Dear Climate-L readers,

As you are aware, Annex I parties submit their GHG inventories annually to the Secretariat; these are then checked by expert review teams. Whatever arrangement replaces Kyoto, this foundational process of reporting and review is expected to remain in place essentially unchanged. But how well have states responded to it? What administrative and legal models have been used to implement it? How transparent is the process at all levels? What compromises does it contain? How accurate and complete are the data coming out of it? I am seeking to establish a network of academics and practitioners to investigate these and related questions. Please let me know if you are interested and if you will be in Copenhagen. I will organize a startup workshop there to discuss project design, potential research projects, sources of funding, and organization.

Regards,

Alexander Zahar
Climate Law (editor-in-chief)
Griffith Law School
Australia
a.zahar@griffith.edu.au

There are obviously a million sources for climate change information today, but one of my favorites is Carbon Positive News on the Carbon Positive website (look under “Feature Stories” in the tabs on the left frame). The site also contains a tremendous repository of information on specific climate topics.

OPEN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

International Law & Policy for a Low-Carbon Economy Programme

UNFCCC COP Climate Conference, Dec 07-18 Copenhagen 2009

The world is moving towards a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. New law & policy frameworks provide important tools. But how to get the rules right, domestically & internationally? How to secure sustainable climate financing, refine carbon trading rules & promote investment into REDD & clean tech development, while ensuring respect for the rights of the most vulnerable? What regulatory & governance systems & what policy innovations can help? What have we learned to date, what are the best legal practices & what are key priorities for a future global law & policy research agenda?

A Consortium of partners from world-class universities, international organisations & leading civil society actors is hosting a joint programme of special events on international law & policy for a low-carbon economy, at the UNFCCC COP 15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen. We warmly invite you to join us for fascinating debates, briefings and celebrations.

The International Law & Policy for a Low Carbon Economy Programme currently revolves around four principal events:

(1) Building the Low-Carbon Economy beyond Copenhagen: The Global Law & Policy Research Agenda / Seminar

In this International Law & Policy Research Seminar, developed & developing country negotiators & leading experts will identify key priorities for the emerging global law & policy research agenda on sustainable development of the low-carbon economy / 10am – 6pm Sat Dec 12, Clarion Hotel, Copenhagen

(2) Climate Finance: Legal and Regulatory Issues / Course

In this International Capacity-Building Course, registered government, civil society and private sectors delegates will access leading experts to build certified skills in legal & regulatory aspects of climate finance /10am – 4pm Sun Dec 13, University of Copenhagen*, Copenhagen

(3) Developing Sustainable & Equitable Legal Frameworks for the Global Low-Carbon Economy / Side-Event

In this proposed UNFCCC Climate Conference Side-Event, a series of participatory expert-led roundtables will brief COP delegates on the most recent legal frameworks & practices in carbon financing & carbon trading, forestry & clean tech development, & rights-based frameworks for climate change / Event to be confirmed, Bella Center, Copenhagen

(4) Climate Justice & Sustainability / Reception

In this Book Launch Reception & Celebration, global leaders & COP delegates will keynote on the low-carbon economy, sustainability & indigenous rights, & will toast brilliant new international publications such as Freestone & Streck, Legal Aspects of Carbon Trading: Kyoto, Copenhagen & Beyond (OUP 2009) with wine, cheese & chocolates / 6pm – 8pm Wed Dec 16, Bella Center, Copenhagen

This International Law & Policy Programme, chaired by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), engages leading academic partners from the University of Sydney, New York University, the University of Toronto, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Cambridge, McGill University & the University of Oslo, also the University of Chile, the National Litoral University of Argentina, the University of Beijing & the University of Hong Kong. Key collaborators include the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), the International Law Association, the UN Environment Programme, the UN Development Programme, ClimateFocus & the Assembly of First Nations, with grateful thanks to Sustainable Prosperity, also Quebec & other governments, for their support.

All COP 15 government and intergovernmental delegates, civil society representatives, business representatives, students and others welcome. For more information or to register your interest in participating, please email info@cisdl.org, with cc to aharrington@cisdl.org and  mcsegger@cisdl.org. All event dates and venues are subject to confirmation by Nov 25, with details to be posted on www.cisdl.org.