Curriculum Vitae     

Professional Positions

Apr 2024 - Present

Sept 2017 – Mar 2024

Jan 2015 – Aug 2017

May 1998 – Dec 2004

June 1994 – June 1996

Dec 1991 – May 1994

Jan 1983 – Dec 1983

1976 – 1977

Senior Fellow, Meridian Institute

https://merid.org/people/team/charles-mcneill/

Senior Advisor on Forests & Climate to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – responsible for global forest protection and restoration programs, with a focus on the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI)

Senior Advisor on Forests & Climate to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – responsible for UNDP’s global forest initiatives.

Jan 2005 – Dec 2014

1973 – 1975

Senior Environment & Energy Policy Advisor

Environment & Energy Group, Bureau for Development Policy (BDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

  • On behalf of UNDP and the UN Secretary-General, I led the execution of the Forests action area of the Secretary-General's 2014 Climate Summit; Coordinated a global multisectoral coalition of developing and developed countries, governors, companies, indigenous peoples and civil society organizations resulting in major announcements for the Summit on reducing deforestation and increasing forest restoration, including the New York Declaration on Forests. (2014)

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  • Founded in 2013, Community-based REDD+ (CBR+), a partnership between UN-REDD and the GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) to deliver grants to the local level, to empower communities and indigenous peoples to engage in REDD+ readiness activities, and develop experiences and lessons to feed into national REDD+ processes.

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  • Responsible for the development of UN-REDD’s and UNDP’s corporate framework on safeguards and an accountability system including compliance and grievance / recourse mechanisms. This included reaching corporate agreement on safeguards by building internal support for the interim accountability mechanism and external support with key partners, CSOs and experts in the field to advance and strengthen UNDP’s work in these areas (2011-2014).

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  • Manager of the US $92 million Africa Adaptation Programme which assisted 20 countries across Africa to incorporate climate change risks and opportunities into their national development processes in order to protect development gains from climate change. (2010-2012)

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  • Co-founded and led the UN-REDD Programme with FAO and UNEP, now a more than $270 million program, benefitting 65 developing countries. (2008-2014)

    www.un-redd.org

  • Managed UNDP’s work on Forests and Climate, as well as REDD+, including with responsibility for ensuring the engagement and participation of indigenous peoples and civil society at local, national and international levels (2007-2014)

  • As Senior Environment & Energy Policy Advisor and member of the Core Management Team of UNDP’s Environment & Energy Group (EEG), I oversaw global operations in over 140 developing countries, including the 400 staff managing over $3 billion in resources and activities in the areas of Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Energy, and Land and Water Management. I was personally responsible for policy coherence, partnerships and strategic initiatives for UNDP’s Environment & Energy Group. (2003-2014)

  • Initiated and managed UNDP’s work to stimulate new markets for carbon and other ecosystem services to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and expand the benefits of the Clean Development Mechanism to a larger group of developing countries through the creation of the MDG Carbon Facility (MDG Carbon) (2003-2006)

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  • Founded in 2002, and chaired the board of, the Equator Initiative, a multi-partner, global capacity building, knowledge generation and advocacy effort to foster successful local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities, featuring the Equator Prize which has been awarded to more than 200 leading community-based organizations from 75 countries; generated more than 150 case studies, etc.

    (2002-2015)

    www.equatorinitiative.org

  • Responsible for a range of major initiatives and strategic UNDP work areas, including:

    • UNDP’s Sustainable Energy Program team (2013-2014)

    • UNDP’s Biodiversity Global Program and UNDP’s role in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1998-2008)

    • Leading a global coalition to successfully integrate Biodiversity into the MDGs (2000-2007)

    • UNDP’s co-sponsorship and participation in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (1999-2005)

    • UNDP’s Public-Private Partnerships on Climate and Biodiversity (2003-2006)

    • UNDP’s participation in the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (2011-2013)

    • UNDP’s work in mainstreaming environmental issues into national development plans around the world to advance the MDGs (1998-2007).

  • Coordinator of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Division’s Center of Experimentation, which established UNDP’s first major department focused on environment and energy

    (1997-2001)

  • Led the “Greening UNDP” initiative, including Greening UNDP Offices through an energy efficiency office retrofit (received Gold level LEED Certification); Green Office Guidelines; Green Procurement Guidelines; Launch of UNDP HQ Recycling Program; Greening Dashboard for Country Offices; Green UN Houses; Greening Awards for UNDP Staff as part of the Awards in the Global Staff Forum.

    (1996-2007)

  • Manager of UNDP-GEF global programming and policy, including managing the multi-bureaux team to prepare UNDP’s quarterly portfolio submission of biodiversity, climate change and international waters projects (averaging approx. US$100 - $200 million per year); responsible for UNDP’s policy on the GEF; chair of the interagency working group of the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP to enhance GEF Project Development in developing countries; created the GEF Operational Manual

    (1994-1996)

  • Leader of UNDP’s work on ‘Local Access to Environmental and Energy Services’ under UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2008-2013) and managed UNDP’s investments in, and support of, local communities and Indigenous Peoples and open engagement with, and inclusion of, NGOs and CSOs in UNDP’s and the UN’s work

    (1992-2014)

  • Managed UNDP’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) activities throughout Africa, and previously in the Arab States, by building a portfolio in 20 countries of US$60 million focused on climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and protection of international waters

    (1991-1994)

Jan 1984 – June 1991

Senior Biodiversity Advisor

Environment & Energy Group, Bureau for Development Policy (BDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

  • Served as UNDP’s senior biodiversity advisor and head of the Biodiversity service line and provided substantive technical policy direction and leadership of the Biodiversity Service Line and other environmental issues by identifying key policy positions for UNDP to take, by organizing international agenda-setting conferences, by preparing Practice Notes, Human Development Viewpoints and other policy statements, managing critical institutional partnerships, and representing UNDP in key global conferences.  Prepared statements and messages for global audiences and policy processes, in order to ensure that UNDP’s senior management, as well as staff throughout the organization, communicate consistent biodiversity-related perspectives and positions based on state-of-the-art knowledge.  Ensured strong coordination and cooperation between UNDP’s work on biodiversity from core resources and that from GEF resources.

  • Lead the development of strategic initiatives related to biodiversity and environmental sustainability which advance the Practice’s mandate in innovative ways by undertaking important new analytical work (e.g. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, World Resources Reports, Climate Change Futures, Poverty Environment Partnership reports, etc.), tapping into new constituencies (e.g. local communities, private sector partnerships, etc.), new sources of funding (e.g. Footprint Neutral/ MDG Carbon Facility, etc.), and strategic partnerships (e.g. PEP, Community Commons, etc.), and new initiatives that advance UNDP’s biodiversity goals.

  • Advanced the work of the Environment  and Energy Practice in biodiversity and other environmental issues by successfully managing critical partnerships and organizational relationships for UNDP (e.g. with NGOs such as IUCN, WRI, TNC, WWF, WCS, CI, ICLEI, UNF, Katoomba Group, Ecoagriculture Partners, etc.; with multilaterals such as the World Bank, UN, UNEP, CBD; with the private sector entities such as the Institutional Investors Forum, Swiss Re;  with academics such as Columbia, Harvard, Yale, bilateral donors, etc.) and represented UNDP at high level events, conferences, global fora.

  • Leadership in team coordination and team-building of the biodiversity team and other teams in EEG by organizing team-building, strategic planning, communication enhancing seminars, events, group meetings, etc., e.g. in 2006, organized all aspects of the “All EEG Strategic Planning Meeting, June 2006, which identified and agreed upon corporate priorities and work planning for UNDP’s Environment & Energy Group.

  • Managed 6-10 staff members to advance the work of the biodiversity service line and other initiatives such as the MDG Support, the UNDP-Spain MDG Achievement Fund, etc.; Engaged in high level advocacy through delivering numerous keynote addresses, speeches and statements, serving on panels, etc. in major environmental conferences and other global fora throughout the world; Served as focal point for numerous task forces, advisory boards, special commissions, think tanks, etc. for environment-related initiatives; Member of EEG’s Senior Management Team.

    • Equator Initiative: Founded, in Dec 2001, the Equator Initiative www.equatorinitiative.org, a major multi-institution partnership to support local communities conserve biodiversity and reduce poverty, and have managed or overseen its operations until the present.

    • Footprint Neutral Program/ MDG Carbon Facility: Responsible for conceiving the concept, building the team, raising the funds and development of the business and technical aspects of the program. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/MDGCF_Brochure_English_07.pdf

    • Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) ‘Environment for the MDGs’ Publications and Events for the 2005 World Summit: My keynote address to the PEP meeting in Berlin in November 2004 called for a PEP-wide effort to advocate ‘Environment for the MDGs’ before and during the 2005 World Summit, mobilized member PEP institutions to join in and then managed the work of these agencies to prepare the economic case for the importance of sound environmental management in the MDGs, created high-impact ‘commitments’ among major institutions and organized a High Level Policy Dialogue and Head of State Dinner to announce the analytical results and the commitments. Link: POVERTY-ENVIRONMENT PARTNERSHIP Investing in the Environment to Fight Poverty: the Economic Case, Priorities for Action, and Implications for the 2005 World Summit and Beyond Key messages from a High-level Policy Dialogue New York, 14 September 2005 | IIED Publications Library

    • Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological and Economic Dimensions: Co-created and co-managed with Swiss Re and Harvard Medical School this three-year, high visibility initiative to engage major private sector actors in global efforts to address risks of climate change and environmental degradation to society through reports, symposia and major public events.

    • ‘Biodiversity After Johannesburg: The Central Role of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Achieving the MDGs’: Created and managed this joint UNDP-UNEP-CBD post-WSSD partnership to analyze, educate, advocate and disseminate understanding about links between biodiversity and the MDGs through two major conferences in London and various publications.

    • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Supported the launch of the MA in 2001 with the first presentations to intergovernmental bodies to gain support for the MA (to the CBD SBSTTA and the Ecosystem Conservation Group) and participated on the MA Advisory Board from 2002-2005

July 1996 – April 1998

Jan 1980 – Dec 1982

1977 – 1980

Coordinator, Centre of Experimentation

Sustainable Environment & Energy Division (SEED)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

    • Designed and managed the renewal and reform process in UNDP’s environment division. (This ‘Centre of Experimentation’ initiative was part of a larger UNDP reform effort designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP.)

    • Manager of SEED’s global program on (i) piloting new approaches to sustainable development and (ii) capturing and disseminating learning and best practices from country experience.

    • Oversaw SEED’s environmental technical review of UNDP’s country programs

    • Launched and managed ‘Greening UNDP’ program to introduce sustainable office practices to UNDP and UN system, including recycling, energy efficiency and green procurement programs.

    • Organized and facilitated or co-facilitated at least 10 multi-day staff workshops for between 30 and 95 staff members on technical and management topics

    • Conceived, oversaw production of, and distribution of the “SEED Guidebook” to all 170 UNDP country offices around the world

    • Managed the development of SEED’s Website and the training of staff in developing unit websites

    • Prepared speeches and articles for UNDP Administrator and UN Secretary General.

