The NBI's weekly sustainable development news update

On A Clear Day: Issue 274, 6 November 2009

Industry News

US URGED TO SET 2020 TARGET TO SAVE CLIMATE DEAL The United States came under pressure this week to follow other rich countries and set a 2020 goal for cutting greenhouse gases to rescue chances for a climate deal due next month in Copenhagen. Reuters, 2 November 2009

AFRICAN COUNTRIES WIN TIME FOR TALKS ON RICH COUNTRY EMISSSIONS REDUCTIONS African countries have won more time to hammer out an agreement on rich country emissions reductions at climate talks in Barcelona on 3 November. Delegates from all Kyoto Protocol member countries agreed to dedicate 6 of the 10 remaining negotiating sessions to discussions on mid term emissions reductions. The decision received widespread support from other developing countries who stressed the importance of delivering real progress. allAfrica, 3 November 2009

JSE SIGNS FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT South Africa's JSE is one of the first stock exchanges worldwide to become a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UN PRI), which guide investors in taking environmental, social and corporate governance issues into account when investing. SA Good News, 4 November 2009

ARE GLOBAL CSR LEADERS FAILING TO USE THE WEB EFFECTIVELY? A new report has suggested that global leaders in sustainability are failing to make the most of the potential of the web for their CSR reporting and general communications. It names ENI as the global leader that does the best. Many points are criticised across the board for not being up to scratch. Mallen Baker, Business Respect, 2 November 2009

FEEDING THE WORLD WITHOUT HARMING IT Countries with growing populations can boost food production without punishing the environment if they are willing to experiment with less harmful farming practices, experts at a recent conference on biodiversity suggested. IRIN, 3 November 2009

ONLY 15% OFF G8 FOOD AID PLEDGE IS NEW - SOURCES Only $3-billion of the $20-billion promised by a Group of Eight (G8) summit over the next three years to boost agriculture in poor countries appears to be new money, diplomats and sources close to the matter said recently. Polity, originally from Reuters, 2 November 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE? LET'S GET REAL In December the nations of the world will congregate in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss what must be done about climate change. The assumption will be that the problem is at least partially man-made and that dramatic steps should be taken lest the planet fry itself. This will be the biggest such confab since the Kyoto get-together in 1997, during which dramatic agreements were made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 November 2009

BUSINESS CASHING IN ON ENERGY SAVINGS Businesses are looking to a new climate deal in Copenhagen to ensure a level playing field for industry, but in the meantime they are pledging to continue improving their energy efficiency and boosting investment in low-carbon technologies. WBCSD, originally from EurActiv.com, 3 November 2009

WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION CENTRAL TO CLIMATE-CHANGE MITIGATION - SONJICA The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) on Monday reported that an estimated four-million South African citizens were still without access to potable water and that the threat of climate change could serve to worsen matters in future. Esmarie Swanepoel, Engineering News, 2 November 2009

SEAL THE DEAL: CLIMATE CHANGE ILLUSTRATES NEED FOR BETTER WATER MANAGEMENT Water is at the centre of many of the worst natural disasters. Too much of it and there are floods that inundate homes and cropland and displace thousands of people. Too little of it, and there can be droughts that ruin harvests and destroy the livelihoods of entire communities. UN News, 3 November 2009

FOREST PROTECTION HINGES ON 10-WORD PHRASE Developing nations could end up being paid billions of dollars to raze rainforests and build palm oil plantations in their place if the current text of the Copenhagen climate treaty sticks, a group of advocates warned at the United Nations climate talks recently. Stacy Feldman, PlanetArk, 4 November 2009

SHARING TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE THE PLANET Several major corporations are experimenting with forums for sharing environmentally friendly innovations and building communities around them. WBCSD, originally from The International Herald Tribune via LN Publisher, 2 November 2009

BLOGSPOT: IMPACT REPORTING AND INVESTMENT STANDARDS - COMMENT NOW! The idea that for-profit investment can have positive social and environmental impact has been talked about for some time, and is increasingly being put to practice. This phenomenon of Impact Investing has the potential to complement philanthropy and government in addressing to some of the planet's most deeply entrenched challenges, including climate change, agricultural productivity, shelter, and health, among others. WRI, 2 November 2009

