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February 2010
Welcome to the 2nd newsletter of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Climate Neutral Network. A growing alliance of countries big and small, cities, major international companies, UN agencies and leading NGOs, the Climate Neutral Network’s key objective is to facilitate information exchange and networking on achieving a transition to a low-emissions and eventually climate neutral society.
In this issue, we take a look back at the environmental highlights of 2009 and welcome new members. We also give an overview of the carbon impact of the agri-food sector as an example of the topics highlighted by CN Net.
We take this opportunity to wish all our participants, colleagues and friends a very happy, sustainable and successful 2010.
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NEWS
Highlights of 2009 at a glance
2009 was a busy year for the environment. From 2009 International Year of Gorilla to the Seal the Deal! campaign for the Copenhagen Climate Meeting in December, here is a brief overview of some of UNEP's activities over the last 12 months.
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LATEST PUBLICATIONS
In an effort to serve as a platform for networking and sharing of best practice, the CN Network draws your attention to some of the publications dealing with climate change. Listed below are some of these publications:
Making a Case for Climate Neutrality
 Pioneering examples of moving towards a low-carbon economy are shared through a new publication by the UNEP Climate Neutral Network. From entire countries pledging climate neutrality to companies that have proposed numerous solutions to decrease "digital carbon", the pioneering examples of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting "green growth" at all levels are presented in this new publication.
2009 was a busy year for the environment. From 2009 International Year of Gorilla to the Seal the Deal! campaign for the Copenhagen Climate Meeting in December, here is a brief overview of some of UNEP's activities over the last 12 months.
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Moving Towards A Climate Neutral UN
 The UN system is responding to the Secretary-General's call to make its in-house practices more climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable. This publication presents the first greenhouse gas inventory for the UN system and an overview of the initial steps that have been taken to manage these emissions.
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Trade and Climate Change
 What do we know about climate change? What is the relationship between trade and climate change? How does trade affect greenhouse gas emissions and can more open trade help to address climate change? What is the range of national measures that can contribute to global mitigation efforts? These are just some of the questions discussed by this report by the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme.
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Black Carbon e-bulletin
 Volume 1, Number 2 | September 2009
In this issue:
- New demands for Black Carbon Sciences
- Benefits of Black Carbon Mitigation for Developing countries
- Project Surya
Volume 1, Number 1 | July 2009
In this issue:
- Science of Black Carbon and Climate Change
- Upcoming events
We would also like to take the opportunity of reminding you of the extensive range of publications available from online bookstore http://www.earthprint.com/. These include the forthcoming ‘UNEP Year Book 2010’ which will be published on 23rd February 2010. The Year Book selects and analyses the significant scientific findings of 2009 which are likely to shape important environmental issues and trends in the coming year, focusing on important questions and developments in UNEP’s six priority areas.
Recent titles of general interest include:- Climate Change Science Compendium 2009
- Climate Action 2009/2010
- Climate in Peril: a popular guide to the latest IPCC Reports.
To see over 600 UNEP publications available, please visit http://www.earthprint.com/ and click on the UNEP logo.
Get a special CN Net deal at the 2010 B4E Summit
The 2010 Business for the Environment Summit (B4E) will be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea and will coincide with Earth Day on 22 April. Now in its fourth year, and following successful meetings in Paris and Singapore, B4E is the biggest annual gathering of leaders from business, government, NGOs and the media, which aims to foster dialogue and business-driven action towards a global green economy.
The summit is co-hosted by UNEP, the UN Global Compact, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), and will address topics such as resource efficiency, renewable energies, new business models and climate policy and strategies. It is planned to be the world's first summit powered entirely on renewable energy.
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FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND CARBON (AGRI - FOOD)
Agriculture is an important contributor to climate change, with the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) comparable in volume to those of the transport sector. A 2006 study of the impacts of the food production chain across the European Union found it accounted for 31 per cent of all EU’s GHG emissions. Food is one of the most transported goods in our globalised world. In the US food travels on average 1300 to 2000 miles (2100 to 3200 kilometres) before it reaches the consumer.
