Sustainability in the 21st Century- Final Exam

Greywater vs blackwater

-Greywater is gently used water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines; has not come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from washing diapers (can be used for landscaping, watering lawns, etcetera) -Blackwater is wastewater from toilets, which likely contains pathogens; can contain feces, urine, water and toilet paper from flush toilets -Some areas can treat both separately --> a water management strategy

Water as a human right vs commodity

-James Salzman discusses the tension (Drinking Water: A History) -YES human right - EVERYONE needs water to survive -NO human right - water is often undervalued (a free ecosystem service) -YES commodity --> charging people for using water might encourage more careful and efficient usage; investment in water infrastructure; spur innovation -NO commodity --> negative impact on nature and heavier burden on poor people (address issue by ensuring poor people get basic needs at subsidized prices; mandate a level of water flow for nature) -Salzman says "markets and rights have both coexisted and can coexist, one reinforcing the other"

Threat multiplier

-The military considers climate change a "threat multiplier" --> climate change may exacerbate regional instability and magnify existing threats to national security -Examples: long-standing battles over the Nile (particularly the Upper Nile) among North African countries may worsen; long-standing tensions over the Indus River between India and Pakistan may worsen

Paul Lussier

-There are essential flaws associated with climate change communications that prevent us from make substantial change -We should attach environmental issues to narratives that resonate with people rather than Harping on doom and gloom -Meet stakeholders where they are -Communicating science/facts BETTER doesn't mean people respond to it differently

Water cycle

-There is very little fresh water, and the very little fresh water accessible to people is unevenly distributed -Climate change can alter water cycles (getting rid of snow pack, altering precipitation) and make allocating/distributing water even MORE difficult

Impact Investing (values)

-Value investors are typical investors focused on profit and profit alone -VALUES investors (AKA impact investors) use personal/fund values to guide investment strategies investments "made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside a profit. Lower financial return to invest into better outcome. Sustainability alpha idea. (ESG)

Water insecurity

-Water is simultaneously everywhere and scare (the planet is 3/4 water, but only 3% is fresh; most of the fresh water available to mankind is either undrinkable or polluted) -A question of natural endowments (some regions are water-rich and others are not) -Poor areas face immense challenges with respect to obtaining safe/useable water -National and international security issues arise over the water management

Washington Consensus

A set of economic policy recommendations for developing countries, and Latin America in particular, that became popular during the 1980s. A level of agreement between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and U.S. Department of the Treasury on those policy recommendations - include trade liberalisation, privatisation, openness to foreign investment and restrictive fiscal policies, free trade, floating exchange rates, free markets and macroeconomic stability.

food security

the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food

Materiality

whether an item is large enough to likely influence the decision of an investor or creditor. Material impacts on future business success. e.g. energy!! Car dealership - yes miles/gallon. not paper.

green to gold business strategies

"Green to Gold" is a book written by professor Esty and Andrew Winston, which approaches the issues of sustainability in business. It is a "wake up call" for businesses. Esty and Winston discuss corporations such as Wal-Mart, GE and Chiquita (Banana), and how they transformed their companies, and what work behind the scenes made that possible. Green to gold is a business strategy that focuses on innovation, execution, and making environmental thinking both a core business strategy and a driver of long-term growth.

Cognitive Biases

"Thinking fast and slow" -an analytical brain and emotional response capacity so most decisions making done emotionally. poor/error judgment. - social network biases from their surroundings. Tendency latch onto info they already know, ignore new info - allows them to find info to back up their argument, assessment.

Non-discrimination

2 parts 1. Most favoured nation (MFN) = Give all other countries the same ability as the one you favour e.g. can't give one country a lower customs duty rate for one of their products. Part of article under GATT (governs trade in goods) 2. National treatment policy - Imported and locally-produced goods should be treated equally — at least after the foreign goods have entered the market. The same should apply to foreign and domestic services, and to foreign and local trademarks, copyrights and patent e.g. pesticides. Found in main WTO agreements - GATT, GATS, TRIPS Exceptions to this - can set up a free trade agreement that applies only to goods traded within the group. Or they can give developing countries special access to their markets.

Green Climate Fund

A UN (UNFCCC) fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries. Aims to deliver equal amounts of funding to mitigation and adaptation projects, while being guided by the Convention's principles and provisions Adaptation and mitigation practices. 10bn committed, over 5 ish yrs. 20st century approach - gov provide money to programs over developing world. More funding - more projects. But limited impact in advancing Climate Change agreement. (not enough money to fund major projects around the world)

Material Flow Analysis

A broader analysis of the source and destination of raw materials necessary for manufacturing various products. an analytical method to quantify flows and stocks of materials or substances in a well-defined system. MFA is a well-established method for assessing the sustainability of socioeconomic development and environmental change, particularly by improving material/substance flow efficiency.

green bonds

A certificate issued by a government or a public company promising to repay borrowed money at a fixed rate of interest at a specified time (money to be used for green projects) A fixed-income financial instrument/ way to gather money for project. Private sources of capital, from large banks. Get interest then get your money back after time. Projects to support sustainable future. Dwarfs money provided by gov. De-risk flow from private sources as the companies see benefit of gaining interest.

UN Development Program (UNDP)

A program that coordinates the flow of multilateral development assistance and manages 6,000 projects at once around the world (focusing especially on technical development assistance). UN global dev network. HQ -New York City. Advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations. An executive board within the United Nations General Assembly.

