http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183427 The UNDP’s recently released report, ‘Arab Development Challenges: Towards the Developmental State in the Arab Region,’ argues that the relationship between state and citizen in the Arab region has irrevocably changed in the wake of the Arab spring. Demands for dignity, social justice and freedom highlight the urgent need to address economic challenges in tandem with political reforms. Following a presentation from the authors of the report, this roundtable discussion will focus on identifying possible policy recommendations drawn from the findings of this research. For more information please contact Helen Twist. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183427 Tue, 22 May 2012 12:10:00 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183341 The Rio+20 UN conference will take place in June, two decades after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. What will it take to make environmental sustainability a global reality? This event marks the publication of the special May 2012 issue of International Affairs on ‘Rio+20 and the global environment: reflections on theory and practice’. This event is being co-organised by Chatham House and the LSE Department of International Relations. Please note the external location. This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For more information please contact c.easom@lse.ac.uk. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183341 Wed, 16 May 2012 11:17:46 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183311 This is a transcript of a speech made by Ian Bremmer, President and Co-founder of Eurasia Group, on 10 May 2012 at Chatham House. Mr Bremmer argued that the world faces a lack of global leadership at a time when it is needed the most, and explored the implications of this for global governance and the ability of states to tackle shared problems. Event details and Q&A.   http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183311 Mon, 14 May 2012 16:48:11 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183275 Ian Bremmer of Eurasia Group takes a sprint round the world asking 'if not the US, who?' stopping off in the China, Russia, the EU and more. 10 May 2012 at Chatham House http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183275 Fri, 11 May 2012 13:51:02 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183273 http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183273 Fri, 11 May 2012 12:28:23 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/183267 Ian Bremmer of Eurasia Group takes a sprint round the world asking 'if not the US, who?' stopping off in the China, Russia, the EU and more. At Chatham House on 10 May 2012   Subscribe to the Chatham House Podcast in iTunes | via RSS          Subscribe to Chatham House event audio in iTunes | via RSS http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/183267 Fri, 11 May 2012 10:54:50 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183249 Throughout history, migrants have fuelled the engine of human progress. Their movement has sparked innovation, spread ideas, relieved poverty, and laid the foundations for a global economy. Cheap travel and easy communication allows today's migrants to create extensive and intimate cross-border networks, in a way that was in the past unthinkable. The speakers will argue that the way in which these networks speed up the flow of ideas across borders has profound consequences for business, technology and politics. They will put forward new approaches for governance that embrace international mobility. For more information please contact the Members Events Team http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183249 Thu, 10 May 2012 15:24:11 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183247 This is a transcript of a speech made by HE Armando Emílio Guebuza, President of Mozambique, on 9 May 2012 at Chatham House. The President discussed the role of natural resources in Mozambique's future development. He said he wished to turn the country's mineral resources into a driving force for the sustainable social transformation and industrialisation of Mozambique. Event details and Q&A. http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183247 Thu, 10 May 2012 15:16:14 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183227 http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183227 Thu, 10 May 2012 10:10:44 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183225 http://www.chathamhouse.org/video-resource/183225 Thu, 10 May 2012 10:07:54 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/183173 Significant improvements in the quality and timeliness of famine early warning systems have not been matched by comparable improvements in the responsiveness of governments and the international community. As a result, the opportunity to protect more lives and livelihoods is lost.  