Topic: australia

RELEASE: New Traffic Safety Guidelines Can Save Lives on Bus Corridors Worldwide

Lauren Zelin — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:32:23 -0400

EMBARQ releases most comprehensive research on traffic safety to cut down on the 1.2 million global traffic deaths each year

Editor’s note: Join EMBARQ for a special webinar on June 7, 2012, 10:00 a.m. EDT: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/857078514*

Each year, 1.2 million people die in traffic crashes, according to the World Health Organization, and traffic fatalities are projected to become the fifth leading cause of premature death worldwide by 2030, ahead of HIV/AIDS, violence, tuberculosis, or any type of cancer. One way to prevent many of these deaths and injuries is to improve traffic safety, especially on major bus corridors in cities. EMBARQ, the World Resources Institute’s center for sustainable transport, today released the draft “Traffic Safety on Bus Corridors” guidelines to improve traffic safety worldwide. Based on more than two years of research, the guidelines are part of the Road Safety in 10 Countries (RS10) project, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“This guidebook is part of a broader effort by EMBARQ to illustrate how sustainable transport projects can greatly improve traffic safety and ultimately save lives and improve quality of life for people around the world,” said Holger Dalkmann, director of EMBARQ.

The guidelines are based on findings from a two-year research project, led by EMBARQ, which evaluated safety, operations, and accessibility on major bus corridors and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in 18 cities around the world. Key findings show:

Pedestrians account for the majority of fatalities across all bus corridors;
Safety on BRT and bus corridors depends on the overall design of the street and not just the bus infrastructure;
Center-lane BRT corridors with closed stations are the safest design option;
Counterflow, when buses drive in the opposite direction of mixed traffic, is the most dangerous type of configuration for a bus corridor; and
The most common types of vehicle collisions in BRT systems occur when cars make illegal left turns across bus lanes and collide with oncoming buses.

“BRT and bus routes are often located on major urban roads, which have the highest concentration of traffic crashes in cities,” said Claudia Adriazola, director of EMBARQ’s Health and Road Safety program. “A new BRT system can attract a lot of pedestrians to these areas, so it is crucial to help cities understand how to maximize safety for everyone on the road.”

The purpose of the draft planning and design guidelines is to provide bus agencies, local jurisdictions, and regional and international organizations with a set of suggested design, planning, and operational criteria for bus systems, including BRT corridors. The guidelines include recommendations for street design, intersections, stations, and station access, as well as transfers and terminals.

“Data has shown that after the implementation of some BRT systems, such as TransMilenio in Bogota or Macrobus in Guadalajara, crashes and fatalities on these corridors dropped by as much as 50 percent,” said Dario Hidalgo, director of EMBARQ’s Research and Practice and an author of the guidelines. “Not all bus systems have had a positive impact on safety, and in some cases, there is still considerable room for improvement, which is why EMBARQ developed these guidelines to improve traffic safety.”

The research included iconic BRT systems in places like Curitiba and Bogota, Colombia, megacities Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro, as well as examples from New Delhi and Ahmedabad, India, and Brisbane, Australia.

“Our research shows that the design of a bus corridor can have a significant influence on the frequency of crashes on the street,” said Luis Antonio Lindau, president of EMBARQ Brazil, who contributed to the research.

During the next six months, experts are invited to provide feedback on the content, methodology, feasibility, and usefulness of the safety recommendations. The feedback will be incorporated into the final version of the guidelines, to be released in 2013.

To read the full report visit: http://www.embarq.org/sites/default/files/EMB2012_Traffic_Safety_on_Bus_Corridors_Pilot_Version.pdf.

To participate in the “road test,” please contact EMBARQ Transportation Research Analyst Nicolae Duduta at nduduta@wri.org.

# # #

EMBARQ catalyzes environmentally and financially sustainable transport solutions to improve quality of life in cities. www.embarq.org

Open Climate Network Analysis

Kevin Lustig — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:16:37 -0400

Use the list to the right to explore available analysis from the Open Climate Network »

STATEMENT: Obama Administration Sets Stronger Vehicle Standards

Michael Oko — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:03:11 -0500

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today a joint proposal to set stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas pollution standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. According to the EPA, the proposed program for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and trucks is expected to require increases in fuel efficiency equivalent to 54.5 mpg if all reductions were made through fuel economy improvements. Today’s action builds on the first phase of the Obama Administration’s national program (2012-2016), which will raise fuel efficiency equivalent to 35.5 mpg by 2016 and result in an average light vehicle tailpipe CO2 level of 250 grams per mile.