Human Development Index

An index released by the UN Development Program that ranks nations according development level (an alternative way to measure development) combining income, literacy, education, and life expectancy. A result of UN officials believing that GDP was an imperfect measure of national development; other factors are also important (gender equality, education, infant mortality, people with access to water/electricity/etc). National wealth may not map directly onto people's daily experiences Used to rank countries into 4 tiers of human development. Higher HDI - higher lifespan, higher level edu, GDP per capita higher.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

The Paris Agreement requests each country to outline and communicate their post-2020 climate actions — their own timetable and targets for reducing GHG emissions. Determines if world achieves long-term goals. For developing countries - lower expectations, also focus of eradication of poverty and sustainable dev. You should do your best with the resources you have. Under President Obama, the United States committed to a 26% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030

Protectionism

The economic policy of restraining trade between states (countries) through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other government regulations -The trade world is fighting AGAINST protectionism to promote free trade (traders say countries should internalize the impacts of environmental harm; not all environmental rules are properly constructed; applying standards extraterritorially is wrong) Environmentalists - protectionists. Environmentalist are trying to PROMOTE environmental protection (want trade penalties against countries that don't meet environmental production standards; fear trade will put downward pressure on countries with high environmental standards by Racing to the Bottom; argue that environmental externalities AFFECT US ALL) In the US debate - trump is protectionism esp with china. But Trump is true china has been discouraging imports - unfair, but scale to big that they get away with it.

Stockholm 1972 Earth Summit

UN's first major conference on international environmental issues. A turning point in the development of international environmental politics. Named: UN Conference on the Human Environment. First to target human impact on environment: create basic common outlook on how to address the challenge of preserving and enhancing the human environment. Agenda 21: Global sustainable action plan (national + subnational basis) Declaration: mostly broad environmental policy goals and objectives rather than detailed normative positions. However, following Stockholm, global awareness of environmental issues increased dramatically, as did international environmental law-making proper. Principle 2: each nation has sovereign right to exploit their own resources based on own environment + development policies Principle 3: But not if it does harm to somebody else Principle 4: think about the environment + economic progress together Principle 5: common but differentiated responsibilities

De-Risking Private Capital Flows

With any investment, there is risk (when risks are higher, investors want greater financial returns). There is a gap between actual risk and perceived risk with respect to clean investment; moreover, risk associated with green investments has NOT been determined with confidence yet "De-risking" = financial institutions exit relationships & closing accounts of clients considered "high risk." consequently minimizing their own risk exposure while leaving clients bank-less. Has ripple effect on $ access for individuals and populations served by those businesses. The government accepts the burden of taking on risks of green investment to advance sustainable projects/development and promote the flow of private capital (investors can focus on profit instead of potential losses) If anything goes wrong, the government loses money first-If things go well, the government get money back last e.g. money service businesses, foreign embassies, NGOs, and correspondent banks. This leads to account closures in US, Uk, Australia.

WBCSD

World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Organization of over 200 international companies. formed at Rio 1992 earth summit. Aims to achieve SDGs.

Design for Environment

a design approach to minimize an object's environmental impact over the course of its life cycle/lifespan and increase overall human health Different software tools have been developed to assist designers in finding optimized products or processes/services

industrial agriculture

a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. The methods of industrial agriculture are technoscientific, economic, and political. They include innovation in agricultural machinery and farming methods, genetic technology, techniques for achieving economies of scale in production, the creation of new markets for consumption, the application of patent protection to genetic information, and global trade.

systems thinking

a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. In terms of sustainability, this approach is important for shifting the way we think about the issue, particularly by teaching young people how to understand the world in terms of relationships and connectedness-ideas crucial to sustainability. e.g. air, water and ground

food miles

a mile over which a food item is transported from producer to consumer, as a unit of measurement of the fuel used to do this.

Local Food Sourcing (Locavore)

a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market. One common - but not universal - definition of "local" food is foodgrown within 100 miles (160 km) of its point of purchase or consumption.

organic agriculture

a phrase coined early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices to describe what other species use, and used, to farm without synthetic chemicals.

extended producer responsibility

a strategyiIn the field of waste management designed to promote the integration of environmental costs associated with goods throughout their life cycles into the market price of the products. -Contemporary company practices SHOULD NOT burden the environment or society -Producers are given a significant responsibility - financial and/or physical - for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products (OECD) -Requires manufactures to address end-of-life product issues

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling. -Companies examine the ENTIRE life cycle of a product (gathering raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, collection, and disposal) -A product-centered approach (identifies the total environmental impact of a product - Environmental Literacy Council) -Encourages producers to consider environmental impacts at various stages of production -How much energy is consumed when making a product? Are the raw materials obtain sustainably?

Framework Convention on Climate Change (IPCC)

Intergovernmental. An international agreement (1992, entered into force 1994), provided an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts on climate change. Original goal = prevent the harmful buildup of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. To "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" Non binding limits GHG for individual countries. No enforcement mechanisms. Current goal = limiting average global temperature increases (avoiding a two-degree Celsius temperature rise) and the resulting climate change; adapting to the impacts of climate change Instead, outlines how specific international treaties (called "protocols" or "Agreements") may be negotiated. Meet annually since 1995 at CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES. developed kyoto and Paris.

Climate Change Denial

Involves denial, dismissal, or unwarranted doubt that contradicts the scientific opinion. Hard to change the peoples views. also when - individuals or social groups accept the science but fail to come to terms with it or to translate their acceptance into action. Speed of change - only as fast as the slowest person who is holding back climate change goals.

economic inequality

Large divide in progress of working poor and the rest of the world? Working poor have no spare money to save up, no support (only for more poor below them). Urban areas - stress of growth. The wealth have access to education and continue to benefit, those lacking access are stuck. Manual laborers are threatened by free flow of people around world, ppl who will work for less as well as autonomous vehicles/machines. In US top 1% has 40% of countries wealth.

scientific literacy

Problem with the ability to understand, analyze, and apply scientific information. Public are "paralysed" if no understanding and will not act.

R20

bottom-up approach. NGO founded in November 2010 by Arnold Schwarzenegger with the support of the UN. To help sub-state governments, subnational/ local authorities and mainly the regions to develop projects to reduce carbon emissions, or put in place renewable energy and energy efficiency systems. By connecting Regions, Technology and Finance to build sustainable low-carbon projects.

sea level rise

Relative sea-level rise refers to long-term average sea-level rise relative to the local land level, as derived from coastal tide gauges. In the context of urban planning/sustainable cities, urban planners can work to create infrastructure to be resilient against sea-level rise in coastal cities (ex. Miami, coastal cities in Australia etc). Often this is not effective and leads to major destruction of cities (ex. New Orleans).

