Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Sustainability Science Fellowships at Harvard University - applications due Feb 2

Sustainability Science Fellowships at Harvard University

Doctoral, Post-doctoral, and Mid-career Fellowships

Due date for applications: February 2, 2015

 

The Sustainability Science Program at Harvard University invites applications for resident fellowships in sustainability science for the academic year beginning in September 2015. This year's competition is focused on three thematic areas related to energy and sustainability. We are seeking applications focusing on: 1) decarbonizing energy systems in the European Union; 2) designing, developing, and/or implementing sustainable energy technologies and policies in China; and 3) the impacts of fossil fuel subsidies on economic, environmental, and health indicators and the actions that can be taken to reduce them. The fellowship competition is open to advanced doctoral and post-doctoral students, and to mid-career professionals engaged in research or practice to facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective interventions that promote sustainable development.  The thematic areas are led by Professors Henry Lee and Joseph Aldy. The Program is also open, however, to strong proposals in any area of sustainability science.  In addition to general funds available to support this fellowship offering, special funding for the Giorgio Ruffolo Fellowships in Sustainability Science is available to support citizens of Italy, China, or developing countries who are therefore especially encouraged to apply. For more information on the fellowships application process see http://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/programs/sustsci/fellowships. Applications are due February 2, 2015 and decisions will be announced in March 2014.

 

Sustainable Energy and the European Union
Faculty leader:
Henry Lee, Jassim M. Jaidah Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program
Faculty co-leaders:
Laura Diaz Anadon, William Clark

This thematic area explores policies that will aid in decarbonizing the energy in the EU in view of the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policy which will be decided on in October 2014. The EU is considering more ambitious targets for renewable energy options, increased energy efficiency goals for reducing greenhouse gases by 2030. Fellows will be expected work on the sustainability of the supply chain of renewable energies in the EU, from inception to commercialization. The overall renewable energy life-cycle can be considered in its entirety or the work can focus on a specific stage of the life-cycle. The program is particularly interested in analyzing the renewable energy sustainability in EU economies that have traditionally lagged behind other member states in terms of increasing the use of renewable energy technologies and the challenges and opportunities to expand deployment and use of those technologies.

 

Sustainable Development of the Energy Sector in China: Challenges and Options
Faculty leader: Henry Lee, Jassim M. Jaidah Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program
Faculty co-leaders: Laura Diaz Anadon, Venkatesh Narayanamurti

This thematic area addresses the environmental implications of energy policies in China and explores how China can manage these implications. Fellows work to identify and promote policies that will contribute to the thoughtful use of China's natural resources (e.g., water, air, land) and/or the adoption of cleaner and less carbon-intensive industrial and energy technologies. Research areas include, but are not limited to: analyzing the impact of energy and industrial policies on water scarcity and air pollution; assessing polices to promote a low-carbon energy portfolio and an analysis of options to improve the efficient use of energy and greater penetration of alternative energy sources.

 

Fossil Fuel Subsidies: Impacts, Opportunities, and Challenges to Reform
Faculty leader:
Joseph Aldy, Assistant Professor of Public Policy

Fossil fuel subsidies distort the prices for electricity and fuels for a majority of the world's population. Failing to account for the full social cost of energy – such as human health and environmental damages – results in implicit subsidies of nearly $2 trillion globally each year. In many developing countries, government subsidies for fossil fuel subsidies compete with potentially socially desirable uses of fiscal resources, such as investments in public health, education, infrastructure, and low- or zero-emitting sources of energy. Nonetheless, pricing energy, and especially fossil fuel-based energy, below its social opportunity cost persists throughout the world and it begs the question: if fossil fuel subsidies are so bad, why are they so common? We are interested in fellows whose research focuses on 1) empirical estimates of the environmental and health impacts of subsidizing fossil fuels in developing countries, 2) the potential fiscal trade-offs associated with fossil fuel subsidies, 3) how pricing energy below cost affects global commodity price levels and volatility as well as incentives for investment in non-fossil energy alternatives, 4) the political economy that supports policies that continue to subsidize fossil fuels in developing countries, or 5) case studies of successful energy price reforms to identify key lessons for informing future reform efforts.

Monday, October 20, 2014

PhD position Environmental Governance, Land Use Change in Latin America

PhD Assistantship SUNY ESF

Environmental Governance, Livelihood Impacts of Land Use Change in Latin America

A 3-year PhD assistantship at SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is being offered in the areas of environmental governance and social and livelihood dimensions of land use change in Latin America as part of two large interdisciplinary projects.  These NSF funded projects are focused on: 1) socio-ecological impacts from bioenergy development across the Americas; and 2) coupled socio-ecohydrological systems in Mexico. The selected PhD student will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Brazil and Argentina for the bioenergy project, and in Southern Mexico's cloud forest for the project focused on payments for hydrologic services. For both projects, the PhD student will participate in qualitative interview collection and analysis, and quantitative household survey collection and analysis. He/she will function as part of an international team of students and scientists and it is expected that his/her dissertation will be related to these projects. 