  • Recipient of UNDP Sustainable Energy & Environment Division (SEED) Award for Leadership and Innovation in Team Building in 1996

Special Projects Officer

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

  • Managed and oversaw development of UNDP-GEF’s portfolio of projects and allocation of project development facility funds (including convening operational staff in regional bureaux, assessing projects, selecting UNDP's submission, preparing and submitting projects to Interagency committee)

  • Principal advisor on GEF Policy Issues, and author of UNDP’s major briefing notes, reports and position papers on technical and policy matters, including on issues such as GEF’s Operational Strategy, project cycle, NGO involvement in GEF, Incremental Cost, administrative budgets, etc.  Prepared UNDP Team for GEF Council Meetings: identified issues, positions, strategies, and reports to UNDP’s Administrator and all Country Offices.  (Seconded to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to prepare for the Jakarta Conference of the Parties meeting - COP 2)

  • Managed UNDP's participation in Interagency meetings (GEFOP) by convening preparatory meetings, developing strategy, liaising with GEF Secretariat, and managing UNDP's participation in Inter-Agency Task Forces on technical and policy matters. (Served as Officer-in-Charge of UNDP-GEF unit while Executive Coordinator on mission)

  • Personally drafted and managed development of 1995, 1996, 1997 UNDP-GEF Work Plans and Business Plans; and in 1994, served as co-organizer of the ½ year UNDP-wide Strategic Planning exercise, including authoring major components of the plan, chaired the Inter-agency Working Group responsible for Training and Staffing

  • Personally responsible for design and creation of this 3-day technical workshop -- led creative teams, convened UNDP-wide and inter-agency task forces, led the pilot Workshops, and managed launching of this training program worldwide

  • Authored wide range of technical papers and notes for publications, and drafted and delivered introductory and substantive speeches for conferences and high level meetings, within and outside of UNDP; and helped bring into existence special UNDP-GEF publications ("Operational Bulletin" and "Partners") and guided each issue on theme and content.

GEF Regional Coordinator

Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

During a 3 year tenure as GEF Coordinator for Africa, personally developed and managed a $58 million portfolio of 18 GEF projects, including the following activities:

  • Provided technical backstopping to all UNDP country offices in Africa in the thematic areas of biodiversity, climate change, and international waters

    Developed, Obtained Funding for and Managed Implementation

  • Developed and funded:

    • A Dynamic Farmer-Based Approach to the Conservation of African Plant Genetic Resources in Ethiopia, $2.5 million

    • Conservation of Biodiversity through Effective Management of Wildlife Trade in Gabon, $1 million

    • Madagascar -- Priority Setting and Strategic Identification & Design of Interventions for Biodiversity Conservation: A Multisectoral, Consensus-based, Scientific Approach, $0.5 million

    • Conservation of Eritrea’s Coral Reef Biodiversity through Community-based Resource Management, $0.4 million

    • Control of Aquatic Weeds to Enhance and Restore Biodiversity in Cote d'Ivoire, $3 million

    • Optimizing Biological Diversity Within Wildlife Ranching Systems in Burkina Faso BD, $2.5 million.

    • Institutional Support to Protect East African Biodiversity, $10 million.

  • Developed and funded:

    • Industrial Water Pollution Control in the Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem, $6 million

    • Pollution Control and Other Measures to Protect Biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika, $10 million

    • Environmental Management of Lake Victoria, $0.5 million.

  • Developed and funded:

    • Decentralized Wind Electric Power for Social and Economic Development in Mauritania CC, $2 million

    • Electricity, Fuel and Fertilizer from Municipal and Industrial Organic Waste in Tanzania: A Demonstration Biogas Plant for Africa, $3.9 million

    • Control of Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Energy Efficient Building Technology (Senegal-Cote d'Ivoire), $3.5 million

    • Building Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa to Respond to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, $2 million

    • Village-Based Management of Woody Savanna and Establishment of Woodlots for Carbon Sequestration in Benin, $2 million

    • Private Sector/GEF Co-financing of Global Warming Mitigation in Cameroon through Biomass Conservation, Restoration, and Fossil Fuel Displacement, $0.4 million

    • Photovoltaics for Household and Community Use in Zimbabwe, $7 million

    • Large-scale Biogas Plant in Tanzania CC, $0.2 million.

    • Responsible for supervising the work of staff and interns, including: (1) Programme Assistant, (2) Technical Advisor, (3) team of 13 Earth Fellows, and (4) 65 consultants. 

    • Established successful professional collaborations between UNDP and at least 50 NGOs, research institutions, think tanks and professional associations worldwide.

1975 – 1976

Director of External Affairs and Strategic Planning

The Hunger Project, an international, non-profit, non-governmental development organization based in New York, NY, USA; Mumbai & Chennai, India; Dakar, Senegal; Lusaka, Zambia; San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Developed and personally implemented an innovative approach to strategic planning for rapid progress in on-the-ground human-centered development in India, Senegal and Zambia through a multisectoral stakeholder planning process involving leaders in government, civil society and business

  • Managed a joint Hunger Project/Save the Children, 5-year, integrated rural development program in 7 regions of Costa Rica

  • Developed and managed a major national educational program (the "Ending Hunger Briefing"), including curriculum development for this 5-hour course which was offered to over 800,000 people worldwide over subsequent years; responsibilities included development of technical course content, training and management of 120 instructors; and community outreach

  • Responsible for all aspects of organizing, producing and publishing this prestigious, international lecture series which included lectures by: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan in Rome, Italy, 1986; General Olusegun Obasanjo in Los Banos, Philippines, 1987; Maurice Strong, in Tokyo, Japan, 1989; Prof. Amartya Sen, in London, UK, 1990.

Research Associate

National Council on Genetic Resources, Berkeley, California

Design and execution of in-depth studies of conservation of genetic resource needs of key crops in California agricul­ture and publica­tion of assessments for California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Teaching Associate, Genetics Department

University of California at Davis

Instruc­ted university level courses in General Genetics, Population Genetics, Introduc­tory Genetics for non-majors, Human Genetics, Social Issues & Genetics

Research Fellow, National Institute of Health Graduate Fellowship

University of California at Davis

Designed and carried out genetic research on rare and endangered plant species under he tauspices of the departments of Genetics and Agronomy at the University of California at Davis.

Teaching Assistant, Biology Department

San Diego State University

 

Prepared and delivered lectures, organized laboratory sessions and examinations for university level courses in General Biology and Ecology

 

Project Manager, Berkeley Botanical Gardens

University of California at Berkeley

 

Managed, cared for and developed rare plant species collections housed in the gardens

Co-Founder, Editor, Translator

People’s Translation Service (PTS), Berkeley, California

 

Co-founded and served as editor and translator for an international news service providing current information about politically significant events occurring outside the U.S. -- translated from non-english, foreign sources -- and provided by subscription to major U.S. print and electronic media outlets for their dissemination.

Sept 2017 – Mar 2024

Senior Advisor, Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI)

https://merid.org/people/team/charles-mcneill/

Education

1983

Ph.D. in Genetics

University of California at Davis[1], with specialization in Conservation of Biological Diversity and Plant Evolutionary and Population Biology

[1] UC Davis ranked #1 in the world for teaching and research in ‘Agriculture and Forestry’ according to QS World University Rankings (2014), #6 top public university (US News & World Report, 2023),#1 in U.S. in sustainability (U1 GreenMetric World University Rankings)

1976

Bachelor of Sciences in Conservation of Natural Resources & Ecology

University of California, Berkeley[1]

[1] UC Berkeley is ranked the top American University by Forbes magazine in 2021, and the #1 public school in America and #8 in the world by Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings; UC Berkeley was ranked #1 in the world in Environment/Ecology by the U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural international rankings (2014)

1973

Bachelor of Arts in French

University of California at Berkeley

(including studies in French literature and art history at the Université de Paris (Sorbonne), France, 1973

Founder/Co-Founder of Key United Nations Initiatives

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative

A multifaith initiative that brings moral attention and spiritual commitment to protecting the planet’s rainforests by rallying spiritual and religious leaders and faith communities to act to stop deforestation and protect the rights of the indigenous peoples who safeguard them. Launched at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, on 19 June 2017, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist religious leaders joined forces with indigenous peoples from Asia, Africa and Latin America to make the protection of rainforests an ethical priority for the world’s faith communities. Managed by UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Norway’s International Climate & Forest Initiative (NICFI) and Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN).

The UN-REDD Programme

A collaborative partnership of UNDP, UNEP and FAO to support nationally-led REDD+ processes in developing countries.

Community-based REDD+ (CBR+)

A partnership between UN-REDD and the GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) to deliver grants to the local level, to empower communities and indigenous peoples to engage in REDD+ readiness activities, and develop experiences and lessons to feed into national REDD+ processes.

Equator Initiative

An initiative to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.

Indigenous Peoples Initiative for UNFCCC COP 21

A partnership between UNDP, Norway, France and Peru to ensure the full and effective engagement and influence of Indigenous Peoples on COP 21 and the Paris Agreement through organizing IP consultations in all 7 IP regions in the world, 21 national and 2 global level ‘IP-Government Dialogues’, bringing 200 IPs to COP 21, supporting the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion at COP 21, coordinating a massive communications campaign, etc.

The New York Declaration on Forests and Climate

A non-legally binding declaration in support of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit and the Paris UNFCCC COP where 180 governments, the world’s biggest companies, and influential civil society and indigenous organizations endorsed a global timeline to cut natural forest loss in half by 2020, and end it by 2030, and restore forests and croplands in an area larger than India.

MDG Carbon Facility

An innovative program to harness the resources of the carbon market to bring long-term sustainable development, at scale, to a wide range of developing countries.

Making REDD Work for the Poor

Led the multi-agency coalition of the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) that created this powerful analytical and advocacy work on ensuring the poor benefit, and are not harmed by, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) (2006-2009)

Principal Organizer of Major Global Events

2018 - 2020 | Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI)

National Launch Events in Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, and Peru.

19-21 June, 2017 | Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI)

Globally Launch at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.

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15 Nov, 2016 | Global Climate Action

Ministerial Session “Advancing Global Goals on Forests and Climate Change”, with Ministers from Brazil, DRC, Germany, Indonesia, Norway, UK, at UNFCCC COP 22 Blue Zone, Marrakech, Morocco.

8-17 Nov, 2016 | Forest Action Day

as part of the Global Climate Action Agenda under the UNFCCC COP 22, 8 Nov 2016, official Facilitator of the Forests Action Agenda for COP 22, a formal part of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action in partnership with FAO.

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7 Dec, 2015 | Equator Prize 2015 Award Ceremony

During UNFCCC COP 21 featuring Alec Baldwin, Edward Norton, Gro Harlem Brundtland, etc. at Mogador Theatre, Paris, France.

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23 Sept, 2014 | Announcement of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF)

During the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit.

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10-12 Sept, 2013 | Global Indigenous Peoples Conference

Practical Approaches to Ensuring the Full and Effective Participation of Indigenous Peoples in REDD+: Assessing Experiences and Lessons to Date, organized by the government of Germany, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), UN-REDD, Castle of Weilburg, Lahn, Germany.

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Sept 2010 | Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change: Scaling Up Local Solutions to Achieve the MDGs

High Level Event during the ‘MDG Summit’ incorporating (1) Policy Dialogue, (2) Equator Prize 2010 award ceremony and launch of the Community-based Adaptation initiative (3) Community Dialogue Space, (4) analytical work on scaling up local success in environment and energy for the MDGs, (5) EEG publications and incorporating EEG messages into the MDG Summit Outcomes, American Museum of Natural History, NY, 20 September 2010

16-17 July, 2009 | An Open Dialogue on Early Planning for REDD

“An Open Dialogue on Early Planning for REDD: Advice on Monitoring for REDD Implementation” – building on UN-REDD’s work with Australia, Norway, PNG and the UK on developing an “MRV Toolkit”, UNDP HQ.

11 Dec, 2007 | Launch of UNDP’s Human Development Report 2008

“Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World” at the UNFCCC COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia.