Following is a statement by Kevin Kennedy, U.S. Climate Director, World Resources Institute:

“With global emissions on the rise, the Obama Administration took a significant step toward reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and improving fuel economy by announcing its proposed rules for light-duty vehicles.

“The EPA and Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimate that these rules will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion metric tons. Light vehicles account for approximately 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Earlier today at a speech in Australia, President Obama stated that ‘we all have a responsibility to find ways to reduce our carbon emissions.’

“Of course, much more will need to be done to turn back the emissions that are driving climate change and meet the Administration’s target of reducing emissions by 17 percent by 2020. But today’s announcement is a welcome step along that road.”

STATEMENT: Australia Passes Historic Climate Legislation

Michael Oko — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:53:34 -0500

On Tuesday, the Australian senate passed legislation that will set a price on carbon and help meet its emissions targets.

The Australian government previously committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050 (both below 2000 levels).

Following is a statement by Jennifer Morgan, Director of WRI’s Climate and Energy Program:

“Australia has joined a growing list of countries taking national action to address climate change. This law is a major step forward for this large and coal-dependent nation, demonstrating its commitment to a low-carbon economy.

“Australia has set a fixed carbon price of $23 per ton, which will continue until July 2015. At that point, an emissions trading system with reduction caps will begin operating. In addition, Australia has created a new $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in renewable energy.

“While Australia’s targets should eventually be strengthened, this is a solid down payment on its clean energy future.

“As countries prepare for climate negotiations in Durban, South Africa, the passage of this legislation should provide a spark for those ready to move beyond talk and take action on climate change.”

To read the legislation go here.

For more on Australia’s national climate policy go here.

PRESS RELEASE: 75% of World’s Coral Reefs Currently Under Threat, New Analysis Finds

Michael Oko — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:55:53 -0500

“Reefs at Risk Revisited” report presents comprehensive analysis of threats to coral reefs

A new comprehensive analysis finds that 75 percent of the world’s coral reefs are currently threatened by local and global pressures. For the first time, the analysis includes threats from climate change, including warming seas and rising ocean acidification. The report shows that local pressures— such as overfishing, coastal development, and pollution— pose the most immediate and direct risks, threatening more than 60 percent of coral reefs today.

“Reefs at Risk Revisited,” the most detailed assessment of threats to coral reefs ever undertaken, is being released by the World Resources Institute with the Nature Conservancy, the WorldFish Center, the International Coral Reef Action Network, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, and the UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Center, along with a network of more than 25 organizations. Launch activities are taking place in Washington, D.C., London, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Caribbean, Australia, and other locations around the world.

“This report serves as a wake-up call for policy-makers, business leaders, ocean managers, and others about the urgent need for greater protection for coral reefs,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “As the report makes clear, local and global threats, including climate change, are already having significant impacts on coral reefs, putting the future of these beautiful and valuable ecosystems at risk.”

Local pressures – especially overfishing and destructive fishing – are causing many reefs to be degraded. Global pressures are leading to coral bleaching from rising sea temperatures and increasing ocean acidification from carbon dioxide pollution. According to the new analysis, if left unchecked, more than 90 percent of reefs will be threatened by 2030 and nearly all reefs will be at risk by 2050.

“Coral reefs are valuable resources for millions of people worldwide. Despite the dire situation for many reefs, there is reason for hope,” said Lauretta Burke, senior associate at WRI and a lead author of the report. “Reefs are resilient, and by reducing the local pressures we can buy time as we find global solutions to preserve reefs for future generations.”

The report includes multiple recommendations to better protect and manage reefs, including through marine protected areas. The analysis shows that more than one-quarter of reefs are already encompassed in a range of parks and reserves, more than any other marine habitat. However, only six percent of reefs are in protected areas that are effectively managed.

