Organized in Geneva by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): launch of a global research programme, under the aegis of WMO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).

Placed under the supervision of UNEP and WMO, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses the current state of knowledge on climate change and its impacts, and is responsible for the scientific monitoring of global warming processes.

The IPCC First Assessment Report acknowledged that “emissions resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of [the] greenhouse gases”.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) set up an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee charged with drawing up the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

The Global Environment Facility is a financial mechanism funded by voluntary contributions from developed countries and aims to help developing countries address global environmental issues, including global warming and protection of biodiversity.

Signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the cornerstone of the global fight against climate change: it officially acknowledges the existence of climate disruption and human responsibility with regard to this phenomenon. It recognizes that industrialized countries are primarily responsible and commits them to combating climate change, setting as its ultimate objective the stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations at a level that does not endanger the global climate system. This universal Convention has been ratified by 195 countries and the European Union.

Third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC. For the first time, 37 developed and transition countries committed to binding greenhouse gas reduction targets, aiming to reduce overall emissions by 5.2% between 2008 and 2012, in comparison with 1990 levels. Since then, 192 countries have ratified the Protocol, which entered into force in 2005.

International agreements on the implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action and the Kyoto Protocol.

In the Kyoto Protocol, although the reduction target (-5.2%) was clear, the means of achieving it were less so. The Bonn Agreements and the Marrakesh Accords therefore defined the rules, specified the obligations faced by developed countries and also focused heavily on the assistance to be provided to developing countries. They paved the way for the Protocol's ratification by the countries, with a view to its entry into force (2005).

Under the Kyoto Protocol, France was set the target of stabilizing its GHG emissions over the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels. France’s climate plan, which was established in 2004 and for the first time drew together initiatives to combat climate change from all sectors of the economy, aimed to ensure that this target would be reached.

An IPCC report found 2005 to be the warmest year since the late 19th century. The temperature on Earth had risen by 0.8°C over the century and by 0.6°C over the past 30 years. 

This Act on energy policy required energy suppliers (electricity, gas, heating/cooling, heating oil and motor fuel) to save energy and encourage their customers to do the same. It aimed to divide French GHG emissions by four between 1990 and 2050.

The 11th Conference of the Parties in Montreal (COP11) (28 November - 9 December), which took place shortly after the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, was the first Meeting of the Parties (CMP1). Montreal was therefore “COP11-CMP1” and all future conferences were named in the same way. Montreal also saw the first discussions on the post-Kyoto phase.

Working Group No. 1 of the Grenelle Environment Forum reiterated the undeniable reality of climate change and its impacts, as well as the future scarcity of fossil fuels. The target set during the Grenelle Environment Forum was to reduce France’s GHG emissions by almost 22% between 2005 and 2020.

The Bali Road Map opened the post-2012 negotiations, with a view to the adoption of a new international agreement by the end of 2009, to follow on from the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. The Parties decided on a post-2012 negotiation process and agreed on an open list of issues to be addressed during the negotiations.  

The President of the United States launched the the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF). It brought together the main polluters, who account for 80% of global emissions and 80% of global energy consumption: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

It was awarded in recognition of “their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change”. The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report was published.

The 27 countries of the European Union agreed on the means of honouring their commitment to a 20% reduction of overall GHG emissions by 2020 compared with 1990, or 30% if an ambitious international agreement were to be reached in Copenhagen. This became known as the “climate and energy package”. Read more.

The European Council adopted a plan to combat climate change for 2013-2020: reduce EU GHG emissions by 20% from 1990 levels, raise the renewable resources share of EU energy consumption to 20% and improve the EU’s energy efficiency by 20%.  

This Act put forward measures on energy and construction, transport, biodiversity and the natural environment, governance, and lastly environmental and health risks. 

The Copenhagen Conference gave rise to international mobilization on an unprecedented scale and raised many hopes. Although many were disappointed by the Copenhagen Conference, it was nevertheless a step forward. It was the first set of worldwide guidelines on dealing with climate change, in particular reducing emissions and financing developing countries for the coming decades. This Accord set targets, such as limiting global warming to 2°C, and committed developed countries to an unprecedented financial contribution of $30 billion for the period 2010-2012, rising to $100 billion per year in 2020.

The Cancun Agreements consolidated the elements outlined by the Copenhagen Accord within the UN system and allowed discussions in the working groups under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol to continue on a balanced basis, with the ultimate aim of reaching a legally binding agreement. 

The Durban Conference (28 November - 9 December) saw the launch of the Durban Platform process (ADP), which should lead to the adoption of a universal agreement in 2015. It should give rise to a “protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force”, applicable to all Parties to the UNFCCC. The new instrument should be adopted in 2015 and implemented as of 2020.

COP17 also saw the launch of a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, for eight years from 1 January 2013. It also enabled the effective launch of the Green Climate Fund and the biennial publication of developing countries’ emission inventories. 

The main achievements of Rio+20 were: recognition of the green and equitable economy and the social dimension of sustainable development; creation of a high-level political forum on sustainable development; strengthening of UNEP; launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotion of the role of civil society.  

In Doha (26 November - 7 December), governments agreed to work towards drafting a universal agreement on climate change by 2015 and finding ways to increase efforts to reduce GHG emissions beyond existing commitments. They also adopted the Doha Amendment, which launched the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

During the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP19) in Warsaw, France is officially appointed as host country for the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties in 2015.

Organized by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The event brought together more than 120 Heads of State for a day of climate mobilization.

