Authoritative new climate change site helps public and researchers navigate vast online information resources

WINNIPEG — Searching the Internet for information about "climate change," Lycos locates almost 5 million web pages for consideration. Google and Yahoo narrow it down to about 2.5 million pages.

The sheer volume of information, new and old, now available on the science, policy and possible consequences of Earth's changing climate overwhelm even the most interested and diligent researchers.

That's why the Climate Change Knowledge Network is pleased to announce the Climate Compendium, a regularly updated cyber-bulletin that condenses, consolidates and channels the latest and best information on climate change at one easy-to-find-and-use location.

With its comprehensive background material and extensive resource guides, the Climate Compendium has been created to help foster a better understanding of global climate change issues.

Hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development for the Climate Change Knowledge Network, the Climate Compendium is a guide to the issues and actors involved in one of the most critical public policy issues of our time. It has been funded by the Canadian International Development Agency and the United States Agency for International Development.

The Climate Compendium provides the best possible starting point for people seeking to better understand the issues related to global climate change, said IISD President David Runnalls.

"The Climate Compendium is an excellent resource for the CCKN as it works to build capacity and increase the understanding of the international complexities of the climate change negotiations," said CCKN co-manager Jo-Ellen Parry.

The Climate Compendium is divided into five broad sections

1. International Negotiations

A detailed backgrounder summarizes the progress of negotiations so far by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including coverage of the first six Conferences of the Parties (COP). There are separate sections on the progress of negotiations since COP-6 and COP-6 Part II (the Bonn Agreement).

The section on UNFCCC issues includes detailed coverage of capacity building, vulnerability and adaptation, financial mechanisms and technology transfer. There is also an in-depth analysis of issues surrounding the Kyoto Protocol.

An update on Kyoto mechanisms complements separate detailed analyses of these mechanisms: clean development, emissions trading and joint implementation. Other Kyoto issues covered in detail include compliance, sinks, inventories and "good practices" in policies and measures to address climate change.

2. National Policies and Implementation

Provides links to the latest national reports, studies and publications from around the world as well a comprehensive list of more than 100 government websites with information on climate change profiles and policies provided by both Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 countries.

3. Business and Technology

Contains a list of recent report, studies and publications and links to business organizations, associations and programs that specialize in, or have developed positions on climate change. Also identifies NGO/industry/intergovernmental programs and associations and companies involved in greenhouse gas emissions trading.

4. Scientific Research

Links to new reports, studies and publication and climate change science resources as well as a guide to educational and background reading on climate science available on the Internet. Separate sections on climate change data and trends and potential impacts.

5. Related Institutions

With links to recent climate change reports and studies from organizations such as the World Bank, UNCTAD, Global Environment Facility, OECD, International Energy Agency, UNEP, UNDP and International Finance Corporation. Also links to the climate change sections of other UN conventions and treaties.

The Climate Change Knowledge Network

CCKN brings together expertise, experience and perspectives from more than a dozen organizations from developing, transitional and developed countries. The network aims to contribute to a more effective, sustainable and equitable>

• undertaking collaborative research and action on issues such as the Kyoto mechanisms, adaptation to climate change, and technology transfer;
• building capacity in developing and developed countries to better understand and address climate change issues; and
• communicating information and knowledge within and outside the network

The International Institute for Sustainable Development is the network coordinator for the CCKN.