The most recent example of this was the 2011 Horn of Africa food crisis, and in particular the famine in Somalia. Early warnings increased in frequency and urgency over the course of a year until famine was eventually declared in July. It was only at that point when donors and agencies fully mobilized. Last month, Chatham House held an expert workshop as part of the research project Translating Early Warning into Early Action. The workshop identified multiple barriers relating to the ways in which early warning information is communicated and interpreted; the incentives and accountability ameworks under which decision-makers operate; the limitations of the aid architecture; and the challenges of organizing and coordinating effectively across the international humanitarian system and its plethora of agencies and agendas. A full report of the workshop is available, but the focus here is on three key outcomes. A new Paradigm is Needed The international system is not set-up to deliver early action, which falls between the cracks of long-term development on the one hand and emergency response on the other. This split exists at all levels. Aid workers specialize in either humanitarian or development work, and struggle to move out of their silos. Beyond a bit of dabbling here and there, it’s the same story for agencies (think World Food Program versus Food and Agriculture Organization). And these divisions are perpetuated by an aid architecture that is similarly bifurcated, with humanitarian funding only being available after an emergency is declared. There are exceptions to this of course, but the overall picture is a fair one. As a result, when early warnings trigger, humanitarians are hamstrung by a lack of tools (they specialize in response not prevention) and a lack of funds. Meanwhile development actors, who are often better equipped to undertake the types of resilience-building interventions needed, do not see it as their job and probably lack sufficiently flexible funding to adapt their programs anyway. A new paradigm is needed, that moves out of silos towards integrated programming focused on building resilience and managing risk. Ultimately, the objective must be long-term programs that respond continually to early warning information, flexing between development, disaster risk reduction, early action and emergency interventions according to needs.  This will require major changes in organizational structures, funding architectures, and ways of working. It will not happen without strong and concerted leadership from politicians in donor and national governments and leaders within the UN system and international NGOs.  There are encouraging signs that things are starting to shift. The high-level informal grouping of Political Champions for Disaster Resilience held its first meeting last month. The UN Secretary General’s current five-year action agenda prioritizes resilience, and numerous donors and agencies are developing resilience-based strategies. But there is a long way to go, so this momentum must be sustained if the systemic transformation required is to be realized. Long-term commitments to which governments and agencies can be held accountable offer a means to do so; upcoming opportunities include the tenth anniversary of the Good Humanitarian Donorship Principles, and the setting of new international commitments to succeed the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Millennium Development Goals. Politics Trumps Everything Else Technocratic solutions – like improving early warning information, redesigning decision-making, integrating programming, tinkering with incentive structures and reforming funding – are important but can only get us so far. Early action depends upon the will of governments, in affected countries and donor countries. Politics is the limiting factor.  Donor governments consider the consequences of a particular crisis for their own agendas in deciding if and when to respond, and with how much money. Their interests may be served by preventing a crisis, if for example stability within the country concerned is valuable. Alternatively, they may prioritize other strategic imperatives over humanitarian concerns – for example, for a number of Western donors last year, counter-terrorism, or more specifically preventing humanitarian assistance from falling into the hands of the Islamist militia Al-Shabaab, was a greater priority in Somalia than preventing famine. Governments in affected countries may also be slow to respond to early warnings for various reasons. They may choose to deny a problem, for fear of tarnishing the image they wish to project to the international community. Or they may be less concerned about crises occurring within politically marginalised communities. Addressing the politics of early action is particularly challenging, as the NGOs and UN agencies best placed to challenge obstructive political agendas are themselves compromised – they are funded by donor governments and depend upon affected country governments for humanitarian access. Approaches to insulate decision-making from political agendas should be explored, but these will inevitably be resisted by governments that would lose power in a depoliticized process. In the meantime, agencies and NGOs must get smarter in their advocacy, building political analysis into their planning and working out how to build coalitions for action and challenge obstructive governments through new channels and approaches. Are We Learning from Our Mistakes? The failure to prevent famine in Somalia in 2011 was rightly criticized. As a result, donors and agencies are keen to demonstrate that they have learned from their mistakes, and have undertaken considerable efforts to mobilize resources and raise awareness about the current situation in the Sahel, where poor harvests have left the region facing food shortages. A number of NGOs have launched appeals to fund early action, whilst a meeting in February of heads of UN agencies, donors and government representatives called for coordinated action to prevent an emergency. This is welcome, and indicates a heightened awareness of the need for earlier action among senior decision-makers.  