The document discusses capital punishment and argues that it should only be used as a last resort for criminals who are truly beyond rehabilitation. It provides the example of Anders Breivik, who carried out deadly attacks in Norway, as someone who appears incapable of rehabilitation and for whom the death penalty may be the only fitting punishment. The document also examines the historical and philosophical perspectives surrounding capital punishment over time, noting its declining use in modern societies due to evolving views on morality and justice.
The document explores several issues related to the possibility of uploading human minds to computers, as envisioned by some transhumanists. It discusses how uploading could complicate notions of personal identity, as individuals may have multiple copies of themselves existing simultaneously. It also examines potential ethical dilemmas, such as whether digital duplicates would have the same rights and value as original humans. Finally, it raises questions about whether an uploaded mind would still be considered the same self or person. The document aims to critically analyze some of the complex philosophical implications if mind uploading became technologically feasible.
This document contains multiple passages from different authors on topics related to crime, criminal justice, and prison reform. A few key points discussed include:
1) It is easier to condemn others as "evil" than address societal failures that may contribute to criminal behavior.
2) Prisons should treat drug and alcohol abuse as public health issues requiring treatment rather than solely criminal justice problems.
3) A historic ruling applied revised federal drug sentencing guidelines retroactively, potentially reducing sentences for thousands of offenders.
4) Government oversight is needed to properly police criminal justice systems that are sometimes flawed and can wrongfully impact lives.
Capital punishment has been debated in the United States throughout its history. While some studies have found it deters crime, others have been inconclusive. Supporters argue it deters serious crimes by instilling fear in would-be criminals, prevents repeat offenses by incapacitating dangerous individuals, and fulfills a desire for retribution. However, opponents argue there is no clear evidence it deters crime more than other punishments like life in prison. The debate around capital punishment considers its effectiveness from ideological perspectives like deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and retribution.
1. René Girard's work analyzes human behavior through an anthropological lens, focusing on how imitation, rivalry, violence and scapegoating have shaped culture and religion throughout history.
2. His insights include how mimetic desire leads to rivalry between individuals, which then risks escalating into violence within societies. Ritual sacrifice of scapegoats served to diffuse tensions by uniting groups against a common victim.
3. Religion and culture more broadly developed through prohibitions against violence and rituals like sacrifice that helped maintain social order. The Hebrew scriptures and teachings of Jesus challenged these systems by revealing the innocence of victims and promoting non-violence over sacrifice and retribution.
The document discusses the future of the EU Water Initiative (EUWI) in Eastern Partnership countries. It proposes a new strategic regional approach that moves from multiple projects to a strategic sector approach with increased country ownership. Key ongoing regional water projects are described, and the new EUWI+ East program is outlined, with a budget of €23.5 million over 4 years. The program aims to further the approximation of EU water directives and improve transboundary river management. Partner country input is sought on effective practices and capacity building tools from past programs, as well as governance arrangements and expected tangible results of the new phase.
This document summarizes the industry-led efforts in Armenia to promote green economic development and environmental sustainability. It discusses the Regional Union of Employers of Armenia's (RUEA) work in developing a national Green Concept, implementing projects on resource efficiency, and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue between businesses, government, and non-profits. Key activities mentioned include developing a Green Economy Commission, legal and economic mechanisms to incentivize green business practices, and capacity building initiatives to support companies in transitioning to more sustainable operations.
OECD Presentation: Aligning Policies for Mobilising Green Finance in KazakhstanOECD Environment
The document discusses aligning policies in Kazakhstan to mobilize green finance and achieve its climate goals. It notes Kazakhstan's ambition to reduce GHG emissions by 15-25% by 2030 but that further policies are needed to achieve this. It provides examples of Kazakhstan's existing climate policies and suggests assessing policy coherence across sectors to scale up green investment and transition from brown to green infrastructure in line with its green economy and climate targets. Next steps proposed include developing a framework to diagnose policy misalignments and prioritize corrective actions.
Regional Experiences on Fossil Fuel Support ReformOECD Environment
This document summarizes regional experiences with reforming fossil fuel subsidies. It discusses how the OECD has measured fossil fuel subsidies through an inventory of over 800 individual support measures across 40 countries. Key findings include that total support remains high at $160 billion globally despite some recent declines. Most support is for petroleum consumption, while production measures mainly support capital and extraction. Many subsidies were introduced long ago and their continued relevance may need reassessment. Lower oil prices have helped reduce consumer subsidies but lasting reform is still required. The inventory is an online resource for policymakers to assess fossil fuel measures.
The document explores several issues related to the possibility of uploading human minds to computers, as envisioned by some transhumanists. It discusses how uploading could complicate notions of personal identity, as individuals may have multiple copies of themselves existing simultaneously. It also examines potential ethical dilemmas, such as whether digital duplicates would have the same rights and value as original humans. Finally, it raises questions about whether an uploaded mind would still be considered the same self or person. The document aims to critically analyze some of the complex philosophical implications if mind uploading became technologically feasible.
This document contains multiple passages from different authors on topics related to crime, criminal justice, and prison reform. A few key points discussed include:
1) It is easier to condemn others as "evil" than address societal failures that may contribute to criminal behavior.
