Video by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities in partnership with Tebtebba, IWGIA and AIPP concerning climate change and the REDD partnership program in Nepal.
Showing posts with label Trade and REDD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trade and REDD. Show all posts
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Nepal: Video On Climate Change and the REDD Partnership Program
Produced by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN)
Video by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities in partnership with Tebtebba, IWGIA and AIPP concerning climate change and the REDD partnership program in Nepal.
Video by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities in partnership with Tebtebba, IWGIA and AIPP concerning climate change and the REDD partnership program in Nepal.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Climate Market Failure
Whatever Happened to Constructive Conflict?
BY PATRICK BOND
CounterPunch
February 29, 2012
In 2007, former World Bank chief economist Nick Stern termed climate change the worst ‘market failure’ in history – since those who pollute greenhouse gases are not charged, and since they threaten future generations and vast swathes of natural life – and at that moment, even the 1991 ravings of another former Bank chief economist, Larry Summers, made sense.
‘I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest-wage country is impeccable and we should face up that’, according to a memo with Summers’ signature (http://www.whirledbank.org/ourwords/summers.html), although actually Summers was a mere plagiarist of Harvard economist Lant Pritchett’s genius, insiders allege.
It makes sense if you envisage every aspect of life to be a commodity, and if in turn you believe carbon trading is the right way to address climate change, through privatization of the air coordinated by financial markets (as do Stern and Summers). Indeed ‘Payment for Environmental Services’ is the mantra for neoliberal ‘Green Economy’ advocates at the extravaganza Rio+20 Earth Summit in June.
BY PATRICK BOND
CounterPunch
February 29, 2012
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| Nick Stern |
‘I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest-wage country is impeccable and we should face up that’, according to a memo with Summers’ signature (http://www.whirledbank.org/ourwords/summers.html), although actually Summers was a mere plagiarist of Harvard economist Lant Pritchett’s genius, insiders allege.
It makes sense if you envisage every aspect of life to be a commodity, and if in turn you believe carbon trading is the right way to address climate change, through privatization of the air coordinated by financial markets (as do Stern and Summers). Indeed ‘Payment for Environmental Services’ is the mantra for neoliberal ‘Green Economy’ advocates at the extravaganza Rio+20 Earth Summit in June.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Harper Deals Threaten Human Rights and the Environment in Canada and China
By Maude Barlow
Council of Canadians
February 9th, 2012
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is basking in the uncritical media reporting of his state visit to China. His “open for business” message has been very well received in Beijing where he has just signed a slew of trade and investment deals in energy, agriculture, and natural resources. Small wonder. The world is running out of conventional energy, land, water, and natural resources. China, as the emerging superpower, needs unfettered and unconditional access to all of these.
What a difference a majority makes! Back when Stephen Harper was in opposition, he scolded the Paul Martin government for soft peddling human rights when it comes to China and promised he would never sell human rights out to the “almighty dollar.” Now, Canada and China have signed a Foreign Investment Protection Agreemen (FIPA) — a powerful tool used by corporations to undermine the public good globally that will be used by Canadian corporations to further their interests in China by taking advantage of the poor labour and environmental standards in that country.
Council of Canadians
February 9th, 2012
What a difference a majority makes! Back when Stephen Harper was in opposition, he scolded the Paul Martin government for soft peddling human rights when it comes to China and promised he would never sell human rights out to the “almighty dollar.” Now, Canada and China have signed a Foreign Investment Protection Agreemen (FIPA) — a powerful tool used by corporations to undermine the public good globally that will be used by Canadian corporations to further their interests in China by taking advantage of the poor labour and environmental standards in that country.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A Darker Shade of Green: REDD and the Future of Forests (Trailer)
Climate Connections
January 12, 2012
As policies and programs to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and to enhance forest carbon stocks (REDD+) are promoted around the world by global and national elites, Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent communities are raising the alarm that these programs will have serious negative impacts — and will not reduce the cascading threats of the climate crisis.
Soon to be released, this critical 28-minute documentary, introducing concerns about REDD from the perspective of the people who are most impacted, was co-produced by Global Justice Ecology Project and Global Forest Coalition.
