This document is one of the outcomes of the Third International Conference on Early Warning in 2006, held in Bonn, Germany. It presents a series of practical checklists that cover elements, actions and good practices to assist in developing, evaluating or refining early warning systems. It is presented as a non-technical reference tool rather than an extensive 'how-to' list for designing early warning systems. The document also provides background information on early warning, which includes an overview of four key themes (risk knowledge, monitoring and warning service, communication, response capability), as well as cross-cutting issues such as governance and involvement of local communities. It also outlines the roles of key actors (such as local governments and international bodies) within each theme,, without discussing any overlap of responsibilities and how they relate to the different elements of early warning systems.

This book compiles the findings of over a decade of ecoregional research and methodological innovation by the Africa Highlands Initiative, drawing on case studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. It describes the experiences of stakeholders involved in integrated natural resource management (INRM) activities in the eastern Africa highlands.  

The book showcases innovative tools and practical methods for putting INRM into action, and tangible results from these efforts in five countries. It shows the importance of an integrated approach to managing agro-ecosystems, and includes lessons learned on what works, where and why. It also shows that achieving sustainable agricultural development in the region is a complex task, and requires combined efforts and commitment by individuals and institutions with complementary roles.

This handbook documents implementation issues and pitfalls to be avoided by developers of a Programme of Activities (PoA) — a tool designed to capture emission reductions associated with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows emission-reduction credits earned by developing countries to be traded and sold under the Kyoto Protocol.

PoAs aim to reduce the transaction costs of the CDM and help adapt it to small-scale activities. But progress in adopting the tool has been slow. This is mainly because running and operating PoAs differs from managing CDM activities, and carries additional requirements, says the report. Unclear and constantly changing operational rules is another factor.

The handbook provides guidance for those working on PoAs, including an overview of the tool, models of how it can be structured, managed and operated, as well as information on costs and registration details. It also gives information about new market opportunities, and management and issues associated with PoAs.

This sourcebook provides guidance to managers involved in the design of projects that follow the World Bank's forest strategy, and draws on past experiences to highlight innovative strategies for implementing them. The first section addresses a range of topics including how forests can be managed to enhance their contribution to poverty reduction; engage the private sector; meet the growing demand for forest products; and improve forest governance. For each topic, the document gives a general overview of fundamental issues, constraints, policies, and institutional requirements that need to be considered, and includes a discussion of past World Bank activities. It also outlines future priorities for scaling up activities, and lists of key sources of information. The second section introduces the World Bank's Forests Policy and provides guidance for implementing safeguards, including how to use environmental assessment to identify critical forests and natural habitats.

This guide aims to help developing country negotiators and others who are working on REDD-plus — a programme of activities that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, which includes a role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and increasing forest carbon stocks. It provides tips for negotiators such as how to make effective statements in a meeting and review written proposals, outlines the formal rules for negotiations, and provides useful glossaries.

The guide, written by the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development, includes related documents such as the Bali Action Plan and The Copenhagen Accord. It states that negotiations over activities that aim to reduce emissions while protecting forests are difficult because REDD-plus is a complex concept not yet clearly defined, whose components may have implications that need to be considered separately and in how they relate to each other or to future decisions.

This guide explores the links between drinking water, biodiversity and development to alleviate poverty. It highlights the best technologies and procedures available for managing drinking water in a socially and environmentally sustainable way. It also provides a list of resources for more detailed information.

This report from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) offers advice to policymakers on present evidence to make the case for environmental investment.

Environmental sustainability is often seen as a luxury that governments cannot afford. Environmental managers often find selling their sector to macroeconomic decision-makers difficult.

But a healthy environment is vital to pro-poor economic growth, and economic evidence can encourage policymakers to buy in to policies that promote sustainable use and management of the environment.

The data requirements for making the economic case for environmental investment are summarised and advice is provided both for accessing relevant information, and presenting it as a convincing argument to treasuries and finance ministries.