But questions remain as to whether the emphasis is right. Whilst there is no doubt that the situation in parts of the Sahel is serious, there is not a consensus among early warnings providers on how bad things could get. Meanwhile early warnings of poor March-May rains in the Horn of Africa, where vulnerability remains extreme following last year’s emergency, have received comparatively little attention from donors, agencies or the media.  The clear wish to avert a disaster in the Sahel is to be commended, however the fact that agencies, donors and early warnings providers are struggling to reach consensus on the gravity of the situation indicates that there is still work to do. Meanwhile the risk that the current focus on the Sahel is marginalizing the ongoing crisis in the Horn is real. If you would like to comment on this article, please contact Chatham House Feedback  Further Resources Translating Early Warning into Early ActionWorkshop Summary, April 2012 Project Translating Early Warning into Early Action >> http://www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/183173 Fri, 04 May 2012 16:30:17 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183145 This is a summary of a two-day workshop held on 11-12 April 2012 at Chatham House. The workshop was part of the project Translating Early Warning into Early Action which aims to analyse the way in which governments, donors, and humanitarian agencies use and react to early warning information related to slow onset food crises, and identify barriers to translating early warning information into early and appropriate actions. Event details. http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/183145 Thu, 03 May 2012 16:53:38 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183059 Recent research on the economics of low carbon cities has shown that there is a very strong and commercially attractive business case for major scale investments in city-scale retrofits to reduce energy demand from the domestic, commercial, industrial and transport sectors. The aim of this workshop is to advance the debate on the raising and structuring of finance for low carbon investments at the city scale, bringing together representatives from local authorities, the investment community, government and experts on low carbon finance. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please contact Jens Hein. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183059 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:03:26 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183035 This event will provide an update on efforts from around the world to improve forest governance and reduce illegal logging. Presenters will include representatives of government, the private sector, academia and civil society. The deadline to register for this event is Monday 2 July 2012. For more information please contact Jens Hein. More about Illegal Logging. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/183035 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:09:30 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/research/eedp/current-projects/gcc-energy/participant Welcome to the protected page for participants of the GCC Energy Intensity Project.We welcome feedback. Please contact Glada Lahn (glahn@chathamhouse.org) with any questions or comments about the project, workshops and materials. Workshop ResourcesWorkshop II Towards Energy Intensity Benchmarking in the GCC1 May 2012, Dubai School of Government, Convention Tower, DubaiAgenda: Towards Energy Intensity Benchmarking in the GCCProject Aims, Progress and Aims of the WorkshopPaul Stevens, May 2012 Assessing Practical Energy Intensity Targets for GCC CountriesFelix Preston, Will Blyth, May 2012Creating an EI Roadmap for Saudi Arabia: Questions and Options for PolicymakersGlada Lahn, May 2012The Role of the Regulatory Framework in Delivering SavingsGraeme Sims, May 2012 Workshop I: Opportunities to Save Energy in the GCC 25 January 2012, Riyadh Opportunities to Save Energy in the GCCSummary, January 2012Further ResourcesBackground Notes for Workshop IIContents:1. The GCC Energy Intensity Project2. An international collaboration to support ambitious energy intensity targets in GCC Countries 3. An example of inter-agency cooperation on energy efficiency in Abu Dhabi4. Regulating for supply side savings and preparing for cost reflective tariffs in Oman 5. The potential for ESCOs in Saudi ArabiaIndustrial Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Wealth CreationIndustrial Development Report 2011, UNIDO http://www.chathamhouse.org/research/eedp/current-projects/gcc-energy/participant Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:12:53 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/research/eedp/current-projects/gcc-energy An international collaboration to support ambitious energy intensity targets in GCC Countries.SummaryGCC country governments are all facing challenges related to escalating domestic fuel consumption, including reduced exports, energy security concerns, rising subsidy bills, and environmental impacts. The GCC Energy Intensity Project, which began in late 2011, aims to identify practical energy intensity targets for the GCC countries as a useful overarching policy goal which would incentivize efficiency.Working with regional