January 12, 2012
As policies and programs to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and to enhance forest carbon stocks (REDD+) are promoted around the world by global and national elites, Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent communities are raising the alarm that these programs will have serious negative impacts — and will not reduce the cascading threats of the climate crisis.
Soon to be released, this critical 28-minute documentary, introducing concerns about REDD from the perspective of the people who are most impacted, was co-produced by Global Justice Ecology Project and Global Forest Coalition.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Border Security Deal's Ugly Twin Carries Major Energy and Environmental Implications for Canada
By Nelle Maxey
The Common Sense Canadian
December 19, 2011
Harper's government officially announced in recent weeks a new Border Security deal with the US. However, little press space was given to the ugly twin of this deal - the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) and their "Joint Action Plan". The RCC was set up to "streamline" regulations in four economic sectors engaged in cross-border trade. These sectors are Food &Agriculture, Transportation, Energy and Environment and Personal Care Products.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the press release for the RCC's Joint Action Plan. The word "Energy" was dropped from the Energy and Environment sector. That's right. Never mind that energy, including oil, natural gas and hydroelectricity, is arguably the most important sector of Canada-US trade in today's constrained energy supply world.
The Common Sense Canadian
December 19, 2011
But a funny thing happened on the way to the press release for the RCC's Joint Action Plan. The word "Energy" was dropped from the Energy and Environment sector. That's right. Never mind that energy, including oil, natural gas and hydroelectricity, is arguably the most important sector of Canada-US trade in today's constrained energy supply world.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Secret U.S.-Canada Border Deal Hides GMO Takeover
Canada-U.S. Regulatory Co-operation Council under border deal coverage would put Canada under draconian Food Safety Modernization Act, fast track GMO approval.
By Aaron Dykes
Infowars.com
December 3, 2011
Our report sounding the alarm that Obama and Harper’s secretive border deal, due to be signed next week, would be used to fast track GMO acceptance has been confirmed. The details have been kept under wraps, but recent reports revealed that the ‘Beyond Borders’ security and law enforcement deal would also seek to ‘harmonize’ U.S. and Canadian regulatory standards for food, auto and other trade sectors.
The Globe and Mail confirms that the North American Union security perimeter initiative, sold to the public as new security measures at the border, has a second major component– the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Co-operation Council.
By Aaron Dykes
Infowars.com
December 3, 2011
Our report sounding the alarm that Obama and Harper’s secretive border deal, due to be signed next week, would be used to fast track GMO acceptance has been confirmed. The details have been kept under wraps, but recent reports revealed that the ‘Beyond Borders’ security and law enforcement deal would also seek to ‘harmonize’ U.S. and Canadian regulatory standards for food, auto and other trade sectors.The Globe and Mail confirms that the North American Union security perimeter initiative, sold to the public as new security measures at the border, has a second major component– the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Co-operation Council.
Mr. Harper… said there are two issues on the joint security and economic agenda of the two countries. One, he said, is the border and perimeter initiative, and the other is Canada-U.S. Regulatory Co-operation Council.
“We are seeking ways of ensuring security in North America while at the same time making sure that we continue strong Canadian access to the American market,” Mr. Harper told reporters.
‘Forests are not for carbon stocks’
By Yusuf Omar
The Mercury
December 2 2011
Bolivia came out swinging at its first press conference of the climate change conference yesterday, criticising the Green Climate Fund – which is meant to help developing countries adapt to climate change – and opposing the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation scheme (Redd).
“Bolivia is showing strongly against the mechanism of Redd. The role of the forest is not for carbon stocks,” said the head of the Bolivian delegation, Rene Orellana.
The Mercury
December 2 2011
“Bolivia is showing strongly against the mechanism of Redd. The role of the forest is not for carbon stocks,” said the head of the Bolivian delegation, Rene Orellana.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Conservative free trade agenda low on jobs, environmental protection
Council of Canadians
November 15, 2011
Free trade agreements with Panama and Jordan, legislation for which was announced today by International Trade Minister Ed Fast, will have little effect on jobs or the economy while putting Panamanian workers, Indigenous peoples and environmental protections at risk, says the Council of Canadians and MiningWatch Canada.