“Well managed marine protected areas are one of the best tools to safeguard reefs,” said Mark Spalding, senior marine scientist at the Nature Conservancy and a lead author of the report. “At their core, reefs are about people as well as nature: ensuring stable food supplies, promoting recovery from coral bleaching, and acting as a magnet for tourist dollars. We need apply the knowledge we have to shore up existing protected areas, as well as to designate new sites where threats are highest, such as the populous hearts of the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, East Africa and the Middle East.”

Reefs offer multiple benefits to people and the economy – providing food, sustaining livelihoods, supporting tourism, protecting coasts, and even helping to prevent disease. According the report, more than 275 million people live in the direct vicinity (30 km/18 miles) of coral reefs. In more than 100 countries and territories, coral reefs protect 150,000 km (over 93,000 miles) of shorelines, helping defend coastal communities and infrastructure against storms and erosion.

For the first time, the report identifies the 27 nations most socially and economically vulnerable to coral reef degradation and loss. Among these, the nine most vulnerable countries are: Haiti, Grenada, Philippines, Comoros, Vanuatu, Tanzania, Kiribati, Fiji, and Indonesia.

“The people at greatest risk are those who depend heavily on threatened reefs, and who have limited capacity to adapt to the loss of the valuable resources and services reefs provide,” said Allison Perry, project scientist at the WorldFish Center and a lead author. “For highly vulnerable nations – including many island nations – there is a pressing need for development efforts to reduce dependence on reefs and build adaptive capacity, in addition to protecting reefs from threats.”

The report is an update of “Reefs at Risk,” released by WRI in 1998, which served as an important resource for policymakers to understand and address the threats of reefs. The new report uses the latest data and satellite information to map coral reefs— including a reef map with a resolution 64 times higher than the original report.

“Through new technology and improved data, this study provides valuable tools and information for decision makers from national leaders to local marine managers,” said Katie Reytar, research associate at WRI and a lead author. “In order to maximize the benefits of these tools, we need policymakers to commit to greater action to address the growing threats to coral reefs.”

Find out more at: www.wri.org/reefs

# # # #

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. (www.wri.org)

The Nature Conservancy(TNC) is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than one million members have protected more than 480,000 sq km of land and engage in more than100 marine conservation projects. The Conservancy is actively working on coral reef conservation in 24 countries, including the Caribbean and the Coral Triangle. (www.nature.org)

WorldFish Center is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. Working in partnership with a wide range of agencies and research institutions, WorldFish carries out research to improve small-scale fisheries and aquaculture. Its work on coral reefs includes ReefBase, the global information system on coral reefs. (www.worldfishcenter.org)

International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) is a global network of coral reef science and conservation organizations working together and with local stakeholders to improve the management of coral reef ecosystems. ICRAN facilitates the exchange and replication of good practices in coral reef management throughout the world’s major coral reef regions. (www.icran.org)

United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is an internationally recognized center for the synthesis, analysis, and dissemination of global biodiversity knowledge. UNEP-WCMC provides authoritative, strategic, and timely information on critical marine and coastal habitats for conventions, countries, organizations, and companies to use in the development and implementation of their policies and decisions. (www.unep-wcmc.org)

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is an operational unit of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) charged with coordinating research and monitoring of coral reefs. The network, with many partners, reports on ecological and socioeconomic monitoring and produces Status of Coral Reefs of the World reports covering more than 80 countries and states. (www.gcrmn.org)

Reefs at Risk in Australia

Maggie Barron — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:59:17 -0500

The coral reefs of Australia are the least affected by local threats (i.e., coastal development, overfishing/destructive fishing, marine-based pollution, and/or watershed-based pollution) of any region in the world. About 15 percent are threatened by local stressors, with only about 1 percent at high or very high threat.

Download hi-res version (JPEG, 2154 x 1344 px, 617 Kb)
View global map of threats to coral reefs

MEDIA ADVISORY: "Reefs at Risk Revisited" Launch at National Press Club, Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Michael Oko — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:16:06 -0500

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, NOAA, and leading experts discuss “Reefs at Risk Revisited” report findings and solutions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new comprehensive analysis of the threats to coral reefs will be launched globally on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. More than 25 partners contributed to the report, and events will take place in Washington, D.C.; London, England; Malaysia; Australia; and other locations.

