Laden's 1998 decision to suspend operations to preserve local networks. Now, the Saudi regime is more stable and self-confident - and therefore less inclined to democratic reform -than it has been in many years. Read article. Full list of contents: The Responsibility to Protect and the Problem of Military Intervention Alex J Bellamy Righting the Course? Humanitarian Intervention, the 'War on Terror' and the Future of Afghanistan Fatima Ayub and Sari Kouvo The Vienna Negotiations on the Final Status of Kosovo Marc Weller Iran Under Ahmadinejad: Populism and its Malcontents Ali Ansari Islamist Violence and Regime Stability in Saudi Arabia Thomas Hegghammer 'An Enemy at the Gates' or 'From Victory to Victory'? Russian Foreign Policy Andrew Monaghan Security and Democracy: The ASEAN Charter and the Dilemmas of Regionalism in South-East Asia David Martin Jones Using Negotiation to Promote Legitimacy: An Assessment of Proposals for Reforming the WTO Cecilia Albin The Dynamics of British Military Transformation Theo Farrell The End of Impunity? Lessons from Sierra Leone Gillian Wigglesworth Book Reviews Other Books Received Index of Books Reviewed Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:21:50 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/896/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/896/ 23:00, 22nd June 2008 - This international workshop was organized in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation of Nature and Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A number of proposals for the conservation and sustainable management of the DRC's forests and for the financing of these activities were presented. The aim of the meeting was to enable wider consultation on these proposals, to discuss their feasibility and effectiveness, and to identify a roadmap for their implementation. The meeting was attended by 120 participants, with representatives of government, international agencies, academia, civil society, conservation organisations and the private sector. The meeting was financed by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), with additional support from GTZ, the German agency for technical cooperation, and in association with the World Bank, European Commission, Belgian Development Cooperation and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This meeting was organized as part of a project to explore new models for forest management and financing in DRC. Find out more about this project - Developing Innovative Management and Financing Models for the Forests of The Democratic Republic of Congo. Atelier sur les modèles de gestion et les mécanismes de financement alternatifs pour l'utilisation durable des forêts de la République Démocratique du Congo Le Ministère de l'environnement, de la sauvegarde de la nature et du tourisme de la République démocratique du Congo a tenu un atelier international à Kinshasa du 23 au 24 juin 2008 co-organisé par Chatham House. Plusieurs propositions pour préserver et gérer durablement les forêts en RDC et financer ces activités ont été présentées. Cet atélier avait pour but de faciliter une consultation élargie sur ces propositions et étudier leur faisabilité et leur efficacité ainsi que d'identifier une feuille de route pour leur mise en oeuvre. Il y avait 120 participants des pouvoirs publics, des agences internationales, du monde de la recherche, de la société civile, des associations de sauvegarde de la nature et du secteur privé. Cette réunion a été financée par le Ministère du Développement International du Royaume-uni, avec le soutien de l'Agence allemande pour la coopération technique (GTZ) et l'appui de la Banque Mondiale, de la Commission Européenne, du Ministère belge de la Coopération et le Ministère français des Affaires Etrangères et Européennes. Cet atelier fait partie d'un projet d'étude sur les nouveaux modèles de gestion et financement de la forêt en RDC. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:28:45 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/645/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/645/ Since 2003, countries whose economies depend on the export of oil and gas have enjoyed a surge of revenue driven by rising oil prices and, in some countries, rising export volumes. The press has captured petroleum-fuelled prosperity in images of futuristic construction plans and the rocketing assets of sovereign wealth funds. However, this obscures important differences among oil and gas exporters in terms of reserves size and social development challenges. Based on a major study of twelve hydrocarbon-exporting countries, this report shows that the boom does not guarantee economic sustainability for these countries, most of which face hard policy choices over domestic consumption, development spending and rates of economic growth. The report estimates the timeframes these countries have in which to make the necessary changes and examine their prospects for success given the existing human, institutional and technical capacity, competitive advantages, infrastructure and access to capital. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:24:21 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/457/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/457/ Petroleum-fuelled prosperity is masking the challenge of oil depletion and removing the sense of urgency that is desperately needed to promote diversification in oil-exporting states. All eyes are on supply-demand dynamics instead of how these countries' economies - so linked to our own - can be sustained as oil and gas resources deplete. A new report by Chatham House says today's oil-price boom may be raising the global profile and financial clout of oil-exporting countries but their dependence on oil, (and gas) revenues has increased. This cannot continue: production will level off and eventually fall; rising energy consumption at home will reduce the amount available for export. For these countries to continue to grow, dependence on oil revenues must be reduced. The report discusses, with some pessimism, the capacity of most of these countries to reduce their dependence by developing new sources of government revenue and export earnings from the non-hydrocarbon sectors of their economies. The study estimates, under simple assumptions and various scenarios, how long each of the twelve exporting countries looked at here, would have until it must begin reducing dependence, how big the reduction should be by 2025, and when exports are likely to tail off. Strikingly, it shows that even Saudi Arabia must plan for export decline, and explains why some countries might rationally choose to keep oil in the ground, even at over $100 a barrel. The prospects for many are not that good. Only three of the twelve countries are clearly on a path of ending their dependence on oil: for most of the others, time is running out for finding sufficient alternatives to sustain current or even moderate rates of growth in the long term. Notes to Editors: 'Ending Dependence: Hard Choices for Oil-Exporting States' is written by John V Mitchell and Professor Paul Stevens from the Energy, Environment and Development Programme, Chatham House. The report looks at Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Timor Leste. More information on the Resource Depletion, Dependence and Development project can be found here. For further information please contact: Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:53:40 +0100