Hello BEST Society

      The annual G-20 summit was held this last weekend in Brisbane, 
Australia.  Despite the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, refusing to bring 
climate change to the table, other nations maintained the agenda by 
continuing discussion regarding the environment.

      Several countries made announcements at the summit regarding their 
contributions to the Green Climate Fund.  The Green Climate Fund is an 
extension of the U.N. that seeks to financially encourage developing 
nations to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and cope with environmental 
issues stemming from climate change.  The most money promised was $3 
billion from the United States, after which Japan declared it would 
contribute $1.5 billion.  All total, $7.5 billion dollars have been 
promised, reaching closer to the goal of $10 billion.  These 
“investments” (as opposed to “donations”) follow in the wake of 
a report by the World Bank Group that claims there could be a potential 
$6 trillion growth potential for clean technologies in developing 
countries over the next decade.

	As encouraging as this is, no projects have yet been funded by the 
Green Climate Fund.  With a significant lack of specifics, the private 
sector is hesitant to follow the example of these major governments.   
It is imperative that the Green Climate Fund be transparent with its 
accounting if it is to reach its goal of $100 billion by 2020.

      Meanwhile, as leaders of the top 20 governments discussed economic 
growth inside, protesters outside stuck their heads in the sand as a 
demonstration of Abbott’s ignorance regarding climate change.


“G20 pledges lift Green Climate Fund towards $10 billion U.N. goal” 
– Alister Doyle – Reuters UK – November 16, 2014
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/11/16/uk-g20-summit-climatefund-japan-idUKKCN0J00TR20141116

“$1.6 trillion market opportunity identified for clean technology 
SMEs in developing countries” – H&V News – October 10, 2014
http://www.hvnplus.co.uk/news/16-trillion-market-opportunity-identified-for-clean-technology-smes-in-developing-countries/8670747.article

“Australians bury heads in sand to mock government climate stance” 
– Sue-Lin Wong – Reutuers US – November 13, 2014
***Pictures of protestors***
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/13/us-australia-protests-idUSKCN0IX14420141113


Cheers,
Alec Spaulding
Haiti