Saturday, February 19, 2011
Transboundary Basins; Geneva 12-13th April 2011
Second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins: challenges, progress and lessons learnt (Geneva, 12-13 April 2011)
We would like to invite you to the "Second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins: challenges, progress and lessons learnt" which will take place on 12 and 13 April 2011 in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, back-to-back with the fourth meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate (14 April 2011). The workshop is the second one organized on this theme in the framework of the UNECE Water Convention, within its platform for exchanging experience on adaptation to climate change in the transboundary context. It will build on the results of last year’s workshop and illustrate recent developments in this area.
The workshop aims to exchange practical experience and share lessons-learned on the technical and strategic aspects of adapting to climate change; identify best practices, success factors and lessons learnt; share experience between the pilot projects on adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins under the Water Convention as well as other similar initiatives; and support governments, organizations and joint bodies engaged in the process of preparing national or regional adaptation strategies.
Proposals for presentations at the workshop relevant to the topics as described in the information notice can be submitted by 1 March 2011. Abstracts are especially welcome on the following topics:
- responding to climate change impacts on water uses such as hydropower, navigation, and irrigated agriculture
- addressing conflicts of interest in adaptation
- awareness-raising
- synergies and trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation measures
- ecosystem-based adaptation
- financing of adaptation
- practical examples of adaptation under uncertainty
More information on registration as well as relevant documents are available at
http://www.unece.org/env/water/meetings/transboundary_climate_adaptation_workshop.html
We look forward to seeing many of you at the workshop and Task Force meeting.
Best regards
Sonja Koeppel
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes
Tel: +41 (0)22 917 1218
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0107
E-mail: sonja.koeppel@unece.org
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/water/
We would like to invite you to the "Second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins: challenges, progress and lessons learnt" which will take place on 12 and 13 April 2011 in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, back-to-back with the fourth meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate (14 April 2011). The workshop is the second one organized on this theme in the framework of the UNECE Water Convention, within its platform for exchanging experience on adaptation to climate change in the transboundary context. It will build on the results of last year’s workshop and illustrate recent developments in this area.
The workshop aims to exchange practical experience and share lessons-learned on the technical and strategic aspects of adapting to climate change; identify best practices, success factors and lessons learnt; share experience between the pilot projects on adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins under the Water Convention as well as other similar initiatives; and support governments, organizations and joint bodies engaged in the process of preparing national or regional adaptation strategies.
Proposals for presentations at the workshop relevant to the topics as described in the information notice can be submitted by 1 March 2011. Abstracts are especially welcome on the following topics:
- responding to climate change impacts on water uses such as hydropower, navigation, and irrigated agriculture
- addressing conflicts of interest in adaptation
- awareness-raising
- synergies and trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation measures
- ecosystem-based adaptation
- financing of adaptation
- practical examples of adaptation under uncertainty
More information on registration as well as relevant documents are available at
http://www.unece.org/env/water/meetings/transboundary_climate_adaptation_workshop.html
We look forward to seeing many of you at the workshop and Task Force meeting.
Best regards
Sonja Koeppel
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes
Tel: +41 (0)22 917 1218
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0107
E-mail: sonja.koeppel@unece.org
Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/water/
Friday, February 11, 2011
Water Canada | Full Disclosure
Water Canada | Full Disclosure
Molson Coors has chosen to focus on water as one of its corporate responsibility initiatives and acknowledges that disclosure is a critical component of this process. “Self disclosure and participation in initiatives like the United Nations CEO Water Mandate and the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Water Disclosure Initiative will both highlight the importance of water and also encourage other companies to participate,” says Glade. “Ultimately, companies that do not have water risk information readily available could be considered a bad investment.”
Effective water disclosure provides stakeholders with information on which to base decisions about their interaction with a company. This information contextualizes the scale and scope of water related exposures and specific at-risk operations or supply chains.
While the quality of water disclosure in corporate reports is improving, there’s still much work to be done to provide stakeholders with the information needed to make high quality decisions. In particular, disclosure of information such as regional water use and water recycling metrics is less advanced. A recent report from CERES—the U.S.-based coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations—indicated that businesses and investors are not fully taking into consideration the economic impact if water resources and that disclosure of risk and corporate water performance is weak. Similarly, a study commissioned by the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment’s CEO Water Mandate found that while most of the 110 companies analyzed provided data regarding their total water use, data on regional or local water use or any contextual information in which their water uses and/or impacts could be understood at the regional level was missing. Since water issues at the local or sub-regional level have potential to pose real risks to operations (for example, restricted water access, conflicts with other users, production delays), this represents a significant void in corporate water disclosure and indicates more work to be done.