Investment Agreements

commit to specific standards on the treatment of foreign investments within their territory. Defines procedures for the resolution of disputes should these commitments not be met. International - type of treaty between countries that addresses issues relevant to cross-border investments, for protection, promotion and liberalization of such investments. E.g. FDI, Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and Preferential Trade and Investment Agreements (PTIAs).

Greenwashing

disinformation spread by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image. Includes: changing the labels or company motto, rebranding, underestimating consumption figures, distracting consumers, differentiating products (choose the lesser of two evils), displaying complex data, making claims that can't be proven, green projects (ex. An oil company hosting an ocean clean up event) Somewhat misleading? If company spends more money on advertising rather than sustainable practices.

Climate Change Communication

educating, informing, warning, persuading, mobilizing and solving this critical problem. At a deeper level, climate change communication is shaped by our different experiences, mental and cultural models, and underlying values and world views. - Often told wrong facts. - different understandings - alignment of those around them, identity is important to them, facts that do not align they're not interested in creates a divide, enemies. - poor visibility of the env problems - uncertainty - not immediate problem. - scientific research complicated. - mistakes by e.g. IPCC in facts - lack trust. e.g. Exxon Mobile - media - controversy, comparisons even when one strong side.

disinformation

false information purposely disseminated, usually by a government, for the purpose of creating a false impression. "lack of political will" complaint actually due to lack gd argument in policy. But, exaggerations have blow back on env community.

food waste

food that is discarded or lost uneaten. The causes of food waste or loss are numerous and occur at the stages of producing, processing, retailing and consuming. Global food loss and waste amount to between one-third and one-half of all food produced.

We mean business

global nonprofit coalition (bringing together several NGOs) working with the world's most influential businesses to take action on climate change. Catalyze business leadership to drive policy ambition aim for a low-carbon economy. aim: avoid dangerous climate change by 2020, while delivering sustainable growth and prosperity for all. bottom-up.

energy efficiency

is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature. Energy efficiency investments can eventually pay for themselves --> increases profits while improving the environment

Kyoto Protocol

(1990s) A 1997 international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits parties to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Requires developed countries to decrease emissions of carbon dioxide and other GHGs by an average of 5 percent below their 1990 levels by 2012. Gave individual targets to countries (emphasized "differentiated" aspect of Common-But-Differentiated Responsibility concept). Top down approach as each countries emissions targets were tightly prescribed at national level. US never ratified Kyoto because legislators considered the agreement unfair; US won't approve environmental measures unless the developing nations ALSO do - Didn't include developing countries in expectations - Non-universal participation. Fell apart - US and Canada withdrew 2001 and others.

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

(2015 goals) signed by Obama - seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions and funnel aid to developing countries. The agreement outlines a global action plan to put the world on track to limiting global warming to well below 2°C within this century guided by strong leaders like Pope Francis, President Obama of the United States, President Shi of China, and Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon PROS: More flexible framework, each country has own contribution prescribed (NDCs). a bottom-up instead of top-down strategy that emphasizes the "common" aspect of Common-But-Differentiated responsibility. Represents progress, lowers max warming allowed, holding warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may slow sea level rise and prevent losses of certain lands. 5 year review. Funding proposed. -CONS: falls short of solving issue, the previous warming may have already triggered irreversible loss. No possible way to enforce that people will do what they say since it's not binding in any way. Tough time gap in agreements 1997-2015. Framework not a solution. Unlikely a more successful agreement can be reached

Industrial Ecology

- COMPREHENSIVELY evaluates the environmental impact of industries (emphasizes "end of life" issues); considers industry rooted in natural systems -A multidisciplinary and integrated field with a large emphasis on systems thinking; focuses on practical solutions instead of "high-theory" -Related to the THREE R's of environmental sustainability (reduce, reuse, recycle) -A useful method of promoting environmental sustainability, but not the ONLY-Marian Chertow - academic who focuses on industrial environmental management

Water markets

-A market-based way to allocate water efficiently -Asks what uses people would pay the most per unit of water for by comparing high-value and low-value uses (drinking/showering versus watering a lawn/agriculture) -Eliminates inefficient uses of water on an economy-wide basis

Drought

-A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this -Climate change might increased the frequency of droughts across the world, especially in areas already susceptible -Frequent droughts in unstable areas might exacerbate tensions --> a national security issue for the United States

Cochabamba, Bolivia

-An outside water company was brought in to invest in infrastructure (building piping and water distribution systems) -The effect of building out the system EFFECTIVELY reduced the price of water for consumers -BUT, there was blowback --> poor who thought they had never paid for water received water bills (but they HAD been paying); residents belived water should be a community asset that is NOT commodified -Price signals are economically effective, but ethically questionable

Karen Seto

-An urbanist and land scientist focused on research the effects of urbanization on the planet -Argues that we are in the era of the "urban dweller" -Scale (cities are growing larger and larger); rate of change (urban growth is happening faster now than before --> environmental/infrastructural concerns); location (Asia, Latin America, and Africa); have a growing functional and cultural dominance/importance within their countries

Kate O'Neil

-Discusses the upsides and downside of a Global Environmental Organization in her book, The Environment and International Relations

Carbon Exposure

-Economic assets/wealth are exposed in a negative way under conditions of heavy carbon restrictions -Entire industries might be carbon exposed Carbon footprinting enables investors to quantify the carbon content of a portfolio by allocating the carbon emissions of a company to a portfolio on an equity ownership basis. companies can reduce carbon exposure by investing in clean technologies

Climate clubs

-Emerge from an understanding that the ENTIRE WORLD cannot agree to a significant emissions reductions; negotiating a legally binding agreement with fewer countries who share common interest could be easier -Example: 6 major polluters commit to particular targets/timetables for reductions; if a nation defects, other nations can impose trade penalties or apply social pressure -Members of the club make mutual commitments; those who don't follow through cannot reap mutual benefits/advantages (lower trade tariffs, university research and innovation partnerships)