2) Prisons should treat drug and alcohol abuse as public health issues requiring treatment rather than solely criminal justice problems.
3) A historic ruling applied revised federal drug sentencing guidelines retroactively, potentially reducing sentences for thousands of offenders.
4) Government oversight is needed to properly police criminal justice systems that are sometimes flawed and can wrongfully impact lives.
Capital punishment has been debated in the United States throughout its history. While some studies have found it deters crime, others have been inconclusive. Supporters argue it deters serious crimes by instilling fear in would-be criminals, prevents repeat offenses by incapacitating dangerous individuals, and fulfills a desire for retribution. However, opponents argue there is no clear evidence it deters crime more than other punishments like life in prison. The debate around capital punishment considers its effectiveness from ideological perspectives like deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and retribution.
1. René Girard's work analyzes human behavior through an anthropological lens, focusing on how imitation, rivalry, violence and scapegoating have shaped culture and religion throughout history.
2. His insights include how mimetic desire leads to rivalry between individuals, which then risks escalating into violence within societies. Ritual sacrifice of scapegoats served to diffuse tensions by uniting groups against a common victim.
3. Religion and culture more broadly developed through prohibitions against violence and rituals like sacrifice that helped maintain social order. The Hebrew scriptures and teachings of Jesus challenged these systems by revealing the innocence of victims and promoting non-violence over sacrifice and retribution.
The document discusses the future of the EU Water Initiative (EUWI) in Eastern Partnership countries. It proposes a new strategic regional approach that moves from multiple projects to a strategic sector approach with increased country ownership. Key ongoing regional water projects are described, and the new EUWI+ East program is outlined, with a budget of €23.5 million over 4 years. The program aims to further the approximation of EU water directives and improve transboundary river management. Partner country input is sought on effective practices and capacity building tools from past programs, as well as governance arrangements and expected tangible results of the new phase.
This document summarizes the industry-led efforts in Armenia to promote green economic development and environmental sustainability. It discusses the Regional Union of Employers of Armenia's (RUEA) work in developing a national Green Concept, implementing projects on resource efficiency, and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue between businesses, government, and non-profits. Key activities mentioned include developing a Green Economy Commission, legal and economic mechanisms to incentivize green business practices, and capacity building initiatives to support companies in transitioning to more sustainable operations.
OECD Presentation: Aligning Policies for Mobilising Green Finance in KazakhstanOECD Environment
The document discusses aligning policies in Kazakhstan to mobilize green finance and achieve its climate goals. It notes Kazakhstan's ambition to reduce GHG emissions by 15-25% by 2030 but that further policies are needed to achieve this. It provides examples of Kazakhstan's existing climate policies and suggests assessing policy coherence across sectors to scale up green investment and transition from brown to green infrastructure in line with its green economy and climate targets. Next steps proposed include developing a framework to diagnose policy misalignments and prioritize corrective actions.
Regional Experiences on Fossil Fuel Support ReformOECD Environment
This document summarizes regional experiences with reforming fossil fuel subsidies. It discusses how the OECD has measured fossil fuel subsidies through an inventory of over 800 individual support measures across 40 countries. Key findings include that total support remains high at $160 billion globally despite some recent declines. Most support is for petroleum consumption, while production measures mainly support capital and extraction. Many subsidies were introduced long ago and their continued relevance may need reassessment. Lower oil prices have helped reduce consumer subsidies but lasting reform is still required. The inventory is an online resource for policymakers to assess fossil fuel measures.
National Contributions in Adaptation - Peru, by Eduardo DurandOECD Environment
Peru formulated its national contributions for adaptation (NDC) through a multi-step process that included selecting thematic areas based on vulnerability criteria, developing proposals based on sectoral and national policies, reviewing proposals with competent sectors, holding public consultations, and approval by a multisectoral commission. The NDC includes detailed information for each thematic area (agriculture, water resources, forestry, industry, public health) to achieve intermediate goals. Peru proposes communicating progress on its NDC through its upcoming Biennial Update Report and by defining a structure for adaptation communications, proposing a vulnerability indicator, and developing a monitoring and reporting system to measure resilience according to its National Strategy on Climate Change.
The document discusses mobilizing climate finance from both public and private sources to address climate change. It notes that developed countries should continue taking the lead in mobilizing climate finance through various public funds and actions. However, relying solely on traditional financial and technical assistance from public donors is not enough. To better utilize market mechanisms, an integrated approach is needed that also focuses on improving private market conditions and incentives to encourage greater private financial flows and innovation.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015- Breakout group B and C - Long terms signals -...OECD Environment
The document discusses pre-2020 mitigation actions and long-term signals for mitigation from the Climate Change Expert Group. It notes the need to strengthen implementation processes and fill policy gaps to close ambition gaps. High-level events are important for increasing implementation of climate action. A long-term climate goal is critical to signal private sector investment, but also requires concrete shorter-term actions and national pathways to drive progress toward transformation.
Sustainable Development Panel Nov 2014 Prague - Simon UptonOECD Environment
Simon Upton from the OECD discusses several ways to promote sustainable development through economic instruments:
1) Putting a price on carbon through taxes or emissions trading can help internalize environmental costs and send the right market signals to shift to lower-carbon activities.