The D.C. event at the National Press Club will feature Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, NOAA; Jonathan Lash, President, WRI; Lauretta Burke, lead author, WRI; and Dr. Nancy Knowlton, Chair of Marine Science, Smithsonian Institution.

The groundbreaking report, “Reefs at Risk Revisited,” is the most detailed assessment of threats to coral reefs ever undertaken. Led by the World Resources Institute, along with the Nature Conservancy, the WorldFish Center, ICRAN, UNEP-WCMC, and GCRMN, it maps out local and global pressures on reefs; assesses the vulnerability of people in reef-dependent countries; and provides recommendations to safeguard reefs in the future.

WHAT:
“Reefs at Risk Revisited” launch event in Washington, D.C.

WHO:
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Jonathan Lash, President, World Resources Institute
Lauretta Burke, Senior Associate and Lead Author, World Resources Institute
Dr. Nancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Science, Smithsonian Institution

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 23, 2011

TIME:
9:30 a.m. EST

WHERE:
National Press Club, Holeman Lounge 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20045

CALL-IN:
US/Toll Free: (888) 989-5157 or
Int’l: +1 (517) 308-9270
Passcode: REEFS

RSVP REQUIRED: press@wri.org

Light breakfast and coffee will be served.

NEWS RELEASE: Independent Global Network Launched to Track Countries' Climate Change Progress

Jessica Forres — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:58:01 -0500

Open Climate Network (OCN), a global network that will track countries’ progress toward cutting emissions and providing climate finance, was launched this week at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in Cancun, Mexico. Led by the World Resources Institute (WRI), OCN convenes independent research institutes around the world to provide consistent and peer-reviewed information on major economies’ actions on climate change.

“Major economies have made high-level commitments to tackle climate change, but it has been difficult to access information about their progress that is consistent and trusted at the international level,” said Jennifer Morgan, director of the Climate and Energy Program at WRI. “OCN fills this gap by tapping the world’s leading research institutes to develop a highly credible source of information about countries’ progress.”

The network is expected to complement official reporting systems – an ongoing source of tension in the UNFCCC negotiations – by improving consistency for key topics, such as climate financing, and drawing on national experts to shed light on what is working, what isn’t, and why.

“Understanding where others are going is absolutely vital – that mutual trust is fundamental,” said Lord Nicholas Stern, speaking at the OCN launch on December 4. “What is happening under the OCN will complement the official line,” he continued, referring to the national communications and inventories prepared under the UNFCCC.

OCN is now developing a consistent framework for tracking progress on mitigation and financing. “Getting the metrics right is the first step,” said Taryn Fransen, who manages OCN at WRI. “By tracking the right information, we’ll not only be able to monitor progress, but also help stakeholders design more effective policies.” The network will then develop national profiles and implement an extensive review process before publishing the first assessments in late 2011.

To date, OCN partners include Australia’s Climate Institute, Canada’s Pembina Institute, China’s Renmin and Tsinghua Universities, Denmark’s CONCITO, France’s Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Germany’s Oeko Institute (which will also provide information on the European Union), India’s The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Japan’s Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Mexico’s Mario Molina Center, and Norway’s Zero Emission Resource Organisation. WRI will serve as the Secretariat and the point organization for the United States, and is exploring additional partnerships in the UK, Brazil, South Africa, and elsewhere.

For more information about Open Climate Network, please visit http://www.wri.org/project/open-climate-network.

NEWS RELEASE: Effective Community Engagement Essential for CCS Deployment

Jessica Forres — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:35:12 -0500

Building constructive relationships with host communities is crucial for the successful deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), a clean energy technology that can help reduce carbon pollution, according to a new report by the World Resources Institute (WRI).

The report, CCS and Community Engagement: Guidelines for Community Engagement in Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport and Storage Projects, outlines how project developers and operators can effectively engage local communities near a potential CCS site. The guidelines, which had input from over 90 contributors, are meant to strengthen the decision-making process so that community members, developers, and regulators are all represented during project planning and development and throughout a plant’s lifecycle.