Hard law vs soft law

-Hard law - rules that are enforceable through whatever means (Trade System. --> measures retaliatory measure through courts) -Soft law - more amorphous and reliant on norms; induces follow-through and compliance by shaming and celebrating actors (countries, companies, people) based on performance/individual choices

water management strategies

-Tradable water rights; everyone is given some free allocation of water and can sell it --> analogous to cap-and-trade systems for pollution and greenhouse gas emissions -Use big data to determine indicators of water-related issues and compare usage -Measure and meter water -Avoid subsidizing heavy water consumers (for instance, many farmers use water VERY ineffectively) -Separate out water uses (greywater versus blackwater) -Use green engineering/design to take advantage of natural filtration opportunities, like wetlands

Circular Economy (cradle to cradle design)

A circular economy is a regenerative system in which resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops; this can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing, recycling, and upcycling. -Pioneered by William McDonough as an alternative to the Cradle to Grave model (take, make, and dispose approach) -An attempt to rethink our 21st century economy with optimization strategies and systems/integrated thinking (based on principles of industrial ecology) type of design that is a biomimetic approach to the design of products and systems that models human industry on nature's processes viewing materials as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms. It looks at the entire lifecycle of a product. It is a holistic, economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not only efficient but also essentially waste free 1) Reduce the use of the environment as a dump/minimize waste 2) Emphasize the reuse and recapturing of products/materials

Earth Summits

A global conference on environmental and development issues. Meeting of world leaders every 10 yrs since 1972 with help of UN. Different than the UNFCCC; organized by UN general assembly. Find ways to stimulate global sustainable development. Identify most pressing challenges, define solutions, develop plan of action = Agenda 21 which is implemented by many local governments. (UN non-binding action plan). Plan designed so that organisations, companies, individuals can use as a basis for own plan of action + guidance. Speeds up understanding and identify partners.. Produces e.g. MDGs 2000-2015 and Global Goals/ STGs 2015-30. Happened in 1972 (Stockholm), 1992 (Rio), and 2012 (Rio +20) - Focused on different sets of concerns based on stage/condition of global environmental movement (1972 = toxics and environmental degradation, and a boom in global lawmaking and MEAs; 1992 - UNFCCC negotiated by countries; 2012 - integrated sustainability and development components, with a focus on SDGs)

Multilateral Environmental Agreements

A legally-binding agreement among three or more nations which allows them to achieve a specific environmental objective. Generic term for treaties, conventions, protocols and other binding instruments related to the environment. Currently over 250 (Basel Convention, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species AKA CITIES, Montreal Protocol) dealing with env issues. 20 of which to do with trade (e.g. measures that prohibit trade in certain species or products, or that allow countries to restrict trade in certain circumstances) The sheer multitude of MEAs had facilitated conversation about a Global Environmental Organization

UN Environment Program (UNEP)

A program that monitors environmental conditions and, among other activities, works with the World Meteorological Organization to measure changes in global climate. Agency of the UN, coordinates the organisation's environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices (1972). Operates via limited budget and garners limited political/structural support. Aids/structures conversations on specific/smaller environmental negotiations. Competition with UNDP and world bank do more interesting analytic work. WTO also successful - Geneva base, part of trading system. Does work where the funding comes from. Issues with UNEP: - Not seen as a big deal due to "program" label rather than organisation - Small budget and staff - Not broad mandate

public-private partnership

A public-private partnership is a cooperative arrangement between a public agency and private sector entity that facilities the achievement of common goals, typically of a long-term nature. Also known as P3s Governments have used such a mix of public and private endeavors throughout history. a public-private partnership in urban economic development can be defined as an arrangement between the public and private sectors for provision of urban services and promotion of urban economic development.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A universal set of 17 goals, targets and indicators that UN member states are expected to use to frame their agendas and political policies 2015-30. Building on Millennium Development Goals with CONCRETE 160 targets beneath them Created a framework for supporting global-scale efforts at sustainable development. Urgent global call for action both developed and developing. Recognise ending poverty etc along with improving health, education, Econ growth needs to go with tackling Climate Change, preserving oceans and forests. Encourages a systematic approach to promoting environmental sustainability; concreteness enables specific action More than just climate and ecosystems - also energy, resources. Need feasible design. e.g. Clean water & sanitation (need technology, use metal - abundant or scarce? - industrial ecology.) Goals include: alleviating poverty, constructing resilient infrastructure, addressing gender, conserving resources, etc. (more focused on social issues) - Jeffrey Sachs - book 2015: frames the goals presented by UN, believe in sustainability dimensions, planetary boundaries. We need to balance env and economy, can't sacrifice one. Rejects: idea of limits to growth - people live impoverished lives & the need for countries to have own industries.

Sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states. Relationship with trade agreements - encourage foreign gov to adopt open, transparent rule making procedural, and non discriminatory laws and regulations. Countries are sensitive, protective of federal sys of shared power. Trade is about fairness not regulation. Trade agreements do not restrict states right to regulate or overturn laws. Only the federal/state gov can change a fed/ state law.

Environmental Advocacy

Advocacy: working to influence public policy in social, economic, political, and cultural spheres, to bring about justice and positive change. Environmental Advocacy = both protecting the public from environmental hazards and protecting the natural world. How to move forward: - Popularize science - how communicate the message, how the message is displayed - make science more understandable. - idea its not urgent - have time to change business plans and prevent large losses. - Understand of audience understanding - not all same (Alarmed, concerned, caution, disengaged, doubtful, dismissive) Ideas: - Reduced dependence foreign oil - susta dev - jobs and opportunity - Econ strength and competitiveness - market base approaches, cap and trade to address acid rain.. innovation.

