New online discussion forum

The Earth System Governance Project has started a new major initiative related to the upcoming “Rio+20” UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The Rio conference is less than a year away, and likely to be the biggest intergovernmental event in our field in a decade. What is clear from the preparatory process is that fresh ideas from the policy and academic community are needed.

Many proposals are currently being developed. To further this process, the Project has set up a new online discussion forum on 'international environmental governance' (the key concept used in UNEP reform debates) and on the 'institutional framework for sustainable development' (the key concept at the centre of the "Rio+20" Conference). We seek here to stimulate debate and share a wide range of online resources to support current reform processes and research efforts. The forum is open for comments and viewpoints.

See www.ieg.earthsystemgovernance.org for general information, and for more detailed information on how to contribute, read here.

The Earth System Governance Project is also compiling a succinct policy-relevant assessment of the state of knowledge about the institutional framework for sustainable development, which is authored by over thirty international experts. This policy assessment, mandated by the four global change research programmes, will serve as a key input to the Rio+20 process. More information here.

We are looking forward to your comments, contributions, and feedback!