Harald Sverdrup talks on Peak Resources and the Impact on Global Economy:

As part of the CONVERGE project's research, we've sought out inspirational examples of initiatives from all fields of life – including policy, business, research and community initiatives, etc. – in different parts of the world that address the imperatives of both living within the limits of the planet (contraction) and sharing its resources equitably (convergence).

We present the following e-book as a summary of the research carried out. It provides information on the methodology used, introduces 28 case studies (initiatives) studied in detail from different countries and fields, as well as analysis and evaluation of these.

In the e-book the Convergence Mapping Tool is also introduced, which helps show how various types of initiatives and organizations manage to address this double challenge of living more equitably within limits as well as provides an indication of how they could develop further towards more Convergence.

The e-book can be downloaded here.

The background paper to the e-book is available here.

A person in the UK has an ecological footprint on average 5.4 times that of a person living in India. With a world average biocapacity of 1.8 global hectares per person, India uses half of its 'fair share' and the UK uses around 3 times its fair share...

 The last month has seen the planting of 50 beautiful native fruit trees which were bought with the donations we received from the CONVERGE workshop participants to offset the CO2 emmissions of the event in June 2012 in Gödöllő. The saplings are from Gyula Kovács who have one of the largest gene bank of native fruit trees - Elvgarden. The fruit saplings were given and planted at the following places, organisations:

Local primary and secondary schools - 5 trees

The winner houses of the "Clean Garden Tidy House" competition - 10 trees

The Hngarian members of the CONVEGE team - 7 trees

Members of the Gödöllő Climate Club - 20 trees "Open Garden"

Organic practice garden of Szent István University - 8 trees

 For more information on our tree planting please see project partner Green Dependent and their story on the event.

 "Global Convergence on a Finite Planet". Conference in India: 21st-23rd, 2013.

Venue: SCAD Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu

Recognising that the sustainable development challenge is becoming increasingly acute, in the face of population growth, escalating consumption, a sharp rich-poor divide, environmental pressures, and climate change - the CONVERGE project focuses on how a transition to global equity for human society within the finite limits of our one planet (- Convergence) might inform EU policy. The recent context of the failures of the international SD processes at Rio to develop real ways forward indicate that we cannot simply slide SDGs into the system and expect radical change. From a Convergence perspective the way forward needs to be constructed by taking on the challenges of the Brundtland report and focussing on ’ Equity within Planetary Boundaries’. The issue of equity and development has been the reef on which international cooperation has foundered. Crucially, the discussions of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are bringing environment and development agendas move closer together. This will greatly strengthen the ability of a more united movement to work for the radical changes necessary for all our futures.

Concept note and call for papers:

Key Overall Question: Can Convergence be a unifying frame for Environment and Development movements and international agreements?

Specifically: how can Convergence contribute to the development of effective and equitable international Sustainable Development Goals ?