Montreal Protocol

An international agreement signed in 1987 by 105 countries and the European Community (now European Union) -Called for a reduction in the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) of 50 percent by 2000. A worldwide complete ban has been in effect since 1996 These cause problems such as = increased prevalence of skin cancer, reduced agricultural productivity, and disruption of marine ecosystems. Russia - major cheater. China - smaller cheater. London amendments to phase out CFCs. result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering. Predicted - ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. Exceptional international co-operation - with implementation and adoption. Success in - effective burden sharing and solution proposals mitigating regional conflicts of interest (unlike Kyoto protocol)

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

An investment made by a company or individual in one country in business interests in another country, in the form of either establishing business operations or acquiring business assets in the other country, such as ownership or controlling interest in a foreign company. Critical for developing and emerging market countries - need the multinationals' funding and expertise to expand their international sales as well as, private investment in infrastructure, energy, and water to increase jobs and wages. Multinational companies - exploit developing countries.

urban heat island effect

An urban heat island is an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities. Because of the massive buildout of impermeable surfaces in most cities, urban areas tend to absorb more heat (built environment can absorb more heat than undeveloped environments) -May worsen due to climate change The temperature difference usually is larger at night than during the day, and is most apparent when winds are weak. UHI is most noticeable during the summer and winter.

Global Environmental Organization (GEO)

Becoming an info and analytic knowledge hub — benchmarking, best practices. Needed globally. Platform for negotiation, international debate, corporation. Entity committed to issues committed leadership — draw on best scientific analysis, coordinate with organisations. It would seek to protect, analyse or monitor the environment against misuse or degradation from human forces. People objected the idea as they are worried loss of national sovereignty. But we all benefit from national corporation. - Consolidation done properly can increase efficiency -Allows for smaller, more specific conventions to exist under a larger umbrella-Allows for the identification of formal and function gaps-Promotes consistency and interconnectedness

Green Alpha

Becoming new/critical metric for investors in sustainable property. Investors better than the market, pick winners and fewer overall but outperforms the average. Want to gain adv. Use sustainability measures to understand which companies are advantageous.

solar panel dispute

Cheap solar panels imported from China and other countries have led to a boom in the U.S. solar industry. manufactures say the flood of imports has led one to bankruptcy and forced removal of workforce. Trump might impose tariffs that could double the price of solar panels from abroad. In order to help US manufacturing, a critical step in trade agenda.

Rio 1992 Earth Summit

Conference on Environment and Development. member states cooperate together internationally on development issues after the Cold War. Since the creation, been increase in participation of others to discuss. e.g. NGOs Covered: 1. systematic scrutiny of patterns of production — particularly the production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals. goal was to halt the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and pollution of the planet 2. alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels which delegates linked to global climate change 3. new reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smoke 4. the growing usage and limited supply of water Important achievements: agreement on the Climate Change Convention which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. And- to "not to carry out any activities on the lands of indigenous peoples that would cause environmental degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate". -Not a strong degree of coherence, consistency, + sovereignty Only enforced by consent

Convention-Protocol Process

Convention: broader framework for negotiating issues; very little weight on the behavior of individual countries Thousands of credentialed delegates attend (today, NGOs and businesses in attendance) Decisions are made via "consensus" (there are not written rules; big countries have the power to block deals) Two-part process consisting of 1) large-scale negotiations; signing the deal and 2) ratification; home country formally ratifies law Pros: Allows law-making to proceed incrementally: 1. framework convention (establishes a general system of governance for an issue). 2. developing more specific commitments and institutional arrangements in protocols which includes: - statement w/ overall objective and guiding principles. - basic obligations, commitments (address prob, exchange info, submit periodic reports, regular conference of the parties) 3. Once created, can gain momentum on its own - Successful in environmental arena (rain, stratospheric ozone depletion). States tend to be wiling to join a framework convention as it doesn't entail significant commitments. Mechanisms to review implementation, promote compliance, and resolve disputes. Protocol -puts more specificity behind a convention agreement (Kyoto Protocol, Montreal Protocol, Paris Climate Change Agreement)

ESG Metrics (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) A set of company standards that socially conscious investors use for potential investments. Their ethical impact and sustainability practices. Operationalizes the triple bottom line concept Reasons for considering SG Metrics vary: - Some investors were hoping to be ethical and altruistic (I will only invest in things that align with my values) -Some mainstream investors just want to cut the socially/environmentally WORST things out of their portfolios -Some investors think sustainable performance along ESG metrics serves as a predictor of your financial performance Environmental criteria - company stewardship of env. Social criteria - company relationships with its employees, suppliers, customers and the communities where it operates. Governance - company's leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls and shareholder rights. e.g. look at C emissions, water use or conservation efforts, anti-corruption policies, board diversity, human rights efforts and community development.

green banks

Financial institution (Quasi-public: public, but partially independent of the government; or entirely public). Goal is to incentivize clean energy and other green projects (smart grids, renewable energy production, green infrastructure) Leverages a small amount of public money to drive significant private investment in green projects. innovative financing techniques. -Strategy 1: concessional finance (issuing loans at a loss) --> OKAY because green banks leverage public money Strategy 2: de-risking private capital flow (takes on risk to advance sustainable projects/development and promote the flow of private capital (investors can focus on profit instead of potential losses) Seeks to reduce energy costs/subsidise, increase private investment and Econ activity, expand low-C economy. e.g. Connecticut Green Bank: 21st century view. Have auctions for power purchasing agreements.Financial innovation - default flow positive, money back after 1st month when liked by businesses.

