4 January 2011: The UNCSD Secretariat has issued the second issue of “Green Economy Update,” highlighting recently released documentation for the UNCSD (Rio+20), recent and planned events, and networks and initiatives related to the green economy theme.

The webpage newsletter notes the release of advance, unedited copies of two “companion reports,” the Synthesis Report on Best Practices and Lessons Learned on the Objective and Themes of the Conference, and the Report of the Secretary-General on the Objectives and Themes of the Conference. It also reports that the forthcoming “Green Economy Report” from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which presents assessments of green sectors using economic analysis and modelling approaches, is due to be presented to the UNEP Governing Council meeting, taking place from 21-15 February 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya. In this regard, two reports already have been issued: “Patents and clean energy: bridging the gap between evidence and policy,” by UNEP, the European Patent Office, and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD); and “Fisheries Subsidies, Sustainable Development and the WTO,” by UNEP (December 2010). Other recently released reports include “Transition to a Low-carbon Economy: Public Goals and Corporate Practices” and “Cities and Climate Change” by the OECD, following its Interim Report of the Green Growth Strategy; and the annual publication by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), “Renewables 2010 Global Status Report.”

The page highlights the planned Green Economy Series, informal events jointly organized by 10 member States, taking place from February-April 2011.

Finally, two networks and initiatives are featured: Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia; and the African Climate Policy Centre. [The Update]