Notices, Reports & Surveys

THE VULNERABILITY OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE This brief aims to identify how upcoming investments will change the existing environment, susceptible areas in the global energy infrastructure and how they might be affected by moderate environmental change. It notes that most planners are not accustomed to incorporate environmental change-induced site changes into designs. Eldis

THE CR REPORTING AWARDS 2010 are open for voting! Use your votes now on http://www.corporateregister.com/crra. This is the third annual round of the CR Reporting Awards, established in 2007 as the first global awards in this field, and now recognised worldwide as one of the most prestigious CR awards. Collectively, the world’s largest community of CR report readers vote for winning reports - no ‘expert’ panel is used.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY (CR) INDEX For the past seven years the CR Index has inspired and challenged over 350 companies to continuously improve their impact on society and the environment. This year we expect to have more than 100 companies participate and use our tool to both improve their management practices and communicate to stakeholders how seriously they take their CR agenda. Participating companies have until 27 November to fill in the online survey system (BOB) survey and submit their entry. Business in the Community

South African Events

BUSINESS WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE 9 November 2009, AstroTech Conference Centre, Cnr of Anerley Rd & Third Ave, Parktown. The National Business Initiative in collaboration with Business Unity South Africa is convening a workshop on business and climate change. For more information, please contact Christine Dunbar on +27 11 544 6000 or email dunbar.christine@nbi.org.za

CAMBRIDGE RESILIENCE FORUM In November 2009 the Cambridge Resilience Forum presents three international experts â€' all of them Core Faculty at the 8th BEP South Africa seminar - at two events each, in Cape Town and Johannesburg:

• Jo da Silva â€' ‘Can the built environment broker a new relationship between People and Planet?’
• Paul Gilding and Prof Jorgen Randers â€' ‘The Great Disruption and the One Degree War Plan to deal with the climate crisis’

For all the information and to book online, go to: www.cpsl.co.za/forum/ or contact Magda de Kok on +27 21 469 4765 or email magda.dekok@cpsl.cam.ac.uk

CEM-02.1: ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS 9-14 November 2009. Course fee: R 9,700.00 (No VAT charged). For more information, contact Theresa de Jager on +27 18 299 2714, fax +27 18 299 2726 or email: ceminfo@nwu.ac.za or URL: http://cem.puk.ac.za

EDUCATION: FIXING THE SYSTEM 10 November 2009, GIBS Auditorium, 26 Melville Road, Illovo. This forum looks to address the key recommendations for improvement in SA education system. For more information, visit: GIBS website.

NETWORK FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUERS (NSE) 11 November 2009, GIBS Restaurant, Melville Road, Illovo. FirstRand CEO-designate Sizwe Nxasana will address the need for formal sector business and social entrepreneurs to work more closely in addressing South African developmental needs. For more information, contact Dineo Lengane, on +57 11 771 4249, email lenganed@gibs.co.za or go to: http://www.gibs.co.za/home.asp?pid=971

CEM-03.1: IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (ISO 14001), 16-19 November 2009 Course fee: R 8,100.00 (No VAT charged). For more information, contact Theresa de Jager on +27 18 299 2714, fax +27 18 299 2726 or email: ceminfo@nwu.ac.za or URL: http://cem.puk.ac.za

NBI 2009 ANNUAL REPORT BACK EVENTS: THE ROLE OF RESPONSIBLE CORPORATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA VOER THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOND Each year the National Business Initiative (NBI) hosts annual report back meetings with its business members, partners and stakeholders in various provinces to present the impact of the organisation and to discuss critical issues facing the country, business leadership and companies. For more information, go to: www.nbi.org.za.

• 10 November 2009, Johannesburg, contact Natalie Langeveldt
• 17 November 2009, Cape Town, contact Maria Kyle
• 24 November 2009, Durban, contact Desiree Pillay

CARBON MARKETS AFRICA 10-11 November 2009 Cape Town, South Africa. The event will create a platform for CDM project hosts to interact with the key players in the carbon markets value chain to deliver a progressive plan of action for a potentially substantial carbon market. Greenpower Conferences

ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE 2009 11-12 November, Gallagher Convention Center, Midrand. For more information, please contact Retha Weir on +27 14 792 0500 or email envirocon@envass.co.za

GOVERANCE AND SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 9-11 November 2009, Johannesburg. For more information, go to: NGO-Pulse.

