Institute Staff to Attend Cancún Climate Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2010
CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu

Editor’s Note: Follow along on the National Journal’s Cancún Insider Blog, Climate Shifts Blog and The Water Log for conference-related updates from Institute staff.

Durham, N.C. -- Seven members of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions are participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico this month.

The Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change brings leaders from across the world together to take action to address climate change and move toward creating a global treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol, which currently requires most developed countries to cut emissions, expires in 2012.

Institute staff will participate in the latter portion of the conference, which is set for Nov. 29-Dec. 10 in Cancún. Scheduled engagements include:

--“Linking the Science and Economics of Blue Carbon,” Brian Murray will chair this panel, Dec. 4.

--Lydia Olander and Peter McCornick will display the Institute’s work in an exhibit at Agricultural and Rural Development Day, Dec. 4.

--Brian Murray will speak during the “Oceans and Climate: Action Plan for Survival,” side event organized by the Zoological Society of London and the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, Dec. 6.

--A side event, sponsored by the Institute and the Woods Hole Research Center, will feature Brian Murray. Murray will speak on “Establishing Standards for Economic Mechanisms,” related to Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) Policy, Dec. 7.

--The Institute will host “The Global Climate Challenge: What New Doors May Open in Cancún,” invitation-only dinner, along with the German Marshall Fund of the United States and Evolution Markets, Dec. 8.

The Institute delegation includes: Brian Murray, director for economic analysis; Lydia Olander, director of ecosystem services; Peter McCornick, director of water policy; Jonas Monast, senior policy associate; Aaron Jenkins, associate in research for economic analysis; Colette Watt, research and staff assistant and Clare Fieseler, junior fellow of ocean and coastal policy.

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The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
Founded by Duke University in 2005, the Nicholas Institute helps decision makers in government, the private sector and the nonprofit community address critical environmental challenges. Since its inception, it has earned a distinguished reputation for its innovative approach to developing viable solutions to these challenges through programs in key areas, which include climate and energy, water, ocean and coasts, corporate sustainability and ecosystem services.