2) Reforming fossil fuel subsidies can also help shift incentives toward cleaner technologies and boost investment in green infrastructure.
3) Aligning policies across different domains like climate, energy, fiscal, and trade can maximize synergies and ensure a coherent policy framework for sustainable development.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015- Breakout Group A- Adaptation Summary OECD Environment
The document summarizes the key areas of convergence and divergence in proposals for including adaptation in the 2015 climate change agreement. There is general agreement that adaptation is important and needs a high profile in the agreement. However, there are open questions around how to operationalize links between adaptation, mitigation and finance. There are also divergent views on whether the agreement should include adaptation commitments, goals, and how to address national vs global dimensions of adaptation. The document outlines some of the key issues that need further discussion regarding what elements an agreement should define for adaptation.
Plant-e CEO Marjolein Helder spoke at the OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum about bringing radical innovation to market. She discussed four main challenges: financing innovative products requires innovative business models; launching with customers builds more credibility than subsidies; managing expectations as media can promise too much too soon; and disseminating knowledge by training employees.
2016 GGSD Forum - Parellel Session A: Presentation by Mr. Keywan Riahi, Energ...OECD Environment
1) Infrastructure investments over the next 15 years will determine the global energy system for decades and potentially lock-in high-carbon infrastructure like coal power plants.
2) Delaying investments in low-carbon infrastructure risks stranding coal power assets and making the 2-degree climate target much more difficult and costly to achieve.
3) Infrastructure development can also influence consumer behavior and preferences in ways that facilitate the energy transformation by making low-carbon options like electric vehicles more attractive and accessible.
Communicating Adaptation information: African Countries' INDCs, by Kennedy MbevaOECD Environment
This document summarizes a presentation on communicating adaptation information in African countries' intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). It finds that African INDCs prioritize adaptation and provide detailed adaptation strategies, costs, and financing needs. However, many African countries' adaptation actions are conditional on receiving financial support. The presentation also notes linkages between adaptation and sustainable development in African INDCs, but few mention alignment with sustainable development goals.
2016 GGSD Forum - Parellel Session A: Presentation by Mr. Pheadkdey Heng, Pol...OECD Environment
Cambodia has experienced rapid urbanization that has strained existing urban infrastructure. Uncontrolled development has led to environmental and economic costs like loss of resources, flooding, traffic issues and waste problems. A Green City Strategic Plan was created to guide sustainable urban development through sectors like planning, energy and transport. It prioritizes projects such as renewable energy, public transit, waste treatment and building standards to create resilient, low-carbon cities. Proper urban planning is needed to match infrastructure with growth and maximize existing resources.
Session 1 - Presentation by Xu Zhaoyuan On behalf of Zhao Changwen OECD Environment
The document discusses China promoting innovation and green development as twin strategies under its "New Normal" phase of economic development. It sets the following goals: increasing R&D expenditure to over 2.5% of GDP and reducing dependency on foreign technologies by 2020. Key areas of focus include developing industries efficiently with low carbon emissions, exploring green and smart urbanization, and vigorously developing smart buildings. China will also build a national innovation system, promote the "Made in China 2025" strategy, and establish market trading systems and an environmental monitoring network to achieve green growth. Challenges include changing government behavior and pushing the new model during an economic downturn.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015 - Breakout group 2 and 3 - Summary draft OECD Environment
This document summarizes a discussion on enhancing climate support. It notes that climate finance, technology, and capacity building all need to be scaled up, and that existing UNFCCC institutions could enhance collaboration and interlinkages. There is agreement that adaptation finance needs to increase, support the most vulnerable, and that monitoring climate finance, technology, and capacity building is challenging. Open questions remain around what links are needed between technology, finance, and capacity building, whether an institutional review could improve these links, and how to ensure support is ongoing rather than just temporary.
The document discusses Georgia's goals of modernizing its economy through a Green Growth Strategy and Action Plan. It aims to transition industries to be more environmentally friendly, promote green technologies and jobs, improve resource efficiency, and adapt to climate change. Georgia has drafted some initial green economy policies and plans to finalize a Green Economy Strategy by 2030. It also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by integrating climate considerations into other sectors like agriculture and regional development. The document outlines Georgia's climate plans and progress in areas like its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, Low Emission Development Strategy, and readiness for climate financing.
This document summarizes big data applications in environmental monitoring and management in Korea. It defines big data and describes how Korea produces terabytes of environmental data each year from monitoring water quality, air quality, hydrology, meteorology and other areas. The document suggests that integrating various environmental data sources and linking them with social data can generate new insights. It provides examples of how analyzing large volumes of water supply data helped optimize water pressure management and reduce energy consumption. Finally, the document calls for developing open data platforms to accelerate big data utilization and contribute to addressing environmental and social challenges through public-private-academic collaboration.
Greening Finance in Sustainable Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific discusses the need to accelerate public and private investment in climate-positive and sustainable projects in Asia. There is a large gap between the $300 billion needed annually for climate investments in Asia until 2050 to meet climate targets, and actual investments. While public and private capital is available, risks are holding back investments. Multilateral development banks can play a key role by leveraging other actors, setting standards, and engaging with developing countries, though their direct investments are small. Sustainable infrastructure must be resilient to climate change and enable achieving sustainable development goals. Policy dialogue at country levels is essential through carbon pricing, eliminating subsidies, and enabling climate commitments.
