Buildings are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Worldwide, 30 to 40 per cent of all primary energy (i.e. energy contained in raw fuels) is used in buildings. [Wednesday, 16 July 2008]
UNECE countries face inevitable climate change, experts have warned. Preventing change is not an option, but helping society to adapt to the warmer world that lies ahead offers hope of reducing the impacts to more tolerable levels. [Friday, 4 July 2008]
The hope of architecture in the UNECE region
In the transition countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) and South-Eastern Europe (SEE), three generations of buildings are identified with the names of the Soviet leaders at the time of their construction – Stalinka, Krushchevka and Brezhnevka. [Tuesday, 1 July 2008]
An effective and balanced intellectual property (IP) regime increases national wealth and benefits consumers by stimulating research and investment into new technologies and innovative products, and by enabling the transfer of technology, including between countries at different stages of economic development. [Tuesday, 1 July 2008]
Seventy three million cars were manufactured worldwide in 2007. The valuable impact of motorization on economic development and the freedom of movement has, unfortunately been accompanied by environmental and safety hazards. The United Nations vehicle regulations have a prominent role in the construction of safer and cleaner vehicles, as well as facilitating international trade. [Monday, 16 June 2008]
Ten years after its adoption, the Parties to the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters have agreed to strengthen environmental democracy within the UNECE region and to promote its principles worldwide. [Friday, 13 June 2008]