"The amount of trade Canada does with either Panama or Jordan is minimal and the Canadian experience shows just having a free trade agreement in place does not encourage exports," says Stuart Trew, trade campaigner with the Council of Canadians. "What's worse about these deals is that they place the rights of Canadian investors in these countries above the rights of workers and Indigenous peoples, the right to protect the environment, and the ability of governments to support local economic development and create jobs."
November 15, 2011
"The amount of trade Canada does with either Panama or Jordan is minimal and the Canadian experience shows just having a free trade agreement in place does not encourage exports," says Stuart Trew, trade campaigner with the Council of Canadians. "What's worse about these deals is that they place the rights of Canadian investors in these countries above the rights of workers and Indigenous peoples, the right to protect the environment, and the ability of governments to support local economic development and create jobs."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Unravelling Carbon Markets
By Ed Lewis, Larry Lohmann
New Left Project
November 15, 2011
Larry Lohmann is a scholar and activist who works with The Corner House, a UK-based NGO that supports democratic and community movements for environmental and social justice. As part of NLP’s series of pieces around this year’s Socialist Register – The Crisis and the Left – Lohmann spoke to Ed Lewis about his contribution to the volume, “Financialization, commodification and carbon: the contradictions of neoliberal climate policy”.
The image of carbon markets that still seems to prevail in the minds of many is that of ‘cap and trade’ – governments set overall limits on the amount of greenhouse gases that may be emitted and permits to the right to emit are then traded amongst different economic actors. With this image in mind, many see the key issue as being whether states are able to agree amongst themselves a sufficiently low limit of GHG emissions and question of whether or not there is a carbon market in place to distribute the emissions as a secondary issue.
What do you see as being wrong with this picture? What are the intrinsic problems with carbon trading?
The carbon market creates new asset classes (and opportunities for accumulation) at a time of profit crisis. It is part of a "new phase of accumulation" that is also reflected in -- to take two other prime examples -- the trends in public service commodification described in Ursula Huws' chapter in this year's Socialist Register[1], and the growing global trade in "ecosystem services" generally.
New Left Project
November 15, 2011
The image of carbon markets that still seems to prevail in the minds of many is that of ‘cap and trade’ – governments set overall limits on the amount of greenhouse gases that may be emitted and permits to the right to emit are then traded amongst different economic actors. With this image in mind, many see the key issue as being whether states are able to agree amongst themselves a sufficiently low limit of GHG emissions and question of whether or not there is a carbon market in place to distribute the emissions as a secondary issue.
What do you see as being wrong with this picture? What are the intrinsic problems with carbon trading?
The carbon market creates new asset classes (and opportunities for accumulation) at a time of profit crisis. It is part of a "new phase of accumulation" that is also reflected in -- to take two other prime examples -- the trends in public service commodification described in Ursula Huws' chapter in this year's Socialist Register[1], and the growing global trade in "ecosystem services" generally.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Key Arguments Against REDD fact sheet
Carbon Trade Watch
Key Arguments Against REDD is a new 3 page fact sheet produced by Carbon Trade Watch with input from Global Justice Ecology Project and Indigenous Environmental Network. It spells out numerous arguments why REDD (the international scheme to supposedly "Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation") is dangerous, destructive, violates human rights and will do nothing to curb climate chaos.
To download the PDF, click on the icon below:
REDD_key_arguments.pdf
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Canada being sued for NAFTA violation by private American wind energy company
Local procurement rules in Ontario Green Energy Act threatened.
PublicValues.ca
July 21, 2011
"Ontario's controversial green energy policy is facing a new assault as famed oilman tycoon T. Boone Pickens has launched a $775-million NAFTA challenge alleging the government has discriminated against his privately owned wind energy company.
With the Dallas-based Mesa Power Group's action, the Liberal government is now fighting multi-front battles over its Green Energy Act and the feed-in tariff that pays renewable energy companies premium prices for electricity - so long as they procure a percentage of the goods and services in the province.
Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak has vowed to kill the Green Energy Act if his party wins the October election, while Japan has challenged the act's local procurement rules at the World Trade Organization…"
For the complete article, please click HERE.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The UN Climate Negotiations Kick Off — Sort Of
Bolivia Criticizes Market Mechanisms in the Cancún Agreement and REDD
By Tina Gerhardt – June 8, 2011
Earth Island Journal
 |
Photo courtesy: Robert vanWaarden/Oxfam Oxfam campaigners spelling out their message to UN delegates during the 2010 United Nations climate talks in Bonn Germany |
Bonn, Germany – On Monday, a two-week long round of UN climate negotiations, lasting from June 6 to June 17, 2011, kicked off in Bonn, Germany. The talks will prepare for the way for the COP 17, which takes place November 28, 2011 to December 9, 2011 in Durban, South Africa.