JBIC provides financing for climate change mitigation projects globally to mobilize private investment. It uses various financial instruments including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and policy dialogues. For example, it financed the Sarulla Geothermal Power Project in Indonesia through loans, equity investment, and a guarantee. It also establishes "GREEN" untied loan programs with development banks in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia to provide credit to local private banks that finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. JBIC's Actions for Cool Earth 2.0 plan commits over $1.3 billion by 2020 to support developing countries' mitigation efforts through technologies like the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
1) GOSAT is a Japanese satellite that has observed greenhouse gases like CO2 and CH4 for over 6 years to improve global estimates of their budgets.
2) Combining GOSAT data with ground measurements and models has allowed scientists to estimate greenhouse gas fluxes, but the next challenge is providing estimates at a regional scale.
3) DIAS was developed as a data integration and analysis system to help scientists effectively utilize satellite data, on-site measurements, and model outputs to address this challenge and meet monitoring needs for green growth, though current technology has limitations.
GGSD 2016 Forum- Parallel Session D: Presentation by Mr. Hansjörg Blöchliger,...OECD Environment
Local fiscal policy can drive land use through government structures like fiscal decentralization or centralization. Fiscal decentralization may lead to inter-jurisdictional competition and "fiscal zoning" promoting urban sprawl. Fiscal centralization could cause complacency as sub-national governments have few incentives to develop land, limiting growth and affordable housing. Local fiscal instruments should align with land use regulation, and a well-designed property tax like a pure land tax could support sustainable land use and urban redevelopment.
The document discusses the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) approaches to climate finance mobilization, including internally and externally managed funds, deploying concessional resources, maximizing market mechanisms, and catalyzing private capital. It outlines ADB initiatives to mobilize the private sector through funds, facilities, and innovative financing models. Examples are provided of ADB's first climate bond in Asia Pacific and an off-grid pay-as-you-go solar project in India. Opportunities mentioned include increasing private sector and adaptation investments beyond the energy sector and agribusiness.
Key messages on the status of renewables in 17 selected countries OECD Environment
The document summarizes key findings from the UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report on the status of renewables in 17 countries in the UNECE region. It finds that while these countries have made progress in developing renewable energy targets and policies, significant barriers remain. Renewable energy capacity and investment in the region remains relatively low compared to global levels, with investment declining in Eastern Europe and Russia since 2012. The report concludes more work is still needed to strengthen policy frameworks and financing mechanisms to sustain investment in renewables and their development in the heating, cooling, and transport sectors.
Transparency of mitigation - Sweden, Erik Adriansson CCXG GF September 2016 B...OECD Environment
The document discusses Sweden's national system for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It outlines Sweden's institutional arrangements for monitoring emissions, including the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, consultants, the UNFCCC, Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the EU. It also mentions Sweden's emission trajectory and was presented by Erik Adriansson of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency at a global forum on the environment and climate change in Paris.
National Contributions in Adaptation - Peru, by Eduardo DurandOECD Environment
Peru formulated its national contributions for adaptation (NDC) through a multi-step process that included selecting thematic areas based on vulnerability criteria, developing proposals based on sectoral and national policies, reviewing proposals with competent sectors, holding public consultations, and approval by a multisectoral commission. The NDC includes detailed information for each thematic area (agriculture, water resources, forestry, industry, public health) to achieve intermediate goals. Peru proposes communicating progress on its NDC through its upcoming Biennial Update Report and by defining a structure for adaptation communications, proposing a vulnerability indicator, and developing a monitoring and reporting system to measure resilience according to its National Strategy on Climate Change.
The document discusses mobilizing climate finance from both public and private sources to address climate change. It notes that developed countries should continue taking the lead in mobilizing climate finance through various public funds and actions. However, relying solely on traditional financial and technical assistance from public donors is not enough. To better utilize market mechanisms, an integrated approach is needed that also focuses on improving private market conditions and incentives to encourage greater private financial flows and innovation.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015- Breakout group B and C - Long terms signals -...OECD Environment
The document discusses pre-2020 mitigation actions and long-term signals for mitigation from the Climate Change Expert Group. It notes the need to strengthen implementation processes and fill policy gaps to close ambition gaps. High-level events are important for increasing implementation of climate action. A long-term climate goal is critical to signal private sector investment, but also requires concrete shorter-term actions and national pathways to drive progress toward transformation.
Sustainable Development Panel Nov 2014 Prague - Simon UptonOECD Environment
Simon Upton from the OECD discusses several ways to promote sustainable development through economic instruments:
1) Putting a price on carbon through taxes or emissions trading can help internalize environmental costs and send the right market signals to shift to lower-carbon activities.
2) Reforming fossil fuel subsidies can also help shift incentives toward cleaner technologies and boost investment in green infrastructure.
