BIODIVERSITY-L Digest for Monday, October 20, 2014.

1. @IISDRS Summary & Analysis from #CBDCOP12
2. Invitation: Online Q and A with IPCC AR5 authors, on climate change and biodiversity, 22- 23 Oct
3. Pelicula sobre la Biodiversidad
4. ENB Writer Recruitment - IISD Reporting Services
5. Biodiversity Update - 20 October 2014 - Biodiversity Policy & Practice

Subscribe to all other IISD Reporting Services' free newsletters and lists for environment and sustainable development policy professionals at http://www.iisd.ca/email/subscribe.htm
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Langston James Goree VI <kimo@iisd.org>
To:
Cc:
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:44:19 +0000
Subject: @IISDRS Summary & Analysis from #CBDCOP12

Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12) and First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (NP COP/MOP 1)

6-17 and 13-17 October 2014 | Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea

http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/cop12/

The twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12) was held from 6-17 October 2014, in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP COP/MOP 1) was held during the second week of CBD COP 12, from 13-17 October 2014. A High-Level Segment (HLS) was held from 15-17 October 2014, under the theme "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development." Other parallel meetings included: the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Fair; the Rio Conventions Pavilion; and the Biodiversity Summit for Cities and Sub-national Governments.

Approximately 3,000 delegates attended the meetings, representing parties and other governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental, non-governmental, indigenous and local community organizations, academia and the private sector. CBD COP 12 adopted 33 decisions on a series of strategic, substantive, administrative and budgetary issues. Among other items, the meeting conducted a mid-term review of progress towards the goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi targets; and reviewed progress in providing support towards implementation, through capacity building, technical and scientific cooperation, and other initiatives. Deliberations also focused on: resource mobilization and other finance-related matters; improving the efficiency of the Convention's processes; biodiversity and sustainable development; cooperation with other organizations; marine and coastal biodiversity; biodiversity and climate change; biofuels; Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge); sustainable wildlife management; invasive alien species (IAS); synthetic biology; and ecosystem conservation and restoration.

Other highlights from COP 12 include: the launch of the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-4); deliberations on restructuring the Convention processes, including a decision on organization of concurrent meetings of the Convention and its Protocols; decisions on IAS; the HLS on "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development," which culminated in the adoption of the Gangwon Declaration; and agreement on the Pyeongchang Roadmap, containing five decisions on: mid-term review of progress towards the goals of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, and the Aichi targets; biodiversity and sustainable development; review of progress in providing support in implementing the objectives of the Convention; cooperation with other conventions; and a strategy for resource mobilization.

NP COP/MOP 1 marked the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on 12 October 2014. The meeting considered the status of the ratification and implementation of the Protocol, and adopted 10 decisions, including, inter alia: the Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) Clearing-house and information-sharing; monitoring and reporting; compliance; model contractual clauses and other voluntary instruments; capacity building; awareness-raising; the need for, and modalities of, a global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism; and organizational, financial and budgetary matters.

Convening COP 12 and COP/MOP 1 concurrently proved less challenging than some had anticipated. As a result, delegates agreed to convene future meetings of the COP and COP/MOPs of both the Nagoya Protocol and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety concurrently, beginning with the next meeting of the COP in Mexico in 2016.

The Summary of this meeting is now available in PDF format

at http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/enb09645e.pdf and in HTML format at

http://www.iisd.ca/vol09/enb09645e.html

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A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE MEETING

The days were cool and the welcome warm, as delegates arrived to under-floor heating and kimchi-flavored hotpots in the hills of Gangwon province, Republic of Korea, for the 12th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Amid the blaze of autumn colors across the surrounding hills, the meeting marked some firsts under the CBD: the first COP/MOP of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and the first COP/MOP held concurrently with the CBD COP. Euphoria around entry into force of the Protocol was tempered, however, by the findings of the Fourth Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-4) launched at the start of COP 12: GBO-4 showed that, with few exceptions, at the current rate of progress most countries are unlikely to achieve the Aichi targets by the agreed deadlines.

