The construction sector is growing at unprecedented rates and it is estimated that, during the next 40 years, 230 billion square meters of new infrastructure will be built in the world. The sector, between construction works and buildings, is one of the most important sources of pollution worldwide since it consumes 36% of global energy and produces 39% of CO2 emissions.
Food security goes far beyond having enough food. Food security refers to "the situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life" (FAO, 2006). That is, being able to access food of high nutritional quality regularly, without worrying about not having food on the table. Therefore, when we talk about food security we must consider four dimensions: availability, access, utilization, and stability.
In 2006 the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) set the objective of strengthening national systems in order to support their development projects. The move helps ensure protection of the environment and at the same time buffer the negative effects that development projects can have on the population when their impacts are not properly detected and managed.Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) identify, evaluate, and propose ways to mitigate development projects’ environmental and social consequences.
Any of us who have moved to a new home lived through an adaptation phase. And every change has an element of disorder, although the change is planned, desired and announced. However, in most cases, the discomfort lasts longer than expected, and the adaptation ends up not being concluded because simply some details or, the most critical factors for our quality of life and comfort become evident just when we are living the absence of them. The lack of these factors generates the greatest difficulties for families to adapt in the long term.
Infrastructure is the backbone for economic development and growth. With annual investment in infrastructure $300bn per year required, Latin American countries have a huge opportunity to shift to a more dynamic economic pathway by building better infrastructure. By focusing on the quality and sustainability elements of infrastructure projects, with strong policy and institutional foundations, we provide the basis for economically productive, vibrant, and resilient cities and regions.
This year, the annual Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP24) is happening with a high sense of urgency instilled by the release of the IPCC 1.5 report. This report highlights the need for accelerated and immediate action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, which will require reaching net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. It also sheds new light on the steps that are still within reach to achieve that goal.
Every year the world comes to a standstill to attend COP meetings and share knowledge and experiences in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. But what is COP and why is it so important? COP is the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year marks the COP 24 in Katowice, Poland from December 3rd to 14th.
The need for more and better information is a growing demand for the policy makers and officials in the public sector the academia and companies, also for international organizations and producers themselves as well as many other stakeholders in the agricultural sector. All of them require data to analyze the performance of agricultural activities and the rural world. Having information brings knowledge, but its availability implies having adequate measurement instruments, and performing statistical studies that guarantee the timely collection of quality data.