partners, the project will develop a set of recommendations for improving energy efficiency in GCC countries, drawing on the experiences of utilities, policymakers, industry experts, and academics. Using data-based energy intensity measurements, the project’s series of workshops evaluates and enhances on-going efficiency research, builds high level commitment for intensity targets, and develops GCC-level coordination to support their implementation. BackgroundThe GCC countries are experiencing rapid growth in domestic energy demand with almost complete reliance on oil and gas. This is leading to a number of economic and social concerns. If current trends continue, internal hydrocarbons consumption could jeopardize the capacity of some countries to export their resources. With current levels of economic dependence on hydrocarbon revenues and high population growth, this would give rise to serious financial and social pressures. Environmental and public health threats from the emissions from thermal power generation and heavy road traffic are also increasing.As oil and gas exporters, GCC countries have opted for energy intense diversification strategies. However, using more energy is not necessarily generating more value for society. Energy intensity – the units of energy needed to produce each $ of GDP – is increasing in GCC countries. Internationally, there are several experiences of success in reducing energy intensity through planned efficiency increases in key growth sectors. In view of this, the current project explores the potential for energy intensity targets for GCC countries. Energy intensity (EI) targets have proved successful in several industrial economies including China where they emphasize curbing energy demand while increasing national prosperity. In a GCC context, they would need to account for national industrial development aims and the specific capacities for increasing efficiency and replacing technology.Given the shared challenges, GCC governments have a common interest in setting their national energy consumption patterns on a more sustainable path and they are at various stages of initiating policy and strategy towards this goal. However, there is currently no forum countries to promote faster progress and, where beneficial, increase regional coordination. As such, the project also aims to provide a forum for energy and industry stakeholders from different GCC countries to share current plans and experience and learn more about international efforts and best practice in this field.WorkshopsWorkshop 1: Opportunities to Save Energy in the GCC 25 January 2012, Riyadh. Hosted by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.  The first workshop discussed the case for EI targets and presented the preliminary results of research to assess how much energy could be saved in Saudi Arabia by 2025. Regional and international experiences of increasing energy efficiency were presented. Stakeholders on a roadmap outline to offer options to policy-makers in rolling out effective strategies and overcoming common barriers.Workshop 2: Towards Energy Intensity Benchmarking in the GCC 1 May 2012, Dubai. Sponsored by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate of Energy and Climate ChangeThe second workshop focuses on the tools needed to calculate energy savings potentials to 2025 and highlights innovative approaches in GCC countries that could underpin achievement of meaningful intensity targets. It will invite feedback on the process presented in the draft roadmap and discuss potential mechanisms for benchmarking and sharing of experiences across the GCC.Details for participants The project will culminate in a short report setting out the steps for practical implementation of energy intensity targets in GCC countries, bearing in mind specific country contexts. This will be underpinned by a more detailed roadmap for one GCC country (Saudi Arabia) which can serve as a template for others. The final report will identify areas for regional cooperation and coordination, dependent on input from regional stakeholders. The project partners hope that this will be something new, and useful to all GCC policymakers currently tackling issues around domestic energy demand.Participant Content >>Partners and contributorsThis project is an international collaboration with support from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in-country research and contributions from GCC partners. Chatham House is leading the initial energy saving assessment, facilitating inter-regional dialogue and offering international experience. Partnering organizations contributing in-country research, expertise and reviews are SEEC, the Masdar Institute and the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). The UAE workshop is supported by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate of Energy and Climate Change. The project is open to collaboration from other GCC organizations.The Advisory CommitteeDr Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR)Dr Morgan Bazilian, Special Advisor on international energy and climate policy to the Director-General of the United Nationals Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)Dr Hasan Qabazard, Director, Research Division, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)Dr Neil Quilliam, Energy and Climate Change, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)ContactGlada Lahn, Research Fellow (Energy & Development) Chatham House, LondonT: +44(0)20 79575 750M: +44 (0)7816 837 800  http://www.chathamhouse.org/research/eedp/current-projects/gcc-energy Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:02:11 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182959 Recent coal and gas finds in Mozambique have transformed its economic prospects, yet also bring significant challenges. His Excellency the President of Mozambique will lay out his government’s vision for the best use of Mozambique’s mineral resources, and discuss under what conditions these resources can contribute to development for all Mozambicans.  