The leaders of the 28 Member States met in Brussels and reached an agreement on European energy and climate policy for the period up to 2030. This “framework for climate and energy” identified three objectives: 

- reduce the EU’s GHG emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990;
- increase the renewable energy share of EU energy consumption to at least 27%;
- raise energy efficiency by 27%.

COP20/CMP10 has led to new 2015 agreement on climate change, that will harness action by all nations. Nations concluded by elaborating the elements of the new agreement, scheduled to be agreed in Paris in late 2015, while also agreeing the ground rules on how all countries can submit contributions to the new agreement during the first quarter of next year. Lima Call for Climate Action Puts World on Track to COP21/CMP11 - Paris 2015.

Négociations officielles des Nations unies à Genève - Suisse, afin de travailler sur le texte de l'accord qui devra être trouvé à Paris.

Biodiversity and Climate Change in Interaction: Creating new life possibilities. The 3rd Assises du Vivant: 9-10 February 2015

Humanité et Biodiversité, Institut INSPIRE and UNESCO joined forces to organize the 3rd Assises du Vivant, "Biodiversity and Climate Change in Interaction: Creating new life possibilities". This is one of the first COP21 labelled events of the year, with two days of debate based around three themes: 

• Rethinking conservation: towards ‘no regrets’ strategies
• Developing ecological solidarity and environmental justice: to be on the side of life
• Being an entrepreneur differently: linking performance and resilience

With the aim, in light of the alarming signals, to mobilize our energy, creativity and desire to take control of our common destiny.

For a summary of the Assises:

http://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/programme_assises-du-vivant-2015_en.pdf

Lauren Legarda, Philippine Senator, and Marion Cotillard, French actress launched together the Manila call on climate change introduced by French President François Hollande.

The video of Manila call on climate change

This annual event, first held in 2004, aims first and foremost to raise public awareness of climate issues, provide an exchange and discussion platform for professionals, enhance skills and create synergies. The Forum is structured as follows:

- A PUBLIC programme, organized according to theme: EXCHANGE (participatory debates, science bar), YOUTH (educational workshops, performances), INSTITUTIONS (actions to raise awareness, advice and expertise, relaying information), CULTURE (bookshop, photography exhibition, film screening), NATURE (mini-market biofuel, urban vegetable gardens) and INNOVATION (innovative start-ups, serious games, television and radio weather reporting).

- A PROFESSIONAL programme, bringing together over 400 participants from around fifty countries: scientists, civil society actors and weather reporters who discuss climate change issues during an international conference and media workshops.

For more information: www.forumeteoclimat.com

Parties submit their contributions to the UNFCCC (particularly on reduction of GHG emissions under the 2015 agreement). 

The We Love Green festival is an environmentally responsible, committed festival of contemporary music, which was held for the fourth time on 30-31 May 2015 at the Parc de Bagatelle in Paris, hosting over 34,000 festival-goers over two days. Beyond its environmentally-friendly organization, We Love Green intends to provide a platform for change agents: high-profile figures, associations and businesses are invited to come and raise public awareness of sustainable development issues and present existing solutions. This year, ahead of COP21, a new ambitious feature was included for the first time: a third stage, the THINK TANK stage, used solely for lectures, debates and film screenings on the theme of sustainable development, to include an educational aspect and inspire ideas among a new, receptive generation, to encourage relevant debates and shared emotions, and mobilize people in preparation for COP21.
The programme included five major films and documentaries, and 22 visionary speakers such as Jeremy Rifkin, Paul Watson, Pascal Canfin and Jean-Louis Etienne.

On 6 June 2015, a global citizen consultation on climate and energy will take place. The organizers of this ambitious initiative are aiming to have 100 countries involved.  In each country, 100 citizens with no special knowledge of these issues will attend an information and discussion day enabling them to reach an informed opinion and express their views on five key subjects to be negotiated with a view to COP21. The same protocol will apply in each country.
This methodology has already been used twice at the global level, at the climate COP15 (2009) and the biodiversity COP11 (2012). The aim is to encourage citizens to express their views on issues judged to be complex.
This project is led by the French National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP, Commission nationale du débat public), in collaboration with several partners and with the support of the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The global citizen consultation has been labelled “COP21”. Its results will be presented at the next negotiating session in Bonn in June 2015. Find out more. 

The Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Arctique (Arctic Ecology Research Group, GREA) organized an initiative called  « L’Arctique sentinelle du climat » in partnership with Burgundy University, Burgundy Regional Council and the City of Dijon. A round-table discussion was held on the evening of Saturday, 6 June 2015 (Burgundy University), under the high patronage of Jean Jouzel, with guest speaker Allain Bougrain Dubourg and participants Jean Louis Étienne, Jean Christophe Victor, Romain Troublé, Olivier Gilg and Émilie Gauthier. An exclusive interview with Michel Rocard was presented during the evening, which was hosted by Brigitte Sabard. This event commemorated 25 years of Ecopolaris missions led by GREA. It offered an overview of the impacts of global warming in the Arctic and the prospects for this region through two exhibitions at Latitude21 in Dijon and science workshops. 

On the occasion of World Oceans Day on 8 June, Green Cross, with over 20 partner networks, organized a major "Paris Climate 2015 - Objective Ocean: Proposals for the blue economy" event, at the European Space Agency in Paris, 2-7 p.m.

Following on from the Rio 2012 commitments, this conference mobilizes the economic sectors and the territories around commitments and concrete proposals which show that it is possible to quickly take real action via the health of oceans to preserve the climate and the planet.  An ocean in good health makes a significant contribution to the fight against climate disruption and preserving oceans and the coast is an essential issue for adaptation and mitigation.

