Paris Agreement Passes First Stress Test at COP22

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In response to the close of COP22, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF International’s Climate & Energy Practice, issued the following statement:

“The UN climate talks continue to be filled with twists and turns, but they have delivered what they needed to this week – putting substance behind the promise of the Paris Agreement so it can be fully implemented. The Marrakech work has not been the most glamorous, but it’s a key step in the chain reaction needed to roll out the agreement.

“Countries’ commitment to the Paris Agreement also passed its first stress test this week with the US election results. Unequivocally, they restated that they are in this for the long haul.

“The reality is that the world is moving ahead on this issue. This irreversible momentum will only build as market signals and commitments across all sectors of society continue pouring in.

“Already, 111 countries have ratified the Agreement – underscoring its historic importance. Nations also began submitting their long-term roadmaps for decarbonisation.

“But there’s still work to do. The emissions gap continues to grow between what science tells us is needed to protect the planet from the worst impacts of climate change and the goals governments set in Paris. Urgently reducing emissions and preparing for the climate change impacts that are already affecting us is essential for the world’s future prosperity, safety and security.

“In Marrakech, countries agreed to take stock of progress in two years and make every effort to come back with more ambitious targets and plans before 2020 to ensure we work quickly to close the widening emissions gap. This is a critical outcome this week that further solidified progress on the Paris Agreement.

“While parties work to finalize the Paris Agreement “fine print” by the next major political moment in 2018, more needs to be done in the next few years to clarify consistency of national targets. In addition, there are still gaps in finance and adaptation, despite some announcements here on financing for adaptation and capacity building. We expect to see developed countries up their game significantly on finance and other support beyond current projections, and are very encouraged to see China and other countries stepping up their south-south cooperation.

“This work was bolstered by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of around 50 countries that committed to reviewing and improving their current emissions-cutting goals in 2018 and shifting to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 or before.

“Here in Marrakech the negotiations kick-started a critical discussion about the rules for implementing the agreement and accelerating climate action. It set the path for the next set of negotiations to complete those rules and raise ambition, paving the way to tighten national commitments, improve preparedness at home and provide financial support in line with science and equity.

“Over the coming years, we expect to see the trends of falling costs for renewables and scaled action by all actors – private sector, cities, investors, and by governments all over the world – continue to accelerate the inevitable shift to low carbon, climate-resilient development.”

Storylines: 2016 - 2017 NBA Regular Season

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Here are some National Basketball Association (NBA) storylines and trivia that you may find interesting for Week of Nov. 21, 2016.

WORTH THE WAIT: Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid all made strong cases to be the top pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. In the end, Wiggins got the nod and went on to capture Rookie of the Year honors with the Timberwolves. Parker, the second pick by Milwaukee, missed the bulk of his rookie season after tearing his ACL. Embiid, chosen third by Philadelphia, missed two full seasons with foot problems. But all three are finally playing in the NBA at the same time and validating their place at the top of the draft. Wiggins is averaging more than 25 points and leading the NBA in three-point accuracy. Parker is scoring 20 per game and, like Wiggins, diversifying his game. And Embiid has hit the ground running as a game-changing big man with an array of skills.

TINY’S LEGACY: Nate “Tiny” Archibald’s name has popped up repeatedly early this season because James Harden and Russell Westbrook look poised to chase his record as the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists in a single season. That singular accomplishment is only part of Archibald’s legacy. The Bronx, N.Y., native defied the odds by even reaching the NBA, and being a second-round pick didn’t augur future stardom. But Archibald used his speed, smarts and creativity to develop into an All-Star, NBA champion, Hall of Famer and Top 50 player. These days, Archibald is very active in the community mentoring youth and participating in NBA Cares events.

PLAYING BIG: Size and versatility will forever move the NBA scouting needle. Look no further than Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Size is not a prerequisite for success, however, especially in today’s game, which features a more wide-open and up-tempo style of play. Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Atlanta’s Dennis Schröder, Memphis’ Mike Conley and the Clippers’ Chris Paul continue to prove that impact players still come in small packages. All five 6-1-and-under point guards are off to great starts. Thomas, Walker and Conley are putting up career numbers. Schröder has risen to the challenge of being a full-time starter. And Paul, in his 12th season, is showing no signs of slowing down. Also in the mix as 6-foot or 6-1 forces: Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe and Dallas’ J.J. Barea.

CARRYING THE TORCH: For years, Kobe Bryant (along with Dwyane Wade) anchored the NBA’s shooting guard spot. With Kobe’s departure, a host of his former counterparts – many of whom consider him a big influence on their careers – are showing that the position is well stocked for the present and future. Houston’s James Harden (now running point) and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan are off to historic starts. Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Chicago’s Jimmy Butler are two-way stars. Portland’s CJ McCollum, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Utah’s Rodney Hood are budding young players. Boston’s Avery Bradley keeps getting better. The depth and variety at shooting guard is impressive.