3) Aligning policies across different domains like climate, energy, fiscal, and trade can maximize synergies and ensure a coherent policy framework for sustainable development.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015- Breakout Group A- Adaptation Summary OECD Environment
The document summarizes the key areas of convergence and divergence in proposals for including adaptation in the 2015 climate change agreement. There is general agreement that adaptation is important and needs a high profile in the agreement. However, there are open questions around how to operationalize links between adaptation, mitigation and finance. There are also divergent views on whether the agreement should include adaptation commitments, goals, and how to address national vs global dimensions of adaptation. The document outlines some of the key issues that need further discussion regarding what elements an agreement should define for adaptation.
Plant-e CEO Marjolein Helder spoke at the OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum about bringing radical innovation to market. She discussed four main challenges: financing innovative products requires innovative business models; launching with customers builds more credibility than subsidies; managing expectations as media can promise too much too soon; and disseminating knowledge by training employees.
2016 GGSD Forum - Parellel Session A: Presentation by Mr. Keywan Riahi, Energ...OECD Environment
1) Infrastructure investments over the next 15 years will determine the global energy system for decades and potentially lock-in high-carbon infrastructure like coal power plants.
2) Delaying investments in low-carbon infrastructure risks stranding coal power assets and making the 2-degree climate target much more difficult and costly to achieve.
3) Infrastructure development can also influence consumer behavior and preferences in ways that facilitate the energy transformation by making low-carbon options like electric vehicles more attractive and accessible.
Communicating Adaptation information: African Countries' INDCs, by Kennedy MbevaOECD Environment
This document summarizes a presentation on communicating adaptation information in African countries' intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). It finds that African INDCs prioritize adaptation and provide detailed adaptation strategies, costs, and financing needs. However, many African countries' adaptation actions are conditional on receiving financial support. The presentation also notes linkages between adaptation and sustainable development in African INDCs, but few mention alignment with sustainable development goals.
2016 GGSD Forum - Parellel Session A: Presentation by Mr. Pheadkdey Heng, Pol...OECD Environment
Cambodia has experienced rapid urbanization that has strained existing urban infrastructure. Uncontrolled development has led to environmental and economic costs like loss of resources, flooding, traffic issues and waste problems. A Green City Strategic Plan was created to guide sustainable urban development through sectors like planning, energy and transport. It prioritizes projects such as renewable energy, public transit, waste treatment and building standards to create resilient, low-carbon cities. Proper urban planning is needed to match infrastructure with growth and maximize existing resources.
Session 1 - Presentation by Xu Zhaoyuan On behalf of Zhao Changwen OECD Environment
The document discusses China promoting innovation and green development as twin strategies under its "New Normal" phase of economic development. It sets the following goals: increasing R&D expenditure to over 2.5% of GDP and reducing dependency on foreign technologies by 2020. Key areas of focus include developing industries efficiently with low carbon emissions, exploring green and smart urbanization, and vigorously developing smart buildings. China will also build a national innovation system, promote the "Made in China 2025" strategy, and establish market trading systems and an environmental monitoring network to achieve green growth. Challenges include changing government behavior and pushing the new model during an economic downturn.
CCXG Global Forum - March 2015 - Breakout group 2 and 3 - Summary draft OECD Environment
This document summarizes a discussion on enhancing climate support. It notes that climate finance, technology, and capacity building all need to be scaled up, and that existing UNFCCC institutions could enhance collaboration and interlinkages. There is agreement that adaptation finance needs to increase, support the most vulnerable, and that monitoring climate finance, technology, and capacity building is challenging. Open questions remain around what links are needed between technology, finance, and capacity building, whether an institutional review could improve these links, and how to ensure support is ongoing rather than just temporary.
The document discusses Georgia's goals of modernizing its economy through a Green Growth Strategy and Action Plan. It aims to transition industries to be more environmentally friendly, promote green technologies and jobs, improve resource efficiency, and adapt to climate change. Georgia has drafted some initial green economy policies and plans to finalize a Green Economy Strategy by 2030. It also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by integrating climate considerations into other sectors like agriculture and regional development. The document outlines Georgia's climate plans and progress in areas like its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, Low Emission Development Strategy, and readiness for climate financing.
This document summarizes big data applications in environmental monitoring and management in Korea. It defines big data and describes how Korea produces terabytes of environmental data each year from monitoring water quality, air quality, hydrology, meteorology and other areas. The document suggests that integrating various environmental data sources and linking them with social data can generate new insights. It provides examples of how analyzing large volumes of water supply data helped optimize water pressure management and reduce energy consumption. Finally, the document calls for developing open data platforms to accelerate big data utilization and contribute to addressing environmental and social challenges through public-private-academic collaboration.
Greening Finance in Sustainable Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific discusses the need to accelerate public and private investment in climate-positive and sustainable projects in Asia. There is a large gap between the $300 billion needed annually for climate investments in Asia until 2050 to meet climate targets, and actual investments. While public and private capital is available, risks are holding back investments. Multilateral development banks can play a key role by leveraging other actors, setting standards, and engaging with developing countries, though their direct investments are small. Sustainable infrastructure must be resilient to climate change and enable achieving sustainable development goals. Policy dialogue at country levels is essential through carbon pricing, eliminating subsidies, and enabling climate commitments.