While the devil is in the details, stakeholder information needs for business strategy and for corporate disclosure are relatively straightforward and fall into four categories:
How does water relate to business strategy? Stakeholders want to know how water issues can impact on short and long-term business strategy—the profile of operations, manufacturing approaches, products and services.
What risks and opportunities does water present? Stakeholders want to know what risks and opportunities water presents to the business. They want to understand potential impacts and what locations or regions are particularly exposed.
How is water managed? Stakeholders expect information on how an organization is managing water and mitigating risks to the business. They want to know who is responsible and what the company is trying to achieve with its water practices. They expect evidence of consideration of the use of management tools including process optimization, transportation efficiencies, reuse and recycling and financing of innovative water management efforts (for example, clean technology).
Is the company meeting water performance goals? Perhaps the most important information for stakeholders has to do with water performance against targets. This might include reporting on direct and indirect water use, consumption
Molson Coors has chosen to focus on water as one of its corporate responsibility initiatives and acknowledges that disclosure is a critical component of this process. “Self disclosure and participation in initiatives like the United Nations CEO Water Mandate and the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Water Disclosure Initiative will both highlight the importance of water and also encourage other companies to participate,” says Glade. “Ultimately, companies that do not have water risk information readily available could be considered a bad investment.”
Effective water disclosure provides stakeholders with information on which to base decisions about their interaction with a company. This information contextualizes the scale and scope of water related exposures and specific at-risk operations or supply chains.
While the quality of water disclosure in corporate reports is improving, there’s still much work to be done to provide stakeholders with the information needed to make high quality decisions. In particular, disclosure of information such as regional water use and water recycling metrics is less advanced. A recent report from CERES—the U.S.-based coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations—indicated that businesses and investors are not fully taking into consideration the economic impact if water resources and that disclosure of risk and corporate water performance is weak. Similarly, a study commissioned by the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment’s CEO Water Mandate found that while most of the 110 companies analyzed provided data regarding their total water use, data on regional or local water use or any contextual information in which their water uses and/or impacts could be understood at the regional level was missing. Since water issues at the local or sub-regional level have potential to pose real risks to operations (for example, restricted water access, conflicts with other users, production delays), this represents a significant void in corporate water disclosure and indicates more work to be done.
While the devil is in the details, stakeholder information needs for business strategy and for corporate disclosure are relatively straightforward and fall into four categories:
How does water relate to business strategy? Stakeholders want to know how water issues can impact on short and long-term business strategy—the profile of operations, manufacturing approaches, products and services.
What risks and opportunities does water present? Stakeholders want to know what risks and opportunities water presents to the business. They want to understand potential impacts and what locations or regions are particularly exposed.
How is water managed? Stakeholders expect information on how an organization is managing water and mitigating risks to the business. They want to know who is responsible and what the company is trying to achieve with its water practices. They expect evidence of consideration of the use of management tools including process optimization, transportation efficiencies, reuse and recycling and financing of innovative water management efforts (for example, clean technology).
Is the company meeting water performance goals? Perhaps the most important information for stakeholders has to do with water performance against targets. This might include reporting on direct and indirect water use, consumption
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Water Canada | UV Now Disinfecting Water in Winnipeg
Water Canada UV Now Disinfecting Water in WinnipegPosted on March 10, 2008
The City of Winnipeg announced the first of its new water treatment processes, ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection, is operating and protecting residents against waterborne parasites.UV disinfection was installed in the existing Deacon pumping station at a cost of $9 million. The city said this approach saved $34 million, when compared to the cost of building a “stand alone” UV disinfection facility.
“Ultraviolet light disinfection is the first process of a multi-barrier approach that will ensure Winnipeg residents continue to enjoy the safest drinking water possible for generations to come, “ said Barry MacBride, director of the city’s water and waste department in a press release.
“Before UV was in place, Winnipeg had no effective barrier against Cryptosporidium,” said Dr. Margaret Fast, a medical officer with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “The presence of Cryptosporidium in the drinking water supply would have made it necessary for residents to boil their tap water or use an alternate source of water. While the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak due to Cryptosporidium is low, UV disinfection virtually eliminates this risk.”
In the UV process, water travels through chambers that contain ultraviolet lamps. With only seconds of exposure, the UV light rays penetrate micro-organisms and destroy their ability to reproduce. They are no longer able to cause infection and illness and are therefore harmless. UV light, at the doses used in Winnipeg’s facility, effectively protects us against parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
UV disinfection is environmentally friendly, and does not change the taste, odour, or appearance of the water.
