Click here to visit the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub knowledgebase.  SDG UPDATE A compilation of items recently posted to the SDG Knowledge Hub Thursday, 1 March 2018 POLICY BRIEFS Monthly Forecast: March 2018 March traditionally has a strong focus on water and sanitation issues – with the celebration of World Water Day on 22 March – and 2018 will bring back-to-back events all month, with the convening of the World Water Forum, the launch of the International Decade for Action – Water for Sustainable Development, and the release of several high-level reports with recommendations for enhancing clean water and sanitation (SDG 6). March will also bring events and report launches aimed at providing recommendations for and information on the status of implementation of SDGs on sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), climate (SDG 13), biodiversity (SDG 15), and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). FEATURED Governments Hold First Negotiations on Migration Compact 23 February 2018: Governments have exchanged views on the zero draft of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Preferences differed with regards to whether: responsibility for managing migration should be placed at the national or international level; options to legalize the status of irregular migrants should be broadened; references to human rights should be emphasized or reduced; or the follow-up should have concrete indicators, mechanisms and timelines, or be “light.” Clean Energy Powers Sustainable Cities as Fossil Fuel Companies Predict Further Growth in Renewables 23 February 2018: Reports released this week announced growth in the deployment of renewable energy in the United States, Ireland and India, while BP's latest Energy Outlook forecasts 400% growth in renewables by 2040, and CDP announced that over 100 cities are powered by at least 70% renewable energy. North American Organizations Exchange Lessons in Localizing the SDGs 22 February 2018: The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) organized a webinar on localizing the SDGs in the North American context, featuring examples of sub-national efforts in British Columbia, Hawai’i, Winnipeg, and Baltimore. NEWS 47 Countries to Present VNRs in 2018, with 8 Already Preparing for HLPF 2019 28 February 2018: The President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Marie Chatardová, closed the list of countries to present their Voluntary National Reveiws (VNRs) at the July 2018 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) on 14 September 2017. At that point, 48 countries had announced their intention to present VNRs; as of February 2018, 47 countries remain on the list. Africa's First NDC Partnership Plan Established in Uganda 22 February 2018: Africa’s first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Partnership Plan is underway in Uganda. Uganda’s NDC aims to: reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 22% by 2030 relative to a business-as-usual scenario; reduce urban and rural vulnerabilities; and increase climate resilience, particularly in agriculture and livestock, forestry, infrastructure, water, energy and health. IPCC Experts Advance Preparations for Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere 16 February 2018: Approximately 100 experts from more than 30 countries convened for the Second Lead Author Meeting of the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC), which is being prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report is one of three special reports being prepared as part of the IPCC's sixth assessment cycle. Gold Standard, WWF Highlight Businesses Opportunities through SDG Implementation 15 February 2018: Gold Standard, a standard and certification body for action on climate security and sustainable development, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Switzerland have released a publication titled, 'Business and the Sustainable Development Goals: Best Practices to Seize Opportunity and Maximize Credibility.' The report explains the opportunities available to the private sector and the gains companies could make through setting and achieving targets that also progress achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). B Team Launches Responsible Tax Principles for Businesses 9 February 2018: The B Team, a global group for responsible business, released a report outlining responsible tax principles. The Responsible Tax Principles were developed in collaboration with leading companies, civil society organizations, institutional investors and international institutions. Sports Organizations Take on Climate Change 7 February 2018: Sports are beginning to tackle climate change by cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and inspiring others by taking the lead, according to a report published by the Climate Coalition. The report also highlights the impacts of climate change on sport in the UK. UNEP Reviews Global Status of Environmental Assessments February 2018: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) has released a report that provides an overview of national legislation and institutional arrangements relevant to environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs). The report, global in its focus, underscores the importance of such assessments in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. COE Case Studies Spotlight SIDS' SDG Implementation February 2018: The Centre of Excellence (COE) for Sustainable Development for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a UNDP initiative based in Aruba, has showcased a number of activities in support of SDG implementation. A series of case studies illustrate efforts for SIDS’ sustainable development, including through sustainable tourism and sustainable energy. CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS SEE MORE » Online Course for Policy Makers: Sustainable Energy for SIDS 5 February - 11 March 2018 | virtual ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment 2018 27 February - 1 March 2018 | New York City, US Nineteenth Meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund 27 February - 1 March 2018 | Republic of Korea Thirteenth Meeting of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee (AC13) 27 February - 2 March 2018 | Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Tenth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting a... 28 February - 1 March 2018 | New York City, US Urban Future Global Conference 28 February - 2 March 2018 | Vienna, Wien, Austria Ninth Meeting of the Negotiating Committee of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Publi... 28 February - 4 March 2018 | San Jose, Costa Rica Engaging with the Global Platform of the New York Declaration on Forests 1 March 2018 | virtual 2018 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region 1-2 March 2018 | Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland World Wildlife Day 2018 3 March 2018 | worldwide UN Secretary-General Briefing on 'Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace' Report 5 March 2018 | New York City, US Cities and Climate Change Science Conference 5-7 March 2018 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Fragility Forum 2018: Managing Risks for Peace and Stability 5-7 March 2018 | Washington D.C., US International Conference on Forestry Training 5-7 March 2018 | Douala, Littoral, Cameroon FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and Caribbean (LARC) 5-8 March 2018 | Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica 24th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (First Part) 5-9 March 2018 | Kingston, Jamaica Funding for the IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub has been provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) The IISD's SDG Knowledge Hub is a knowledgebase tracking implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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