This event is acting to help ensure that Paris Climate 2015 makes decisive decisions, especially as regards the ocean.  We will realize this in particular during the World Summit Climate & Territories in Lyon on 1-2 July and at the Grand Palais during Paris Climate 2015. 

More details: http://bit.ly/CoP21OCEAN (in French)

WeForest, in partnership with KU Leuven, is bringing together scientists and policy-makers for a 3-day workshop to achieve greater clarity in our understanding of the central role forests play in supporting basic climate system processes crucial for the water cycle and the quality of human life. The goal is to stimulate debate that will foster greater scientific clarity and consensus on the benefits of forests for the water cycle. To contribute to a solution-based approach, the meeting seeks to provide policy makers with clear information that can mobilise them toward building strategies for addressing issues such as climate change, adaptation, resilience, water management and land use planning.

For more information refer to website:

Contact:  Victoria Gutierrez

Désertif’actions 2015 (D’a15) is the Civil Society International Forum dedicated to land degradation and combating desertification. It will bring together over 300 international development stakeholders on 10-13 June in Montpellier. 

For further information: http://www.desertif-actions.fr/en/

Created in 1937, the Association of Territorial Engineers of France (AITF) brings together 4,500 engineers working throughout local authorities and is without doubt the biggest network for exchanges and capitalization of experiences for planning and territorial development. 

The AITF wanted to commit to securing a global agreement for the 2015 Paris international climate conference (COP21) and chose the theme: “Climate and Territory: from intentions to action” as the common thread for its conference, “National Public Engineering Meetings” in Toulouse on 11-12 June 2015. 

In their daily work, territorial engineers feel particularly affected by the challenges posed to local authorities by global warming.    

During this two-day conference, debates on themes linked to climate change and the problems encountered by local authorities will be submitted to 500 participants and solutions will be put forward to tackle them.

Alongside local elected representatives, territorial engineers fully intend to play a part in the fight against global warming.

More Information: www.ingenierie-territoriale.fr

From 11 to 12 June 2015, scientists, students and policy-makers gathered in Durban for a two-day side event to the UNESCO conference Our Common Future under Climate.

This event was jointly organised by the Water Research Commission (WRC), the University of KwaZulu-Nata (UKZN), the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), the French Embassy in Pretoria, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and ESASTAP Plus (Strengthening Technology, Research and Innovation Cooperation between Europe and South Africa). The main objectives of this platform were to:

• Share experiences in ‘best management practices’ for water-related WRC research projects;
• Enhance scientific cooperation for Human Capital Development in the context of Climate Change;
• Explore opportunities to strengthen the international cooperation in science research and development, particularly through H2020;
• Discuss cooperation with South Africa in water research within the COP21 framework.

The international conference on "Networks of the future and the future of networks", co-organized by ERDF (Electricité Réseau Distribution France) and the Mouvement Européen-France , was held on 12 June 2015 in Nice. The energy transition - its implementation and its future - were at the heart of debates around many prominent figures who included Jean-Marie Cavada, Christian Estrosi, Michel Derdevet, and Lord John Mogg. Smart grids, which are key components of this transition at local, national and European level, including "Nice Grid", ERDF's smart grid demonstration project in Carros, were also central to discussions. Participants agreed in particular on the need for massive investment in the energy transition and involvement of all public and private actors and civil society in introducing sustainable solutions to ensure its success at all levels. 

HWIMC is based on an all-new concept which includes both an innovative model for simulating negotiations and a partnership with the French Embassy in Argentina and the MINU (International United Nations Model) Association. The project therefore has the benefit of combining our respective expertise, including that of CliMates with the COP in MyCity team.

This project is based around two highlights, one in Paris on 13 June 2015, the other in Argentina.  Two types of simulation will thus be organized: a simulation of negotiations on a heatwave which hits Paris in 2045 and an organized simulation of negotiations based on the COP model with innovative interactions.

Our objective is to allow the young participants to compare global and local perspectives on climate change issues but also to suggest innovative solutions. The format of the simulations proposed by CliMates thus helps to educate people on climate change and spread scientific knowledge.

More Information : www.studentclimates.org/

LCS-RNet is an international network of researchers and research organizations aiming to support the fight against climate change and promote low-carbon societies. It was set up by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment in 2008, which has since then been supporting the operations of a secretariat hosted in Tokyo by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

With a view to COP21, on 15-16 June 2015 LCS-RNet held its 7th Annual Meeting in Paris.  The theme was building dialogue between scientific circles and "political" decision-makers in order to ensure equitable access to low-carbon development in the countries of the North and South.

The main outcome of this conference will be a consensual declaration on the way in which COP21 can produce a self-reinforcing international support process for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) made by each country within the framework of the future international agreement on climate change.

In partnership with ADEME and CIRED, the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy is supporting for the second time the annual LCS-RNet conference, following the 3rd Conference in 2011, which was also held at the Collège des Bernardins.

The French Federation of Local Public Enterprises is an association established in 1956 which represents 1220 Mixed Economy Companies (SEM), Local Public Companies (SPL) and Single Operation SEMs (SEMOP). For 25 years, it has organized a biennial Conference of Local Public Enterprises Overseas, which is hosted by different overseas territories in turn. The 12^th Conference of Local Public Enterprises Overseas took place from 16 to 18 June 2015 in Martinique, on the theme of “Local Public Enterprises at the heart of the transitions”. The three days of discussions focused on the environmental and energy transitions. The main aim of the conference was the exchange of best practices among local public economy stakeholders. Locally elected officials, brought together for this veritable congress of overseas territories, spoke about their efforts to mitigate and anticipate the effects of climate change. Their decisions are leading to the creation of Local Public Enterprises that produce renewables, develop public transport and build the cities of tomorrow.