A 12,000 square meter water treatment plant that will house the remaining treatment processes is being built at the Deacon site. The plant is expected to be finished in early 2009
The City of Winnipeg announced the first of its new water treatment processes, ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection, is operating and protecting residents against waterborne parasites.UV disinfection was installed in the existing Deacon pumping station at a cost of $9 million. The city said this approach saved $34 million, when compared to the cost of building a “stand alone” UV disinfection facility.
“Ultraviolet light disinfection is the first process of a multi-barrier approach that will ensure Winnipeg residents continue to enjoy the safest drinking water possible for generations to come, “ said Barry MacBride, director of the city’s water and waste department in a press release.
“Before UV was in place, Winnipeg had no effective barrier against Cryptosporidium,” said Dr. Margaret Fast, a medical officer with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “The presence of Cryptosporidium in the drinking water supply would have made it necessary for residents to boil their tap water or use an alternate source of water. While the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak due to Cryptosporidium is low, UV disinfection virtually eliminates this risk.”
In the UV process, water travels through chambers that contain ultraviolet lamps. With only seconds of exposure, the UV light rays penetrate micro-organisms and destroy their ability to reproduce. They are no longer able to cause infection and illness and are therefore harmless. UV light, at the doses used in Winnipeg’s facility, effectively protects us against parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
UV disinfection is environmentally friendly, and does not change the taste, odour, or appearance of the water.
A 12,000 square meter water treatment plant that will house the remaining treatment processes is being built at the Deacon site. The plant is expected to be finished in early 2009
Saturday, February 5, 2011
H Gordon Brown against P-3s
Harvard Kennedy School - Gordon Brown Advocates Global Approach to Economic Policies in the Malcolm Wiener Lecture
September 24, 2010
by Lindsay Hodges Anderson
Speaking at Harvard Kennedy School Thursday, former UK prime minister Gordon Brown advocated a coordinated worldwide approach to economic policy. In his speech, Brown spoke about the problems caused by the recent recession and offered his two major suggestions to improve international finance: Global coordination of economic policies and a worldwide financial constitution that sets standards across the board.
“These are global problems that can only be dealt with by global coordinated solutions,” he said.
Brown cited a recent International Monetary Fund study that found a global coordinated policy across major economic players could create 30 million more jobs, pull up to 100 million people out of poverty and potentially create three trillion dollars of additional worldwide economic activity."
I remember when listening to the video cast- that he remained true to his Labour roots- and explained very clearly the reason to oppose P3's-;because the market in involved- out to make money...
September 24, 2010
by Lindsay Hodges Anderson
Speaking at Harvard Kennedy School Thursday, former UK prime minister Gordon Brown advocated a coordinated worldwide approach to economic policy. In his speech, Brown spoke about the problems caused by the recent recession and offered his two major suggestions to improve international finance: Global coordination of economic policies and a worldwide financial constitution that sets standards across the board.
“These are global problems that can only be dealt with by global coordinated solutions,” he said.
Brown cited a recent International Monetary Fund study that found a global coordinated policy across major economic players could create 30 million more jobs, pull up to 100 million people out of poverty and potentially create three trillion dollars of additional worldwide economic activity."
I remember when listening to the video cast- that he remained true to his Labour roots- and explained very clearly the reason to oppose P3's-;because the market in involved- out to make money...
Greengate Power: Corporate Overview/WIND
Greengate Power: Corporate Overview
Corporate Overview
Greengate Power Corporation is focused on development of quality wind energy projects in Alberta in areas with available transmission capacity. Many of Alberta’s best wind resources are located in areas that are transmission constrained, and require significant transmission system upgrades to exploit their potential resources. However, Greengate’s portfolio of projects under development are in areas with strong wind resources, are geographically diverse, and are in transmission rich areas of Alberta.
By taking this unique approach, Greengate’s projects are positioned to exploit the strong wind resources of Alberta, with few, if any required transmission upgrades. This allows for additional wind energy to be integrated into the transmission system, with minimal impact to rate payers. Clearly, this is the most efficient way to meet Alberta’s growing demand for electricity from renewable sources.
Greengate is a privately held wind energy project developer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Greengate’s experienced management team possess over forty years of combined energy industry experience and has a proven track record of entrepreneurial success.