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NEW PARTICIPANTS
The newsletter is an opportunity to welcome some of the new participants who have joined us in recent months. We now have more than 200 members from a wide range of business sectors as well as governments, cities, NGOs and others. The Climate Neutral Network is growing fast and becoming one of the most comprehensive sources of information and ideas on catalyzing the transition to a low carbon world.
ClearSky Climate Solutions, LLC
 ClearSky Climate Solutions, LLC (ClearSky), a full-service climate change consulting firm and a developer of certified carbon offset projects, is in a unique position to engage in a climate-neutral strategy. It possesses the internal capacity and experience to conduct comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessments. It also directly owns a portfolio of high-quality VERs (carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market) that can be put to use to mitigate its corporate carbon footprint. Its VERs meet some of the strongest standards available in the voluntary carbon market and it also strives to enact climate-friendly business practices wherever possible.
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Nørrebro Bryghus
 Nørrebro Bryghus, a Danish microbrewery located in the Nørrebro neighborhood of Copenhagen, launched Denmark’s first carbon neutral beer in March 2009: Globe Ale – an organic, clear, pale, light and fruity ale (4.8 per cent ABV) which complements lighter meals. Carbon neutrality of the Nørrebro Bryghus beers covers not only the energy consumption associated with the brewing process, but is based on a ‘cradle to grave’ CO2 emission compensation, covering everything from the raw materials, packaging materials, transport, production, distribution, waste emissions, collection through the recycling of packaging materials (base data for these calculations are sourced through the Danish Brewer’s Association/COWI, a Danish Engineering Consultancy firm).
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Climate Neutral Group
 Climate Neutral Group, a Dutch organization and one of the leading European organizations for climate neutrality and carbon offsetting had a carbon footprint of 23.41 tons of CO2 in 2008. This was a reduction of 9.1 per cent compared to 2007. Emissions for each employee (FTE) decreased from 3.68 to 2.02 tons of CO2, which is a 45 per cent reduction. Climate Neutral Group was able to reduce its emissions to this extent by moving the GreenSeat and Climate Neutral group activities into shared premises in Utrecht city centre, resulting in a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from heating and electricity. Use of public transport was also encouraged by choosing a location near the central railway station.
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Danske Bank Group
 Measured by total assets, the Danske Bank Group is the largest financial enterprise in Denmark and one of the largest in the Nordic region. The Group serves more than 5 million retail customers and a significant number of corporate customers, public sector and institutional organizations. They also offer a wide range of services in the fields of banking, mortgage finance, insurance, leasing, real-estate brokerage and asset management. Twenty-two thousand well-qualified and professional staff provide individual service tailored to the wishes and needs of each customer. Danske Bank Group's mission is to be the best local financial partner.
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Institute Team for the world / Hellenic Association
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The Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics (SEGAS) is the organizer of the Athens Classic Marathon event . Since 2006, with the support of the ngo-npo INSTITUTE TEAM FOR THE WORLD and the sustainability advisers GLOBAL CHALLENGES, SEGAS has implemented a consistent program for the reduction of the carbon footprint of this unique sport event, aiming at its climate friendliness and neutralization.
The ATHENS CLASSIC MARATHON climate friendly overall scheme sets an example for other small and medium size events regarding the protection of the environment and the climate of the planet.
INSTITUTE TEAM FOR THE WORLD with the support of the Coca-Cola system in Greece have undertaken the recycling program of the Athens Classic Marathon. More than 180.000 plastic bottles used by the runners have been collected and forwarded to the adequate recycling units.
Since 2008 , SEGAS provides all runners with bio degradable bags and all international runner with cloth bags for their personal necessities.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
“High hopes, low carbon - making it work!” Side Event at GCSS.XI / GMEF
Countries, cities, companies, and individuals are taking action now to break their dependence on carbon and reduce emission of greenhouse gases. This session will look at how cleaner technologies are making possible the transition to a low carbon society, and how UNEP’s Climate Neutral Network – CN Net – is mobilizing action around the globe.
Investing in low-carbon and efficient energy technologies and systems offer the most direct way of achieving immediate, large, and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, while making energy available to developing countries and promoting sustainable development.
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