For more information about this event please contact the Members Events Team. Non-members and interested individuals should apply to Tighisti Amare. All non-member applications must be made by email. Only receipt of a confirmation email from Chatham House will allow entry for non-members to this event. Places are limited. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182959 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:08:44 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182949 The speaker will discuss the trade spat between China and the West over rare earth metals. China’s virtual monopoly on rare earths production and its attempts to curtail exports have contributed to a global supply crunch, leading to tensions with Western powers. Even though new mines are being opened in response to the shortages and prices have receded from their peak in July 2011, Professor Dudley J. Kingsnorth argues that global supply of some rare earths could remain precarious over the next decade. He will also discuss the broader lessons for governments and businesses to ensure future supply security for rare earths and other critical raw materials. For more information please contact Estelle Rouhaud. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182949 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:50:43 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/182927 Director's Interview: Hussain Al-Shahristani, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Dr Hussain Al-Shahristani, sits down with Chatham House Director Robin Niblett to discuss his country's current plans for oil production and distribution, and its growing role as a foreign policy actor.   Subscribe to the Chatham House Podcast in iTunes | via RSS          Subscribe to Chatham House event audio in iTunes | via RSS http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/182927 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:28:14 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182923 In the last three decades, China has registered extraordinary economic growth which has turned it into a major world power. But the new leadership which takes over in Beijing this autumn faces daunting political, economic and social challenges. Jonathan Fenby will assess where the last major state ruled by a communist party stands today and what it needs to do to continue the revolution set in train by Deng Xioaping. For more information please contact the Members Events Team. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182923 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:56:05 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182895 Russia was one of the signatories of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in 1994, but it has not ratified the document to date, and in 2009 the Russian government terminated the provisional application of ECT. The aim of the Energy Charter is to establish a legal framework to promote long-term cooperation in the energy sector.  Andrei Belyi will discuss possible future developments in Russia’s energy policy and the country’s relationship with this key regime to promote trade, investment and reliable transit. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please contact Lubica Pollakova. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182895 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:35:49 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182887 Illegal harvesting of precious woods is a global problem, in some cases threatening the sustainability of entire species and their ecosystems. However, a range of experiences in tackling the issue exists from which best practices can be identified, in order to help sustain the legal trade in precious woods. The aim of this meeting is to bring together representatives of key producer and consumer countries, to discuss lessons learnt from efforts to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife products. Drawing on a range of case studies, potential leverage points in supply chains will be identified, and policy, regulation or other tools considered for placing the trade in precious woods on a sustainable footing. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. For more information please contact Jens Hein. http://www.chathamhouse.org/events/view/182887 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:56:54 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/climatechange2012 The 16th Annual Chatham House Conference on climate change will assess what national and international actions must be taken now to manage 21st century climate security challenges. Although disunity remains over how to manage the climate challenge, there is agreement that action is now needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change that can no longer be prevented and to build resilience against the impact of extreme climate events. The conference will examine the key economic, social and geo-political security threats caused by climate change and debate what national and international responses are required to manage these security challenges. Key issues that will be addressed include: What will be the impact of climate change on border shifts, migration, health, security of critical infrastructure and competition for natural resources? Is there a role for geoengineering in managing climate?  