This brief analysis will consider in what ways the CBD COP and Nagoya Protocol COP/MOP have set parties, CBD bodies and the Secretariat on course for attaining the Aichi targets, considering the wins and losses over the two weeks in Pyeongchang.

SHI-JAKI BANI-DA (KOREAN PROVERB: STARTING IS HALF THE TASK)

Undoubtedly, the Nagoya Protocol was star of the show in Pyeongchang, as delegates celebrated the Protocol's entry into force on 12 October, with 54 ratifying countries. Entry into force also marked the achievement of the first part of Aichi Target 16, and the Protocol's first COP/MOP took steps towards operationalization by establishing its compliance committee, agreeing on how indigenous and local communities (ILCs) will participate, and setting up its Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing-house.

Many delegates welcomed the agreement that the committee's composition will include two permanent spots for ILC observers, who are self-nominated, and that issues brought to the committee can be decided by a majority vote. The COP/MOP also agreed that compliance procedures might be triggered by parties against other parties, by parties seeking assistance with compliance, and by the COP/MOP. ILCs may submit information for consideration by the compliance committee through the CBD Secretariat.

These decisions demonstrated progress on some sticky issues for decision making: whether ILCs can represent themselves under the Protocol, or must do so through governments; and whether consensus is a must for moving forward on every question. In the preparatory period leading up to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in September 2014, some countries had vigorously contested the possibility for ILCs to represent themselves alongside UN member states, rather than through them. COP 12 featured lengthy discussions on whether the term "indigenous peoples and local communities" could even be used in meeting documents. This latter point was eventually agreed, although with a reservation by Canada.

Other wins included the COP successfully expanding its scope of action on invasive alien species (IAS), by approving guidance on addressing the risks associated with the introduction of alien species as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and live bait and live food. Risk assessment and management in general has been a contested area under the CBD, as some parties argue that the Convention does not have a mandate to function as a standard-setting body, and suggest that these questions are more appropriately dealt with under the WTO. Nevertheless, the IAS decision demonstrates that the CBD can play an important role in informing and influencing international norms that affect biodiversity across a range of sectors.

The COP also agreed to establish―subject to the availability of resources―an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on synthetic biology, which will work towards determining whether and how "syn-bio" products are regulated. The thorny issue at COP 12 was how parties would establish risk assessment and risk management procedures and systems to regulate the environmental release of synthetic biology products. Parties disagreed on whether procedures and systems should be based on national, regional or international frameworks. Malaysia, the Philippines, Norway, Bolivia and others preferred that they be established under national, regional "and" international frameworks that may include the Cartagena Protocol. Others, including Brazil, Canada, Japan, the EU and Argentina, argued that, depending on national circumstances, national, regional "or" international frameworks (or any combination thereof) could be applicable. The COP eventually settled on the compromise that the establishment of risk assessment and risk management procedures or regulatory systems must be consistent with Article 3 of the CBD, which reaffirms the "no-harm principle" that states must ensure their activities do not cause damage to the environment of other states or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

KIMCHI-GUK-BUTEO MA-SI-JI MAL-RA (KOREAN PROVERB: DON'T DRINK THE KIMCHI SOUP FIRST, I.E. DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF)

Despite these gains, COP 12 stopped short on some important areas of commitment, first and foremost on the financing of biodiversity. Negotiations up to the final hours of COP 12 indicated that some developed countries, as well as some of the larger developing countries, might water down the commitment made in Hyderabad to double financial flows for biodiversity by 2015. Developed and developing countries reached an impasse in the closing hours of the COP on whether to maintain the Hyderabad commitment of "preliminary targets" in an "interim decision," with some countries wanting to defer the target date for doubling financial flows by another five years, to 2020. The COP fended off this threat, agreeing, in the end, to hold fast to the 2015 commitment, but to refer simply to "targets"—a compromise decision in place of the "final targets" on financing that many developing countries had preferred. The current decision allows for countries to renegotiate this decision at the COP 13, if they wish. Even traditional critics welcomed the decision, calling it "a step in the right direction," as it opens the way for stronger targets, if intersessional lobbying is successful.