8 July, 2007 | Training Workshop on National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans

“Training Workshop on National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs) and Mainstreaming Biodiversity into National Development Strategies” prepared and led full day training course for the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the CBD’s Second Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI2), Paris, France.

June 2004 | Climate Change Futures

Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological & Economic Dimensions” - A major analytical effort to understand the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on human health, culminating in a 3-day international Executive Roundtable for 200 business leaders and scientists at Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, with Swiss Re, Harvard University and UNDP.

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20-22 Sept, 1994 | International Workshop on Decentralized Rural Electrification

Organized by UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France, Paris.

8-17 Nov, 2016 | Indigenous Peoples & Communities Pavilion

in Marrakech, Morocco’ Civil Society Space during UNFCCC COP 22, UNDP implemented in partnership with the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC).

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30 Nov - 11 Dec, 2015 | Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion

In Paris, France during UNFCCC COP 21, UNDP implemented in partnership with the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC).

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22 Sept, 2014 | Equator Prize 2014 Award Ceremony

An Evening to Honor Indigenous and Local Community Leadership and Build the Movement for Inclusive Climate and Development Solutions” – a 2,400 person gala event featuring Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Bill McKibben, Mary Robinson, Queen Noor, Jeff Sachs, Connie Britton, with music by Jackson Browne, Bon Iver and Feist, Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center, New York.

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16 April, 2013 | UN Briefing and Roundtable on Post-2015 Development Agenda

Advancing Environmental Sustainability and Community-Based Action, a high level workshop at The Nature Conservancy headquarters.

10 Feb, 2010 | The 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, North American Launch

“Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life.” A 500 person high level event at the American Museum of Natural History, NY.

23 Sept, 2008 | Environment, Climate Change and the MDGs: Reshaping the Development Agenda

“Environment, Climate Change and the MDGs: Reshaping the Development Agenda”, the Poverty-Environment Partnership High Level event brought together Heads of State/Government, leaders of the private sector and civil society to ensure the High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) gives priority to the critical role of improved environmental management in efforts to achieve the MDGs, at UN Headquarters in New York.

8 Dec, 2007 | Forest Day during the UNFCCC COP 13

“Making REDD Work for the Poor: The Socio-Economic Implications of Mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation”, a Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) event at Forest Day during the UNFCCC COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia.

1 Nov, 2005 | Climate Change Futures

“Climate Change Futures”, the public launch of the 3-year study, jointly organized by UNDP, Swiss Re and Harvard, at the American Museum of Natural History.

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21 - 23 May, 2003 | The Global Biodiversity Challenge

An international symposium organized by CBD, UNDP and UNEP in London, UK.

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2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 | Community Dialogue Spaces

Community Dialogue Spaces: 2002, Johannesburg (Community Kraal); 2003, Durban, South Africa (Community Park); 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Community Kampung); 2004, Nairobi, Kenya (Community Shamba); 2004, Bangkok, Thailand (Community Mubaan); 2005, Port Louis, Mauritius, (Community Vilaaj); 2005, New York City, USA (Community Commons); 2006, Curutiba, Brazil (Community Taba); 2008, Bonn, Germany (Community Dorf); 2008, Barcelona, Spain (Community Poble); 2010; New York City, USA (Community Summit); 2012, Rio de Janeiro. Brazil (Community Aldeia); 2014, New York City. USA (Communities for Climate Summit); 2015, Paris, France (Paris Community Dialogues); 2016, Hawaii (Community Kauhale ‘Ōiwi)

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21 April, 2016 | Forests for Climate: The Science, the Politics, the Indigenous Peoples

A panel and press briefing with Alec Baldwin, Alex Soros, Daren Walker, Helen Clark, Indigenous Leaders to inform the Signing Ceremony of the Paris Climate Agreement at the UN the next day, held at the Ford Foundation.

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23 Sept, 2014 | Forests Pavilion and Forests Plenary at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit

personally organized these two major high level events bringing together Heads of State, Ministers, Governors, CEOs, IP and CSO leaders, UN HQ, NY.

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18 Sept, 2013 | REDD+ Talks: NYC

Delivering REDD+ at Scale for Sustainable Development: Public & Private Synergies’, a workshop co-organized by UN-REDD, Wildlife Works & Code REDD at the Bronx Zoo, NY.

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20 June, 2012 | Equator Prize 2012 Award Ceremony

A 1700 person event held during Rio+20, with from Helen Clark, Achim Steiner, Edward Norton, Sir Richard Branson, Muhammad Yunus, Christiana Figueres  and others and musical performance by the legendary Brazilian musician, Gilberto Gil, Rio de Janeiro.

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23 Sept, 2009 | 2009 UN General Assembly

“The UN Secretary-General’s High Level Event on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)” during the 2009 UN General Assembly – featuring 14 heads of state, the Secretary-General, the World Bank President, and over 100 countries represented by their diplomatic corps, along with 400 high level participants. Sent a clear, strong signal to the Copenhagen COP that northern and southern heads of government are aligned on the REDD+ agenda.

21 May, 2008 | Achieving Synergies between the CBD and UNFCCC

“Achieving Synergies between the CBD and UNFCCC: The Potential for Pro-Poor and Pro-Biodiversity REDD”, organized by UNDP with the government of Norway, SwedBio, IUCN, UNFPII, and ODI, CBD COP 9, Bonn, Germany.

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24 Sept, 2007 | The Future In Our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate Change

“The Future In Our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate Change”, led UNDP’s participation in the UN Secretary-General’s Head of State Level Event, UN HQ.

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14 Sept, 2005 | Environment for the MDGs

Poverty-Environment Partnership Head of State Dinner with over 500 VIPs, to “Celebrate Leadership, Inn ovation & Action” on the occasion of the 2005 World Summit, Central Park Boathouse, NYC, 14 September 2005

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2 - 4 March, 2003 | Biodiversity After Johannesburg

“Biodiversity After Johannesburg: The Critical Role of Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services in Achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals”, a global symposium for leading thinkers and actors, London, UK

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Selected Speeches and Keynote Addresses

2024

2016

2014

2012

2008

  • “Sowing Seeds of Faith: Cultivating a Decade of Restoration” C. McNeill speaking in side event during UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 16, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 4 December 2024,

    See Video

    CIM speaking from 41:30 to 49:45 mins with Q&A following. Link to biodata

  • “Faith Stories of Restoration”, C. McNeill speaking in side event during UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 16, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3 December 2024,

    See Video

    CIM speaking from 5:15 to 17:00 mins with Q&A following

  • “Fireside Chat” 30 Minute Interview with Charles McNeill on ‘Engaging the Faith Community in Land Restoration’, during UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 16, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3 December 2024, See Video

    Clip from interview here

  • “Faith and Restoration High Level Agenda: Aligning Faith Action and Advocacy across the Rio Conventions” event held during New York Climate Week, Jay Conference Center, Bryant Park, NYC

    26 September 2024, organized by UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), G20 Global Land Initiative & UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Keynote address to religious leaders: See Keynote

    C McNeill presentation from: 9:49 to 30:30 mins in video [Another link to event]

  • “What Happened at the UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, December 2023, and at Pope Francis’ conference on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge at the Vatican, March 2024 and Where Do We Go From Here?” Presentation to Rotary Club of Bowen Island, 25 March 2024, Video of talk here

    Or here via Rotary Club

     (2002-2015)

    www.equatorinitiative.org

2023

2022

2021

  • “Advancing Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for Environmental Stewardship and Climate Protection”, during the Religions for Peace meeting on Multi-Religious and Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for Peace and Development Plenary Session II, 730 3rd Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 11 December 2019 (organizer, moderator, speaker)

  • Statement at the New York launch of the Brazilian Blockbuster Eco-Thriller TV Series “ARUANAS”, Hellen Mills Theatre, 137 W. 26th St, NY, 21 September 2019 (speaker)

  • “Advancing Shared Well-Being by Promoting Integral Human Development and Protecting the Earth”, in Religions for Peace 10thWorld Assembly, with 1,000 participants from 125 countries representing 1 billion people in the Plenary Session 4, 23 August 2019 (keynote address),

    Written statement: https://www.rfp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Remarks-by-Charles-McNeill-IRI-Plenary-IV-Protecting-the-Earth.pdf,

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCIttCr1ebQ 9:15-18:13

    https://www.rfp.org/10th-world-assembly-of-religions-for-peace/

  • “Role of Multi-Faith Partnerships to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts” during the UN Multi faith Advisory Council’s Kofi Annan Faith Briefings during the UN High Level Political Forum (UN HLPF), Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, 320 East 43rd Street. 15 July 2019 (moderator & speaker)

     

  • “Global Ethics for the Environment: An Emerging Understanding” presentation during side event entitled: “Faith, Global Ethics and Climate Commitments; The Fifth Directive of the Parliament’s Global Ethic, funded initiative, and the Climate Commitments Project” held during United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 4), Nairobi, Kenya, 15 March 2019,

    Flyer: https://tzuchi.us/events/march-15-2019-united-nation-environment-assembly-unea4-session

2018

  • “Threats to Freshwater, Oceans, Forests & Life: Can the World’s Religions Turn the Tide?”, event at the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions, Toronto, Canada, 4 November 2018 (speaker)

  • Statement to UN Forum on Forests, Pre-High Level Political Forum 2018 Event entitled: “Forest-based Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies: Lessons Learned and Success Stories”, UN HQ, Conference Room 6, NY, 8 July 2018 (speaker)

  • Statement to the Plenary of the COICA Assembly in the session on “Climate Ambition and Indigenous Alternatives”, Macapa, Brazil [COICA is the umbrella organization of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin], 19 June 2018 (speaker)

  • “We’re Still In: Faith-Based Organizations and Climate Change” during the Parliament of the World’s Religions event for the Observance of World Environment Day, A Pre-Parliament Event of the Toronto Parliament of the World’s Religions, Church Center for the United Nations, First Ave/44th Street, 4 June 2018 (speaker)

  • “Briefing & Consultation on the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative” at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) UN Headquarters - Conference Room 4. To determine how this new initiative can best partner with and serve Indigenous Peoples, 19 April 2018 (moderator & speaker).

