Environmental Policy Framework Conditions, Innovation And Technology Transfer

19-Nov-2009

This paper was prepared by Nick Johnstone and Ivan Haščič (OECD Secretariat). It is a contribution to the OECD project on “Environmental Policy and Technological Change”. It focuses on the effects of environmental policy framework conditions on innovation with respect to air and water pollution abatement, and solid waste management.

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Co-operation

19-Nov-2009

This policy guidance provides essential information and advice on mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development. The objectives are to: i) promote understanding of the implications of climate change on development practice and the need to mainstream adaptation in development co-operation; ii) identify appropriate approaches for integrating adaptation into development policies at national, sectoral, project levels and at local contexts; and iii) identify practical ways for donors to support developing country partners in reducing their vulnerability to climate change.

New Consensus Document on compositional considerations for new varieties of CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta)

16-Nov-2009

A Consensus Document on compositional considerations for new varieties of CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta), number 18 in the Series on Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds, is now available online. It contains information on key nutrients, anti-nutrients, toxicants and allergens of food and feed obtained from this staple crop of major importance to many tropical-subtropical regions of the world.

Publication of the OECD Guidance Document on Defining Minor Uses of Pesticides

06-Nov-2009

This Guidance Document has been developed to help countries define minor uses of pesticides at national or regional levels with the aim of enhancing the consistency among countries.  It does not give an OECD definition, but rather it lists the critical elements to consider when developing a minor use definition. It was developed by Australia and reviewed on several occasions by the OECD pesticide groups.

Publication of the OECD Strategic Approach in Pesticide Risk Reduction

06-Nov-2009

The OECD Strategic Approach in Pesticide Risk Reduction:

• takes into account some of the main outcomes from OECD’s work on pesticide risk reduction,
• identifies the core elements that contribute to the reduction of risks arising from the use of pesticides,
• describes the main measures that lead to a significant reduction of pesticide risks (e.g. registration, compliance, IPM, training, technology, R&D, etc.), and
• recommends key elements for ensuring implementation and adoption of national action plans.

Publication of the OECD Survey on Countries’ Approaches to the Collection and Use of Agricultural Pesticide Sales and Usage Data: Survey Results

06-Nov-2009

This report presents the results of an OECD survey that gathered information from twenty countries on how they collect and use sales and usage data concerning agricultural pesticides. The survey focused on the collection processes, the type of data that are collected and how these data are used and analysed.  This survey provides more current and comprehensive data than that collected in a previous OECD survey conducted in 1997 which focused exclusively on agricultural pesticide sales data (see ENV/JM/MONO(99)1 .)

Publication of the Report of the Seminar on Pesticide Risk Reduction through Spray Drift Reduction Strategies as Part of National Risk Management

06-Nov-2009

This report presents the results of an OECD Seminar (June 2008) that looked at strategies to reduce pesticide spray drift and thus reduce risks posed by the application of pesticides on crops. Participants discussed various approaches for spray drift reduction (e.g. buffer zones, drift reduction technologies, labels), and developed several recommendations for promoting spray drift reduction technologies and policies.  Please also visit  www.oecd.org/env/spraydrift  (from 2010).

Main part of the report 
Complete report (size: 16 MB)

Publication of the Report of the Seminar on Pesticide Risk Reduction through Education / Training the Trainers

06-Nov-2009

This report presents the outcomes of an OECD Seminar (November 2007, Mexico) that reviewed current approaches to achieving pesticide risk reduction through education and training for trainers. Participants discussed the various aspects of training programmes such as qualification, quality of training, communication and economic aspects. The Seminar recommended that countries develop training strategies and the OECD conduct a survey on education and training programmes.

Main part of the report 
Complete report  (size: 25 MB)

Ireland should use the economic crisis to move to a clean, low-carbon society, says OECD Secretary-General Gurria

04-Nov-2009

The current economic crisis offers an opportunity to transform Ireland’s growth model and make it stronger, cleaner and fairer. The OECD Secretary-General is presenting 38 recommendations to the Irish government to help move in that direction. Recommendations include:
• Strengthening efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
• Charging households for consumption of water
• Ratifying the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

The scope for CO2-based differentiation in motor vehicle taxes - In equilibrium and in the context of the current global recession

12-Oct-2009

This paper, prepared by Rana Roy, Consulting Economist, London, UK, addresses the scope for CO2-based differentiation in motor vehicle taxes, both under conditions of equilibrium and in the context of the current global recession.