The COP also agreed to include a reference to mobilizing domestic resources, in the face of initial opposition from some large developing countries wary of releasing the global North from its historic responsibilities. "This is the first time the COP has adopted this language, so it is, in its own way, a small breakthrough," said a Northern observer. "This kind of recognition encourages a diverse funding mix and shows parties' good faith and willingness to back up COP decisions with domestic fundraising efforts." Others, however, bemoaned the lack of stronger financing commitments at the COP, stating that budget constraints are largely a matter of priorities.

Marine issues were another area of concern at COP 12. The CBD's work on describing ecologically and biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs) was previously contested by some countries with strong fisheries interests, on the grounds that areas beyond national jurisdiction fall within the purview of an ongoing UN General Assembly process. This issue has continued to be highly sensitive for two reasons: potential overlaps with the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction process, and concerns over threats to national sovereignty from pressure to conform to international standards. SBSTTA 18, prior to COP 12, had proposed further work on EBSAs to identify "stressors" in these sensitive marine and coastal environments, potentially opening the way for greater transparency and international collaboration to address issues such as deep-sea mining and excessive pressure on fisheries. COP 12 initially managed to reach agreement with one holdout―Iceland―to approve the listing of EBSAs in its own territory. At the last minute, however, Peru, Argentina and Mexico blocked the listing of some EBSAs in their own territories, and countries stopped short of clearly prescribing a way forward on regional and cross-border cooperation. The final compromise decision is a marvel of opacity, inviting parties "who find it appropriate to do so" to undertake scientific and technical analysis in marine and coastal areas "where appropriate," but without a clear mandate for transboundary cooperation.

O-NEUL KEOD-JI ANEU-MYEON NAE-ILEUN DDUI-EOYA HAN-DA (KOREAN PROVERB: IF YOU DON'T WALK TODAY, YOU WILL HAVE TO RUN TOMORROW)

Despite some areas of progress in operationalizing the Nagoya Protocol and expanding the scope of some issues covered under the CBD, it was clear that much more is needed to reverse the tide on biodiversity loss. While GBO-4 reported that countries are on track to achieving Aichi Target 11 of conserving 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas, observers noted there is often a large gap between protection on paper and reality. On marine protected areas, GBO-4 acknowledges that the world is far from reaching this target in open ocean and deep sea areas. On many other issues, the report shows a downward trend, as forest loss, increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, coral reef degradation and species extinctions continue.

In the face of these threats, the High-Level Panel on global assessment of resources for implementing the CBD's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 estimated, in 2010, that US$150-440 billion would be needed annually in biodiversity-related financial flows to reverse the downward trend, a far cry from the approximately US$50 billion currently spent on addressing biodiversity worldwide. In this context, many delegates highlighted the potential for the post-2015 development agenda negotiations to both strengthen international commitment to biodiversity targets, and promote financial flows.

Delegates' discussion of sustainable development eventually spawned two separate decisions from COP 12: one covering integration of biodiversity into the post-2015 development agenda and the SDGs, as well as biodiversity for poverty eradication and sustainable development; and another focusing on biodiversity and human health. The question of integrating biodiversity as an economic and social consideration, not only an environmental one, was discussed at COP 12 as the Ebola crisis in West Africa brought this issue to the forefront. Delegates noted that health, in the current version of the SDGs, does not acknowledge biodiversity linkages, and that more work can be done to promote understanding of the links between ecosystem and human health. In this respect, the COP promoted recognition of biodiversity linkages with non-traditional issues and partners, setting the stage for increased and expanded cooperation in the coming months and years.

The two-day High-level Segment (HLS) during the second week placed the integration issue front and center, devoting the first morning to discussions of how biodiversity can be integrated into the sustainable development agenda at national and international levels. At the close of the HLS, ministers agreed on the Gangwon Declaration, which invites the UN General Assembly to consider integrating objectives of the CBD, the Strategic Plan and the Aichi Targets in the post-2015 development agenda.

"It's not too late for this," affirmed a couple of NGO observers. With a synthesis report to be presented by the UN Secretary-General in November, they suggested that the task for biodiversity champions could be to defend the biodiversity and ecosystems-related components of the SDG package, and to lobby for strong indicators on biodiversity to be included under the various targets.