Desired attributes include a passion for social science research, excitement about international field research, a strong interest in interdisciplinary science teamwork, background in social or environmental science, and Spanish and/or Portuguese language skills. Preference will be given to students already holding a master's degree in a relevant field. To apply for this position, please send your CV and a 1-page letter describing your qualifications to Dr. Theresa Selfa at tselfa@esf.edu .   Please put "PhD Assistantship" in the subject line. The PhD assistantship at SUNY-ESF includes a stipend, tuition, and most fees for a 3 full years. The selected student will complete their PhD in the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Program at SUNY, an interdepartmental program that combines social and biophysical science training. The start date for the position is as early as Winter (January) 2015, or in Fall 2015. Questions are welcome – contact Theresa at tselfa@esf.edu


SUNY-ESF is a doctoral granting university with a high level of research. With a total enrollment of about 1,700 undergraduates and 600 graduate students, ESF provides an intimate small-college atmosphere while hosting several graduate programs. SUNY-ESF and Syracuse University (SU) have adjacent campuses. ESF students have access to all SU libraries and other facilities. Graduate students have the opportunity to pursue several concurrent degrees with SU. See ESF at a glance for more information: http://www.esf.edu/welcome/facts.htm.

 

Syracuse is a mid-sized city centrally located in the state. Re-emerging from its industrial past, the city promotes a growing green technology sector, strong health care and higher educational systems, and is a leader in urban green infrastructure. The region possesses numerous physical, cultural and recreational amenities that make it a stimulating place to live. The Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers, Finger Lakes, Erie Canal and Great Lakes regions, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal are all within easy travel distances.

 

Review of applications will begin on November 1st and continue until this position is filled.  Finalists will be asked to provide letters of reference and transcripts. 

Sustainable Development Conference (IFSD)

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

 

There is less than one month to register for the 2014 Innovative Finance for Sustainable Development Conference (IFSD), taking place at the National Library in Singapore on 11 and 12 November.

Climate and development projects need more funding. The IFSD Conference, co-hosted with The Gold Standard Foundation, will assemble a collective group of leaders to address this challenge, discussing how innovative financing mechanisms, such as results-based finance, can be used to effectively fund sustainable development projects. The conference will also explore how to value and measure economic, social and environmental benefits that go beyond emission reductions.

This interactive conference is essential for forward thinking funders, project developers, non-profits and the private sector that want to fund or develop projects that will address climate change and alleviate poverty.

 

Here are just a few reasons to attend the IFSD Conference:

·         An opportunity for funders and investors to gain knowledge on the latest results-based approaches

·         Networking between funders and projects developers to explore collaboration 

·         Learn about the latest initiatives and technologies used to measure project co-benefits

·         Corporates can learn how to use results-based approaches to engage their customers, employees, and other stakeholders in their sustainability and CSR initiatives

 

Updated Agenda:

http://www.nexus-c4d.org/EDM2/Agenda-IFSD2014.pdf

 

 

Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/innovative-finance-for-sustainable-development-measuring-and-valuing-co-benefits-tickets-12406639593

 

Sincerely,

The Nexus Team

 

Ella Dodson, Communications Officer | Nexus-Carbon for Development - Cambodian office | e.dodson@nexus-c4d.org | Skype: ellamdodson | Office: +855 23 990 591
www.nexus-c4d.org


Join us for our Innovative Finance for Sustainable Development Conference on

Measuring and Valuing Co-benefits on November 11 and 12 in Singapore.

Register Now!

 


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Thursday, October 16, 2014

UNAOC Newsletter | Call for Applications: 2014 UNAOC Fellowship Programme, Europe and North American Fellows



Call for applications of emerging leaders from Europe and North America who are interested in engaging with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as part of the UNAOC Fellowship Programme.
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The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Fellowship Programme is launching a call for applications for emerging leaders from Europe and North America interested in engaging with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This year's edition will invite 15 emerging leaders from Europe and North America on an exposure visit to three or four countries in the MENA region that will take place during the first half of December 2014. 

The exposure visit will allow fellows to engage with prominent personalities and institutions in areas such as Government, International Organizations, civil society, media, social impact entrepreneurs, religion and culture. It is expected that through gaining a deeper understanding of the MENA region, fellows will be better able to identify bridges for communication, social business opportunities and dialogue entry points between the two regions.
 
The Call for Applications guidelines attached provide all details on documents required. Applications should be sent no later than 26 October 2014 11:00PM (New York time) to 2014UNAOCfellows@gmail.com (all questions should be directed to this email address).
 
The Fellowship Programme is made possible thanks to a grant of the German Federal Foreign Office.
 
For more information and to download a copy of the application please visit: http://www.unaoc.org/event/call-for-applications-fellowship-programme-2014/
 

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