JBIC provides financing for climate change mitigation projects globally to mobilize private investment. It uses various financial instruments including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and policy dialogues. For example, it financed the Sarulla Geothermal Power Project in Indonesia through loans, equity investment, and a guarantee. It also establishes "GREEN" untied loan programs with development banks in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia to provide credit to local private banks that finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. JBIC's Actions for Cool Earth 2.0 plan commits over $1.3 billion by 2020 to support developing countries' mitigation efforts through technologies like the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
1) GOSAT is a Japanese satellite that has observed greenhouse gases like CO2 and CH4 for over 6 years to improve global estimates of their budgets.
2) Combining GOSAT data with ground measurements and models has allowed scientists to estimate greenhouse gas fluxes, but the next challenge is providing estimates at a regional scale.
3) DIAS was developed as a data integration and analysis system to help scientists effectively utilize satellite data, on-site measurements, and model outputs to address this challenge and meet monitoring needs for green growth, though current technology has limitations.
GGSD 2016 Forum- Parallel Session D: Presentation by Mr. Hansjörg Blöchliger,...OECD Environment
Local fiscal policy can drive land use through government structures like fiscal decentralization or centralization. Fiscal decentralization may lead to inter-jurisdictional competition and "fiscal zoning" promoting urban sprawl. Fiscal centralization could cause complacency as sub-national governments have few incentives to develop land, limiting growth and affordable housing. Local fiscal instruments should align with land use regulation, and a well-designed property tax like a pure land tax could support sustainable land use and urban redevelopment.
The document discusses the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) approaches to climate finance mobilization, including internally and externally managed funds, deploying concessional resources, maximizing market mechanisms, and catalyzing private capital. It outlines ADB initiatives to mobilize the private sector through funds, facilities, and innovative financing models. Examples are provided of ADB's first climate bond in Asia Pacific and an off-grid pay-as-you-go solar project in India. Opportunities mentioned include increasing private sector and adaptation investments beyond the energy sector and agribusiness.
Key messages on the status of renewables in 17 selected countries OECD Environment
The document summarizes key findings from the UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report on the status of renewables in 17 countries in the UNECE region. It finds that while these countries have made progress in developing renewable energy targets and policies, significant barriers remain. Renewable energy capacity and investment in the region remains relatively low compared to global levels, with investment declining in Eastern Europe and Russia since 2012. The report concludes more work is still needed to strengthen policy frameworks and financing mechanisms to sustain investment in renewables and their development in the heating, cooling, and transport sectors.
Transparency of mitigation - Sweden, Erik Adriansson CCXG GF September 2016 B...OECD Environment
The document discusses Sweden's national system for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It outlines Sweden's institutional arrangements for monitoring emissions, including the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, consultants, the UNFCCC, Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the EU. It also mentions Sweden's emission trajectory and was presented by Erik Adriansson of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency at a global forum on the environment and climate change in Paris.
Transparency of mitigation - Sweden, Erik Adriansson CCXG GF September 2016 B...
Capital Punishment (DRB)
1. Capital Punishment - Execution as a Last Resort
The deathpenalty hashistorically beenseenasthe realisationof one of twoextremes: the ultimate
tool of justice against the mostunholyof offenders, andretribution forthe victimsof theircrimes;or
a barbaric and draconian wayof disposingof those considered'lostsouls'bysociety,aswell asthe
judicial system.Those whosubscribe tothe latterviewpointtendtocondemnthe apparent'laziness'
that the practice reflects.Ratherthantry to rehabilitateone whohaslosttheirway,the state isfar
more willingtoreduce themtoanotherstatistic,tosweeptheirexistence underthe rug, to be
uncoveredinfuture yearsbystudentswithamorbidcuriosityforthe macabre.
Those whoare more inclinedtoagree withthe formerperspective wouldobviouslytake issuewith
the pointsjustraised.Intheireyes,itisnota case of refusingtohelpthose whocouldyetbe
enrichingandvaluable assetstosocietyaswell asotherindividuals, butratheracase of gettingrid
of a dangerousthreattothose verypeople.Fromthisstance,these criminalsare fullydeservingof
theirfate.Due to the fact that manyof those thatfavourthe deathpenalty - ratherironically,
perhaps - are religious,theirsupport forthe practice isfuelledin mostcasesbythe beliefthatthe
soul of the perpetratorisalreadydoomedtospendeternityinHell asaresultof theiractions.All
that capital punishmentdoesistohelpthemalongtheirway.
Whentacklinga subject asprovocative asthis,it isimportanttoconsidera wide range of arguments
fromall relevantmoral andsociological pointsof view,howeverbenighted somemayseem.WhatI
alsowishto do isto assessthe factsof the matter,to presentanobjective way of lookingata
debate whichisall toooftenlostinthe blaze of vitriolictenniswhichensuesbetweenthe two
opposingcampsof opinion.Byapproachingthe subject empirically,Ihope toshow a clear
progressionof thoughtfromthe undeniable truthsof the issue,tomypersonal standpoint,whichis
that capital punishmentshouldonlybe seenasthe final option;the BigRedButtonto be pressed
whenthere isnomore hope fora person.For inmy opinion,there are those whosimplywill never
cease to be a seriousthreattoour welfare.However,thiscanonlybe concludedafterasincere
efforttorehabilitate.