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32c5CJmzUc0&feature=youtu.be

     

  • “Pope Francis' Message in Puerto Maldonado: Reflection & Action for the Amazon We Want” (“El Mensaje del Papa Francisco en Puerto Maldonado: Reflexion & Accion Para la Amazonia que Queremos”), organized by the Foundation For Amazon Sustainability (FAS), Puerto Maldonado, Peru, 20 January 2018 (keynote address)

2020

2019

  • “Care – Share – Inspire: Climate Wisdom from COP 28 Dubai” Live broadcast event in Dubai, UAE, organized by the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, 12 December 2023 with C McNeill as featured speaker

    See Video

  • “Screening of the Film ‘Amazonia Viva’ in Virtual Reality and with a Digital Scent”, Side event in the Brazil Pavilion during UNFCCC COP 28, Dubai, UAE, (speaker on panel) 11 December 2023

    See Video

    Event starts at 4:45:00, C McNeill at 4:54:40

  • “Ethical Development Pathways for Climate Resilient Food Systems”, Side event in the Faith Pavilion during UNFCCC COP 28, Dubai, UAE, organized by the Interfaith Liaison Committee and Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, (speaker on panel), 10 December 2023

  • “Religions in Action for Forests, Climate and Indigenous Peoples: Innovations of the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Colombia”, Side event in the Colombia Pavilion during UNFCCC COP 28, Dubai, UAE, (speaker on panel), 9 December 2023 (20+) Facebook

     

  • “Religions In Action for Forests, Climate and Indigenous Peoples — Innovations from the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of The Congo, Indonesia and Peru”

    SDG Pavilion, UNFCCC COP 28, Dubai, UAE, 8 December 2023, (moderator and speaker)

    See Video

    C. McNeill starting at 3:20 mins

  • “Mobilizing Religious Leadership for a Sustainable Amazon: The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) Peru”, Side event in the Peru Pavilion during UNFCCC COP 28, Dubai, UAE, (speaker on panel) 4 December 2023 See Video

  • “The Critical Role of Transforming Our Food System to Protect the Climate, Nature and Our Own Health” Presentation to SKY Society, Bowen Island, BC, Canada, 30 October 2023 (2003-2006)

    See Presentation

  • “Food for 1.5: Healthy Diets for a Sustainable Future – Unlocking the Potential of Plant-Based Solutions”, side event during Climate Week 2023, New York City, organized by Proveg International, et al, 19 September 2023, (keynote speaker)

    See Video (starting at 1:39)

  • 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, ‘Closing Plenary & Ceremony: A Call to Action’, A Call to Conscience Defending Freedom & Human Rights, Chicago, USA, 18 August 2023, (plenary speaker to 4,000 participants)

    See Flyer

    See Video - C. McNeill starting at 42:00

  • 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, “An Interfaith Rainforest Initiative Dialogue with Indigenous Leaders: An Urgent Call to Protect the Amazon”, Chicago, USA, 16 August 2023, Keynote statement in plenary event:

    See Video

  • “Faith for the Earth” side event, 15 August 2023, during 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, Chicago, USA, Speakers: Charles McNeill, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Bhai Sahib, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Rabbi David Rosen, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Vandana

    See Video

  • “Faith for Water” event during the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, Chicago, USA, (speaker on panel), 15 August 2023

  • “Faith for the Earth” side event, 14 August 2023, during 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, Chicago, USA, (speaker on panel), 14 August 2023

    See Video

  • “30 by 30: Faith and Biodiversity” side event, 14 August 2023, during 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, 9th Global Convening, Chicago, USA, (speaker on panel), 14 August 2023

    See Video

  • Presentation for Earth Month Lecture Series in Bowen Library entitled: “Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and the Future of Food: A Global Perspective to Inform Local Action”, 29 April 2023,

    Link to slides here

    Link to video here

  • “Human Rights and the Rights of Nature” Panel during the Convention on Biological (CBD COP 15) Montreal, Canada, in the ‘Faith-Based Pavilion’ on 13 December 2022, organized by the Parliament of the World’s Religions (speaker) See Video

    and here:

    See Video (C McNeill statement from 19:30-28:20)

  • "Preserving Life on Land: Plans, Projects, Pitfalls and Partnerships for Rainforest Preservation", a side event during the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development (HLPF/ SDG #15), 11 July 2022, organized by the Episcopal Church, World Council of Churches, Parliament of the World’s Religions, (moderator and keynote),

    See Video

  • “The Bad News and the Good News on Climate and Forests and A Way Forward”, a speech during the French Cultural Center, Lycee Francais de New York event entitled: ‘Why Are Forests So Important?’, 26 April 2022,

    See Video

  • “Implications of the Recent Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) and the current War in Ukraine on the Global Climate Crisis”, Presentation to Rotary Club of Bowen Island, 28 Mar 2022,

    Slides and Audio of talk

  • “Religions in Action for the Protection and Restoration of Forests: Lessons from the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Brazil, Colombia, DRC and Peru”, as part of the Faith for Earth Dialogue during the United Nations Environment Assembly 5.2 (UNEA 5.2). 1 March 2022 (moderator and speaker).

    Report on event

    Video of event

    Faith for Earth link to event here

  • “Faith and Diplomacy: Strategic Reflections on Religiously Inspired Global Efforts Towards Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies”, organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religious for Peace, UN Church Center, 44th St, NY, NY, 10 December 2021 (speaker)

    Faith and Diplomacy: Strategic Reflections on Religiously Inspired Global Efforts Towards Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies | UNAOC

  • “Making Peace with Nature: Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples”, Official UNFCCC COP 26 Side Event organized by the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA, World Council of Churches (WCC), highlighting powerful new coalitions of religious and indigenous leaders from diverse traditions to protect nature and the climate, 3 November 2021 (moderator)

    See Video

    See Flyer

  • “The Opportunity and Challenge of Glasgow”, in the Episcopal Church event entitled: “Episcopal Climate Advocacy at the UN: COP26 Kick-Off with the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation”, 28 October 2021 (speaker)

    See Video

    (Introduction of C. McNeill at 19:15, C. McNeill’s statement from: 19:38 to 24:45)

  • “Universal Table” in the 2021 Social Gastronomy Movement Summit that brought together a cross-sector of food system experts to unpack community resilience in the face of the urgent threats to our food system, the three Cs: Climate, COVID-19 and Conflict, 15 October 2021, (speaker),

    See Video

  • “Faiths in Action for the Amazon: Innovations from the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Brazil, Colombia and Peru”, during the 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions (POWR), 15 October 2021 (chair and speaker)

    See Video

    See Report on event

    Faith for Earth link to event

  • “Multi-religious Diplomacy: A Tipping Point for Saving Our Environment”, in the Environment session of the Religions for Peace ‘Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue’, Lindau, Germany, 5 October 2021 (moderator and speaker)

    Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue Event Summary - Religions for Peace

  • “How Racism And Colonialism Are Exacerbating Impacts of Climate Change” in the World Council of Churches (WCC) Parallel Event during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, 29 September 2021, (speaker)

    Program

    See Video

    C. McNeill presentation from 13:30-25:00, Q&A: 25:50-28:15, Final Point: 1:16:20-1:17:25

  • “Tropical Forests: Gift and Responsibility” Webinar organized by IRI Peru during World Rainforest Day, 23 June 2021 (keynote)

    See Poster

    (C. McNeill statement in Spanish, from 13:50-22:20)

  • “'Faiths in Service of the Restoration of the Amazon” during the IRI Colombia webinar on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, 9 June 2021, (keynote)

    See Video  (C. McNeill speaks from 3:30-13:45)

    See Poster

  • “Concluding Remarks and Launch of a New Collaboration between Yale and the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative” during the 2021 Annual Conference of the International Society of Tropical Foresters organized by the Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, 20 February 2021 (keynote address)

    See Poster

    See Video 9:45-35:10 mins

  • Statement during 'Sacred Activism - Peace Sundays Revolution / Environmental Stewardship: When Prophecies Come True, Part 1,’ event, 24 January 2021 (keynote).

    See Promotion

    See Video

  • Presentation in ‘FORUM2020: Science, Spirituality, the Climate Emergency and Our Future’ and the Global Interfaith Prayer Service for the Earth held 17 October 2020 on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Temple of Understanding. 16 October 2020 (speaker)

    Video of event, Starting at 00:45

  • “What is the Biodiversity Summit and Why is it Important for the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative?” during the IRI Peru Webinar, 29 September 2020, Video: https://www.facebook.com/IRIPERU/videos/3073095779461032  10:35-21:45

  • “The Role of Communities of Faith in the Work of the UN”, during the ‘International Webinar on Interfaith Harmony for World Peace’ organized by the Parliament of the World’s Religions and Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot on the 127th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s participation in the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893. 11 September 2020 (speaker),

    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EWvQITGzZ0, 20:08-25:24

     

  • “Faith in Conservation” presentation to ‘REVIVE, Talks to Reconnect’, hosted by Co-Exist, 5 September 2020 (keynote),

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLksXt5yYV4

  • “The Important Role of Indigenous Peoples & Interfaith Initiatives to Protect Rainforests and Address the Climate and Biodiversity Crises”, lecture to the ‘Model United Nations Impact Global Summit: Uniting the World Through the SDGs’, 22 July 2020 (keynote),

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFWo7dSBzZI or https://youtu.be/cFWo7dSBzZI

  • “Building Back Better and Agenda 2030’s Principles During COVID and the Role of Faith Communities in Promoting Integral Human Development and Ecology to Advance Human Well-Being”, event organized by CARITAS Internalis and CARITAS Africa event during the 2020 UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at UN HQ, 7 July 2020 (moderator)

    https://sdgs.un.org/events/role-faith-communities-accelerating-action-and-transformative-pathways-decade-action-and

  • “Protecting Tropical Forest for People, the Climate and Biodiversity”, a presentation, along with Jane Goodall and other celebrities as part of the ‘World Unity Week’ and in observance of the International Day for the Conservation of Tropical Forests, organized by the Parliament of the World’s Religions and the Jane Goodall Institute, 26 June 2020,

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guYB_Ji0Zcc 37:10-46:20

  • Statement on World Environment Day 2020 Webinar entitled “United Nations to a United Creation: Bridging Science & Faith is the Solution”, with renowned leaders from science and spirituality bringing messages of inspiration, innovation and moral imperative of action for a healthy, sustainable future, 5 June 2020 (speaker),

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj_irMIYhwI and  https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=890439104787778 147:00-154:20

     

2017

  • Statement to the UNFCCC COP 23 Side Event on the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) organized by Climate Focus, Marrakech, Morocco, 11 November 2017 (keynote as guest of honor)

  • “Creating an Interfaith Action Agenda on Rainforests” as part of the High Level Launching Event of the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, 19 June 2017 (moderator)

  • “The Power of Women and Indigenous Peoples to Achieve Better Growth with Forests”, during the 2nd Annual General Assembly of the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) in Brasilia, Brazil, 21 March 2017 (organizer and speaker),

    https://www.tropicalforestalliance.org/en/news-and-events/events/tropical-forest-alliance-annual-meeting-2017

  • “Partnering for Deforestation-free Commodities” in the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 Partner Meeting as part of the 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Hotel Derby, Davos, Switzerland, 19 January 2017 (organizer)

  • “Forest Action Day”, the official Forest component of the Global Climate Action Agenda of the UNFCCC COP 22 featuring momentum in forests towards achieving the Paris Agreement goals, Blue Zone, Marrakech, Morocco, 8 November 2016 (master of ceremonies)

  • “Green Monday: A Plant-Based Diet for a Healthy Climate”, a panel discussion at UNDP HQ, on 7 October 2016, (moderator)

  • “Nature Conservation and the SDGs: How to Maximize the Synergies” speech delivered within the seminar entitled “Forests and the SDGs: Overcoming development challenges through collaborative institutional frameworks” as part of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Oahu, Hawaii, 6 Sept 2016, (speaker)

    https://www.iucn.org/news/forests-and-sdgs-overcoming-development-challenges-through-collaborative-institutional; https://portals.iucn.org/congress/session/10239

  • “Local-Global Leaders Dialogue: Partnerships for Sustainable Development” within the Community Kauhale-Oiwi of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii, 4 Sept 2016, (moderator)

  • “Protection-Production Partnerships for Forests, Climate and Sustainable Development”, a side event to strengthen multi-stakeholder actions to develop resilient supply chains while curtailing forest loss, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Honolulu, Hawaii, 4 Sept 2016, (moderator and speaker)

  • “Opening Event for the Community Kauhale-Oiwi”, the Community Dialogue Space of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2 Sept 2016, (keynote speaker)

  • Launch of the Equator Initiative book: “Climate Solution from Community Forests: Learning from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities”, during the Oslo REDD+ Exchange, Oslo, Norway, 15 June 2016 (keynote speaker)

  • “The Elephant (or Cow) in the Room: Why Dietary Change is Critical to Meeting Paris Agreement Climate Goals”, a panel discussion at UNDP HQ, on 19 May 2016 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Reflecting on Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement in COP 21 and the Implications of the Paris Agreement”, during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN HQ, on 11 May 2016, (keynote speaker)