The French Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Women’s Rights is organizing an international conference on the theme on 18-19 June: "Climate, health, disparities: which solutions?". In the presence of the Minister, researchers, civil society representatives, elected representatives and international organizations will discuss the challenges to be addressed and the solutions which could have a key impact on the people’s health and living conditions.

We are aware of the consequences of extreme events (heatwaves, floods, etc.) for societies and those of general environmental degradation, which encourage air and water pollution, food insecurity and the emergence of vector-borne diseases. There are many inequalities involved in climate change, which call for targeted actions.

Paris, Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Women’s Rights - 18-19 June

Programme / Practical information

Via an interdisciplinary approach, our conference and wine tasting addressed the main impacts of climate change on the wine industry both on a local scale (typicality of protected designations of origin (PDOs), adaptation strategies) and on a macroscopic scale (impact on the French economy).

Three experts tackled these issues:

Hervé Quenol*, research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), specialist in fine-scale climate impacts on wine, scientific expert appointed by the French Ministry of Agriculture.

Joël Rochard*, Sustainable Development Director of the French Institute for Vineyards and Wine (IFV), responsible for adaptation strategies for vine growers and public authorities.

Marie-Claude Pichery*, econometrics teacher at Burgundy University, member of the European Association of Wine Economists, specialist in the costs of wine production.

The event concluded with a tasting led by the sommelier Benoît Richert and hosted by the cross-sectoral association Inter Rhône.

For more information:

Website: www.master-eddee.fr/eddee-alumni/evenements-a-venir

Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1093772047304680/ 

Policy making in the face of climate change poses several specific decision-theoretic challenges, such as the lack of sufficient information to make precise uncontroversial judgements about the probabilities of relevant events. How should decisions be taken in such situations? What is the best way to represent uncertainties that cannot be reduced to a precise probability, and how should decision makers incorporate such imprecision into their choices?

The aim of the Workshop on Decision Making under Severe Uncertainty is to bring together experts in decision working in various fields, as well as theorists in climate policy to present recent results and perspectives, lay the ground for inter-disciplinary collaboration and exchange, and define the challenges and priorities for future research.

The workshop is organised under the joint auspices of two the ARHC-funded Managing Severe Uncertainty project based at the LSE and the ANR-funded DUSUCA project based at GREGHEC (HEC Paris, CNRS).

In Madagascar, agriculture and forestry are essential sectors for national development and the well-being of the local population. Several initiatives were thus developed to preserve natural resources in these sectors, including the forest and soils. These initiatives were also taken to tackle climate change, food security and the fight against desertification and land degradation.  There are continuous threats weighing on these resources following their illicit exploitation such as slash-and-burn deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices.  

The main objective of the event is to contribute to the capitalization of these initiatives and to promote exchanges between different entities (scientists, political decision-makers, civil society) in order to reach common reflections and recommendations which will help Madagascar meet its COP21 commitments.

Project website:

http://reseau-carbone-sol-afrique.org/en/news/june-22th-2015-side-event-organised-madagascar-within-world-conference-our-commun-futur-under

Against a backdrop of energy transition and rising hydrocarbon prices, Electricité de France (EDF), La Poste (the French postal service), the Urban agglomeration of Rodez, the General Commission for Regional Equality (CGET) Massif Central, the AVERE France association, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Chamber of Trades of the Aveyron Department organized an information day on 25 June 2015 for local governments and professionals to discuss electrical and hydrogen mobility solutions.

Roundtables attended by national experts including EDF, La Poste and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), and by users such as local authorities and SMEs, provided expertise on relevant climate, economic and organizational issues. Vehicle trials then demonstrated to users their relevance for daily use.

The Journée de la Mobilité Verte (in French) demonstrated that, in rural areas, local actors are capable of mobilizing and working at their level to fight climate disruption, and of accompanying the energy transition through innovative means of transport.

The festival Là-haut sur la colline 2015, organized by the association Festi-Live, was held from 25 to 28 June in Saxon-Sion (Meurthe-et-Moselle department). The honorary president of the festival was the novelist Pierre Rabhi, whose book “Vers la sobriété heureuse” inspired the theme of the event. The organizers wanted to raise public awareness, in an artistic and educational way, of the importance of changing our lifestyles and patterns of consumption. Over four days, many conferences, workshops and concerts were organized on the theme of ecological issues. Young people and professionals from the field were invited to show their commitment to the energy transition.
 

2015 is a big year in the battle against climate change. By the end of this year leaders from all parts of the world will meet in Paris for climate negotiations ("COP21") that will set new targets for climate change.

But how many of us really know how these negotiations work? What are the potential outcomes of COP 21, and what are the implications of the decisions made regarding climate change? What is at stake?

We are inviting alumni, students, professionals, academics and anyone interested to join our discussion!

First world leading Climate Change Experts will provide latest insights and then we will negotiate ourselves!

Three simulations will take place simultaneously in London, Berlin and Zurich, which will allow us to directly compare the outcomes in these different locations on a multinational scale.

Save the date for the Climate Negotiation Simulations on Friday, June 26^th in London, Berlin and Zurich! Starting at 18:00.