“Local opposition stands as one of the biggest potential barriers to the successful implementation of CCS projects,” said Jonathan Lash, president of WRI. “In order for countries to move ahead with large-scale deployment of CCS around the world, greater transparency and community engagement need to be made a priority throughout the process.”

There are currently a few small-scale industrial operations capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions around the world, but the technology has not yet been scaled to cut emissions in larger coal-fired power plants. Further testing of demonstration projects will be necessary to determine whether or not CCS is a viable solution to the climate change problem.

The report presents a series of case studies, including examples of successful and unsuccessful community engagement strategies including four places in the United States—Wallula, Washington; Matoon, Illinois; Jamestown, New York; and Carson, California. There are also international cases in Barendrecht, Netherlands; and Nirranda, Victoria Australia. The case studies confirm that the decisions on individual demonstration projects ultimately hinge on site-specific factors, including the needs of the local community.

In Matoon, Illinois, for example, trust diminished when the U.S. Department of Energy made changes to the original FutureGen project seven years after the initial announcement. According to the case study, the revised project, renamed FutureGen 2.0, would retrofit an existing power plant with CCS technology across the state in Merodisia rather than building a state-of-the-art plant and research facility in Matoon.

“While many communities across the globe have rejected CCS projects, our community of more than 50,000 people was willing to stake our future on the emerging science of CCS,” said Angela Griffin, president of Coles Together, which is based in Matoon, in a letter published in the Guidelines. “That all changed when FutureGen 2.0 was announced. The new plan enormously diminished the role our federal partners envisioned for the community.”

Griffin added, “It is evident that gaining the trust of the community through two-way information exchanges is a key ingredient to moving CCS projects forward.”

Recommendations in the report will be road-tested in real-life CCS demonstration projects, and the outcomes integrated into a more robust set of globally-applicable best practices for CCS projects. The report follows WRI’s Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport and Storage, a set of technical guidelines published in 2008 for how to responsibly proceed with safe CCS projects.

Guidelines for Community Engagement in Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport, and Storage Projects

Maggie Barron — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 06:41:48 -0500

Executive Summary

CCS and Climate Change Mitigation

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) encompasses a suite of existing and emerging technologies for capture, transport, and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) that together can be used to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power generation and other industrial sources. Achieving cuts in energy-related CO2 emissions is critical to avoiding more than a 1.5 degree Celsius (°C) (2.7 degree Fahrenheit [° F]) rise in global temperatures by 2050 and the irreversible and damaging impacts such a temperature rise would have on people and ecosystems. The scale of the climate change challenge requires a portfolio of clean energy technologies and energy efficiency efforts, and most credible analyses project that CCS will have to play a substantial role in achieving the necessary emissions reductions (see Appendix 3).

CCS has been tested at a small scale, and there are a few industrial operations around the world, including in North America and Europe, which already capture and store small quantities of CO2 emissions underground. However, the technology has not yet been demonstrated at the scale required for application to commercial power and industrial plants. To address this gap, governments of many major economies have announced plans to support commercial-scale CCS demonstration projects that store more than 1 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Several are currently being built in Europe, China, Australia, and Canada, and many more are in the planning stages, including in the United States. Leading industrial nations, through the G8, have called for 20 such demonstration plants to be launched by 2010, with a view toward broad deployment by 2020.

Actions taken to demonstrate transformational clean energy technology over the next decade will define the solutions available to help solve the climate problem. Commercial-scale CCS demonstration projects are required to demonstrate whether or not the technology should play a major role in bridging today’s fossil fuel–driven world and tomorrow’s low- or zero-carbon economy. Yet, as with the introduction of many new technologies, proposed CCS projects have been met with mixed reactions from the public, and in particular from the local communities asked to host them.

Community Engagement in the CCS Context

Project developers and technical experts in CCS often cite the public as a “barrier” to CCS deployment, because decisions on whether individual projects move forward often significantly depend on the local community’s acceptance or opposition. The case studies from the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia featured in this report suggest that communities often have more concerns and questions about CCS than about more established industries and technologies. The guidelines for community engagement, however, were written with the belief that decisions on individual demonstration projects ultimately hinge on site-specific factors, including the needs of the local community. While much social science research around CCS to date has focused on gauging public attitudes toward the technology or on education and outreach best-practices for project developers (see Appendix 2), we focus instead on providing recommendations for creating a culture of effective, two-way community engagement around CCS projects.