GLUE GUY: One big reason for the Hawks’ outstanding start is the play of Thabo Sefolosha, who has overcome adversity and is playing some of the best basketball of his pioneering career. The NBA’s first player from Switzerland, the 31-year-old Sefolosha is scoring at the highest rate of his 11-year career and ranks among the league leaders in steals, field goal percentage and plus-minus. He is enjoying success off the court, too, as the fashion maven recently opened a men’s boutique in Atlanta.

PERSEVERING PELICAN: The NBA’s assist leaderboard features the usual suspects such as James Harden, Chris Paul, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Draymond Green. Also on the list is Tim Frazier, the Pelicans’ third-year point guard, who excelled during Jrue Holiday’s absence. Frazier came in through the back door. First, he tore his Achilles at the start of his senior season at Penn State. After a solid redshirt senior campaign, he went undrafted in 2014 before earning NBA D-League Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season. His big break came when he averaged 13.1 points and 7.5 assists in 16 games for New Orleans last season after signing in March. Even with Holiday’s return this week, Frazier has shown that he deserves to continue playing a big role for the Pelicans.

SWEET PRINCE: The Clippers’ starting lineup features three stars (Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan) and one of the game’s great shooters (J.J. Redick). The fifth member of the unit, however, is also leaving his mark during the best start in team history. Luc Mbah a Moute has helped lead the NBA’s top defense while making unsung contributions on offense. Coach Doc Rivers recently called him the league’s best defender. Mbah a Moute has long been regarded as a terrific teammate and a mentor to young NBA players, including fellow Cameroon native Joel Embiid, who participated in one of Mbah a Moute’s hoops camps back home. Mbah a Moute, the prince in his Cameroonian village, was a camper at the inaugural Basketball without Borders Africa camp in 2003. He has been instrumental in growing the game in Africa.

Upcoming Games

Nov. 22: Thunder @ Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV: Solid test for a young Lakers team.
Nov. 23: Timberwolves @ Pelicans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN: Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Anthony Davis.
Nov. 25: Warriors @ Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV: Warriors look to avenge recent loss at Staples.

Malaysia, Middle East, China, Russia, Japan Investors Invited for PEZA’s SEZs

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Numerous companies of Malaysia, the Middle East, China, Japan and others are now in discussions and being invited to invest in the Philippines’ tax-free industrial, agricultural, tourism, forestry, defense industry and other Special Economic Zones (SEZs) “due to President Rody Duterte’s new independent foreign policy to make the Philippines a friend of all countries and enemy of no one”, said the new director-general of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Dr. Charito “Ching” B. Plaza on November 21 at the Pandesal Forum of 77-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.

PEZA Director-General Dr. Plaza said that the Philippines traditionally received foreign investments in the past from the United States and its allies like Japan and the West, but now investors and governments of other countries in the Middle East, Russia, China and other regions are also being invited to invest in the fast-growing economy of the Philippines. She said these defense industrial complexes can rise in Bataan, Zambales, Palawan, and at least in two areas of Mindanao.

Plaza said the Duterte government also has a bold vision to transform some of the country’s islands into self-contained SEZs which can become future cities.

Plaza said officials and members of royal families United Arab Emirates and Qatar have expressed interest to lease land here for 75 years for possible agricultural and oil refinery projects, with one interested group even asking for as much as a million hectares of agricultural land in exchange for part of the venture’s profits to be donated as social development projects and schools. Dr. Plaza mentioned that among those she had discussed possible SEZ investments was Sheikh Al Thani of the respected Qatari royal family. One possible major SEZ project is the creation of a halal food processing hub in Davao, in Mindanao, southern Philippines.

PEZA Director-General Plaza added that they are also proposing the creation of defense industry SEZs with countries like Russia, China, Israel, South Korea or others. She added that these defense industrial complexes will not only boost economic development, they can also strengthen the Philippines’ national defense and manufacturing capabilities. Plaza had the rank of brigadier general in the military reserve force.

Dr, Plaza added that President Duterte’s economics-focused diplomacy and independent foreign policy are boosting our ties with Asean and Asian countries, with Malaysian investors expressing interest in undertaking business ventures in the Philippines such as a large-scale palm oil planation and milling project.

PEZA Director-General Dr. Charito Plaza said the Duterte government’s pro-poor priority shall encourage more foreign and also Philippine investors to do business in the poorest and neglected yet resource-rich rural regions of the country such as in Mindanao and the Visayas.