If so, what would be the impact on international climate action? What has been achieved between Durban and Doha and what are the goals for the 2012 UN talks? How will essential climate change mitigation and adaptation be financed? Registration Register by Wednesday 15 August to benefit from the early booking rate.   http://www.chathamhouse.org/climatechange2012 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:09:19 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/182839 Rapid and disruptive change in the Arctic environment presents uneven prospects for investment and economic development. All across the Arctic, changes in climate will create new vulnerabilities for infrastructure and present new design challenges.  The Arctic is likely to attract substantial investment over the coming decade, potentially reaching $100bn or more. However, given the high risk/potentially high reward nature of Arctic investment, this figure could be significantly higher or lower.  Uncertainties and knowledge gaps exist around the nature of environmental change, the geological potential of the Arctic and environmental baselines, as well as seabed mapping, and how to deal with the risks of significant Arctic industrial activity.   Arctic conditions will remain challenging and often unpredictable. Many of the operational risks to Arctic economic development – particularly oil and gas developments, and shipping – amplify one another. At the same time, the resilience of the Arctic’s ecosystems to withstand risk events is weak, and political and corporate sensitivity to a disaster is high.  The environmental consequences of disasters in the Arctic are likely to be worse than in other regions.   Given the Arctic's iconic status and sensitive environment, Arctic development is often politically contentious, with sometimes opposing interests and perspectives between local, national and international levels. Political support for development will continue to represent an uncertainty for businesses seeking to invest in Arctic projects.  The challenges of Arctic development demand coordinated responses where viable, common standards where possible, transparency and best practice across the north. These frameworks need to be in place to enable sustainable development and uphold the public interest.  Companies operating in the Arctic require robust risk management frameworks and processes that adopt best practice and contain worst case scenarios, crisis response plans and full-scale exercises.  Interview 60 Seconds with Charles Emmerson, April 2012 http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/papers/view/182839 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:27:13 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/World-energy-markets 'Rebalancing the World Energy Markets: The role of China, Russia and Central Asia' will study the interplay of factors shaping the world’s energy markets. Examining China, Russia and Central Asia’s demand drivers, it will assess the impact of unconventional energy sources, and discuss the feasibility of developing new fields in the context of oil and gas transport options.  This two-day conference will provide a unique platform for policy makers, governments, commentators and key industry figures to assess the current situation and ask what lies ahead. Questions surrounding the domestic political context and business environment in which investments are likely to be made will be central to the conference debates.  What effect is China’s rapidly rising domestic energy consumption having on global oil and gas supplies? How will internal and external energy demand affect China’s investment decisions? Will international oil companies be able to make significant investments in China’s expanding energy sector? What role for Gazprom in the context of the ‘Shale Gas Revolution’ and China’s alternative gas sources? What are the short- and medium-term plans for investment in production expansion in Russia, Central Asia and China?   Registration Register by Friday 28 September to benefit from the early booking rate.   http://www.chathamhouse.org/World-energy-markets Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:18:15 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/Foodsecurity2012 Programme details will follow shortly. http://www.chathamhouse.org/Foodsecurity2012 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:15:56 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/182767 Guest co-editor Robert Falkner and Editor of IA Caroline Soper introduce this Rio+20 special issue. http://www.chathamhouse.org/audio-resource/182767 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:46:29 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/182760 Not long ago, whenever I went to international oil and gas conferences, sessions on East Africa filled the graveyard slot. I and a few other analysts would sit through almost empty presentations more out of courtesy than curiosity, while all the smart money was on the Gulf of Guinea.  