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The first and second editions of the Handbook, on which this Pacific version is substantially based, were prepared as a practical introduction to negotiating or working on Mulitlateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). They were prepared for people with little or no technical background in negotiations.They were also intended to function as a key reference tool for experienced negotiators. As a result the subject matter is developed at a relatively broad level. However, technical information and language was retained and used in context, with understanding facilitated by a comprehensive glossary prepared by UNEP. This new handbook preserves these key aspects but has enhanced the accessiblity of information and, were appropriate, used examples and material of particular relevance to the Pacific Region

On 11 November 2014, a remarkable event occurred. President Barack Obama of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China announced a bilateral agreement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause global warming by their respective nations. On 12 December 2015, a year and a month later, representatives of 195 countries attending the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Paris, France, announced the Paris Climate Agreement. The goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to limit the future emission of GHGs such that the rise in global mean surface temperature will be no more than 1.5 °C (target) or 2.0 °C (upper limit) above the pre-industrial level. The Paris Climate Agreement utilizes an approach for reducing the emissions of GHGs that is distinctly different than earlier efforts. The approach for Paris consists of a series of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), submitted by the world’s nations, reflecting either a firm commitment (unconditional INDCs) or a plan contingent on financial and/or technological support (conditional INDCs). The Obama–Xi announcement was instrumental in the framing of the Paris Climate Agreement. The INDCs submitted by the USA and China were built closely upon the November 2014 bilateral announcement. China and the USA rank number one and two, respectively, in terms of national emission of GHGs. Practically speaking, unified global action to combat global warming required these two nations to get on the same page.

Protected natural areas deserve the combination of nature uniqueness and conservation willing. The foundation stone for National Parks is the awareness of that unique character—actual or presumed, most times based on non-tangible properties or singularities —grown in some social sectors, followed by the aim of preserving particular biota, singular ecosystems or entire landscapes. This was the case for the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Like other protected areas in alpine mountains, its apparent wilderness was a key factor in declaring it National Park, in 1955. The rough relief carved in the Maladeta granodiorite batholith, including rocky crests and summits, steep slopes and glacial valley bottoms, had for long grabbed attention. The abundance of alpine lakes and other water-related systems must have been particularly attractive, in comparison with other Iberian mountains, and even with other Pyrenean areas.

The chapters of this book are derived from the UArctic Congress 2016 science sessions, focusing on themes identified in the report of the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) that was published in 2015. Themes address the changes and developments as well as the challenges and opportunities that are taking place in today’s global world. The Arctic is changing faster than any other region in the world. Its climate is changing in a speed that cannot be found anywhere else, affecting either directly or indirectly to almost everyone and everything. How can the Arctic societies and cultures, ecosystems, and environments cope with these fast changes? This book is divided into six thematic parts reflecting the congress themes: Vulnerability of the Arctic Environments, Vulnerability of the Arctic Societies, Building the Long-Term Human Capacity, Arctic Safety, and Arctic Tourism. The final part of the book “Circumpolar, Inclusive and Reciprocal Arctic” looks at the Arctic in the light of the UArctic’s mission and values; Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, professor of political sciences, addresses a number of issues surrounding the implementation of gender perspectives in the Arctic research, and Ulunnguaq Markussen, UArctic Student Ambassador, calls for an Arctic awakening of peoples in the era when Arctic is seen as a place for natural resource extraction and economic benefits.

The SPREP Strategic Plan 2017–2026 builds on the successes and lessons learned in the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011–2015. SPREP has used these lessons together with an extensive consultation process with Members, partners, and the Secretariat to develop this strategic plan. The plan has also been guided by Member commitments to the strategic directions for the region set out in the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, the priorities defined by the SAMOA Pathway,1 commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and other important regional and global commitments. Le Plan stratégique 2017–2026 s’appuie sur les réussites et sur les enseignements tirés de la mise en œuvre du Plan stratégique 2011–2015. Le PROE a associé ces enseignements à un processus de consultation des Membres, des partenaires et du Secrétariat afi n d’élaborer ce nouveau plan stratégique. Le plan a également été guidé par l’engagement pris par les Membres quant aux orientations stratégiques régionales décrites dans le Cadre pour l’intégration régionale du Pacifi que, par les priorités reprises dans le document Samoa, la voie à suivre 1, et par l’engagement envers les Objectifs de développement durable, ainsi que d’autres engagements majeurs régionaux et mondiaux.

This Annual Report notes the major achievements of SPREP in supporting Pacific island countries and territories to address issues relating to: biodiversity and ecosystem management, waste management and pollution and environmental monitoring and governance