To attemptto pinpointthe provenance of capital punishmentwouldseem like afutileendeavour,
and inmany waysirrelevant,asithasbeena fixture of humansocietyforessentiallythe whole of
recordedhistory.However,inthe interestof reportingthe facts,itisimportantto ask why thishas
beenthe case. In the daysof the unknown,where everyothernatural occurrence wasthoughtto be
causedby malevolentspirits,terminatingthe host of said‘spirit’ wasseenasthe onlyviable option.
Thisline of thinkingcanbe seen manifestedinsucharchaiccustomsas witchburning,andeven
some modernpractices,manyof whichcan still be seentodayintribal regionsof Africa,forexample.
It isupon reachingthisrealmof the supernatural thatwe encounterourfirstbarrieragainstbeing
totallyobjective.The realmof the supernatural,indeed,standsentirelyopposedtothe logical space
of nature inwhichthe knownscientificlawsare currentlybelieved toexist,andsoto attempta
purelyobjectiveanalysisof supernaturalreasonsforexecutionwouldprove tobe tricky,atbest.But,
as withall concepts,the ideaof the supernatural canbe tracedback to the human mind,and,as
aforementioned,the mysteryof the unknown.Traditional humanreactiontothe unknownhas
alwaysbeenfear,andfearprovokesusto behave recklessly andirrationally.Thereforeitishardly
2. surprisingthatin ostensibly more primitive societies (atleastfromaWesternpointof view),
reactionto the unknownhasresultedinthe murderof millionsoverthe years.
However,fearof supernatural forcesisof course notthe onlyreasonfor execution thatsocieties
have seen.Anythingfromseriouscrime tomerelyholdingthe wrongopinionorbelief hasprovedto
be tantamountto a deathsentence inthe past.The one aspect inall instancesof executionthathas
seemedtostayconsistentoverthe yearshasbeena strongbackingof religion,andthiscanbe seen
mostprominentlyinthe murderof Protestantsunderthe reignof QueenMaryduringthe British
Reformation.Itwasn'teven fortheirabsence of faith thattheywere condemned,butmerelythe
fact that theyworshippedtheirgodina waythat was seenasunacceptable bythose incharge.In
anotherironictwist,these actswere mostlikelyprovokedbyaneedto appease aone true Deity,
namelythe Godof the Bible,andmore specificallythe 'blood-and-thunder'Godof the Old
Testament. So,eventhoughthe directreasonsforthe deathof mostwere entirelytodowith
actionsand decisionsbasedontheirownrational thoughts,the motivation fortheirmurderhas
mostoftenbeenlinkedtoahigherbeing,one whichstrikesthe fearof the unknownintohuman
hearts.
Yet,as the yearspassed,the practice of capital punishmentbegantodecline.This,manybelieve,can
mainlybe putdownto the evolutionof moral philosophy,andeventhe belatedrecognitionof
teachingsbyPlatoand Aristotle,whospokeof social harmonyand 'eudaimonia',whichequates to
humanand societal flourishing.Philosophywasthe leadingschool of thoughtfora time throughout
the 15th to 17th centuries,andasa resultthe ideaof moral progressiontookhold,anideawhich
impliesthathumanshave aduty to strive forthe ultimate moral good.Thiswassupportedby
thinkerssuchas Immanuel Kantinthe 18th century,and the repercussionsof suchaposition
contributedtoa seismicshiftinthe waythatthe conceptsof justice andhumanitywere viewed
amongstthe commonpeople,aswell asthe rulingelite. Once thisshifthadseeneffectstake place in
the justice system,predominantlyinEurope - amove away fromthe deathpenaltybeingone - the
ethosof moral progressionensuredthatitwouldbe veryunlikelythatthe countrieswhichhad made
the change wouldgo retrace theirfootsteps.Afterall,where isthe progressinrevertingtoapractice
that has since beenlabelledaslargelyimmoral?
Althoughthisdeparture wasn'tasprevalentinAmericaasinEurope,the comingdecadeswouldsee
a gradual acceptance of and conversionto the new European method. The USA is now at a point
where the deathpenaltyisgovernedonastate-to-statebasis.InAfrica,the practice isstill
depressinglycommon,andoften carriedoutinananarchic, vigilante style, all toofrequentlyas
punishmentfornatural waysof being,suchashomosexuality.Itisfairtosay that Africanevertruly
welcomed Westernmoral progression.
Personally,thisparticularideahasalwaysseemedrathermisguided.Itattemptstoassignveridical,
non-humanvalue toanideawhichwasformulatedbya humanmind,or rathera collectionof
humanminds. Accordingtosome philosophical theoriesof relativism, moralityexistsonlywithinthe
humansphere (thisisincidentallyanideawhichIfullyendorse),andsotosuggestthat there isan
objective moral goodwouldbe tosuggestthatwe have,ineffect,imaginedsomethingintotangible
existence.The absurdityof thisnotioniscompoundedwhenwe considerhow moralitycouldonly
everbe an abstract concept.Of course,if everyhumanholdsthe same ideaof whatmoralityis,then
some case couldbe made for claimingthat the concepthas achievedasortof defaultobjectivityby
3. virtue of a worldwide harmonyof definition,butthisisnotthe case.The aforementionedexampleof
inter-continental differencesinthe acceptabilityof capital punishment istestamenttothis. Thisis
not to saythat an albeitmisguidedidealhasnotgivenrise tolaudable action,whichIbelievethe
massive depletionincapital punishmentis. WhatI don'tnecessarilypromote isthe reluctance to
unearthelementsof pastidealsthathave been condemnedlikesomanyancientcriminals,forsome
of these elementsare onesthatcan still serve auseful andprogressivepurpose,evenif theywere
consideredtobe outdatedor insome cases barbaric.