Not anymore. East Africa is the new oil and gas frontier, and the sessions are packed.The latest and perhaps most significant development for Kenya came this week when President Mwai Kibaki announced a significant find by Tullow Oil in the country’s north-western Turkana region. You could feel his relief as he called it a 'major breakthrough'. Ever since independence Kenyan officials have been wondering why their geology has been less generous than others amongst recent gold, Tanzanite, and significant gas finds in Tanzania, and oil in Uganda.Kenya has a strong agribusiness base, exporting tea, coffee, flowers and vegetables. It also enjoys a major tourism industry and Nairobi is a regional hub, providing financial and other services. If significant oil reserves are found, this could be transformative for Kenya’s economy. It will also embolden Kenya’s ambitions to become a leading regional power. This mood was summed up by a columnist in Kenya’s Business Daily who wrote, 'Kenya’s economic and diplomatic clout had largely suffered from a lack of known natural resources that are of strategic importance to the rest of the world'.  Managing the Politics Kenya’s politicians will need to keep a close eye on this bullishness, as regional cooperation within the East African Community rather than head-on competition makes better economic sense. Kenya has already been positioning itself to develop regional oil facilities for exports of oil from Uganda and South Sudan. Work started in early March on building a huge deep-water port in Lamu, to service a pipeline across northern Kenya.The West sees Kenya as a reliable regional anchor state, although its reputation as a stable democracy took a knocking with the surge of violence that followed the presidential elections in 2008 and threatens to re-emerge. New presidential elections are scheduled for late 2012 or 2013, and oil will additionally raise anticipation of billions of future oil dollars for the victorious. The stakes in these elections have risen, and the capacity of Kenya’s institutions, but also of its politicians, to gracefully except defeat, will be critical. President Kibaki will not be running and has a golden opportunity to secure his legacy by ensuring credible and peaceful elections pass.The greatest worry is that oil money might further blight an already corrupted political class. Kenya has a bad reputation of corruption, especially by its political class. A former anti-corruption tsar, John Githongo, fled the country fearing for his life in 2005. He returned to Kenya in 2008 and has set up Kenya Ni Yetu (Kenya is Ours), a campaign aimed at mobilizing ordinary people to speak up against corruption, impunity and injustice.  Avoiding the Oil Curse If Kenya is to effectively benefit from oil, and avoid the resource curse that many other oil producers have experienced it needs to learn from the mistakes of others. The lessons are clear: strengthen independent institutions and oversight; publish all the taxes and royalties from oil; do not rush into prestige projects and extravagant consumption; and don’t neglect creating meaningful employment for Kenyans. Kenyans need jobs, but the oil industry itself never employs enough. The key is to use any oil funds to build up a competitive economy - Kenya’s opportunity is that it already has a successful base upon which to build. This is an edited version of an article for CNN. If you would like to comment on this article, please contact Chatham House Feedback http://www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/182760 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:33:37 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/twt/archive/view/182754 Two great shifts in the way we make things occurred in the 20th century. After the First World War, Ford and General Motors introduced the age of mass production and, in the middle of the century, Japanese companies such as Toyota pioneered the flexible, just-in-time approaches that underpin manufacturing today. Now, with high and volatile commodity prices, forward-looking companies sense that the economics of production may be about to alter again. But is it possible to go that one step further, and develop business models that deliver more value while using fewer materials? Thirty years ago, Walter Stahel set out the case for a ‘closed loop’ or ‘circular’ economy. To keep resource use within sustainable levels, he argued, products would need to be more durable and, where possible, repaired rather than replaced. The result would be a large volume of resources cycling within the economy. Many jobs would be created to help collect and re-work worn-out goods. Circular economy thinking has been around for years. A century ago the wooden crates used to ship factory parts were turned into the floors of Ford’s Model T motor car – an early example of ‘upcy-cling’, the process of adding value to an existing product before resale. Dieter Rams, perhaps the most influential designer of the last century, applied similar principles to his work at Braun and Vitsoe. Rams’ universal shelving system, a design classic that hit shops in 1960, is modular, adaptable, repairable and built to last a lifetime. Yet a trip to any high street store is a reminder that today, the vast majority of products on the market are produced so that they can be priced as cheaply as possible. Quality is sacrificed, product life is short and limited attention is given to where discarded products end