In addition to project developers and host communities, there is a third partner essential to effective community engagement around CCS: regulators. In some countries, regulatory frameworks governing CCS development and deployment, including rules for community engagement, are already in place (see Appendix 1). In others, an environmental regulatory framework for CCS does not yet exist, and the advent of demonstration plants is forcing regulatory policymakers to make real-time decisions about how to ensure projects move forward safely, and what level of public participation should be required in the decisionmaking processes. The engagement around any one project, therefore, is contingent on the interactions of three primary groups: local decisionmakers (typically on behalf of those in the community), regulators, and project developers. All three groups are addressed in this report. It is important to underscore upfront, however, that effective community engagement is measured by the success of the engagement process, and is not contingent upon agreement between the project developer, regulator, and community on the outcome or the design of the CCS project. Nevertheless, effectively engaging communities can help move CCS projects forward and foster continuing constructive relationships between project developers and communities. Such relationships can help ensure that commercial-scale CCS demonstrations and any subsequent commercial projects progress in such a way that local economies, values, ecosystems, and people are respected, and the potential of the technology in helping to mitigate climate change is fully realized.

About the Guidelines

The Guidelines was drafted by authors at WRI in close consultation with an international group of stakeholders (see inside front cover) with specific expertise and experience in engaging local communities regarding deployment of CCS technology. This effort builds on WRI’s previous 2-year consensus-building stakeholder effort that resulted in the Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport, and Storage, a set of technical guidelines for how to responsibly proceed with safe CCS projects. The community engagement guidelines for CCS are intended to serve as international guidelines for regulators (including those in both regulatory policy design and implementation capacities); local decisionmakers (including community leaders, citizens, local advocacy groups, and landowners); and project developers to consider as they plan and seek to implement CCS projects.

The Guidelines begins with an introduction that describes their intent, a working definition of community engagement, and why effective engagement is an essential element of CCS deployment. It then provides an overview of relevant CCS technology issues, including the status of CCS technology, regulatory and permitting processes, and the timeline and various stages of a representative CCS project. The report then reviews existing relevant experience in community engagement, presented in six case studies from CCS projects. These studies were drafted by stakeholders engaged in the development of the Guidelines who had a hands-on role either in engaging the local community or in decisionmaking around the featured project. Chapter 4 of the report presents the guidelines for community engagement on CCS.

This effort was initiated with a hope of providing a set of best practices to guide the engagement of future commercial CCS projects, if the demonstration projects prove successful. The guidelines for regulators are designed to guide regulatory authorities responsible for overseeing CCS projects but also offer recommendations for improving the public participation rules as new regulations are drafted. The guidelines for local decisionmakers highlight how, in some cases, communities can take a proactive role in shaping the engagement around a potential CCS project, rather than a passive role as purely receiver of information. Finally, the guidelines for project developers highlight principles and activities that can be employed to promote effective community engagement and involve the local community in the CCS project.

The guidelines are separated into five categories as summarized in the table above. The full text of the guidelines follows, presented by audience. In Chapter 4, the guidelines are presented by engagement principle, with an introductory overview of each issue.

For more information, contact Sarah Forbes, Francisco Almendra, or Micah Ziegler

MEDIA ADVISORY: Media briefing on moving Carbon Capture and Storage projects forward through public engagement

Jessica Forres — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:07:41 -0500

Discussion featuring experts, industry and community members

WHAT:

The World Resources Institute (WRI) will launch a new report, Guidelines for Community Engagement in Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport and Storage Projects, and host a panel discussion on how to engage people concerned about Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in their backyards.

Jonathan Lash, president of WRI, will provide opening remarks. He will be followed by a panel of experts on CCS, community leaders from the FutureGen projects, and a representative from American Electric Power (AEP). Panelists will share their hands-on experiences with community engagement, as well as offering recommendations for regulators, project developers and local decision-makers working on CCS projects.

