Switzerland and Peru Collaborate on GFCS Climate Project

Switzerland and Peru are collaborating under the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) on a project to improve climate services for the Peruvian Andes. The project will also incorporate generated data into environmental decision-making in the agriculture, energy, tourism, transport, health and education sectors.

IFAD Workshop on Aviation Biofuels Calls for Engaging Small Farmers

The workshop examined approaches to ensure that smallholders are not marginalized by increasing biofuel production for aviation. IFAD highlighted a $12 million initiative on research and development of alternative crops for smallholder biofuel production. They also underscored recent research grants that will help to produce biofuels sustainably.

EC Proposes One-Year Deferral of EU ETS International Aviation Compliance

The EC presented a legislative proposal that aims to support the efforts of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to regulate aviation emissions. The proposal suggests a one-year deferral of airline requirements to surrender emissions allowances for flights into and out of the EU. Flights operating within Europe remain covered by the regulation.

Event: Transforming Transportation 2013

The World Bank and the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) sustainable transport center, EMBARQ, will co-host the 10th annual “Transforming Transportation” event on sustainable transport. The 2013 agenda will discuss, inter alia: capitalizing on the multilateral development banks’ $175 billion commitment for sustainable transport made during Rio+20; opportunities for sustainable transport in China, India and Latin America; integrating urban transport and development; improving transport health and safety in cities; and bringing shared bicycle solutions to scale in developing countries.

ICAO Council Forms High-Level Group on Market-Based Measures, EU ETS "Stops the Clock" on Aviation

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council agreed to form a High-level Group regarding the feasibility of a global market-based measure for international aviation and to develop a policy Framework to guide its application. In response, the EU will “stop the clock” on enforcement of the inclusion of aviation in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on flights to and from Europe until autumn 2013.