  • “Indigenous Peoples, Land Rights and Sustainable Development”, during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UNDP HQ, organized by RRI, Tribal Link, UNDP on 10 May 2016, (moderator and speaker) https://goo.gl/c6KwR5

  • “Forests and the Future We Want” during Yale University’s International Society of Tropical Foresters 2016 Conference entitled “Tropical Forests for Sustainable Development: Shaping our Post-2015 Future with Knowledge from the Field”, Yale University, 28-30 January 2016 (closing keynote address), Video: 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzbCgUd8vN0&feature=youtu.be. http://istf.yale.edu/2016-conference/keynote-speakers

2015

  • “Reporting on Indigenous Peoples / Government Dialogues for UNFCCC COP 21”, during the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris, France, Climate Generations Space, 3 December 2015 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Reception to Introduce the Equator Prize 2015 Winners”, during the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris, France, Climate Generations Space, Rio Pavilion, 3 December 2015 (moderator)

  • “Progress and Opportunities around the Implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent (DOI) between the Governments of Peru, Norway and Germany to Reduce greenhouse gas Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and to Promote Sustainable Development in Peru”, during the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris, France, Blue Zone, Peru Pavilion, 1 December 2015 (speaker)

  • “Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change: Regional Perspectives”, session during “International Conference on Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty: Indigenous peoples and climate change”, co-organised by UNESCO, National Museum of Natural History of France, France, UNDP, etc., at UNESCO HQ, Paris, France, 26 November 2015

  • “Supporting Meaningful Participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in UNFCCC COP 21”, during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, 30 April 2015 (moderator and speaker)

  • “The International Political Context: Outcome of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit and its Relevance for Addressing the Drivers of Deforestation”, during the “Transatlantic Dialogue: Reducing Deforestation in Supply Chains of Agricultural Commodities: Identifying Policy Options for the U.S. and EU,” Pew Charitable Trusts Conference Center, 23-24 October 2014 (keynote speaker)

  • “Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples on the Forests Action Area of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit”, during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, 14 May 2014 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Launch of the Community-Based REDD+ Initiative”, during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, 14 May 2014 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples on UNDP’s Draft Social and Environmental Standards and Dispute Resolution Process”, at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, 19 May 2014 (moderator and presenter)

2013

  • “Leaders Valuing Nature: An Event on Nature’s Benefits for Sustainable Development”, at UN HQ during the UN General Assembly, 24 Sept 2013 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Practical Approaches to Ensuring the Full and Effective Participation of Indigenous Peoples in REDD+: Assessing Experiences and Lessons to Date”, a global Indigenous Peoples conference organized by the government of Germany, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), UN-REDD, Castle of Weilburg, Lahn, Germany, 10-12 Sept 2013 (opening and closing addresses)

  • “Africa on the Move: Stories of Climate Resilient Development from the Japan-funded Africa Adaptation Programme”, during the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), hosted by the government of Japan, Yokohama, Japan, 1 June 2013 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Updates from the UN-REDD Programme: Consultations on Community-based REDD+ and Launch of Free, Prior & Informed Consent (FPIC) Guidelines and Legal Companion”, presentation to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, UN Headquarters, 22 May 2013, (moderator and featured speaker)

  • “Aligning Personal Choices with Planetary Wellbeing: Walking the Talk to Protect Biodiversity and Fight Climate Change”, a featured interview on the ‘Spring of Sustainability’ worldwide broadcast by the Sustainable World Coalition, 11 May 2013

    [http://2013.springofsustainability.com/sessions/2013/27]

  • “Changing the Narrative on Environmental Sustainability: Advancing Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Community-Based Action for the SDGs” in the symposium “UN Briefing and Roundtable on Post-2015 Development Agenda: Advancing Environmental Sustainability and Community-Based Action”, at The Nature Conservancy headquarters, 16 Apr 2013 (moderator and presenter)

  • “Creating a Climate of Change to Address Climate Change”, speech on the “Spring of Sustainability” worldwide broadcast, organized by the Sustainable World Coalition, 11 Apr 2013 (speaker)

  • “Briefing on the Global Thematic Consultation on Energy in the Post-2015 Development Agenda”, organized by the UN SG SE4ALL initiative, governments of Mexico, Norway, Tanzania, UN-Energy, World Bank, UN-DESA, UNIDO, UNDP at UN HQ, 11 Mar 2013 (moderator)

  • “UN-REDD Programme: Meeting Country Needs for REDD+ Readiness and Beyond”, side event at UNFCCC Doha COP 18, 5 Dec 2012 (moderator and presenter)

  • “Actions for Gender Responsive Climate Change Policy and Implementation of Rio+20 Outcomes”, at the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE) conference during UNFCCC COP 18, 4 Dec 2012 (keynote address)

  • “Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods and Inclusive Green Development through Ecosystem Management and Assessment: The International Policy Demand”, in the International Seminar on “Towards Linking Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services to Economic and Human Activity”, as part of the UN’s System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) work, organized by UNDESA , UN Secretariat, 27-29 Nov 2012 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication: Sharing national experiences on frameworks for action”, during Third Intercessional Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, including presentation and announcement of Equator Prize winners, UN HQ, New York City, 22 Mar 2012 (speaker)

  • “Scaling Up Integrated Local Development Innovations”, a symposium, UN HQ, 26 Jan 2012 (speaker)

2011

2010

  • “National REDD+ Strategies in Asia & the Pacific: Progress and Challenges”, UNFCCC side event, Tianjin, China, 6 Oct 2010 (speaker)

  • “Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Climate Change: Scaling Up Local Solutions to Achieve the MDGs”, gala event in honor of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, American Museum of Natural History, 20 Sept. 2010, (organizer and master of ceremonies for 500 person event)

  • “Investing in Good Governance for REDD+: Seeking Common Ground”, UN Chief Executives Board and UN-REDD Side Event at UNFCC SBSTTA meeting in Bonn, 5 Aug 2010 (chair and presenter)

  • “Capacity Building and Climate Change: Experiences and Lessons Learned”, UNDP side event during UNFCCC SBSTTA meeting in Bonn, Germany, 3 Aug 2010 (chair and presenter)

  • “Protecting Forests from the Ground Up”, Accra Caucus on Forests and Climate Change for launch of “Realizing Rights, Protecting Forests: An Alternative Vision for Reducing Deforestation” during the UNFCCC SBSTTA meeting in Bonn, 3 June 2010 (keynote speaker)

  • “Developments in MRV & Monitoring of Mitigation Actions and Safeguards for REDD+”, UN-REDD side event at UNFCCC SBSTTA meeting in Bonn, Germany, 3 June 2010 (speaker)

  • “Report on the Africa Adaptation Programme”, in UNDP’s Side Event on the Africa Adaptation Programme on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Integrating Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction into Adaptation during the UNFCCC SBSTTA meeting in Bonn, Germany, 1 June 2010 (keynote speaker and moderator)

  • “The Role of Biodiversity and Healthy Ecosystems in Supporting Child Health”, ‘2010 International Year of Biodiversity’ event, American Museum of Natural History, 30 Apr 2010 (chair and presenter)

  • “Stakeholder Engagement in REDD Readiness: Country Examples from the UN-REDD Programme”, side event during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues (UNPFII), 23 Apr 2010 (moderator and presenter)

  • ‘2010 International Year of Biodiversity, North American Launch’ entitled: “Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life.” A 500 person educational event at the American Museum of Natural History, NY, 10 Feb 2010 (moderator and presenter)

2009

  • “What are the potential social effects of REDD initiatives, and how can such initiatives recognize the rights and roles of indigenous and local communities?”, panel discussion during Forest Day 3, UNFCCC 15 in Copenhagen, 13 Dec 2009 (moderator and presenter)

  • “Intergovernmental Roundtable on the Inclusion of Human Rights in a UNFCCC REDD Agreement” during the UNFCCC meeting attended by official government REDD negotiators from over 20 countries, Bangkok, Oct 2009 (chair)

  • “Scaling Up Local Capacity and Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development: The Role of Knowledge-Sharing and Learning Processes”, side event at UN HQ, 25 June 2009 (speaker)

  • “MRV, Multiple Benefits and Governance: Key Issues for REDD Implementation”, UNFCCC SBSTA meeting, Bonn, Germany, 9 June 2009 (chair and speaker) [see link to ENB article]

  • “Training & Capacity Building for REDD+ Readiness”, Forum on Readiness Side Event organized by Rainforest Alliance, CI, TNC at UNFCCC SBSTTA, Bonn, Germany, June 2009 (speaker)

  • “Local Capacity and Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development”, a consultation on UNDP’s corporate strategy on engaging with IPs/LCs during the 8th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, 22 May 2009 (keynote speaker)

  • “The Role of Indigenous Peoples in the UN-REDD Programme”, at the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change, Anchorage, Alaska, 20-24 Apr 2009 (speaker) [see program]

  • “The relative roles of the UN and the World Bank on REDD”, joint presentation with the FCPF and FIP to the global forestry community represented by 500 foresters in the Committee on Forests, Rome, 18 Mar 2009 (speaker)

  • “A Search for the Meaning of Environmental Migrants”, panel during symposium “Global Responses to Eco-Migration and Environmental Disasters: The Role of U.S. and International Law and Policy”, Fordham Law at Lincoln Center, 23 Feb 2009 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Congressional Call for U.S. Leadership on Forests and Climate Congressional Briefing and Luncheon”, Capitol Hill, Washington DC, Feb 2009 (speaker)

  • “UN System Response to Support REDD”, side event at UNFCCC 14 in Poznan, Poland, 4 Dec 2008 (chair and presenter)

  • “Gender & Climate Change Finance”, workshop sponsored by UNDP, Heinrich Boll Foundation, and Global Gender and Climate Alliance, NYC, 19 Nov 2008 (featured speaker)

  • “Presentation of the UN-REDD Programme” to the Global Indigenous Peoples’ Consultation on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), Tebtebba Foundation, Baguio City, Philippines, 12-14 Nov 2008, (speaker)

  • Presentation on UN-REDD Programme at the WFF-hosted Congo Basin meeting, Wash. DC, 23 Oct 2008 (speaker)

  • “Delivering Multiple Benefits from Forest Carbon Markets”, audience of 2,000 delegates at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain, Oct 2008 (speaker and moderator)

    http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/economics/econ_ourwork/econ_currentprojects/index.cfm?uNewsID=258

  • “Restoring Nature’s Capital: Integrating Ecosystem Services into Economic Development Decisions” IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain, Oct 2008 (speaker and moderator)

  • ‘The UN REDD Initiative: What are the principles and mechanisms to ensure the protection and strengthening of rights?’“, at the Rights, Forests, Climate Change conference organized by Rights & Resources Initiative (RRI). 16 Oct 2008, Oslo, Norway (featured speaker)

  • “Restoring Nature’s Capital: Integrating Ecosystem Services into Economic Development Decisions”, a WRI workshop during the IUCN Congress, Barcelona, Spain, 6 Oct 2008 (speaker)

  • "Protecting Rainforests, Communities and Our Climate", with VP Al Gore, Jr. and Wangari Maathai, and Avoided Deforestation Partners luncheon roundtable at McKinsey & Company, 22 Sept 2008 (panelist)

  • “Monitoring, Reporting & Verification for REDD+”, UN-REDD sponsored workshop, UNF offices, Washington DC, 16-17 Sept 2008, (moderator)