WHEN:

Wednesday, November 17, 2010
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:

World Resources Institute 10 G Street NE Suite 800, Washington, DC 20002
(Metro: Red Line to Union Station)

Call-in details:

Number: 218-339-2626
Access Code: 220177

Webcast details:
http://www.wri.org/news/webcasts

WHO:

Jonathan Lash, president, WRI
Gary Spitznogle, director of New Technology Development & Policy Support, American Electric Power
Angela Griffin, president, Coles Together – a local economic development group from Mattoon, IL, home of the original Futuregen site.
Brian Moody, executive director ofTuscola Economic Development Inc. – a local group in Tuscola, IL, one of the towns bidding to host the new Futuregen 2.0 site
Joe Ralko, manager of Corporate Communications, IPAC-CO2
Francisco Almendra, associate, WRI
Sarah Forbes, senior associate, WRI (moderator)

RSVP:
Jessica Forres, WRI media officer, +1 (202) 729-7736, jforres@wri.org
Stephanie Hanson, WRI communications associate, +1 (202) 729-7641, shanson@wri.org

NEWS RELEASE: WRI’s EMBARQ Helps to Establish New Research Center on Bus Rapid Transit

Jessica Forres — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:20:33 -0400

The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations will provide a $3.5 million, five-year grant to establish the Center of Excellence in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a consortium of researchers from four universities and EMBARQ – The World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport.

The research team, headed by Pontificia Universidad Católica (PUC) in Chile, is made up of experts from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, Portugal’s Instituto Técnico Superior de la Universidad Técnica de Lisboa and the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies in Australia. They will provide research and analysis to support the successful deployment of existing and proposed BRT systems around the world.

“Our research will not only focus on the project level but also on how BRT systems interact with other elements of urban transportation, such as cycling lanes and pedestrian spaces, so cities can become more attractive places to live, work and visit,” said Juan Carlos Muñoz, professor of PUC’s Engineering School and director of the new center.

In addition to providing research and analysis, the center will produce case studies, educate transport practitioners and develop guidelines on how cities and transit agencies can plan, design, finance, implement and operate successful BRT systems. The center will also collaborate with the recently launched Latin American Association for Bus Rapid Transit and Integrated Transport Systems, for which EMBARQ serves as Technical Secretariat.

“These guidelines will be a major milestone in changing the way decision makers invest and design urban transport systems,” said Luis Antonio Lindau, director of Center for Sustainable Transport in Brazil (CTS-Brasil), a member of the EMBARQ Network. Lindau will help lead EMBARQ’s research team with support from Dario Hidalgo, senior transport engineer of EMBARQ and Luis Gutierrez, EMBARQ’s director for Latin America.

The Center of Excellence in Bus Rapid Transit was selected among 20 applicants. It is the eighth center funded by the foundation.

Great Barrier Reef Accident Highlights Risks to Reefs

Katie Reytar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:20:33 -0400

The grounding of a freight vessel poses yet another challenge to the world’s most diverse marine habitat.

When the Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland, carrying 975 tonnes of fuel oil and 65,000 tonnes of coal, reef conservationists and scientists worldwide gave a collective shudder.

The spot where the ship foundered is a restricted area due to its environmental sensitivity. Though ongoing efforts may prevent a major oil spill, the area of reef that the vessel landed on could take decades to recover.

Growing threats to reefs

The incident has served to highlight the growing threat to reefs worldwide from human activities. The 2,500km Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system, as well as its best-managed. Yet the protections put in place by the Australian government could not prevent Shen Neng 1 from veering off course into restricted waters. With the gross tonnage of international commercial shipping growing by 67% between 1980 and 2003¹, and with most reefs subject to less shipping restrictions than the GBR, such incidents are increasingly likely.

Moreover, commercial shipping is only one of the myriad threats facing the world’s reefs. Others include over-fishing, coastal development, land-based sources such as agricultural runoff, and oil infrastructure. In recent years, the first effects of climate change have also become apparent in the form of bleaching, which can kill coral. Looking ahead, increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is expected to acidify oceans, which will also impact coral health.

Why do reefs matter?

