In September 2015 the United Nations (UN) adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offering an internationally agreed blueprint for economic, environmental and social development. However those most in need and specifically targeted by the SDGs face significant barriers in accessing information and knowledge about the goals and sustainability in a language or medium that can be understood. Drawing on previous research on the UN's language policy and practice (McEntee-Atalianis, 2006, 2015, 2016) and analyses of recent UN reports and resolutions on multilingualism, information policy and practice and the SDGs, this paper examines the current status of multilingualism and information transfer within the Organisation. Significant linguistic and digital barriers are identified. It is argued that the UN must plan in more linguistically plural and inclusive ways by developing a tri-sectoral communication network strategy involving civil society, public and private sectors in order to facilitate knowledge transfer and participation, thereby ensuring that 'no one is left behind'. En septembre 2015 les Nations Unies (ONU) ont adopté 17 objectifs de développement durables pour le développement économique, environnemental et social. Cependant, ceux dont le besoin est le plus grand et qui sont directement visés par le programme font face à des barrières considérables pour avoir accès à l'information et au savoir concernant les objectifs et la durabilité dans un médium et un langage compréhensible. La présente contribution est basée sur de recherches antérieures sur la politique et les pratiques linguistiques de l'ONU (McEntee-Atalianis 2006, 2015, 2016) ainsi que sur des analyses de rapports et de résolutions récentes sur le multilinguisme, la politique d'information et les pratiques pour les objectifs de développement durables. Elle se penche plus spécifiquement sur le statut actuel du multilinguisme et du transfert d'information au sein de l'ONU. Des barrières linguistiques et digitales significatives sont identifiées. Il ressort de l'étude que l'ONU doit développer une stratégie de réseau de communication tri-sectorielle qui est linguistiquement plurielle et 2 | P a g e inclusive. En réunissant la société civile, publique et les secteurs privés afin de faciliter la transmission de savoir et la participation, il est possible de s'assurer que nul n'est abandonné.

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a b s t r a c tThis study presents a method to estimate the market investment potential for ESPC (energy-saving performance contracts) and annual blended energy savings remaining in buildings typically addressed by U.S. ESCOs (energy service companies). We define ESCOs as companies for whom performance-based contracting is a core business activity. The market potential analysis incorporates market penetration estimates provided by industry experts in late 2012, data on U.S. building stock typically addressed by ESCOs, and typical project investment costs from a database of 4000 þ projects. ESCO industry revenue growth significantly outpaced U.S. GDP (gross domestic product) growth during 2009e2011. We estimate that the remaining investment potential in facilities typically addressed by the ESCO industry ranges from~$71 to $133 billion. Our analysis includes ESCO industry size and growth projections drawing on information from interviews with ESCO executives conducted in late 2012. The U.S. ESCO industry could grow in size from $6 billion in 2013 to~$7.5 billion by 2014, but this growth is contingent on enabling policies. The U.S. ESCO industry is similar in size to the ESCO industries in Germany, France, and China. Our estimation approach could be adapted for other countries with the caveat that ESCO industry definitions and revenue reporting practices vary across countries.Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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This commentary explores the role of climate information services in supporting the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the centre of the commentary is a discussion of how integrated knowledge systems are critical in the formulation of high quality climate information services towards the successful achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper drives home two major points. Firstly, that a climate service built on integrated knowledge systems will be better positioned to match user needs in terms of skill, scale and lead time. Secondly, that integrating diverse knowledge systems for effective climate information services in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will present an auspicious platform for 'leaving no one behind' in contributing ideas towards the achievement of the targets outlined under the 17 SDGs, contributing to the inclusive approach at the centre of Agenda 2030. The commentary also advances the idea that climate information services built upon integrated knowledge systems present opportunities for more adequately addressing the needs of the global poor, including informing agricultural decision-making in rural communities to reduce malnutrition, facilitate disaster preparedness, and tackle human diseases linked to climate change-from cardiovascular deaths and respiratory illnesses, to altered transmission of infectious diseases.