Over 3000 participants from 183 countries, doing their best to avoid the E. Coli scare currently sweeping Germany, are in attendance.
New free trade deals threaten the environment
By Maude Barlow
Rabble.ca
June 9, 2011
The world is running out of a lot of raw resources.
From fish in the sea and old-growth forests to minerals, conventional energy and freshwater, ours is a planet needing great care.
While scientists and environmentalists warn us that we have to preserve and protect the natural world with more local, sustainable food and industrial production and more local, alternative energy sources, most of our governments are pursuing free trade agreements that promote faster and bigger transportation grids, carve up more wilderness for exploitation, increase the volume of sheer "stuff" coming from ever-farther away places, and tear through declining energy and water supplies.
Rabble.ca
June 9, 2011
From fish in the sea and old-growth forests to minerals, conventional energy and freshwater, ours is a planet needing great care.
While scientists and environmentalists warn us that we have to preserve and protect the natural world with more local, sustainable food and industrial production and more local, alternative energy sources, most of our governments are pursuing free trade agreements that promote faster and bigger transportation grids, carve up more wilderness for exploitation, increase the volume of sheer "stuff" coming from ever-farther away places, and tear through declining energy and water supplies.
Monday, May 30, 2011
REDD Light!
Indigenous say offset plan threatens traditional title
By Dawn Paley
The Dominion
May 30, 2011
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, MEXICO—The carbon market was the hottest issue at last year’s Conference of the Parties (COP)-16 summit in Cancun. Inside the meeting, delegates approved the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Conservation program (REDD+). However, outside the official meeting, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Indigenous-led organizations clashed over its merits.
By Dawn Paley
The Dominion
May 30, 2011
 |
| Hector Rodriguez, posing defiantly in front of riot police, was among the thousands of Indigenous peoples, small farmers, women, environmental groups and other activists who took action and made their voices heard throughout the two-week COP 16 conference. "The market will not protect our rights," reads a statement by the Indigenous Environmental Network, which represents front-line Indigenous communities. "Approaches based on carbon offsetting, like Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation [REDD], will permit polluters to continue poisoning land, water, air, and our bodies [and] will only encourage the buying and selling of our human and environmental rights." |
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, MEXICO—The carbon market was the hottest issue at last year’s Conference of the Parties (COP)-16 summit in Cancun. Inside the meeting, delegates approved the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Conservation program (REDD+). However, outside the official meeting, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Indigenous-led organizations clashed over its merits.
Friday, May 20, 2011
REDD Rage: Organizing to Stop the Network of Death
By Anne Petermann
Global Justice Ecology Project
Climate Connections
Photo by Orin Langelle/GJEP
During a workshop on REDD, a woman from Bolivia in traditional dress explained that in Spanish “red” means “network,” and that REDD was the “Network of Death.” “What Indigenous Peoples really need,” she said, “is a network of life—one that is opposed to REDD, but supports peoples’ traditional ways. We must form this network,” she insisted. “We need a global network of Indigenous Peoples opposed to REDD.”
In the midst of the first week of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in Manhattan, the Indigenous Environmental Network and Land is Life hosted a workshop on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) titled “REDD: Seeing the Forest for the Trees.” The event took place on the evening of Wednesday, May 18th at the UN Church Center across First Avenue from the massive, imposing UN building—a shock to see with its floors of missing windows covered by tarps (it is under construction). The event was co-sponsored by Earth Peoples, Global Forest Coalition and Global Justice Ecology Project.
