The first meeting of the Green Climate Fund Board will be held Aug. 23-25 in Geneva.

The fund, launched last year during United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties in South Africa, is intended to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries cope with the effects of climate change.

However, as detailed in an April 11 World Climate Change Report article, some observers doubt that developed nations are prepared to raise that amount of funding.

During the meeting, the 24-member board is expected to consider organizational matters and initiate work to develop the operational basis for the fund, which is designated as an entity of the UNFCCC.

Later this year, the board also is expected to select one of six countries—Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, South Korea, or Switzerland—to host the fund.

CARB to Hold Workshops

The California Air Resources Board will hold three workshops Aug. 21-23 in Fresno, Sacramento, and Diamond Bar to review a draft of "Vision for Clean Air: A Framework for Air Quality and Climate Planning."

According to CARB, strategies developed to meet 2023 and 2032 air quality goals and 2050 climate goals need to be coordinated to make the most efficient use of limited resources and time needed to develop cleaner technologies.

Federal Advisory Committee to Hold Public Meetings

A federal advisory committee for biomass research and development will hold public meetings Aug. 22-23 in Washington, D.C. to provide updates on biomass research and development activities at the Departments of Agriculture and Energy and to review the Congressional Research Service report, "Biofuels Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs."

Two Webinars on Agenda

The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a webinar Aug. 21 on "Sustainable Energy Use in the Hotel Industry." The webinar will feature presentations by Hilton Worldwide and Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa on how each company has incorporated renewable energy and sustainability into their operations. Hotel suppliers also will provide their views on minimizing their environmental impact.

Also on Aug. 21, DOE will host a webinar on "Community Renewable Energy Success Stories: Financing Renewable Energy Projects." Speakers will discuss challenges and successes of financing mechanisms for a solar project in Knoxville, Tenn., and another project undertaken by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.