  • “How to Increase Access to and the Impact of International Climate Funding”, Head of State Level colloquium on “CC8 – Technology and Finance in Climate Cooperation”, organized by the Club de Madrid, Bellona Foundation, at the Hafslund Manor, Sarpsborg, Norway, 5 June 2008 (speaker)

  • “UNDP Statement to the 9th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, delivered at CBD COP 9 in Bonn, Germany, 29 May 2008 (speaker)

  • “Achieving Synergies between the CBD and UNFCCC: The Potential for Pro-Poor and Pro-Biodiversity REDD”, with representatives from The Government of Norway, SwedBio, IUCN, UNFPII, and ODI, CBD COP 9, Bonn, Germany, 21 May 2008 (moderator)

    https://www.equatorinitiative.org/equatordialogues/events/21May_ProPoor_ProBiodiversity_REDD.htm

    “Achieving Synergies between the CBD and UNFCCC: The Potential for Pro-Poor and Pro-Biodiversity REDD”,with representatives from The Government of Norway, SwedBio, IUCN, UNFPII, and ODI, CBD COP 9, Bonn, Germany, 21 May 2008 (moderator)

  • Book Launch: Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity, sponsored by Harvard, CBD, IUCN, UNDP and UNEP, during the CBD COP 9, Bonn, Germany, May 2008 (moderator)

    https://pear-plum-bz4x.squarespace.com/config/pages

  • “Challenges in Dealing with Multiple Targets and Agendas on Conservation and Development”, Panel during the Biodiversity Forum, organized by UNEP, CBD and other key stakeholders, such as Countdown 2010 during the CBD COP 9, Bonn, Germany, May 2008 (moderator)

  • “Can Carbon Markets Work for Climate, Conservation and Poverty Reduction?”, side event during the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, with Fordham Univ., WCS, part of the “People & the Environment Spring 2008 Lecture Series”, UNHQ, 8 May 2008 (moderator and speaker)

  • “Intergovernmental Environmental Governance Panel”, chaired by the UN Ambassadors from Switzerland and Mexico, UN HQ, 24 Apr 2008 (speaker)

  • “Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity”, book launch event organized by Harvard Univ, IUCN, CBD, UNEP & UNDP at the UN Delegates Dining Room, 23 Apr 2008 (moderator)

  • Speech to Norwegian Parliament and CSOs on REDD+ and UN-REDD, as part of a joint UN/World Bank presentation, 14-16 Jan 2008 (speaker)

  • “Outcomes of the Bali Conference on Climate Change”, United Nations Association and the Business Council for the UN, 10 Jan 2008 (featured speaker)

  • “Outcomes of the Bali Conference on Climate Change”, United Nations Association of the USA and the Business Council for the UN presentations, Church Center for the UN, 10 Jan 2008 (featured speaker)

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002 - 1994

  • “Climate Change and Children”, a UNICEF-organized side event during the UNFCCC COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia, 10 Dec 2007 (speaker)

  • “Making REDD Work for the Poor: The Socio-Economic Implications of Mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation”, a Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) event at Forest Day during the UNFCCC COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia, 8 Dec 2007 (moderator and speaker)

  • “The Poverty Impacts Of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Deforestation And Land Degradation,”, Poverty Environment Partnership meeting, Washington DC, 20 Nov 2007 (chair and speaker)

  • “The Role of Biodiversity in Reaching the MDGs and the Issue of Trade-offs: How to Win More and Lose Less", 5th Trondheim/UN Conference on Ecosystems and People – Biodiversity for development – The road to 2010 and beyond, Norway, 29 Oct- 2 Nov 2007 (keynote address)

  • ”Climate Change and Energy: Addressing the Challenges of Mitigation, Adaptation, Technology and Financing: International and National Perspectives”, Fordham Law School Symposium on “Energy and Climate Change: North and South Perspectives”, Lincoln Center, NY, 1 Oct 2007 (speaker)

  • “Poverty, Disease and the Environment: Reforming the United Nation’s Development Agenda”, New York University School of Law Conference on “The UN & Three Challenges of the 21st Century: Peace & Security, the Promotion of Human Rights, and the Reduction of Poverty”, 29 Mar 2007 (speaker)

    “Linkages Between the 2010 Biodiversity Target and the MDGs and a Review of Methodologies for Mainstreaming Biodiversity”, in side event: “Integrating Biodiversity into National Strategies for Poverty Eradication & the Millennium Development Goals”, during CBD’s Second Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI2), Paris, France, 11 July 2007 (keynote speech)

  • “Mainstreaming Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services into National Development Plans and the MDGs”, presentation during training workshop on National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs) for the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the CBD’s Second Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI2), Paris, France, 8 July 2007 (featured speaker)

  • “Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Development: The MDG Support Initiative Window of Opportunity”, for the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the CBD’s Second Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI2), Paris, France, 8 July 2007 (featured speaker)

  • “An Assessment of Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals”, presentation during the symposium “The United Nations and Three Challenges of the 21st Century: Peace and Security, the Promotion of Human Rights, and the Reduction of Poverty”, New York University School of Law, 29 March 2007 (speakere)

  • “Unleashing Market Forces to Protect the Environment and Reduce Poverty”, Conference as part of the workshop series “People and the Environment: (Mis)conceptions and Changing Perceptions – The Role of Markets, Education and the Media”, Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus, 7 Mar 2007 (speaker)

  • “The Imperative for Sustainable Action: A Global View on Linking Valuation and Sustainability”, the Vancouver Valuation Summit, Organized by the Globe Foundation and attended by over 300 business leaders, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2 Mar 2007 (keynote address)

  • “Social Safeguards: Protecting the Rights and Interests of Indigenous Peoples and Forest Dependent Communities in REDD+”, Learning Event for Forest Day 5 at UNFCCC 17 in Durban, South Africa, 4 Dec 2011 (moderator)

  • “UNDP’s Approach to Capacity Development,” in the International Expert Meeting on the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and Capacity Building organized by Brazil and Norway, Trondheim, Norway, 25 May 2011 (speaker)

  • “UNDP’s Mandate, Policies and Experience with Indigenous Peoples”, Presentation to the GEF Council’s Consultation Meeting with Civil Society Organizations on “Towards Development of a GEF Policy on Indigenous Peoples”, Wash DC, 23 May 2011 (speaker)

  • “Engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the UN-REDD Programme”, Presentation to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) Expert Group on Indigenous Peoples and Forests, 18 May 2011 (speaker)

  • UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), delivered UNDP’s and UN-REDD’s statement to the UNPFII 10th, 16 May 2011 (speaker)

  • “Towards full and effective participation of IPs in REDD+: Update from the UN-REDD Programme”, a speech given during a joint FCPF/UN-REDD/FIP side event during the UNPFII, May 2011 (speaker)

  • “Building Sustainable Communities and Cities while Protecting Global Common Goods: A Status Report on the Global Environment and A Proposed Action Plan for Governments and Communities”,  Nordic Conference on Sustainable Social Development, audience of over 600 national and local government representatives, Oslo, Norway, 26 Oct 2006 (keynote address)

  • “A Global Perspective on Sustainability”, in the ‘Living with Nature: A Conference on Sustaining the New York Metropolitan Region’s Biodiversity Through Local Action’, organized by the Center for Biodiversity Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History and New York City Soil & Water Conservation District, 20 Oct 2006 (keynote address)

  • “Mobilizing Environmental Finance for Sustainable Development: The MDG Carbon Facility”, 14th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14), UNDP Headquarters, 5 May 2006, (speaker)

  • “Poverty Reduction and Protecting the Environment Are Not Opposing Goals”, People and the Environment lecture series, Fordham University and The Nature Conservancy, 5 Apr 2006, (speaker)

  • “Sustainable Ways to Conserve and Equitably Share Biological Diversity: Implementing the 2010 Targets” in the 2010 Biodiversity Forum during the Convention on Biological Diversity COP 8, Curitiba, Brazil, 25 Mar 2006 (speaker)

  • “2010 and 2015 Issues: Biodiversity for Achieving MDGs”, in the 2010 Biodiversity Forum during the Convention on Biological Diversity COP 8, Curitiba, Brazil, 24 Mar 2006 (speaker)

  • “Building Sustainable Communities and Cities while Protecting Global Common Goods”, address to over 700 leaders including 500 mayors at the ICLEI World Congress 2006 for Cities and Local Governments, “Out of Africa: Local Solutions for Global Challenges”, Cape Town, South Africa, 27 Feb 2006  (keynote address)

  • “Review of PEP’s Work on ‘Environment for the MDGs’ for the 2005 World Summit” in the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) plenary session organized by the government of Canada, Ottawa, 13 Oct 2005 (keynote address)

  • “MDG 7 and the Poverty-Environment Partnership: A Way Forward”, in the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) plenary session organized by the government of Sweden, Stockholm, 15 Mar 2005 (keynote address)

  • “Biodiversity and the MDG Campaign: A Call for Strategic Integration”, Biodiversity, Science & Governance Conference, Paris, France, 24-28 Jan 2005 (speaker)

  • “Meeting of the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries”, expert meeting of megadiverse countries on access and benefit sharing by India, IUCN and UNDP, Delhi, India, 17-21 Jan 2005 (keynote address)

  • “Responses to the MDGs and the 2010 Target from Governments, Conservation NGOs, Development Agencies, International Organizations and the Private Sector” in the ‘Health, Poverty and Conservation: Responding to the Challenge of Human Well-Being’ Global Synthesis Workshop, World Conservation Forum, Bangkok, Thailand, 19 Nov 2004 (speaker)

  • “The MDG Campaign and the Environment: A Progress Report”, in the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP) plenary session organized by the government of Germany, Berlin, 4 Nov 2004 (keynote address)

  • “Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological and Economic Dimensions” Executive Roundtable, Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Zurich, Switzerland, 3-4 June 2004 (speaker)

  • “A Snapshot of Global Progress Towards Sustainable Development”, The Conference for Global Transformation, Landmark Education LLC, San Francisco, CA, 22 May 2004 (keynote address)

  • “UNDP Statement to the 7th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity”, delivered at CBD COP 7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 Feb 2004 (speaker)

  • “Reconciling Indicators for the 2010 Biodiversity Target and MDG 7: A Brainstorming Session to Generate Guidance for the CBD COP& and the UN Millennium Project”, during CBD COP7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 18 February 2004 (speaker)

  • “UNDP, the Private Sector and Local Communities: Dynamic New Partnerships for the MDGs”, address on public-private partnerships at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, New Delhi, India, 6 Feb 2004 (speaker)

  • “Why Swiss Re and The Long-term Prospects for Public Private Partnerships to Address Climate Change”, Presentation to the U.S. Advisory Board of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation including Paul A. Volcker, Walter Kielholz, Jacques E. Dubois, Geoffrey L. Bell, Gerald Clark, James D. Ericson, Thomas H. Fox, J. Pedro Reinhard, 10 Dec 2003 (speaker)

  • “Biodiversity on the Brink: Challenges in Science and Policy”, Part I: “Common Ground: Managing Lands for Nature and People”, Organized by the Center for Environmental Research & Conservation (CERC), The Nature Conservancy, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University, New York City, 20 Nov 2003 (speaker)

  • “2010 – The Global Biodiversity Challenge”, an international symposium organized by CBD, UNDP and UNEP, London, UK, 21-23 May 2003 (keynote address)

    ENB report on symposium: https://enb.iisd.org/events/meeting-biodiversity-after-johannesburg-critical-role-biodiversity-ecosystem-services-0

  • Report on the Environmental Sustainability Task Force, The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Symposium, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York City, 29 Apr 2003 (speaker)

  • “Biodiversity After Johannesburg: The Critical Role of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Achieving the MDGs”, Global Conference, Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom, 2-4 Mar 2003 (symposium organizer and keynote speaker)

  • “Biodiversity and the Millennium Development Goals: Opportunities and Challenges Arising from Johannesburg,” High Level Round Table for the UN Millennium Project, UN HQ, 7 Nov 2002 (speaker)

  • “UNDP/GEF Support of Renewable Energy Applications for Sustainable Human Development”, at the NREL Village power Workshop, Wash. DC, 24 Oct 1994 (speaker)

  • “UNDP/GEF Portfolio of Climate Mitigation Projects in Africa,” Africa-wide GHG Reduction Workshop, UNEP HQ, Nairobi, Kenya, 23 Mar 1994 (speaker)

2025

  • ”Innovative Solutions to Transform the Global Food System to Protect the Climate, Biodiversity
    and Land”, Presentation to the Bowen Island Food Resilience Society (BIFS) ‘Food Matters’ Series, 12 January 2025. Slides & video: Food Matters | Bowen Island Public Library

Charles McNeill Featured in Media

  • 22 November 2024

    Mid Hudson New Service piece on SYDA Foundation Award announced by C. McNeill

    Read

  • October 2024

    Feature piece in Landsby magazine, entitled: “Island Roots: Charles McNeill, former UN forest advisor, shares the deep family ties and spiritual connection that bind him to BC’s Bowen Island”, by Martha Perkins, journalist.