Clean Energy Funding

Financing sustainable development and projects remains a top concern/priority (finance strategies are important) Sources include green banks, green bonds, and the Green Climate Fund (security to those building clean energy projects). C PACE - borrow money for efficiency and energy improvements on commercial property. World bank - now more of focus on sustainability. Great need for more funding. always unsure of origin. Will governments carry out commitments? e.g. US providing money for developing countries. -20th Century - funding has come from the government 21st Century - push toward private funding; businesses and private investors are better at managing failure OR used limited public funds to leverage private capitol

race to the bottom

Government deregulation to retain Econ activity. A dynamic in which states compete to attract business by lowering taxes and environmental regulations, often to workers' detriment/relax labour. Countries lower economic and social standards to attract companies Focus on globalisation, entry of developing countries into global market as investment and international trade increases for these. Certain industries are mobile and tend to go to countries with lowest environmental and social protections to increase profits and decrease labor costs e.g. textiles: notorious for participating in the race; all a company needs are low-skilled workers, cheap materials, lots of sewing machines, electricity, and an empty warehouse HOWEVER, companies may prefer countries with more skilled workers, better governance, and more regulations to increase consistency and standardization)

Policy Integration

Horizontal policy integration in the context of sustainable development (SD) is commonly understood as balancing economic, social and environmental interests and policies in a way that trade-offs (or negative effects) between them are minimized and synergies (or win-win-win opportunities) maximized.

Import Substitution vs. Export Orientation

Import substitution: Government strategy to emphasize replacement of some agricultural or industrial imports to encourage local production for local consumption, rather than producing for export markets. This generates EMPLOYMENT, reduces foreign exchange demand, stimulates INNOVATION, and make the country SELF-RELIANT in critical areas such as food, defence, and advanced TECH. e.g. A country with underdeveloped domestic industries shields itself from the international market until said industries are developed (theoretically, domestic companies supply domestic markets; might yield corruption + inefficiency) Export orientation: a trade and economic policy aiming to speed up the industrialization process of a country by exporting goods for which the nation has a COMPARATIVE ADV (countries gd at - more efficient at producing e.g. US machinery). Export-led growth implies opening domestic markets to foreign competition in exchange for market access in other countries. - used by developing countries - access to market. e.g. let's expose ourselves to international market, and exposure drives domestic producers to become efficient; a country can determine which services and products are most profitable to export (e.g. South Korea, Japan) -Is exposing yourself to international trade by lowering tariffs on imports good or bad?

mitigation and adaptation

Mitigate: reducing greenhouse emissions and climate change contributors; red emissions, energy efficiency, increase sinks (C capture and storage, forests) - carbon sequestration unlikely in electricity generation Adapt: adapting to effects of greenhouse emissions and climate change; prevent damage, harden infra, move vulnerable things (power plants). If the focus = thought giving up.

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)

Original: World Bank international financial institutions owned by multiple governments within world regions or other groups. Various banks with regional focuses have proliferated over time Prioritise development goals e.g. end extreme poverty and reducing economic inequality rather than max profits. They often lend at low or no interest or provide grants to fund projects in infrastructure, energy, education and other areas that promote development. Can offer financing that would not be advantageous for private banks to take on (funding large, capital projects) Objections from environmentalists: projects funded are not environmentally friendly; projects carry significant social ramifications MDB becoming more sustainable = an example of soft-law e.g. In china the Asian Infrastructure dev bank: Loans for infra dev all over Asia. One belt, one road - aims to be pre eminent in trade -Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Chinese MDB doing well at financing green projects

sustainable investing

PAST - invest to gain big returns, little discussion on env. There are Industry wide investment sectors. sustainable investing consisted of ecologically-minded investors hoping to make green investments NOW - socially responsible investors, more focus on environment. In their values/beliefs. Growing set of mainstream investors, gain diverse portfolio of index funds/ kinds of stocks to smooth out gains and loses = overall high return. VALUES orientated/impact investors, rather than value. Still worry about stranded assets. e.g. In the US - investment by states/non-federal leaders, into sustainability still increasing despite trump actions/views (confidence + market forces) Entrepreneurs into sustainability future could equal big profits. Driven by consumers and long term attitude. Types of investors: - venture capitalists (funds>emerging? large potential) - Private equity (invest in business, not on stock markets or public exchange list) - public equity (stock markets, shares to stockholders) - companies (Walmart solar) - Governments (Connecticut innovation PPP)

Regional Trade Agreements

Reciprocal trade agreements between two or more governments who agree with each other to reduce trade barriers amongst each other. Includes free trade agreements and customs unions. Define the rules of trade for all signatories. Countries can agree to REDUCE trade barriers among themselves (doesn't violate idea of non-discrimination) E.g. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the European Union (EU) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). People's interests - Consumers - benefit from trade, better quality, more choice Producers- less enthusiastic about trade increasing Issues are 1) there might be a proliferation of regional trade agreements (NAFTA; TPP) and 2) all parties benefit, but there are severe economic impacts on certain populations

Non-tariff barriers (NTBs)

Restrictions other than tariffs designed to prevent/impede the flow of goods/imports. So any obstacle to international trade that isn't imports/exports duty. e.g. Import quotas, subsidies, customs delays, technical barriers, licensing, rules of origin. Historic focus: the 1940 worry about tariffs, attempt to reduce them - to reduce barriers so gov can make money (imports create Econ activity, jobs, lowers prices - consumers win also)

burden sharing

Since climate change is a global "tragedy of the commons" and all nations have contributed to SOME degree, the burden of mitigating/adapting to climate change should be shared by all countries -Represented by principle of "common-but-differentiated" responsibility -At the first UNFCCC in Rio (1992), developing countries sat on the sidelines -By the 2015 UNFCCC, all countries are encouraged to get involved however they can (Nationally Determined Contributions)

Divestment vs. Investment vs. Engagement

TOTAL divestment from nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels) and industries dependent environmentally unsustainable practices may not be the best strategy -We might benefit from partial divestment, investment in renewable energy and industries dependent environmentally sustainable practices, and engaging with fund managers on the merits of sustainable finance might be a BETTER strategy

Green Revolution

The " ", or Third Agricultural Revolution, is a set of research and technology transfer initiatives occurring between 1950 and the late 1960s, that increased agricultural production worldwide, particularly in the developing world, beginning most markedly in the late 1960s

C40 Cities

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group connects 90 of the world's greatest cities, representing more than 650 million people and one quarter of the global economy. network of the world's megacities/cities climate leadership group: taking action to reduce GHG emissions, via interconnectedness, driving urban action to reduce GHG and climate risks. Also C40 is a non-profit that discusses many urban issues including heat island effects, waste management, transportation, renewable energy in cities. They are not a government group, so they do not have much power in that sense to change things, but they are a platform for city leaders to discuss aspects of being more resilient and sustainable. increase health, wellbeing, Econ opportunities of urban citizens. Integrate issues into network of communications, adaptation, finance, programs. - top-down.