This is not just a problem for the tourism industry and nature lovers. While reefs occupy less than one tenth of one per cent of ocean habitat, they harbor more than a quarter of all marine species². Their presence is vital to local economies, to fisheries, and to global biodiversity. By absorbing wave energy, they also provide storm and erosion protection to coastal communities on several continents and many island nations.

What is the status of the world’s reefs?

This fall WRI will publish Reefs at Risk Revisited a global report on the health of the world’s coral reefs, documenting the growing range and volume of threats to their survival. An update of our influential 1998 analysis, Reefs at Risk: a Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs, the new report will employ the most recent high-resolution data to provide a detailed examination of human pressures on coral reefs (including from climate change), implications for reef condition, and projections of associated socioeconomic impacts in coastal communities. It will document the growing range and volume of threats to the world’s reefs as typified in dramatic fashion this week off the coast of Queensland.

How do we protect them?

WRI’s reef project works with reef scientists and managers of marine protected areas to provide the data and information needed to develop effective management plans and policies for reefs. Our new report will make specific, detailed recommendations to national governments, to local planning authorities and to marine park managers on how to counter threats to, and better manage, coral reefs in order to ensure their future place on Earth.

Marielle Christiansen, Kjetil Fagerholt, Bjorn Nygreen, David Ronen, Chapter 4 Maritime Transportation, In: Cynthia Barnhart and Gilbert Laporte, Editor(s), Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, Elsevier, 2007, Volume 14, Transportation, Pages 189-284. ↩
Don McAllister, “Status of the World Ocean and its Biodiversity,” Sea Wind 9, no. 4 (1995): 14. ↩

WRI’s Jonathan Lash to Brief Journalists on Environmental “Stories to Watch” for 2010

Paul Mackie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:42:50 -0500

WHAT: For the seventh straight year, Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute, will hold a briefing for journalists to preview key environmental issues to watch this year.

WHEN: Thursday, January 7, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST
Presentation and Q-and-A Session
(Continental Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m.)

WHERE: National Press Club
First Amendment Room
529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20045
(Metro: Red, Orange and Blue Lines to Metro Center)

WHO: Jonathan Lash, president, World Resources Institute

WHY: Will the Copenhagen Accord be implemented and, if so, how? With the help of the “London Challenge” and other initiatives, how much is the long-neglected potential for forest restoration beginning to change? Are SEC laws relating to climate change likely to be enforced due to the financial crisis? What options do the EPA and Congress have for reducing CO2, and who will provide federal leadership? What environmental and political factors will come into play as China focuses on implementing its 40 percent to 45 percent target to reduce carbon intensity? What progress is Congress making on a bill to limit Chesapeake Bay pollution?

Jonathan Lash has a strong record of working closely with CEOs of major corporations, members of Congress and the White House, and leaders from countries worldwide. He is a unique and trusted voice from the environmental NGO community for these leaders, and journalists can benefit from his insight for their future stories on issues ranging from climate and business action to water and forests.

Rolling Stone called him a “climate warrior and hero,” recognizing him for bridging the divide between industry and environmental leaders. He was named one of the world’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Finance by Treasury & Risk Management magazine, and was the only leader of a non-profit environmental organization to make the list.

A former co-chair of President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development and secretary of natural resources in Vermont, Lash currently serves on the advisory board of Generation Investment Management, on the GE Ecomagination Advisory Council, and as a leader of the United States Climate Action Partnership.

RSVP: Paul Mackie, WRI director of media relations, +1(202) 729-7684, pmackie@wri.org
Jessica Forres, WRI media officer, +1(202) 729-7684, jforres@wri.org

Save the Date for WRI's Environmental Stories to Watch 2010 Press Briefing

Paul Mackie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:58:54 -0500

Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute (WRI), will brief journalists on January 7 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on upcoming environmental issues in 2010, including climate, business action, water, forests and more.

Look for a full media advisory with more details, including Webcast information, to be sent the week of the event.

Please RSVP: Paul Mackie, WRI director of media relations, +1(202) 729-7684, pmackie@wri.org or Jessica Forres, WRI media officer, +1(202) 729-7736, jforres@wri.org

Transcripts, slidedecks and Webcasts from previous years