Global Justice Ecology Project
Climate Connections
Photo by Orin Langelle/GJEP
In the midst of the first week of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in Manhattan, the Indigenous Environmental Network and Land is Life hosted a workshop on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) titled “REDD: Seeing the Forest for the Trees.” The event took place on the evening of Wednesday, May 18th at the UN Church Center across First Avenue from the massive, imposing UN building—a shock to see with its floors of missing windows covered by tarps (it is under construction). The event was co-sponsored by Earth Peoples, Global Forest Coalition and Global Justice Ecology Project.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
UN Indigenous Forum: Reject commercialization of forest carbon
World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth
May 18, 2011
(New York, May 18, 2011) During the sessions that are being developed at the tenth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues UN, from 16 to 27 May 2011, the delegation of Bolivia, along with other representatives of indigenous peoples and communities, that integrate indigenous organizations and international associations from around the world have reaffirmed their strong rejection to the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, better known by the name of REDD, because it promotes the commodification forests and affect the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
May 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
AbitibiBowater NAFTA settlement has privatized Canadian water, trade committee hears
Council of Canadians
March 8, 2011
Ottawa – The record-setting $130-million NAFTA settlement with AbitibiBowater has effectively privatized Canada's water by allowing foreign investors to assert a proprietary claim to water permits and even water in its natural state, says trade lawyer and Council of Canadians board member Steven Shrybman, in a presentation to Parliament today.
"It would be difficult to overstate the consequences of such a profound transformation of the right Canadian governments have always had to own and control public natural resources," says Mr. Shrybman in his presentation to the Standing Committee on International Trade, which is studying the AbitibiBowater NAFTA settlement from last August.
March 8, 2011
"It would be difficult to overstate the consequences of such a profound transformation of the right Canadian governments have always had to own and control public natural resources," says Mr. Shrybman in his presentation to the Standing Committee on International Trade, which is studying the AbitibiBowater NAFTA settlement from last August.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Carbon Trading - an Ecosocialist Critique
By Daniel Tanuro
International Viewpoint
March 2008
This contribution identifies 5 fundamental reasons why carbon trading is inadequate for the struggle against Climate Change. It focuses in particular on the European Emission Trading System (EU-ETS) but most of the conclusions are generally applicable.
1. Carbon trading is a source of windfall profits for polluting sectors. They invest little or none of that profit in low carbon technologies, and instead try to slow or delay the implementation of climate policy. The over-allocation of quotas in the phase 1 of the EU-ETS provided the steel sector a windfall profit of 480 million Euros at the end of 2005. In the same period, RWE, a German utility, made a huge profit of 1.8 billion Euros. Even the oil businesses made windfall profits: Esso (£10 million), BP (£17.9 million), Shell (£20.7 million).
International Viewpoint
March 2008
1. Carbon trading is a source of windfall profits for polluting sectors. They invest little or none of that profit in low carbon technologies, and instead try to slow or delay the implementation of climate policy. The over-allocation of quotas in the phase 1 of the EU-ETS provided the steel sector a windfall profit of 480 million Euros at the end of 2005. In the same period, RWE, a German utility, made a huge profit of 1.8 billion Euros. Even the oil businesses made windfall profits: Esso (£10 million), BP (£17.9 million), Shell (£20.7 million).
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Leo Panitch on Cap and Trade
Leo Panitch
The Real News
June 7, 2009
Leo Panitch, co-editor of Socialist Register, author of Renewing Socialism, on why capitalist mechanisms won’t end CO2 emissions.
The Real News
June 7, 2009
Leo Panitch, co-editor of Socialist Register, author of Renewing Socialism, on why capitalist mechanisms won’t end CO2 emissions.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Canadian cap-and-trade program recommended
Julius Melnitzer
Financial Post
January 31, 2011
The National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy has recommended that Canada adopt its own national climate change regulations and adapt them to US policies if and when the latter appear. Among other things, the authors of the report conclude that matching Canada’s GHG emissions targets to those in the U.S. would lead to higher carbon prices in Canada.
Stikeman Elliott’s Canadian Energy Law blog has a good summary of the report.
The Story of Cap & Trade from Story of Stuff Project on Vimeo.
Financial Post
January 31, 2011
The National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy has recommended that Canada adopt its own national climate change regulations and adapt them to US policies if and when the latter appear. Among other things, the authors of the report conclude that matching Canada’s GHG emissions targets to those in the U.S. would lead to higher carbon prices in Canada.
Stikeman Elliott’s Canadian Energy Law blog has a good summary of the report.
The Story of Cap & Trade from Story of Stuff Project on Vimeo.
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