    Read

  • 11 July 2024

    Bowen Undercurrent newspaper article about C McNeill’s family history on Bowen Island, BC and the exhibit about them at the local Bowen Island Museum & Archive.

    Read

  • March 2024

    Interfaith Rainforest Initiative Colombia Newsletter featuring C. McNeill: “8 Years Hand in Hand with IRI”  

    Click Here

  • 19 December 2023

    “Plant-based Eating is Climate Action” side event during UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai reported on by ‘Tzu Chi USA In The News’ and featuring C. McNeill from 3:35 – 4:10 mins in video

    Watch

  • 18 December 2023

    Featured in Instagram post from Tzu Chi USA on food system transformation

    Read

  • 27 April 2023

    Feature article in Bowen Undercurrent newspaper entitled: “Final Earth Month Talk Focusing On Climate Change”

    Read

  • 1 April 2022

    Religions for Peace website and Facebook page featuring C. McNeill’s piece on Ukraine war and climate crisis

    See Post

  • 31 March 2022

    Opinion piece by C. McNeill entitled: ‘The War in Ukraine: A Learning Moment for the Global Climate Crisis’ published in Coastal Reporter newspaper, British Columbia, Canada

    Read

  • 31 March 2022

    Opinion piece by C. McNeill entitled: ‘The War in Ukraine: A Learning Moment for the Global Climate Crisis’ published in Bowen Undercurrent newspaper, British Columbia, Canada

    Read

  • 16 December 2021

    Opinion piece by C. McNeill entitled: “What I Learned at the Glasgow Climate Conference and What it Means for Bowen, BC and Canada” published on front page of the Bowen Undercurrent newspaper, British Columbia, Canada

    Read

  • 4 December 2021

    C. McNeill quoted throughout article in ‘EL ESPECTATOR’ by Evangelical leader in Colombia, Rev. Edgar Castanza entitled: “Conserve the forests of Colombia to Sustain Life”

    Read

  • 3 December 2021

    C. McNeill featured in Religions for Peace blog entitled: “Religious leaders affirm commitment at COP26 to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples to solve the climate and deforestation crisis”.

    Read

  • 23 November 2021

    C. McNeill comment for The Democracy Collaborative newsletter on “What is your assessment of what was (and was not) accomplished during COP26?”

    Read

  • 22 November 2021

    Interview with C. McNeill for The Democracy Collaborative (TDC) website on “Assessing COP26 and what must come next to address climate change”

    Read

  • 4 November 2021

    C. McNeill featured in Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) article entitled: “Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples”: Anglican Communion co-hosts official COP26 side event

    Read

  • 4 November 2021

    C. McNeill featured in Religion News Service (RNS) article entitled: “COP26 event urges partnership between religious, Indigenous leaders to save planet”

    Read

  • 3 November 2021

    C. McNeill featured in Religions for Peace article entitled “Religious leaders affirm commitment at COP26 to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples and to solve the climate and deforestation crisis” during UNFCCC COP 26 Side Event entitled: “Making Peace with Nature: Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples”

    Read

  • 2 November 2021

    C. McNeill in live interview on global broadcast of BBC World News on first day of Glasgow Climate Conference about the Forest Leaders Pledge

    Read

  • 6 October 2021

    Journalists interviewed C. McNeill during the ‘Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue’, organized by Ring for Peace & Religions for Peace, Lindau, Germany, Interview starts at 12:20

    Watch

  • 3 May 2021

    C. McNeill featured on Amazon Investor Coalition podcast

    Listen

  • 12 November 2020

    BBC Reporter, David Eades, quoted C McNeill extensively during the 1st Assembly on Women, Faith & Diplomacy, organized by Religions for Peace, 10-13 November 2020

    In Day 3: Heart-Talk on Environment - Women, Faith & Diplomacy 2020, November 12 @ 15:45 - 16:30, Interviewer.

    See 1:02-4:35 in video

    Watch

  • 11 September 2020

    Ecojustice For All: Temple of Understanding Interview Series

    Watch

  • 28 August 2020

    Religions for Peace Promotional video on “Making History: Religious and Indigenous Leaders Protecting Rainforests” 

    Watch

  • 14 April 2020

    Instagram Posting on Protecting the Amazon, More than 30,000 

    See Post

  • 9 January 2020

    C. McNeill quoted in UNEP Newsletter article entitled: ‘What Did the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative Achieve in 2019

    Read

  • 23 September 2019

    C. McNeill quoted in Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) newsletter article entitled “Faiths for Forests Campaign Gains Traction at U.N. Climate Action Summit”

    Read

  • 5 September 2019

    C. McNeill featured in Religions for Peace (RfP) article about IRI launch in Indonesia

    Read

  • 8 July 2019

    C. McNeill quoted in UNEP Newsletter article entitled “The Vatican and UN Environment bring faith organizations together to “care for our common home”” about 4th anniversary of Laudata Si’ event at UNEP HQ

    Read

  • 30 April 2019

    C. McNeill featured in Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) newsletter23 article entitled: “Leaders unite in appeal to protect Amazon as deforestation accelerates”

    Read

  • 24 April 2019

    Alec Baldwin acknowledgement on Instagram of C. McNeill for engaging him in UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (UNPFII) event to protect rights of indigenous peoples, 24 April 2019

    See Post

  • 23 April 2019

    C. McNeill featured in Global Landscape Forum (GLF) article entitled: “Uphold human rights of Indigenous peoples, allow traditional knowledge to lead land decisions, U.N. delegates say”

    Read

  • 24 November 2016

    C. McNeill featured in IUCN post entitled: “Forests and the SDGs: Overcoming development challenges through collaborative institutional frameworks”. From IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, September 2016

    Read

  • 20 May 2016

    C. McNeill featured in International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) article entitled: “Reflecting on Indigenous Peoples' Engagement in COP 21and the Implications of the Paris Agreement”, UN HQ

    Click Here

  • 24 September 2014

    C. McNeill interviewed on National Public Radio (NPR) ‘Environment’ show entitled: “Obama Requests All Nations Participate In Climate Treaty”

    Listen

  • 28 February 2006

    C. McNeill interviewed by Cape Town, South Africa newspaper, ‘Cape Times’. in article entitled: “Battle to Save Earth will be fought in the Cities, Congress told”

    Click Here

Selected Publications: Articles, Reports, Book Chapters, and Videos

McNeill, Charles, 7 January 2025, “We Blew Through Our 1.5 Degree Climate Goal – Now What? Food Systems and Climate Change are Intricately Linked”, Feature article in Bowen Undercurrent newspaper

McNeill, Charles, 5 April 2024, “Pope Francis Continues To Support Indigenous Peoples in Vatican Conference”, Opinion piece published in Bowen Undercurrent

  

McNeill, Charles, Fall 2023, “IF YOU CARE ABOUT TREES: The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative: A Case Study of Religious Literacy" published in The Interfaith Observer, Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE), Seattle University

 

McNeill, Charles, 7 May 2023, “How Food Can Help Solve Our Climate and Biodiversity Crises”, Opinion piece published in Bowen Undercurrent

 

McNeill, Charles, 31 March 2022, ‘The War in Ukraine: A Learning Moment for the Global Climate Crisis’. Opinion piece published in Coastal Reporter newspaper, British Columbia, Canada

 

McNeill, Charles, 16 December 2021, “What I Learned at the Glasgow Climate Conference and What it Means for Bowen, BC and Canada”, Opinion piece published on the front page of the Bowen Undercurrent newspaper

 

McNeill, Charles (editor), 2015, “Climate Solutions from Community Forests: Lessons from Indigenous and Community-Based Forest Management,” UNDP/Equator Initiative Publication, 68pp

McNeill, Charles, Associate Producer of a Short Film, 2015, “Stop the Burning: 30 Forest Advocates Call on Global Leaders to Save Our Planet by Saving Our Forests”, Producer/Director: Jeffrey Horowitz, Narrated by Jane Goodall, DBE

 

McNeill, Charles et al, “Equator Initiative Annual Report 2014”, published by UNDP, 46pp

McNeill, Charles, 2011, “Local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities”, Convention on Biological Diversity’s ‘Satoyama Publication’

 

McNeill, Charles (contributing author), 2010, “The Local Capacity Strategy: Enabling Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development”, United Nations Development Programme publications

 

McNeill, Charles (contributing author), 2008, “Making REDD Work for the Poor; The Socioeconomic Implications of Mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation”, A Poverty Environment Partnership (PEP) Report”, Overseas Development Institute (ODI), supported by: IUCN, ODI, UNDP, Sida, ADB, DFID, UNEP, WCMC

 

McNeill, Charles et al, 2007, “Embracing a New Paradigm: Institutional and Conceptual Breakthroughs in Policy Approaches to Poverty Reduction and Sound Environmental Management”, Fordham University Press ‘People and the Environment Series’

 

McNeill, Charles, 2007, “The Role of Biodiversity in Reaching the MDGs and the Issue of Trade-offs: How to Win More and Lose Less”, in “Proceedings of the Trondheim/UN Conference on Ecosystems and People – Biodiversity for Development – The Road to 2010 and Beyond, pp. 26-38, Directorate for Nature Management

 

McNeill, Charles, 2006, “The MDG Carbon Facility: Mobilizing Carbon Finance for the Millennium Development Goals”, UN-Business Focal Point

 

McNeill, Charles (contributing author), 2005, “Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological and Economic Dimensions”, 138 pp, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School, Sponsored by Swiss Re and UNDP

 

McNeill, Charles (contributing author), 2005, “Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals” (the UN Millennium Project’s final report), United Nations

 

McNeill, Charles (contributing author), 2005, “The UN Millennium Project Task Force on Environmental Sustainability”, United Nations

 

McNeill, Charles et al, 2005, “Environmental Sustainability as a Key Pillar of Development”, pp. 87-102, chapter in “New Strategies for Development – A Community Dialogue for Meeting the Millennium Development Goals”, Fordham University Press

 

McNeill, Charles, 2005, “A Knowledge and Policy Network for the Group of Like Minded Megadiverse Countries”, published in: “Realizing the Potential -- Report of the Ministerial Level Meeting of the Like Minded Megadiverse Countries”, New Delhi, India

 

McNeill, Charles, 2004, “Mapping Ecosystem Services and Poverty in Rwanda”, published in “Poverty-Conservation Mapping: The Geography of Poverty and Biodiversity”, IUCN, UNEP Grid Arendal; ADB; Italian Cooperation.