GO-SAENG GGEUT-EH NAKI EUN-DA: (KOREAN PROVERB: AT THE END OF HARDSHIP COMES HAPPINESS, I.E. DON'T GIVE UP)

As the CBD looks increasingly to business sources for biodiversity financing, some noted that the COP appears unable to tackle hard issues and vested interests, for example, in relation to agriculture. This sector accounts for 70% of biodiversity loss worldwide, but was little discussed at COP 12. Observers suggested this is partly a turf question, as these issues are being discussed in other multilateral fora, including the FAO, but it also indicates that the CBD, as a venue, is somewhat disconnected from economic issues, despite ongoing discussion of the need for adequate valuation of ecosystem services, and initiatives such as The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB).

Nevertheless, the CBD, with its "softly, softly" approach, may succeed in advancing action in other fora besides the COP itself, and so far has provided a broad umbrella beneath which diverse initiatives are taking root. Some issues have been given a push forward through COP 12: for example, 'peace and biodiversity' emerged as a theme during the meeting, as Republic of Korea delegates highlighted success in restoring ecosystems in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, suggesting that biodiversity conservation could be a foundation for peace and reconciliation activities. A session on this topic, at the HLS, resulted in a call from Iraq for aid in assessing the impacts of violent conflict on nature and biodiversity, and delegates acknowledged the impacts of landmines and other ravages of war on the landscape, fauna and flora.

Lobbying on the sidelines during the two weeks of the COP showed there is still belief that the CBD can be a venue for consideration of biodiversity issues that don't yet have a "home" in the international system. Moreover, scientific and technical work commissioned by the COP can potentially advance international standard setting, as seen in the case of syn-bio and risk assessment. While conservationists at COP 12 lamented the failure to advance international cooperation on EBSAs, they acknowledged that the issue could be viewed from a "glass half-full" perspective. "At the end of the day, we have 150 EBSAs that we didn't have two years ago, and this does provide some basis for extending our work on marine issues with governments," commented one.

The CBD, some suggest, may function as the soft underbelly of international environmental decision making, where emerging issues can penetrate the multilateral system, with a chance of gaining legitimacy and further currency. In this respect, COP 12 was able to somewhat advance the reach and scope of the CBD on a limited number of issues.

While there were few headline-making decisions coming out of COP 12, some viewed this as an indication that implementation is under way, fulfilling the calls made at COP 11. The task for countries in the post-2015 era will be to not backslide on commitments, but to hold steady, defending the CBD as the prime venue where threats to biodiversity can be addressed.

This analysis, taken from the summary issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin © enb@iisd.org, is written and edited by Beate Antonich, Tallash Kantai, Elena Kosolapova, Ph.D., Suzi Malan, Chad Monfreda, Delia Paul, Elsa Tsioumani, and Asterios Tsioumanis, Ph.D. The Digital Editor is Francis Dejon. The Editor is Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. <pam@iisd.org>. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI <kimo@iisd.org>. The Sustaining Donors of the Bulletin are the European Commission (DG-ENV and DG-CLIMATE) and the Government of Switzerland (the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC)). General Support for the Bulletin during 2014 is provided by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SWAN International, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Ministry of Environment (through the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies - IGES), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Specific funding for coverage of this meeting has been provided by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH/German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Finnish Ministry of Environment. Funding for translation of the Bulletin into French has been provided by the Government of France, the Wallonia, Québec, and the International Organization of La Francophonie/Institute for Sustainable Development of La Francophonie (IOF/IFDD). The opinions expressed in the Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD or other donors. Excerpts from the Bulletin may be used in non-commercial publications with appropriate academic citation. For information on the Bulletin, including requests to provide reporting services, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at <kimo@iisd.org>, +1-646-536-7556 or 300 East 56th St., 11D, New York, NY 10022 USA.