More information: ckaa.eu/38-public-articles/180-cop-21.html

29 & 30 June 2015

University of Pretoria Plant Sciences Complex, Hatfield Campus                                                                                          

As the tele-epidemiology concept could be a lever to address the malaria epidemics in Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region, a bilateral discussion was engaged between the University of Pretoria Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control and the CNES, to explore the potential of a joint research project using remote sensing to help prevent malaria spread. Indeed, the elaboration of malaria predictive risk maps allows investigating impacts of climate variability and changes on the occurrence and intensity of malaria epidemics.

The objective of the conference is to draw together the key players of the projects, in order to identify partners particularly suitable for the cooperation, define the boundary conditions of the research programme and explore funding opportunities. The workshop will bring together experts from France, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Madagascar.

More Information: www.ambafrance-rsa.org/Remote-sensing-and-malaria-workshop

EDUCATE • ACT • GOVERN

On 30 June to 3 July 2015, the European Summer School provides an opportunity to critically and constructively analyze climate-related issues in relationships between science and society.  It is aimed at the heads of the public and private sectors, politicians, journalists and all persons wishing to gain a greater understanding of the ins and outs of the sometimes heated debates on the manner in which companies can tackle climate change. 

This fully international meeting will compare the representations of climate change and the inclusion of the issue of the environment in the policies of countries are varied as China, Brazil, Algeria and several European countries.  

/Side event/ of the /Our Common Future Under Climate Change/ conference, the IHEST European Summer School, with the support of the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, has been organized in partnership with ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency), CDC Group, INERIS (French National competence centre for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection) and the University of Technology of Compiègne.

More Information: www.ihest.fr/les-actualites/la-lettre-d-information/la-lettre-de-l-ihest/universite-europeenne-d-ete-2015

The World Summit Climate & Territories organized by the major international networks of local authorities and non-State actors and hosted by the Rhône-Alpes Region on 1-2 July will be the only event to bring together all these actors before COP21 in Paris.

It will highlight the actors’ commitment to the territories which want to contribute to the Agenda of Solutions. Its main objective is to show that the concrete commitments from participants in the fight against climate disruption, in particular on the territorial potential of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, contribute to making a scenario of 2°C a credible one. Its second objective is to uphold the proposals to improve the negotiating text in order to build the capacity of territorial actors to act.

With a view to COP21, these proposals will be sent to the French Presidency, as well as all States Parties and international institutions.

Earthly gardeners, Heavenly gardeners:

"Within us, man of all time. Within us, all men. Within us, animals, plants and minerals. Man is not only man. He is the universe.” The 7th International Biennial of Contemporary Art in Melle 2015 is created around this thought of Aimé Césaire. It combines ecology and philosophy with 30 extraordinary artists who cultivate life, urgently awakening consciences and alternatives, and who reposition man at the heart of vital movement, with our feet on the global garden on the balcony of the universe:  Julien Blaine, Karine Bonneval, Patricia Cartereau, Gilles Clément, Pascal Colrat & Alain Cugno, Olivier Darné and the Poetic Party, Ramesh Hengadi, Kôichi Kurita, Nicolas Kozakis & Raoul Vaneigem, Manuela Marques, Jivya Soma Mashe, Balou Jivya Mashe, Laurent Millet, Oscar Munoz, Dominique Robin, Marie-Monique Robin, Florian de la Salle, Sylvain Soussan, Yuriko Takagi, Shantaram Chintya Tumbada, Reena Umbersada, Valvi, Anil Vangad, Bill Viola.

The Melle Biennial is run by Melle town council, with the support of the Poitou-Charentes region, the Ministry of Culture and Communication-Poitou-Charentes Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs (DRAC), Deux-Sèvres departmental council, the city of Niort, Niort urban community and the towns of Saint-Martin-les-Melle, La Mothe-Saint-Héray and the Sylvain Augier Fund.

4 July - 27 September 2015 (free admission)

Tuesday to Sunday:  1:15 - 7 p.m.

Inauguration on Saturday 11 July at 2:30 p.m.

EDF is taking action for the 21^st Conference of the Parties which is to be held in December 2015 in Paris. The group’s research and development department is holding an event called “Research and Innovation for Climate and Environment” on the afternoon of 6 July at its site in Chatou.

It is a labelled side-event of the UNESCO international conference “Our Common Future Under Climate Change” and those attending the conference, including scientists, state agencies, think tanks and local government representatives, are invited (registration required).

The programme is structured around a debate on the following theme: “Industrialists and energy specialists: adaptation and fight against climate change, a major issue”.

Specialist researchers will then host the participants in laboratories and demonstration areas set up for the occasion. A buffet dinner will be held on a barge in the evening, after the event.

More Information: www.commonfuture-paris2015.org/Programme/Side-Events and www.cop21-edflabchatou.com

This one-day workshop intends to bring together experts from the industry, academia, NGOs and the government in order to present and discuss changes in the substance of economic argumentation on nuclear energy, as well as in the roles of economics and various economic experts in policymaking and political debate. The workshop will focus on three main themes:

• Which are the key factors and controversies in debates over the economics of nuclear energy? Which controversies and underlying hypotheses are the most crucial? Are there hidden costs and country-specificities?
• The weight of economic experts and arguments in policymaking on nuclear power: whose word counts? Who are the credible and legitimate experts? How has the weight of economics and economic experts changed over time? 
• Factors shaping the credibility, legitimacy and salience of economic experts and arguments in policymaking on nuclear power: why is an expert credible and legitimate while another is not? 
• The workshop will finish with a closing panel discussion, chaired by BBC journalist Rob Broomby.

