One of the great challenges of the 21st century is to bring about global equity without further overstepping the planet’s ecological limits or overusing the earth’s finite resources. Twenty years after the Rio Earth Summit and forty years after the publication of Meadows’ "Limits to Growth" the Heinrich Böll Stiftung wants to build on its successful project work on resource and agricultural policy at headquarter and country office level, and launch an international dialogue process on Resource Politics.
  more»

Unconventional and Unwanted: The Case Against Shale Gas

- February 26, 2013 -

more»

Farewell to the growth society

- January 31, 2013 - During economic downturns, the debate about the limits of growth becomes increasingly important. The "décroissance" movement, which originated in France, proposes a departure from the model of a society based on a perpetually growing economy. Advocates of "decroissance" argue against growth in favour of “having less to live better” and propose an economic degrowth.  Karin de Miguel Wessendorf more»

Unconventional Oil: A Challenge for Local Communities

- With conventional oil production in decline, the global oil industry is investing heavily in dirtier and riskier forms of oil and also in unconventional resources, such as tar sands, and oil shale. All are difficult and costly to produce, usually more carbon intensive than conventional oil and may have calamitous long-term impacts on the local environment.

 

Christopher Walker more»

Will Qatar Push for a Climate Spring?

- November 1, 2012 - Qatar, that faces many problems of climate change that many small island states do, has a golden opportunity to continue demonstrating leadership in the region beyond supporting the different revolutions. As the host of COP 18, Qatar should not only play the host but should also put climate change as the top political priority – now and in the future.

Wael Hmaidan more»

Climate Change Policy in Israel Must Become a National Priority

- November 1, 2012 - The “startup nation” Israel that exports solar technology abroad and is famous for the early implementation of solar water heaters is failing to implement renewable energy sources at home. Public awareness is low and the government lacks a coherent strategy even though impacts already affect the country: African climate refugees seeking water, food and shelter. Maya Milrad-Givon more»

The Power of Youth for Environmental Justice

- October 31, 2012 - The Arab world has witnessed uprisings from its youth, who are demanding more democratic governance systems, and particularly social justice, which implies both economic and environmental justice. But those regimes remain unaware of the power of the youth, who can deliver solutions for climate change. Waleed Mahmoud Mansour more»

After spring comes? Recent development investments into the MENA region

- October 31, 2012 - In the wake of the Arab Spring, G8 countries and other nations have pledged major sums to stabilize the region. These financial and economic support packages could also fail to stabilize the region. Successfully managing the wide range of risks involved in the region requires addressing vulnerabilities directly in order to turn what will be a low-carbon and resource-constrained future from a risk into an opportunity.  Sabrina Schulz more»

The Middle East and North Africa’s Water Resources in a Changing Climate

- October 31, 2012 - The Middle East and North Africa region is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its already scarce water resources, the high levels of aridity, and the long coastal stretch. Adaptation to the impacts of climate change must start from now to build up the resilience of the affected countries and communities within. Nadim Farajallah more»

Green Growth Unravelled

- October 23, 2012 - The concept of ‘green growth’ rests on the idea of an ‘efficiency revolution’ – climate-friendly technologies, sustainable industrial and transport sectors, and an efficient use of resources. But while vast productivity increases do indeed incentivize a more efficient use of energy, they raise demand at the same time. This paper explores the range of possible rebound effects, their quantitative extent and the difficulties encountered by political efforts to contain them. Timan Santarius more»

more about "Resource Governance"»