Rio +20 2012

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Launched SDGs which will build upon the Millennium Development Goals and converge with the post 2015 development agenda. Adopted ground-breaking guidelines on green economy policies. Studies options for sustainable financing. Strengthened the UNEP. Also adopted the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns. Resulted in >700 voluntary commitments and partnerships for sustainable development.

Creating Shared Value (CSV)

The central premise behind creating shared value is that the competitiveness of a company and the health of the communities around it are mutually dependent. Recognizing and capitalizing on these connections between societal and economic progress has the power to unleash the next wave of global growth and to redefine capitalism. Companies thrive better and will be more sustainable if the community they interact with is happy.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation. Commonly used to determine the economic performance of a whole country or region, and to make international comparisons. More useful for comparison in living standards between nations to use - GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP). GDP doesn't reflect differences in the cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries.

subsidies vs. incentives

The term "incentive', generally means encouraging productivity. ... These incentives normally aim at reducing some of the problems faced by small scale industrialists. Incentives factor into decision-making processes; exist to slant decisions (a well-tailored incentive could control/reduce externalities) Subsidy: Subsidy is a financial assistance or a sum of money provided by a government, to an industry for public welfare or interest. Subsidies are a SPECIFIC TYPE of incentive whereby governments give private actors money/benefits for making particular choices

Triple Bottom Line

The triple bottom line is an accounting framework with three parts: social, environmental and financial. Companies should focus on people, planet, and profit (goes beyond the traditional bottom line of profit; companies should consider their social and environmental when measuring value creation) Companies have begun tracking/recording how their activities impact the environment and society. Some organizations have adopted the TBL framework to evaluate their performance in a broader perspective to create greater business value. Considering the triple-bottom line might be financially advantageous

"race" for clean energy

There is a global race underway to lead in the development of clean energy technologies. In 2010, global investment in clean energy reached an all - time high of more than $200 billion . Over the next decade, investment in renewable energy technologies alone may exceed $2 trillion. As President Obama has said, "the countries that lead the clean energy economy will be the countries that lead the 21 st century global economy." The goal is to make every other product dependent on your technology. -The most critical area for innovation is determining how to obtain a clean energy future -Describes the search for an innovative technology that makes cost of clean/renewable energy alternatives CHEAPER than burning fossil fuels for energy -We DON'T know what the breakthrough technology will be, but instigating a race for clean energy organized by the government could stimulate creativity and produce results faster

top down vs bottom up

Top down - International/ national decisions e.g. Kyoto. Bottom up - Subnational/ NGO's decisions (can have large impact when committed by large pop e.g. biking to work) e.g. Paris NDCs

urban density

Urban density is a term used in urban planning and urban design to refer to the number of people inhabiting a given urbanized area. As such it is to be distinguished from other measures of population density. Urban density is considered an important factor in understanding how cities function.

Waste Reuse, Recapture, and Recycling

Various ways of trying to close the loop at the end the production cycle -Waste at the END of the production cycle

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

Was a 1948 agreement that established an international forum for negotiating mutual reductions in trade restrictions. Established at the end of WWII to avoid trade-based war; a series of rules on trade, a multilateral agreement without an institutional foundation "substantial reduction of tariffs and other trade barriers and the elimination of preferences, on a reciprocal and mutually advantageous basis." Tariff reductions on a regional scale occur, less large global changes occur. International trade agreements have significantly reduce tariffs more recently. Domestic industries may suffer when tariffs reduces as they have to compete with internationals Exposes economy to international price shocks Backlash to market integration - Brexit WTO - a permanent institution (institutionalized GATT)

World Trade Organization (WTO)

a trade organization that replaced the old (GATT) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade. Establish global agreement on tariffs and trade. (1995) deals with regulation of trade in goods, services and intellectual property between participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants' adherence to WTO agreements, which are signed by representatives of member governments. Signed under Marrakech agreement by 124 nations. It is the largest international economic organization in the world. (Trade is the terms of engagement for international commerce. Agrees what is fair. Attempt to uplift ppl out of poverty )

Command and control regulatory lock-in:

a very stiff command and control regulation (ex. you can't emit more than x amount of carbon). It is sometimes bad because it leaves no incentive, but it is also effective. -Mostly discussed in the pollution control context -It's easier for private actors to get locked into regulations with command-and-control type government (whole set of regulations and policies that select Best Available Technology) -Setting incentives and letting private actors make decisions themselves not only promotes economic growth (while benefitting the environment) but also spurs innovation -Directs innovation toward one particular technology and creates a political lobby to maintain the status quo

smart grid

an electricity supply network that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in usage. (ex. smart appliances, smart meters, renewable energy resources)

Basel convention

an international treaty on the control of transboundary hazardous wastes and their disposal. An international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (e.g. search for cheap, low regulation and enforcement disposal in Eastern Europe lead to the creation of this). Reduce toxic waste production. NIMBYism also a cause of treaty; Related to Environmental Justice Adopted in 1992 United States HAS NOT ratified Basel Convention

genetically modified organism (GMO)

as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination

compliance vs. enforcement

compliance = international, must encourage countries, call out on those who haven't done anything. e.g. Paris agreement had no enforcement (each country NDC - design own agenda) enforcement = compliance with law, rule or obligation. changes decision making, matching principle for successful collaboration. Avoids free riding. However, there is no global government, also additional problem of global commons (overtime resources will be overexploited & contaminated)

