New Publications

Written by more than 70 scientists from around the world, 'Global Outlook for Ice and Snow' assesses the state of the environment and the trends in ice and snow-covered regions (the cryosphere). It looks at the significance of climate changes for ecosystems and human well-being, both now and in the years to come, given that changes in ice and snow alter the distribution of the earth's heat and water and influence regional and global ocean circulation.

This publication is an official project of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.

The deployment of a large number of soldiers, police officers and civilian personnel for peacekeeping operations inevitably has various effects on the host society and economy, not all of which are in keeping with the peacekeeping mandate or easily discernible prior to the intervention. Such unintended consequences are especially serious when they cause harm to the local community, as in the case of sexual abuse and exploitation, corruption, or the creation of a false economy. Unintended side-effects can also negatively affect the ability of the peacekeeping mission to achieve its mandate.

'Unintended Consequences of Peacekeeping Operations' considers the consequences of peacekeeping operations, by bringing together field experiences and academic analysis. It investigates the effects of unintended consequences of peacekeeping operations on individuals and groups of individuals, on the host society and economy, and on the troop-contributing countries. It also analyses the degree to which the United Nations has tried to manage some of these side-effects, as well as the United Nations' accountability in the context of the international legal framework.

This publication aims to improve the way in which such operations are planned and managed and identifies the need to develop a culture of accountability. This, it argues, should include institutionalising processes aimed at anticipating unintended consequences as a routine part of all planning cycles, and the monitoring of effects - including unintended effects - so that steps can be taken to prevent and manage negative side-effects as early as possible.

International interventions in the aftermath of mass violence tend to focus on justice and reconciliation processes, elections and institution building. The frame of reference is at the level of the state, although the experience of mass crime by a population is also at the level of the community and individuals. Insufficient attention has been paid to the radical transformations in their belief systems and codes of conduct after the experience of mass crime.

'After Mass Crime: Rebuilding States and Communities' seeks to bridge this divide by offering a trans-disciplinary analysis of the impact of mass crime on the rebuilding of social and political relations. Drawing on historical and more recent cases, including examples from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Indonesia, Peru, and Rwanda, the authors examine the impact of mass crime on individuals, society at large and the organisations involved in providing assistance in the post-conflict stage. While outside actors have a role to play in this difficult process, the hardest work must be done by those picking up the pieces of a community that has turned on itself.

'Climate Policy Uncertainty and Investment Risk' examines how uncertainty in climate change policy may affect investment behaviour in the power sector, and how the costs of transition to a low-carbon economy may be addressed. For power companies, where capital stock is intensive and long-lived, those risks rank among the biggest and can create an incentive to delay investment.

The analysis shows that the risk premiums of climate change uncertainty can add 40% of construction costs of the plant for power investors, and 10% of price surcharges for the electricity end-users. This publication also looks at the sensitivity of different power sector investment decisions to different risks and considers the implications for policy development and design.

Regional policy is high on the agenda of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, given the fact that national growth tends to be driven by the dynamism of a small number of regions. There is a need for sound statistical information on the source of regional competitiveness, but such information is limited and regional indicators are difficult to compare between countries.

'OECD Regions at a Glance 2007' seeks to fill this gap by analysing and comparing major territorial patterns and regional trends across OECD countries, with over 30 indicators illustrated by graphs and maps. It assesses the impact of regions on national growth, identifies unused resources that can be mobilised to improve regional competitiveness, and shows how regions compete in terms of well-being (including factors such as access to higher education, health services, and safety).

World Health Statistics 2006 presents the most recent statistics since 1997 of 50 health indicators for WHO's 192 Member States.

'Regions: Statistical Yearbook 2006' contains comparable regional data on economic and social issues within the EU to 2004, based on NUTS 2003.

'Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions 2006' is the 57th edition of the report which sets out a description of the foreign exchnage arrangements, exchange and trade restrictions, and relevant prudential measures of

'EU Integration Seen Through Statistics - 2006 Edition', presents key statistical facts on 18 major European policy areas. The statistics show the progress the European Union has made but also the issues that remain. Subjects such as world trade, government

The 'Official Directory of the European Union 2006-07' gives contact details for key members of the institutions and agencies of the European Union, including the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission, down to the level of heads of basic operational

This annual report, 'World Investment Report 2006', examines changing trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows worldwide, at the regional and country levels and emerging measures to improve its contribution to development.

The 'IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 2007' is the only user manual for shipping dangerous goods by air recognised by the World's Airlines. This 2007 (48th) edition CD-ROM will provide all the information needed to work safely and efficiently.