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Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI
Vice President, Reporting Services and United Nations Liaison
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) -- United Nations Office
300 E 56th St. Apt. 11D - New York, NY 10022 USA
Direct Line: +1 973 273 5860 Plaxo public business card: http://kimogoree.myplaxo.com

Email: kimo@iisd.org Mobile phone: +12128107701 Skype: kimogoree Twitter: @kimogoree

Where: NYC through 3 November, 5-8 Bangkok (Mercury), 9-12 Dammam/Abu Dhabi, 13-14 Nairobi, 16-18 Paris

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Veronica Lo <lo.veronica@gmail.com>
To:
Cc:
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 00:49:26 +0200
Subject: Invitation: Online Q and A with IPCC AR5 authors, on climate change and biodiversity, 22- 23 Oct

Dear colleagues,

Understanding the scientific basis for the linkages between biodiversity and climate change is critical to achieving biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, and effective National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

On behalf of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, you are invited to participate in a series of upcoming activities that provide guidance on integrating the latest climate change findings into NBSAPs.

First in the series are online question and answer sessions with expert authors of the IPCC 5th Assessment Report (AR5), at the UNEP Expert of the Day website:

22 October 2014: Dr. Guy Midgley (South Africa)

Topic: What Does the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report Tell Us About Terrestrial Biodiversity?

23 October 2014: Dr. William Cheung (Canada)

Topic: What Does the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report Tell Us About Marine Biodiversity?

Questions can be submitted on the above topics to Dr. Midgley on 22 October, and Dr. Cheung on 23 October, at www.unep.org/experts. Expert profiles will be posted soon.

We welcome you to take advantage of these unique opportunities to connect with IPCC experts, and look forward to your participation!

Kind regards,

Veronica Lo, on behalf of the organizers

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jan Kuenzl <jan.kuenzl@edeos.org>
To:
Cc:
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 03:22:57 -0500
Subject: Pelicula sobre la Biodiversidad

Estimados señoras y señores,

hemos producido una película sobre la biodiversidad y traducido al español. Puedes verlo aqui:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQS3DBz6-E
La película forma parte del proyecto educativo "WissensWerte" de la asociación aleman no commercial /e-politik.de/ e.V.
Agradeceríamos si difundirlo.

Saludos cordiales,
Jan Künzl

--
Geschäftsführer
edeos- digital education
www.edeos.org
jan.kuenzl@edeos.org

Schonensche Str. 3
10439 Berlin
Tel: 030/ 68 00 43 22
Mob: 0176/ 207 906 28

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: IISD Reporting Services <iisd-rs@iisd.org>
To:
Cc:
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:16:40 -0500
Subject: ENB Writer Recruitment - IISD Reporting Services

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Announcement from Monday, 20 October 2014

ENB WRITER RECRUITMENT - INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

[DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION]

The International Institute for Sustainable Development, Reporting Services Division (IISD RS), is adding new writers to its team of freelance consultants (the "ENB Team") who write and edit the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and IISD's other conference reporting services. (For more information on these publications, visit http://www.iisd.ca, and to see the existing ENB Team, visit http://www.iisd.ca/about/team/).

Please note that these are not full-time positions and applicants should only apply if interested in part-time consulting work.

IISD is an international non-governmental organization. Qualified applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be hired on a consulting basis for meetings held in locations all over the world. We do not require or provide work permits, work visas or relocate consultants who are successful candidates for these freelance positions.

Because of the large number of applicants expected, only those who demonstrate that they meet all of the general and specific requirements will be considered. All applicants should submit a copy of their resume (Curriculum Vitae), together with a cover letter detailing how they meet each of the requirements set out below. Both the CV and cover letter are used in the ranking of candidates.

The deadline for applications is 1800 (6:00pm) GMT on Wednesday, 22 October 2014.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Work on the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and other publications requires long hours, often in small offices with other members of the team. All applicants should be able to work well in small group situations, handle stress and show the highest respect for co-workers even in the most trying moments.

ENB writers are paid an honorarium that is scaled according to experience on ENB teams (from US$1200 to US$2550 per week). IISD reimburses all business-related and travel expenses while attending meetings. Consultants are required to be available for at least four meetings per year, with between five and sixteen days of work per meeting.

Each successful candidate will spend three days in a training session before joining the ENB team.

