The Design for Sustainability (D4S) concept outlines methodologies for making sustainable improvements (social, economic and environmental) to products by applying elements of life cycle thinking. D4S builds on the work of ecodesign to include economic and social concerns, and its methodology includes both incremental and radical innovation. The United Nations Environment Programme and the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands, in concert with key partners, work to support, illustrate, and diffuse targeted D4S demonstration efforts, including the European Commission-funded Cleaner Production for Better Products project in Vietnam, that are needed to change unsustainable consumption and production patterns.
The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: National strategy for climate and energy sets out the UK’s transition plan for building a low carbon UK as part of the Government’s five point plan to tackle climate change: cutting emissions, maintaining secure energy supplies, maximising economic
This document is a review of the low carbon growth studies conducted in six emerging economies: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa. These countries, with the help of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), have initiated country specific studies to assess development goals in conjunction with greenhouse gas mitigation opportunities. The aim is to present a framework for other countries who wish to implement studies of their own.
The paper is structured to mirror the seven step process of establishing a low carbon growth country study.
Enhancing energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy constitute essential components of global policies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. UNIDO recognises sustainable energy as both a precondition and catalyst for economic and social development. This has been a priority in UNIDO’s work for many years. UNIDO’s ultimate aim is to strengthen opportunities for reliable, efficient and affordable energy services, both to urban and rural populations. The organisation takes a holistic approach to energy issues by addressing both supply and demand sides, and by advocating policies aimed at implementing green energy strategies.
Despite the severity of the current financial and economic crisis, it cannot be allowed to distract us from addressing critical and strategic climate change and energy challenges. The energy sector produces 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and so it must also be a key part of any strategy to reduce them.
This paper describes the most promising low-carbon technologies, their current status and the policy framework that will be necessary to achieve their widespread deployment. It also highlights what immediate steps can be taken as part of a Clean Energy New Deal.
The report Jordan's Second Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on the Climate Change (UNFCCC) reflects the most comprehensive outlook about climate change in Jordanian context, the efforts made to address the climate change and its impacts. The report provides an insight into Jordan's emissions mitigation opportunities, and vulnerability and adaptative capacity to climate change.