Eco-efficiency and resource productivity

has been proposed as one of the main tools to promote a transformation from unsustainable development to one of sustainable development. -Eco-efficiency - various ways in which a company benefits/cuts costs from taking sustainable measures; creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution. Greater durability of goods, improved recyclability, reduction in energy intensity, reduction in material intensity. The term was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Resource productivity: same input, more output (Ie. UPS route optimizations, don't wait at stop light, no left turns, pack trucks more tightly. Expand margins by reducing good waste or expanding margins) 1) reduce risks for themselves 2) find eco-efficiency opportunities (cutting costs) 3) find new products/customers to drive growth 4) garner intangible value (intangible; longterm sustainability of customer-facing companies) -Results - a fresh perspective when considering how to cut losses; a. bigger advantage over companies who aren't cutting costs the same way

cultural cognition

how group values influence individuals' perceptions of facts. Coming from their social network - something makes sense, fact, believed to be important = bias. Visible risks taken seriously vs. low risk (like plane crash vs car). Dan Kahan: who you are determines how you understand it, messenger determines the believability. Identity = area + community + polarisation of online identity. Need for science communication to focus on who ppl are, their identity.

resource flows

key modeling techniques used in the definition of Interfaces and assurance that computer analysis can relay information between Activities and their associated Performers (e.g., Systems and Personnel.) Resource Flow models and associated analysis techniques reveal behavior such as: The connectivity between resources. ecologists use I=PAT (affluence ^ meat consumption, Technol ^ dev and consumption)

malnutrition

lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.

multiple dimensions of sustainability innovation

o Technology development o Government policies incentives o Public engagement o Finance for sustainability o Partnerships -Innovation comes from various directions (technology, policymaking, NGO partnerships, community engagement) -Integrated, systems-level thinking drives innovation

Common But Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR & RC)

principle within UNFCCC that acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change. Due to: climate change is a common problem for all nations (global tragedy of the commons). nature of climate change needs widest cooperation by all countries and participation in an effective and appropriate international response. Individual nations have different responsibilities in addressing issued related to climate change because: 1) countries have industrialized to different extents (and therefore emitted greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to different extents 2) Respective ability, meaning individual countries have different amounts of resources to mitigate climate change Following the treaty - focus on trajectory of emissions in populous developing countries also drew attention - prevent stabilising GHG emissions. The Kyoto Protocol strongly emphasized the "differentiated" component of the framework; the Paris Agreement strongly emphasized the "common" component of the framework (Nationally Determined Contributions)

poverty alleviation

reducing the level of poverty. A set of measures, both economic and humanitarian, that are intended to permanently lift people out of poverty. - economic and humanitarian. Countries that trade do better than countries that DON'T trade. Openness to trade improves national economies and lifts people out of poverty (e.g. China and India)

Sustainable Transportation

refers to any means of transportation that is 'green' and has low impact on the environment. Compact environments makes sustainable transportation efficient and effective For example, 90% of New-Yorkers commute via public transportation because the systems gets people near their final destinations ON TIME Sustainable transportation is also about balancing our current and future needs. Examples of sustainable transportation include walking, cycling, transit, carpooling, car sharing, and green vehicles.

Clean technologies

refers to any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities ex: recycling, renewable energy, information technology, green transportation, electric motors etc.

Eco-Advantage

refers to the competitive edge created from the greening of a business. As markets and preferences change, being sustainable is a competitive advantage. This competitive advantage arises not by directly addressing the growth of the bottom line, but by redefining it. (ex. business leaders develop new strategies around renewable energy, energy efficiency, LEED construction, and environmental stewardship) Sustainable growth can be adopted as a business strategy for consumer appeal. Reduce risk of being sued for causing natural disasters, negative press, less open to price shocks (ie. dependence on oil), facility backlash (unwilling to less you use a space if there is no maintenance), lose social license Blue Ocean Strategy: As long as in the consumer's mind the customer believes that there is no substitute, then you have a monopolistic advantage.

resilience

the "measurable ability of any urban system, with its inhabitants, to maintain continuity through all shocks and stresses, while positively adapting and transforming towards sustainability". The capacity for a socio-ecological system to: (1) absorb stresses and maintain function in the face of external stresses imposed upon it by climate change and (2) adapt, reorganize, and evolve into more desirable configurations that improve the sustainability of the system -Closer communities are more resilient -Coastal cities have been worrying about resilience to sea-level rise

Reciprocity

the exchange of resources, goods, and services among people of relatively equal status; meant to create and reinforce social ties. e.g. removal of traveling restriction between two countries. On International trade level: Lowering of import duties and other trade barriers in return for similar concessions from another country. A traditional principle of GATT/WTO, but is practicable only between developed nations due to their roughly matching economies. For trade between them and developing nations, the concept of relative reciprocity is applied whereby the developed nations accept less than full reciprocity from their developing trading partners.

Bretton Woods Organizations

the organizations created at the Bretton Woods conference. e.g. World Bank, IMF, and later the GATT. Launched post WW2. 43 countries involved hoped to reconfigure the postwar economy and encourage international collaboration (Breton Woods Project) - IMF: Provides financial stability, manage global Econ crisis, prevents country defaults. Loans to countries, give prescriptions - aligns with Washington consensus. - World Bank - set of multilateral banks. Support Econ dev. e.g. funding of factories over past 50yrs. Changed focus, now susta dev, env assessments. - World Trade Organization (WTO) - international trade regime. Promote free flow gds and services between countries. - GATT - agreement to non discrimination, national treatment (same treatment of import and domestic gds). Protect own industry without caring about imports.

Eco-labeling

the practice of marking products with a distinctive label to show that their manufacture conforms to recognized environmental standards. -Eco-labels are not ALWAYS legitimate/standardized; sometimes the government runs them (Energy Star); sometimes, a non-profit organization might run them (fair trade labeling on cocoa beans and coffee beans) Cons: What do these labels actually convey? confusing? unclear? misleading? Scale of 1 to 7? Too many labels? Partiality?