Candidates should NOT be looking for full-time work at present and should demonstrate how part-time work on the ENB Team will incorporate into their other freelance work or studies.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

All applicants should:

be enrolled in or about to begin a Ph.D. program or hold a Ph.D. or LL.M degree, or have at least five years of UN environment or sustainable development policy experience (working, lobbying or negotiating in the UN system);
have worked, published or undertaken academic research on one or more of the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) covered by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin;
demonstrate complete fluency in understanding and speaking English and have both recent experience in writing in English and strong written and conversational language skills in one other UN language (French, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese or Russian);
have a good understanding of multilateral negotiations and the UN system;
work well in small groups and have the flexibility to travel to international meetings for periods of up to three weeks at a time;
be available for at least four assignments per year;
be able to type well enough to take legible verbatim notes; and
have a laptop computer.

HOW TO APPLY

Send an e-mail to tomilola@iisd.org with a copy of your Curriculum Vitae/resume and a letter of introduction that explains your interest in working for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, listing specific information on your issue expertise in any of the policy issues we follow, any recent academic publications, and how you meet each of the minimum requirements. Applicants should fully articulate their depth of background and experience in multilateral negotiations, and detail language abilities.
List details of two professional referees.
Include your skype username.

Application deadline: 1800 (6:00pm) GMT on Wednesday, 22 October 2014.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

All cover letters and resumes/CVs will be reviewed and ranked according to the specific requirements (a-h) set out above. Because we anticipate a large number of applicants, we apologize that we will only contact those who we have ranked highly. We anticipate that we will be contacting the highly ranked candidates on or before 30 October, to arrange a telephone/skype interview to be held between 1-5 November.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to participate in a "virtual" tryout, which will be held at an agreed time between 10-12 November. During this tryout, candidates will be asked to listen to negotiations (recorded and streamed over the Internet), take notes, and then summarize the discussion in ENB style.

Results of the tryouts will be evaluated, and successful candidates will be notified by 17 November.

Those offered a place on the team are required to attend a training session in New York, NY, from 14-16 January 2015.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Successful candidates in the past have been former negotiators, professors, Ph.D. students, international environmental lawyers, and retired UN staff. ENB writers have a history of being interested in, and involved with, multilateral environmental agreements and have been readers of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin prior to joining the team. IISD is seeking candidates who can demonstrate that they share the same passion for transparency and commitment to good environment and sustainable development governance that we do. In particular, we prefer candidates who have already developed their own networks in the international environment and sustainable development policy and academic communities. Most importantly, as in life, creativity and imagination count.

IISD Reporting Services' Knowledge Management Products

IISD RS' Knowledge Management knowledgebases track, synthesize, categorize and publish timely information on UN and intergovernmental activities addressing policy issues related to climate change, sustainable development, the post-2015 development agenda, biodiversity, SIDS, water, land, forests, sustainable energy, and chemicals and wastes. Each post is researched and written by our team of thematic experts. All of our work is copyrighted, and can be cited with appropriate attribution and a link back to our original work. Visit all of our knowledgebases to search for information about specific international actors and themes:

IISD RS (ENB - CRS)	IISD RS (Videos)	Sustainable Development	Climate Change	Sustainable Energy	Water and Sanitation	Biodiversity

www.iisd.ca	www.iisd.ca/videos	sd.iisd.org	climate-l.iisd.org	energy-l.iisd.org	water-l.iisd.org	biodiversity-l.iisd.org
Forests	Land	Chemicals and Wastes	Small Island Developing States (SIDS)	African Regional Coverage	Asia-Pacific Regional Coverage	Latin America & Caribbean Regional Coverage

forests-l.iisd.org	land-l.iisd.org	chemicals-l.iisd.org	sids-l.iisd.org	africasd.iisd.org	asiapacificsd.iisd.org	larc.iisd.org

For further information, please contact iisd-rs@iisd.org

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: IISD Reporting Services <iisd-rs@iisd.org>
To:
Cc:
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:40:49 -0500
Subject: Biodiversity Update - 20 October 2014 - Biodiversity Policy & Practice

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