The botchedexecutionof ClaytonLockettinOklahomaon April 29th
2014 inevitablyrousedthe
dormantpolemicsfrombothsides,one pointraisedbeingthe methodof executionemployed. In
thiscase,a lethal injectionwasused.Accordingtoreports,Lockett'writhedandgroaned'for43
minutesbefore he wasdeclareddead.Eventothe staunchestpro-deathindividual,thisseems
somewhatinhumane.Giventhatmoral progressionisverymucha fixture of everydaymodern
mentality –subconsciousornot - thislatestimbrogliohasaddedfurtherfuel tothe flamesof the
'anti-death'arguments(anincendiary moniker,andone of whichthe ‘pro-‘formdoesnofavoursto
the positionof those infavourof capital punishment).However,an arguablymore shocking example
I believeexistswhichlendssupportforthe oppositecamp.
In 2011, AndersBreivikcarriedouta seriesof bombingsandshootingswhich resultedinthe deaths
of 77 people - the vastmajorityof whomwere youngmembersof alocal political group - and at
least319 non-fatal injuries.The attackstookplace inOsloand Utøya,Norway.Theywere politically
motivated,andforhisactions,Breivikreceived21yearspreventative detention. Afterbeinggiven
hissentence,he claimedthathe didnotrecognise the legitimacyof the rulingcourt,andyetcannot
appeal,asby doingthishe wouldbe tacitlyrecognisingitslegitimacy.These were muddledand
belligerentobjectionsfromaremorselessmind.He wasmostrecentlyinthe newsforcomplaining
that the choice of videogamesavailable tohiminjail was'notinterestingenough',andthreatening
to go on hungerstrike.The deathpenaltydoesnotexistasa methodof punishmentinNorway,and
if it did,Breivikwouldsurelynolongerbe onthe earthand capable of insultingthe familiesof his
victims,andthose whomhe injured,bykickingupafussoversuch trivialities.Instead,he isable to
live hislife, unlike those whose liveshe haspermanentlydestroyed,inrelative comfort.Here isa
man whoisso staunch inhisbeliefsandjustificationsfor hisactions,andwhose lackof anything
resemblingamoral compassis so blindinglyobvious,thatitcan be confidentlyassumedthatno
amountof rehabilitationwouldbe sufficienttoallow himtore-entersocietyasaharmlessand
productive citizen.Andevenif,somehow, incredibly,thiswasachieved,itwouldbe abrave man
whowouldbetagainst Breivik's lifebeingtaken bya vengefulindividual seekingthatultimate tool of
justice, one thatinthiscase has beendenied.
Many may take umbrage withmyassumptionthatBreivikisbeyondrehabilitation,wouldclaimthat
it isimpossible forme to knowthis,andthat we wouldbe committingagrave failure if we were to
laysomeone towaste withoutanyattempttorehabilitate them. Essentially,theywouldbe correct
whensayingthatit isimpossibleforme toknow this,butif we wishtoopena philosophical
discussiononprobabilityandknowledge,itwouldinvolve analysisof mattersthatwould certainly
drownout the issue currentlyinquestion. Whatitis importanttorealise isthatthroughhisactions
and hissubsequentreactions,Breivikhascreatedanunbreakablebarrierbetweenhimandthe
outside world.He has willinglyalienatedhimself fromanynotionsof moralityandgoodness,
reachinga place wherebyhe couldclinicallyperformthose atrocities,notmerelybecausehe didn't
4. thinkitwas the wrongthingto do, butbecause he activelybelievedthatitwasthe right thingto do.
Whensomeone hasreachedthatstate of complete amorality,andhasclearlymade a comfortable
home forthemselvesinthatstate,itis almostcertainlyuselesstoattempttolure them backintoa
worldwhere theywill be foreverhatedandattacked.Inthissense,Iamalmosttemptedtoagree
withsome religious believers,inthatthe bestthingto do,is to helpanalreadydoomedsoul onits
wayto death.
The presentationof onlyone concrete example tosupportmycase may seemwoefullyinsufficient
at first,but itin factreinforces mystandpoint:capital punishmentshouldonlybe usedinthe rarest
of circumstances;reservedforthose totallybeyondthe pale,andout of reachof any kindof positive
humaninterference.AndersBreivikisone of these people,perhapsthe onlyone whohasexisted
and will existfora long,long,time.Butthere undoubtedlyhave beenandwill be more,forwhom
the onlyfittingpunishment istobe dealtwithascoldlyandmercilesslyastheyhave behaved
towardsothers.For whendealingwithpeople whohold nosense of humangoodness,itbecomesno
longera questionof moralityor righteousness, butaquestion of factand necessity.The factis:they
have committedactsthat have endedorimpoverishedthe livesof countlessindividuals,andare
incapable of showingremorse forthese acts.The necessity:theymustbe removedfromliving
existence.