SEMINAR: PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR NON-PROFIT AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANISATIONS 19-20 November 2009, Colosseum Hotel, 410 Schoeman Street, Pretoria. The aim of the seminar is to build capacity to strengthen non-profit and community-based organisations with a range of coherent and practical tools and methods to unlock challenges to schedule, execute, monitor and evaluate the tasks in their project plans. For more information, dial + 27 12 807 1934, fax: 086 656 9190, or email: busi@alibelletc.co.za / info@alibelletc.co.za.

DIRECTORS' RESPONISIBILITIES - KING III AND SUSTAINABILITY 20 November 2009, The Hilton Hotel, Sandton. Join SAICA for an interactive Masterclass on the new role and responsibilities of directors in terms of King III and sustainability. Contact details: 08610 SAICA or 08610 724 22, fax 011 621 6809, email: pertuniam@saica.co.za

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COURSE 25-27 November 2009, Johannesburg. For further information please contact Michelle or Samantha on +27 11 582 3200. Alternatively to download the course brochure go to http://www.Mngmt-Training6.co.za/courses/Corporate%20Governance/CGV20091125.pdf. To register online go to http://www.Mngmt-Training6.co.za/register/default.asp?CourseID=7

SEMINAR ON ENHANCING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR NGOs 25 November 2009, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Auditorium, 19 Fredman Drive, Sandton. CAF Southern Africa is hosting a seminar on Sustainable Social Investment â€' a model developed by RMB using opportunities presented by the B-BBEE requirements. To book your seat please contact Mihloti Mgimeti (mmgimeti@cafsouthernafrica.org) at CAF Southern Africa on + 27 11 726 1148.

International Events

2009 COURAGE TO LEAD DINNER 11 November 2009, Mandarin Oriental, New York. Top leaders will be tackling today’s toughest environmental challenges. For more informaiton, contact Rich Barnett 1 202-729-7647 or email
richb@wri.org

BIOFUELS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMICAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT 16â€'18 November 2009 Venue to be Confirmed, Washington, D.C. The Biofuels Environmental and Economical Sustainability Summit will be your chance to meet and network with the numerous Biofuel manufacturers, feedstock growers, fuel distributors and government leaders, thus taking your business to the next level. For more information, go to: http://www.biofuelsindustrysummit.com/Event.aspx?id=209906

WEBINAR: SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS: DELIVERING VALUE FROM SOCIAL INVESTMENT INITIATIVES 18 November 2009. RSVP to memberservices@bsr.org or go to BSR.

4TH INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE CONFERENCE IRES 2009 24-25 November, Berlin, Representation of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. WCRE

CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE 25 November 2009, United Kingdom, London. For further details, call +44 (0)20 7760 8699, fax +44 (0)20 7490 2296 or email: conferences@marketforce.eu.com. For more information, visit: Renewable Energy World

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT 2009 25-26 November, Regent’s Park Marriot Hotel, London. Benchmark against the best, and figure out how to communicate your positive sustainability messages. Ethical Corporation

MANAGING CARBON EMISSIONS WITH YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN 30 November 2009, London. This one day workshop will equip you with the tools required to start working responsibly with your supply chain to reduce carbon emissions. Business in the Community

TRAINING ON MONITORING & EVALUATION OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS 1 - 3 December 2009, New Delhi, India. For details, call +91 11 40560734, 65492502 or send email to trainings@sambodhi.co.in, trainings@excellaorbit.com

UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 7-18 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark. For more information, go to: http://en.cop15.dk/

AFRICA FINANCE AND INVESTMENT FORUM 13-15 December 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Organised by European Marketing Research Council (EMRC) in collaboration with FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, this is the third forum of its kind, inviting financiers, bankers, government officials, private sector investors and entrepreneurs to discuss real business opportunities to finance projects in Africa. It will take place . You can find more information about EMRC and the Forum on www.emrc.be.

WBCSD EVENTS CALENDAR Check out the WBCSD Events Calendar for conferences, workshops and seminars related to business and sustainable development.

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For a Sustainable Future

"On a Clear Day seeks to notify subscribers of interesting articles, papers and news freely available from the internet. The National Business Initiative encourages debate on sustainability issues and does not necessarily endorse any particular viewpoint. We welcome any feedback you might have. Please direct comments and queries to mensele.mapitso@nbi.org.za"