ANR is hosting a day-long event recapping ten years of collaborative research, embodied by over 100 projects.

The goal of the ANR conference is to present the latest research in the field of climate change undertaken in the framework of projects funded by ANR and by the Commissariat-General for investment (“Investments for the Future” programme).

Beyond advances regarding on-going processes of change and climate evolution scenarios, the conference will include issues related to impact, resilience, adaptation and mitigation.

The following themes are touched upon:

·        Defining climate change’s various aspects and boundaries, including its interaction with ecosystems and societies using integrated approaches;

·        Recognising contributions made by social sciences and the humanities;

·        Fostering cooperation with various stakeholders and public and private actors.

www.anr.fr/en/climate/anr-conference/introduction/

Date and Time:  6 July 2015, 09:00 to 12:30
Location:  UNESCO (125 avenue de Suffren, Paris)

This side-event is convened by the World Data System—a programme of the International Council for Science—for the International Scientific Conference Our Common Future under Climate Change. Four keynote speakers representing climate scientists, data service providers, and policy makers will provide complementary high-level perspectives on the need for open sharing of quality-assured data underlying published scientific knowledge. Several speakers will also highlight and demonstrate significant contributions to promote open data sharing, improve data preservation and data services quality in support of climate change research and policymaking. The discussions will enrich the debate and inform the subsequent side event organized by the International Council for Science, which will ultimately produce a statement on key messages for the 21st UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP21) later in 2015.

The crucial issue is that, "despite our different cultural backgrounds, levels of wealth and visions of what constitutes a good society, we immediately consider how we should define the foundations of solidarity between the generations without jeopardising the future through our current actions or imposing the future on the present."

For further information: collegedesbernardins.fr/fr/evenements-culture/conferences-et-debats/l-affaire-climatique-savoir-dechiffrer-un-signal-qui-vient-de-l-avenir.html

This side event to the UNESCO’s International Scientific Conference held in Paris will include two Workshops, simultaneously scheduled for July 08, 2015. The two on-site learning experiences consist of performances where participants will have the opportunity to transform the public space into an ephemeral botanical garden, based on Roberto Burle Marx and Leandro Aristeguieta’s unique invention in Maracaibo, of a garden-school that builds itself while teaching its constructors how to do it. The first workshop will take place in Paris, at the Place Jussieu, as a perfect middle point between the University Campus Pierre et Marie Curie and the Jardins des Plantes. The second one will take place at Maracaibo’s Botanical Garden, in Venezuela, where the First School of Horticulture of Latin-American was founded (1983). Taking the botanical garden landscape typology as a point of departure, we believe that such ephemeral engagements could encourage long-lasting pedagogical transformations.

Team leaders:

O. Grauer, Visiting Professor, University of Pennsylvania, Landscape Architecture, Philadelphia, United States of America.

C. Urbina, Professor, Universidad del Zulia, School of Architecture, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

M. Villalobos, Founder Artist Creator, Botanical City Inc, New York, United States of America.

More Information: www.botanicalcity.org

The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), C3D, the Crédit Coopératif, the ORÉE Association, Solutions COP21, The Shift Project and World Efficiency have launched the Trophies for Climate Solutions to reward the best solutions in businesses (big corporations, subsidiaries, SMEs, VSEs) in two categories: mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change.

The selection board will consist of resource and climate experts and will be chaired by Hervé Le Treut, climatologist, Director of the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Research Director at the CNRS and IPCC contributor.

The Trophies (two in each category) will be awarded on 2 December 2015 during COP21, at the Solutions Gallery organized by World Efficiency at Le Bourget. The winners will be honoured at the Winners Conference on 4 December 2015 at the Grand Palais in Paris as part of the "Solutions COP21" event.

Until 15 October 2015, apply and promote your own solutions for climate change on: www.oree.org/trophees-solutions-climat.html (in French)

Friday July 10th, 2015 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – MINES ParisTech, 60 Boulevard Saint Michel, Paris

This UC Berkeley/MINES ParisTech event organized by Nadia MAIZI (CMA/MINES ParisTech and Chair Modeling for Sustainable Development) and Paul WRIGHT (Berkeley Energy & Climate Institute/UC Berkeley) proposes to explore innovative pathways needed to deal with climate urgency.

• Fresh perspectives: Contributions from MINES ParisTech students at regional, sectorial, and individual levels bringing relevant and quicker results.
• Carbon Removal Solutions: A panel will discuss options for coordinating research efforts across the international community, and options for engaging governments, industry, and NGOs in funding and executing carbon removal R&D activities.
• Advances in multi-scale models to shed light on the plausibility of long-term scenarios: International scientists from major groups and academic organizations will present the reconciliation of different scales (temporal, spatial and societal) employed in prospective exercises.

Program: www.modelisation-prospective.org

Barcelona Global Health Summer School 2015 "Climate Change and Health: Addressing the Challenge, Exploring Solutions" + Optional event "COP Simulation"

Climate change is affecting our health more than we suspect, either directly or indirectly. The 2015 Barcelona Global Health Summer School will provide a complete overview of the interaction between climate change and health to students and young professionals from different backgrounds. At the end of the week, participants will understand and be able to analyze different determinants of health, including environmental factors, the direct and indirect effects of climate change on health, and political, economic and strategic approaches to the problem and its potential solutions. The 2015 program includes a Conference of Parties (COP) simulation as an optional side event. The objective of this replication is to give an opportunity to participants to learn practical skills in global health diplomacy and international negotiation while increasing their knowledge on climate change and health and the Conference of parties (COP) process.