up. Regulations in some countries force companies to take back old electronic equipment, but this is rarely seen as a way of making money. Until now, planned obsolescence has proved a much more profitable model than sustainable design. The reality in today’s economy is that natural resources are mined and extracted, turned into products and then discarded. Each year the European Union produces half a tonne of waste per person. Germany, the leader in recycling, still sends half of its waste to be incinerated or to landfill. In other countries a much larger share goes to the dump. So what explains the growing interest in the circular economy in corporate boardrooms? Many will have noted that the concept has been given a substantial boost in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. In developed countries, too, resource efficiency has shifted from an environmental issue to one that is seen as critical to long-term competitiveness.  This has put the spotlight on new business opportunities – analysis by McKinsey suggests that manufacturing companies in the European Union could save $630 billion a year by 2025 by adopting circular economy approaches. It also raises the spectre of tougher regulations. Many of these factors, however, would have also applied in the 1970s, another period of high and volatile resource prices. Technology is the game changer. For the first time, it is now possible to accurately track the use of resources right along the supply chain. As pioneering companies are demonstrating, these costs can be incorporated into the heart of business systems – and added to profit and loss statements. Better information on resource flows can be used by companies, their suppliers and customers alike, to cut waste and make better use of resources. Technology is also changing the way that products are made. Breakthroughs in digital design, automated manufacturing and innovations involving the materials used have opened up the landscape of sustainability for designers. Coca-Cola introduced a 30 per cent plant-based, 100 per cent recyclable plastic bottle into some markets in 2011, while B&Q, the DIY specialist, has raised the possibility that it may not sell anything at all in future, focusing on rental instead. Some technologies pose a more fundamental challenge to today’s manufac-turing approaches. 3D printing may soon allow mainstream consumers to customise and ‘print’ their own products at relatively low cost – reducing the need for transport and avoiding wasteful manufacturing pro-cesses. The internet has allowed whole categories of products to move from the physical to the virtual – although on the flip-side it is driving the growth in elec-tronic products. The circular economy will remain a niche concept unless companies believe that consumers are ready to play their part. But there are signs that the public is seeking new and more sustainable forms of consumption – as long as it is at the right price. Companies are experimenting with business models that build long-term relationships with the consumer. Like the mobile phone, a range of products from washing machines to music are now being offered on a pay-as-you-go monthly basis rather than for sale. There are now half a million members of car-sharing schemes in North America (up from 2,500 in 2000), and they drive 30 per cent less than when they owned their own car. The circular economy is an old idea whose time may have arrived. Now the question is: which companies will have the inspiration to become the Fords and the Toyotas of the 21st century?   Road ahead for the car Modular design: Car parts can be made so that they are easier to replace and repair – not just to their original performance, but up to the latest high-efficiency designs. Customers need an incentive to take advantage of these resource-saving opportunities, however.  Car sharing: Early schemes enabled others to take a ride in your car during rush hour, reducing costs and taking traffic off the road. These have flourished online in the past decade. In recent years, another model has emerged: the pay-as-you-go car, as offered by companies such as Zipcar in the United States and Europe. Electric vehicles: Electric vehicles can transform the use of fossil fuels in transport. The high up-front cost of batteries and limited mileage have prompted interest in new business models, from the battery-swapping approach of BetterPlace, to rental arrangements that spread the cost to the customer. Car-free cities: If new cities or residential areas are designed to make the private car unnecessary, people will readily use communal rapid transport. But this has to start with the right urban design. http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/twt/archive/view/182754 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:21:16 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/ia/archive/view/182722 This article traces the evolution of international environmental law and dialogue in the four decades from Stockholm, 1972, to Rio+20, 2012, with a focus on the changing dynamics of the discourse between developed and developing countries, and the corresponding interpretational shifts in the application of differential treatment in international environmental law - climate change law in particular. http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/ia/archive/view/182722 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:19:59 +0100 Chatham House - Energy, Environment and Development