Letter to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Biofuel Directive

This is a letter from a long list of NGOs and sent by Wetlands International to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Biofuel Directive. In the letter the coalition wishes to express its deep concern and alarm over the draft Commission Communication on the practical implementation of the EU Biofuels and bioliquids sustainability schemes. 

African Waterbird Census Newsletter No. 3

This newsletter covers some available Single Species Action Plans; reports on two trainings: one in Maputo, Mozambique (on a national wetland and waterbird monitoring course) and the other in Limbe, Cameroon (on a flyway scale capacity building in wetland and waterbird management course). There are two calls: One requesting waterbird experts to participate in the consultation process of the Critical Site Network Tool development and the other requesting participation in the Slender-billed Curlew survey and searches.

Summary of Wetlands International Indonesia Programme’s activities 2005-2009

This publication is a 5-year overview of the activities of the Wetlands International Indonesia Programme (WI-IP). Wetlands International Indonesia Programma (WI-IP) is part of the global network of Wetlands International, working at global, regional, national and local levels to achieve the goals of conservation and wise use of wetlands, as a contribution to the realisation of sustainable development. Its mission is:  to sustain and conserve wetlands, including their resources and biodiversity for future generations. To achieve this mission, WI-IP does and will continue to work together with all relevant elements of society and government, including educational institutions, media and the private sector. 

Peat swamp forests and palm oil

This presentation was made for the meeting with EU at the end of January 2010. It discusses the following issues: 

• Where and what are peatlands
• Peatland loss and carbon emissions
• Biofuels, palm oil and peatland loss
• What is / should be done

Information sheet for the EU on palm oil & peatlands

This paper shines light on the issue of greenhouse gas emissions due to conversion of areas with peatsoils for vegetable oil production including for biodiesel. The paper will focus on palm oil in Southeast Asia; the most relevant area for vegetable oil production on peatlands, with alarming greenhouse gas emissions as a result.

This book presents a baseline of information that helps understanding of how WASH and wetland service provision are connected, why these linkages are vital and how they can be better managed. Furthermore, the publication presents a set of principles to be taken on by sector professionals as a way forward to improve integration in the future. The publication is the result of an ongoing collaboration between individuals and organisations from the wetland conservation sector and the water supply, sanitation and hygiene sector.

AWC Newsletter 17

In this edition, the AWC Coordinator, Dr. Bharat Jethva announces the dates for 2010 census. An update of the 2009 census is provided along with details of milestone 20 year review of the Asian Waterbird Census. News from the region follows.

The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), conducted each year in January, is a waterbird and wetland-monitoring programme initiated in 1987 within the framework of the International Waterbird Census. This report summarises the results of the AWC from 1987 to 2007, comprising counts at 6,705 sites in 27 countries. A total of 1,387 sites met at least one of two criteria of internationally important sites according to the Ramsar Convention. Of these, 312 sites were reported to support more than 20,000 waterbirds, and 1,382 sites recorded more than 1% of the biogeographic population of at least one species of waterbird. 

IWC Newsletter Issue 13 - December 2009

Newsletter for national waterbird monitoring coordinators and observers of the International Waterbird Census - Western Palearctic and Southwest Asia. 

Policy brief against CDM support for forest plantations

Briefing note against the proposal to give carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism to project to just continue existing plantations. The proposed Article 13 opens the opportunity for CDM to support tree plantations in areas that were (as of December 31 1989) or are a plantation at the start of the CDM project activity, but may be cleared or converted to “exhaustion” within 5 years. 5 Reasons against the proposal are mentioned.