Corporate Overview
Greengate Power Corporation is focused on development of quality wind energy projects in Alberta in areas with available transmission capacity. Many of Alberta’s best wind resources are located in areas that are transmission constrained, and require significant transmission system upgrades to exploit their potential resources. However, Greengate’s portfolio of projects under development are in areas with strong wind resources, are geographically diverse, and are in transmission rich areas of Alberta.
By taking this unique approach, Greengate’s projects are positioned to exploit the strong wind resources of Alberta, with few, if any required transmission upgrades. This allows for additional wind energy to be integrated into the transmission system, with minimal impact to rate payers. Clearly, this is the most efficient way to meet Alberta’s growing demand for electricity from renewable sources.
Greengate is a privately held wind energy project developer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Greengate’s experienced management team possess over forty years of combined energy industry experience and has a proven track record of entrepreneurial success.
The Meaningful Work Retreat 2011 -Kanaskis
The Meaningful Work Retreat 2011 | The Meaningful Work Project
April 29-May 1, 2011 at Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel
The purpose of this 2.5 day retreat is to provide a forum for young professionals in Alberta (~ages 20-35, but open to all) to spend a weekend with peers from diverse disciplines and inspiring professionals, deeply engaging with questions around vocation, sustainability, and social innovation. Join us for this unique opportunity to:
■incubate innovation in an inspiring setting
■explore your own leadership style
■develop your own ideas for creative social and environmental projects
■learn about upcoming trends in the environmental careers sector
■connect with others from a variety of backgrounds and start building a community of practice… and much more!
The workshop agenda is in the works! Stay tuned for more announcements. For more information, contact Alla
Learn more about the Meaningful Work Retreat 2010
April 29-May 1, 2011 at Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel
The purpose of this 2.5 day retreat is to provide a forum for young professionals in Alberta (~ages 20-35, but open to all) to spend a weekend with peers from diverse disciplines and inspiring professionals, deeply engaging with questions around vocation, sustainability, and social innovation. Join us for this unique opportunity to:
■incubate innovation in an inspiring setting
■explore your own leadership style
■develop your own ideas for creative social and environmental projects
■learn about upcoming trends in the environmental careers sector
■connect with others from a variety of backgrounds and start building a community of practice… and much more!
The workshop agenda is in the works! Stay tuned for more announcements. For more information, contact Alla
Learn more about the Meaningful Work Retreat 2010
The Meaningful Work Project .
The Meaningful Work Project | How can we make money and change the world? How can we create communities of practice that encourage creativity and innovation? The Meaningful Work Project offers an opportunity to share stories and collectively work toward solutions.
The man behind Greengate is Dan Balaban. Balaban grew up in the energy capital of Canada – Calgary – and he’s always been interested in alternative energy.
“It made sense to me,” Balaban says of alternative energy. “I thought it would be important for the future.”
This forward-thinking business savvy is earning the 36-year-old recognition, making the list as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2009, named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People 2010 by Alberta Venture, and a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Awards.
Indeed, Balaban is no stranger to success. He first foray into entrepreneurship was Roughneck.ca Inc., a leading provider of software solutions (such as the ability to track, manage and report greenhouse gas and other air emissions) to the Canadian oil and gas industry. He sold that company for more than $5 million in 2005 and soon after, set his sights on wind energy.
Balaban’s playing with bigger numbers these days – to build out the wind projects he’s developing requires a $4-billion investment. And that investment is going to give back, but the payback won’t just be lining Balaban’s pockets.
Take for example, the 150-megawatt Halkirk I Wind Project. Between 100 and 200 jobs will be created this year as construction begins on Alberta’s largest wind energy project
The man behind Greengate is Dan Balaban. Balaban grew up in the energy capital of Canada – Calgary – and he’s always been interested in alternative energy.
“It made sense to me,” Balaban says of alternative energy. “I thought it would be important for the future.”
This forward-thinking business savvy is earning the 36-year-old recognition, making the list as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2009, named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People 2010 by Alberta Venture, and a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Awards.
Indeed, Balaban is no stranger to success. He first foray into entrepreneurship was Roughneck.ca Inc., a leading provider of software solutions (such as the ability to track, manage and report greenhouse gas and other air emissions) to the Canadian oil and gas industry. He sold that company for more than $5 million in 2005 and soon after, set his sights on wind energy.
Balaban’s playing with bigger numbers these days – to build out the wind projects he’s developing requires a $4-billion investment. And that investment is going to give back, but the payback won’t just be lining Balaban’s pockets.
Take for example, the 150-megawatt Halkirk I Wind Project. Between 100 and 200 jobs will be created this year as construction begins on Alberta’s largest wind energy project
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