More Information:  www.isglobal.org

International Conference on Financing for Development 13 - 16 july Addis Ababa. More information: www.un.org/esa/ffd/ffd3/index.html

Public Debat

Monday 7 September 2015

French Institute, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT

More information: www.institut-francais.org.uk/events-calendar/whats-on/talks/climate-change-road-to-paris 

Atmosphères Festival – for a sustainable world
Courbevoie – La Défense / 16-20 September 2015

The Atmosphères Festival "for a sustainable world" uses art and creation in all their forms (cinema, shows, music, exhibitions) to understand today's world, map societal issues and lead to avant-gardist solutions. Images, feelings, meetings, debates and conferences will enable everyone to harvest many avenues for daily life in the future.

Entry to the Festival is free of charge.

The fifth edition, sponsored by climatologist Jean Jouzel, will take place from 16 to 20 September 2015 in Courbevoie and La Défense. The programme includes great previews: (La Glace et le Ciel with Luc Jacquet, Human with Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Demain with Mélanie Laurent and Cyril Dion, etc.), and several programme events dedicated to the issue of climate change.
The opening ceremony will feature a new musical creation produced by the Festival: Vivaldi's Fifth Season.


For further information: www.atmospheresfestival.com

An energy transition event for the general public  18-20 September, Parc des Expos, Quimper, Brittany

This is a didactic, entertaining and convivial event to link the different sectors of activity and increase awareness of energy transition issues, constraints and realities.

The Festival stands for a will to involve the general public and to highlight our assets so that, all together – citizens, businesses, local authorities and associations – we take up the challenge of energy transition in Brittany.

There will be three days of debate, 80 exhibitors (including from the energy, housing, transport and services sectors), exhibitions, models, video screenings, a free concert, family shows, public workshops on food, eco-habitats and smart homes, and roundtables led by prominent figures like climatologist Hervé Le Treut and the skipper Roland Jourdain, who is the sponsor of the event.

Further information and programme available on www.breizh-transition.bzh (in French)

On 26 September 2015, France Nature Environnement (FNE), with its territorial federations in Metropolitan France, will organize three major "regional climate events". French overseas departments will then mobilize in early November.

In a friendly and festive atmosphere, several thousand people will meet to discuss climate issues and the solutions offered by the fight against climate change.

Each of these events will involve a particular issue linked to climate issues:  Water and the coastlines will be discussed in Montpellier. Debates, concerts, shows and activities for all age groups will be organized by FNE Languedoc Roussillon and FNE PACA.  It will be set up by the Rhône-Alpes Region, where FRAPNA will organize conference-debates and a festive parade.  Energy saving and efficiency is the main theme put forward in western France by Bretagne Vivante, Ivine, l’UMIVEM, Côtes d’Armor Nature Environnement, FNE Pays de la Loire, Poitou-Charentes Nature and CREPAN. In Rennes, Apéro-climat, debates, theatrical performances and an energy transition village will allow the general public and regional actors to view climate issues from an energy point of view. And finally, water, energy and biodiversity will mobilize the Antilles in Pointe-à-Pitre. URAPEG FNE-Guadeloupe will bring together civil society from Guadeloupe around a variety of activities, a local producers' market and a large concert.

More Information:  http://www.fne.asso.fr/

World Efficiency, Show & Congress - Resource and climate solutions                          

The first biennial event for businesses and organizations looking for resource and climate solutions,  World Efficiency will run from 13^th to 15^th October 2015 at Paris Porte de Versailles, Hall 1. Both a show and congress, World Efficiency takes place 6 weeks ahead of COP21 and will shine the spotlight on equipment, technologies and integrated solutions offering reduced impact on resources and the climate developed by environment, energy, building, transport and engineering companies.

• 15,000 m² of exhibition space for professional solutions making it possible to save/make better use of resources, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to adapt to climate change and to preserve the environment…  

• 140 lectures and workshops, focusing on market expertise & models of governance.

• Side events organized by partners in conjunction with World Efficiency: Eco-Innovation Summit, 14^th  Meet.ING (engineering), HQE conference, Congress of the French overseas local authority association…

• Visits to model sites.

• 15,000 decision makers, specifiers and investors expected from the public and private sectors from around the world.

An event organized by Reed Expositions, the world’s leading show and congress organizer and the organizer of the Pollutec shows in France and internationally.

The Conference of University Presidents (CPU) and the University of Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, and the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) and the ESSEC Business School, are organizing an international conference on 15 and 16 October on the theme "Eco-campus 3, Commit and act together for the climate", to be preceded by an event on the evening of 14 October under the aegis of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) and KEDGE Business School. The Conference will bring together a plurality of actors, elected officials and global networks, higher education policymakers, sustainable development and heritage officials, researchers, students, local government representatives, businesses and civil society, to discuss the challenges to be addressed through higher education and research, and the role of universities and Grande Ecoles as contributors to climate solutions. 