 

McNeill, Charles, et al, 2004, “Linking Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Reduction to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals”, pp. 143-165, comprising Chapter 9 of the book: “The MDGs and Conservation: Managing Nature’s Wealth for Society’s Health”, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

 

McNeill, Charles, 2004, “UNDP, the Private Sector and Local Communities: Dynamic New Partnerships for the Millennium Development Goals”, pp. 141-145, published in “Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Addressing the WEHAB Agenda”, Ed. R.K. Pachauri, Pub. The Energy and Resources Institute Press

 

McNeill, Charles, Feb 2004, “Programme of Work of the Convention and the Millennium Development Goals” and “Implementation of the Strategic Plan: Evaluation of Progress Towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target: Development of Specific Targets, Indicators and a Reporting Framework” for the Seventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

                                  

McNeill, Charles, 2003, “Partnerships and the WSSD Offer Exciting New Opportunities for the CBD”, pp. 22-23, in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s “CBD News Supplement: Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” publication

 

McNeill, Charles et al, 2003, “Public Policies to Ensure Environmental Sustainability” pp. 123-131, in the Human Development Report, UNDP publications

 

McNeill, Charles & Izabella Koziell, 2003, “Reducing Poverty By Using Biodiversity Sustainably”, pp. 71-81, “Development Policy Journal”, Volume 3, United Nations Development Programme

McNeill, Charles & Joy Hyvarinen, Jan 2003, “Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and the UN Millennium Declaration, Joint Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and UNDP publication.

McNeill, Charles, 2002, Inaugural Address on “Principles for Partnership for the MDGs” for the Colloquium on Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Action for the 21st Century” during the PrepCom for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), published in “Johannesburg and Beyond: Toward Concrete Action” pp. 17-28 by the Tata Energy and Resources Institute in cooperation with The Heinrich Boell Foundation

 

McNeill, Charles, 2002, “Partnerships and the World Summit on Sustainable Development Offer Opportunities for the Convention on Biological Diversity”, CBD News, the Newsletter of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)

 

McNeill, Charles, S. Southey, E. De Ravin, E, Fearn, G. Terrefe, 2002, “Equator Initiative: Building on Local Partnerships for Poverty Reduction and Biodiversity Conservation,” published in ‘Sustainable Development International & Urban Green File’, a joint venture publication for WSSD 2002, special edition

 

McNeill, Charles I & Peter Schei, 2002, “A Framework for Action on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management”, the official framework report on Biodiversity for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg 2002, The Water Energy Health Agriculture and Biodiversity (WEHAB) Working Group

 

McNeill, Charles I & Izabella Koziell, 2002, Opinion: “Building on Hidden Opportunities to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals: Poverty Reduction through Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity”, International Institute for Environment and Development, IIED Publications

 

McNeill, Charles, 1998, “Development Cooperation, Confidence Building and Crisis Prevention”, UNDP’s contribution to the NATO’s Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) Workshop on “Environment and Security in an International Context: Environmental and Developmental Policy Responses”, Vienna

 

McNeill, Charles, 1995, “The GEF Owner’s Guide: A Project Development Workshop”, this publication was used in the GEF Project Development and Programming Workshop, a 3-day training program offered to key stakeholders in the GEF process in participating countries beginning in 1995.

 

Publications: Commissioned or Overseen

“The Power of Local Action: Lessons from 10 Years of the Equator Prize” a comprehensive analysis of the lessons learned and trends across the pool of Equator Prize winners since 2002 focusing on 12 key lessons to understand and catalyze effective ecosystem-based action at the local level.  29 Nov 2015

 

“The MDG Poster Book Contributions by local communities to attaining the UN Millennium Development Goals - A new tool for analysing and showcasing development projects”, produced by UNDP and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), 2013

 

“Equator Initiative Case Study Series”, a database containing 542 detailed case studies on Equator Prize winning communities. Individual case studies have been translated into 40 languages. 2013

 

“UN-REDD Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)”, along with associated Legal Companion, 2013

UN-REDD Programme Guidelines for Seeking the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of Indigenous Peoples and other Forest Dependent

“Policy Brief on Local Action: Lessons from Communities on the Frontlines of Sustainable Development” an advocacy piece synthesizing lessons from across the UNDP portfolio of work at the community level to provide policy guidance on how best to scale-up local best practices.  2012

“The Power of Local Action: Lessons from 10 Years of the Equator Prize” a comprehensive analysis of the lessons learned and trends across the pool of Equator Prize winners since 2002 focusing on 12 key lessons to understand and catalyze effective ecosystem-based action at the local level.  2012

“Equator Initiative Case Study Series”, a database containing 152 detailed case studies on Equator Prize winning communities. Individual case studies have been translated into 40 languages. 2012

“UN-REDD Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)”, along with associated Legal Companion, 2012

 

“A Draft Framework for Sharing Approaches for Better Multi-Stakeholder Participation Practices”, UN-REDD paper released in Cancun, Mexico during UNFCCC COP 16, 2011

 

“REDD+ Benefit Sharing: A Comparative Assessment of Three National Policy Approaches”, UN-REDD paper released in Cancun, Mexico during UNFCCC COP 16, 2011

 

“A Review of Three REDD+ Safeguard Initiatives”, UN-REDD paper released in Cancun, Mexico during UNFCCC COP 16, 2011

 

“Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement in REDD+ Readiness with a Focus on Indigenous Peoples and Other Forest-Dependent Communities”, developed in partnership between the UN-REDD Programme and the World Bank’s FCPF, 2009

 

“Making REDD Work for the Poor: The Socio-Economic Implications of Mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation”, Policy Brief on behalf of the Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP), 2007

“Community Action to Conserve Biodiversity -- Linking Biodiversity Conservation with Poverty Reduction -- Case Studies from Latin America and the Caribbean”, UNDP Equator Initiative & UNDP GEF Small Grants Program (SGP), 2006

 

“Sustaining the Environment to Fight Poverty and Achieve the MDGs: The Economic Case and Priorities For Action – Environment for the MDGs -- A Message to the 2005 World Summit”, Prepared on behalf of the Poverty-Environment Partnership by UNDP, UNEP, IIED, IUCN and WRI, September 2005

 

Publications Contributed To

World Resources Report “Creating A Sustainable Food Future: A Menu of Solutions to Feed Nearly 10 Billion People by 2050”, Synthesis Report, December 2018, p. 93

 

New Climate Economy, Land-use Chapter, Sept 2014

 

“Nature as Foundation of Economy: Investing in Natural Infrastructure for Conservation Supporting Human Development”, a periodic report of the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue Series on Conservation in the 21st Century, The Aspen Institute, 2012

 

“Human Development Report 2007/2008: Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World”

 

“Conserving Biodiversity: The Report of an Aspen Institute Environmental Policy Forum”, Bruce Babbitt & Jose Sarukhan, John A. Riggs, editor, 2005

 

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005

 

“Environment and Human Well-being: A Practical Strategy”, the UN Millennium Project, 2005

“The Programme of Work of the Convention and the Millennium Development Goals”, Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity Seventh meeting Kuala Lumpur, 9-20 and 27 February 2004, Agenda Item 26: Decision Adopted by the COP VII/32.

 

“Biodiversity and the Millennium Development Goals” Balakrishna Pisupati & Emilie Warner, IUCN & UNDP, November 2003

 

Scientific Research Papers

McNeill, C.I. & S.K. Jain. 1983. Genetic differentiation studies and phylogenetic inference in the plant genus Limnanthes.  Journal of Theoretical and Applied Genetics.  66:257-269

 

McNeill, C.I. 1983.  Dissertation - Genetic differentiation, species relationships and the evolution of mating systems in the plant genus Limnanthes, U.C. Davis 

McNeill, C.I. & NCGR. 1983. Germplasm needs for California agriculture: a pilot study of the status and needs of Lettuce, Rice, Grape and Almonds.  (A report by the National Council on Genetic Resources for the State of California Department of Food & Agriculture).

 

"Developing conservation strategies based on genetic data: Limnanthes as an example."  Symposium on Threatened & Endangered Plants.  Ashland, Oregon. 1980

"Mating systems and biosystematic studies in the plant genus Limnanthes."  Second International Congress of Systematic & Evolutionary Biology.  Vancouver, B.C. Canada.  1980

"Genetic variation in three closely related Limnanthes species."  American Institute of Biological Sciences, Annual Meeting.  Stillwater, Oklahoma. 1979

Leadership and Representation Roles in Key UN Partnerships

Leadership Roles With…

UNDP Representative To…

Managed Partnerships With…

  • Coordinator of the Global Steering Committee, Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI), 2017-2021

  • Chairman of the Board, Equator Initiative, 2002-2016

  • Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Councils’ ‘Global Action Council on Forests’, 2014-2016 https://widgets.weforum.org/global-agenda-councils-interactive-2014/index.html

  • Member, UN-REDD Programme Policy Board, 2009-2014

  • Member, UN-REDD Programme Management Group, 2008-2014

  • Member, Religions for Peace Standing Commission on the Environment, 2018-2024

  • Member, Board of Directors, The Democracy Collaborative, 2015-2022

  • Member, UN Millennium Project, Task Force on Environmental Sustainability, 2002-2005

  • Member, World Resources Report Technical Advisory Group for the WRR 2013-2014 “Creating a Sustainable Food Future: A Menu of Solutions to Sustainably Feed More Than 9 Billion People by 2050” (and member of readers groups for WRR from 1996-2014)

  • REDD+ Partnership

  • Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF)

  • Forum on Readiness Advisory Committee

  • The REDD Alliance

  • Global Commission on the Economy and Climate Change/New Climate Economy

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

  • Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP)

  • United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)

  • International Mechanism of Scientific Expertise on Biodiversity (IMOSEB)

  • Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC)

  • Foundations: Ford Foundation; Moore Foundation; Packard Foundation

  • NGOs: Birdlife; Forest Trends; IUCN; Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA); Wildlife Conservation Society; The Nature Conservancy; Conservation International; EcoAgriculture Partners; WWF; IIED; IISD/ENB; Clinton Foundation; American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); UN Foundation; CERES; Worldwatch Institute

  • International Organizations: Convention on Biological Diversity; UNFCCC; UNCCD; Forest Investment Programme (FIP); FCPF; World Bank; UNEP; FAO; UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UPFII)

  • Academic/Research: CIFOR; Earth Institute, Columbia University; Harvard University; The Forest Dialogue; Yale University

  • Bilateral: Norway’s International Climate and Forests Initiative (NICFI); SwedBio; DANIDA; GTZ, UK DFID, CIDA, JICA, etc.

Represented UNDP in Commissions/Major Workshops…

  • The Aspen Institute Dialogue on Conservation in the 21st Century, ‘Finding Balance in a Resource-Challenged World, Aspen, Colorado, 17-20 Feb 2010, 18-19 Jan 2011

  • Oslo Climate and Forest Conference, 27 May 2010

  • ‘Forum on REDD Readiness Advisory Committee’, NYC, April 2010

  • Represented UNDP in the ‘Forum on REDD Readiness Advisory Committee’, NYC, April 2010

  • Club de Madrid, Head of State Climate Change Colloquium: “CC8 – Technology and Finance in Climate Co-Operation”, Hafslund Manor, Sarpsborg, Norway, 5-6 June 2008