European Marine Board Forum ‘The Ocean-Climate Nexus’ European Parliament, Brussels, 21 October 2015

The scientific forum ‘The Ocean-Climate Nexus’ will discuss the critical role of ocean science in responding to climate change. Organized by the European Marine Board and hosted by MEP Prof. Ricardo Serrão Santos, this event brings marine science research communities together in their call for ocean research funding to tackle challenges arising from climate change. Among the speakers and panelists are Prof. Mojib Latif (GEOMAR), Dr. Ceri Lewis (University of Exeter), Prof. Michael Schulz (MARUM), Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin (IOC, UNESCO) and Dr. Andrea Tilche (European Commission). The event will conclude with the presentation of a Consensus Statement on the key priorities for ocean research in the context of global change. This statement is drafted jointly by an expert group nominated from member organizations of the European Marine Board and the USA partner Consortium for Ocean Leadership. 

The Global Eco Forum is an annual multi-stakeholders event to advance sustainability amongst opinion leaders, decision-makers and civil society from around the Euro-Mediterranean region. The 2015 edition takes place in Barcelona on 22-23 October 2015 with a focus on linking Energy, Cities and Climate in the framework of the CoP21 Paris conference. On the first day, international experts, politicians, social and business leaders will share best practices and exchange experiences on how to create healthy, productive and resilient cities. On the second day, participants will discuss the path towards a global agreement on climate change and the role of citizens to make cities more sustainable. To encourage participation and collaboration, visits to sustainable initiatives and thematic workshops on urban mobility, water, agriculture, and manufacturing are also organized. The forum is complemented by a photo exhibition on the streets of Barcelona and a collective declaration to give momentum towards Paris.

The 2015 Science Day will be held on 29 October 2015 at the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (Paris-La Défense).

It will give an insight into what science can bring to the climate negotiations. The science committee will be chaired by Valérie Masson-Delmotte (research director at the Climate Sciences and Environment Laboratory (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ) / IPSL) et Sylvain Mondon (project manager at the Observatoire national sur les effets du réchauffement climatique - French national observatory on the effects of climate change).

Expected participants include representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), professionals from sectors including energy, transport, environment, etc., climate and environment experts, elected officials and representatives of local authorities responsible for regional climate and energy plans, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) champions, lecturer-researchers, students and journalists.

For more information: : meteoetclimat.fr/journees-scientifiques/

Under the initiative of the FPS (Professional Federation of Sport and Leisure Businesses), joined by other professional associations in the sports sector, as of 2015 the Ecosport Awards will select the best initiatives from industry and trade businesses for sports goods and equipment which help the environment.  

These awards, which are fully in line with the objectives of COP21, will encourage businesses in the sporting sector to develop the eco-design of their products and buildings, recycling and clean transport solutions, responsible management and raising awareness among sportspeople.  

The Ecosport Awards are handed out by a panel of judges chaired by Catherine Destivelle and are made up of figures from the sporting world, experts and journalists, with the awards ceremony to take place at INSEP Paris (National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance) in November 2015.

The deadline for submitting applications is 31 August 2015 on the website ecosportawards.com

Ahead of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference at the end of November, France Info radio station will gather 1,000 young people from around the world at the Radio France auditorium on Tuesday, 3 November to put forward climate solutions and make sure their voice is heard by political and economic decision-makers: a passing of the baton between the generation born in the 21^st century to face the climate challenge and the generation that will sit at the negotiating table during COP21. 

From September, these secondary school pupils will work on concrete proposals for projects focusing on water, food, transport, habitats and energy, which will be compiled in a Youth White Paper and submitted to the COP21 organizers.

This initiative is possible thanks to the support of the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research and the Agency for French Education Abroad, an operator of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

For More Information: www.franceinfo.fr/liste/maplanete

France will host and preside the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11), otherwise known as “Paris 2015” from November 30th to December 11th.

The International Conference on Water, Megacities and Global Change, organized in Paris by ARCEAU Île-de-France on the theme of water in megacities, will be hosted under the patronage of UNESCO from 1 to 4 December 2015, in parallel with COP21.

The Conference will bring together scientists, public and private operators, and actors from public life such as political and civil society representatives, who will gather to discuss water management specific to megacities, including in relation to climate change.

In addition to the scientific papers and flyer presentations submitted by international participants, the conference has scheduled half a day for political and civil society representatives to discuss the specific features of water management in mega-urban centres. Technical tours to promote the expertise implemented in the Île-de-France region have also been scheduled, as well as a case study session.
A selection of portraits of megacities that are emblematic of water management problems faced by these urban mega-centres will be presented to start a discussion on the difficulties encountered and the solutions provided, again in the context of climate change. 

COP21 - Nord-Pas de Calais Department

3 December 2015 – Loos-en-Gohelle

A specially chartered bullet train (TGV) will take you from the Gare du Nord in Paris to a region that has launched the Troisième Révolution Industrielle (in French) with the help of Jeremy Rifkin, an American trend analyst, towards a new development model based on the fight against the effects of climate change.

This pilot city in terms of sustainable development and leading demonstrator for the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), and the regional territorial dynamics, will lead you to the paths of transition and resilience.

Through initiatives, investments, and concrete results: demonstration tours, speedmeeting, the village of solutions, innovations, etc.

With two major conferences on new economic and change implementation models.

With the presentation of flagship projects dealing with smart grids (grid to you) and the "Biosphere Valley" concept.

In partnership with our cooperation regions: the North Rhine-Westphalia Land, Germany, and the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Board the train of change... and solutions!

COP21/CMP11, which will be held from 30 November to 11 December 2015 in Paris – Le Bourget, should be a decisive step in the negotiation of the future international post-2020 agreement. For the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, this future climate agreement will be universal and legally binding for all major GHG emitters, including both developed and developing countries. Subsequent COPs will finalize the details of the agreement so that it may enter into force from 2020, when the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends.