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Europaudvalget 2011-12
EUU Alm.del Bilag 278
Offentligt

UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(RIO + 20)

Rio de Janeiro, 4-6 June 2012

Contribution by the European Union and its Member States

to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The European Union (EU) and its Member States consider that the United Nations

Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), to be held in Rio de Janeiro on

4-6 June 2012, offers a unique opportunity for our mutually interdependent world to secure

renewed political commitment to sustainable development at all levels. The Conference will

also provide an opportunity to assess the progress made to date, identify remaining

implementation gaps and address new and emerging challenges since the UN Conference on

Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and the World Summit on

Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

The EU and its Member States are putting forward the present contribution in response to the

invitation from the Second Preparatory Committee of Rio+20 to provide inputs and

contributions in writing by 1 November 2011 for inclusion in a compilation document to

serve as a basis for the preparation of the "zero draft" of the outcome document. Our

contribution focuses on the two main themes of Rio+20, i.e. green economy in the context of

sustainable development and poverty eradication (GESDPE) and the institutional framework

for sustainable development (IFSD), as means of achieving the objectives of the Conference.

While some progress has been made in advancing sustainable development over the last

decades, around 1.4 billion people, mostly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, still live in

extreme poverty and one sixth of the world’s population is undernourished. Unsustainable

economic growth has increased the stress on the earth's limited natural resources and on the

carrying capacity of ecosystems, with 60% of the world's natural resources already being

used unsustainably or at their limit. Many environmental problems have not been solved and

have become more acute, and economic, social and environmental problems are closely

linked.

Rio+20 should include democratic development and respect for human rights to achieve

sustainable development at every level and recognize democracy, the rule of law,

transparency and accountability as means of meeting social, economic and environmental

challenges, as well as the importance of gender equality and the vital role that women have in

achieving sustainable development.

Rio+20 should focus on strengthening the coherence and enhancing the linkages between the

environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development and contribute to

the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and of other

relevant internationally agreed goals in the context of major UN conferences, in particular

Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. In this context, the two themes of

Rio+20 offer promising ways to tackle remaining challenges.

Rio+20 should accelerate and broaden the world-wide transition towards a green economy

that promotes sustainable development and contributes to poverty eradication around the

world. The EU and its Member States consider that a green economy offers win-win

opportunities to all countries, regardless of the structure of their economy and their level of

development. Green economy is more than the sum of existing commitments: it has the

potential to lead us to a new development paradigm and a new business model where growth,

development and environment are seen as mutually reinforcing each other. Increasing

resource efficiency, promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, tackling

climate change, protecting biodiversity, combating desertification, reducing pollution as well

as using and managing natural resources and ecosystems in a sustainable and socially

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responsible manner are both requirements and key vehicles in ensuring a just transition to a

green economy.

The EU and its Member States consider that strengthening international environmental

governance is central to the pursuance of sustainable development, and that the necessary

reform of the IFSD also requires a bottom-up perspective, drawing on lessons learned at all

levels.

The EU and its Member States support a forward-looking and focused political document

capable of giving renewed impetus to sustainable development. In order to do that, Rio+20

needs to agree on a shared vision for change, able to deliver results within agreed time frames.

The EU and its Member States consider that the agreed political document should be

supported by operational outcomes that should include a green economy roadmap with

specific goals, objectives and actions at international level as well as a package of reforms

which includes transforming the UNEP into a specialized UN agency for the environment,

leading to a strengthened international environmental governance (IEG) as part of a more

balanced and effective IFSD.

In spite of implementation efforts by governments and non-State actors in all countries,

implementation barriers such as low political priority for integrated decision-making, missing

or conflicting targets and measures or insufficient coordination between ministries still

remain. In order to address implementation gaps, we need to promote integrated strategies,

public interest, awareness and participation, good governance and coordination and

cooperation mechanisms between government departments and between government, local

government, civil society and the private sector. The key role of the private sector in the

transition to sustainable development needs to be recognized and made full use of.

The experience and solutions found among the largest generation of young people in history

will be important for Rio+20. The EU and its Member States therefore consider the

involvement of young people as agents for change vital for a successful outcome of Rio+20

and for the continued implementation process.

With a view to strengthening intergovernmental action, we propose to build a new alliance

with stakeholders through their enhanced participation in the decision-making,

implementation and follow-up of Rio+20 outcome, as well as by launching sustainable

development initiatives, networks and innovative partnerships at all levels.

We acknowledge that funding for the implementation of sustainable development policies and

actions will have to come from a variety of sources, both public and private. A joint approach

by traditional donors, emerging economies, international financial institutions (IFIs) and the

private sector is needed, addressing the 'silo' approach to channellng funds and ensuring a

more effective identification and use of existing resoures, as well as mobilisation of available

and innovative sources of finance.

The EU and its Member States remain strongly committed to playing an active and

constructive role in the preparatory process of Rio+20 with a view to contributing to a

successful outcome.

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II.

GREEN ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ERADICATION

Introduction

A just transition to a green economy will speed up the implementation of existing

sustainable development commitments and help address the implementation gaps, while

being fully committed to respect for human rights and gender equality and contributing

significantly to eradicating poverty. It will improve environmental justice and reduce

inequalities, environmental scarcities and the stress on ecosystems by investing in and

preserving natural capital, securing sustainable and efficient use of resources and

addressing social concerns, while maintaining competitiveness. Democracy,

transparency, good governance and accountability are essential means of meeting social,

economic and environmental challenges and protecting people's right to live in a healthy

environment, in dignity, and free from hunger and from fear of violence, oppression and

injustice. A sustainable, green economy will provide goods and services to all and

supports access to food, energy and sanitation for all. Education for sustainable

development, including awareness-raising and consumer information, is of primary

importance in changing behavioural patterns.

The transition to a green economy has great potential to promote long-term sustainable

growth, create decent jobs and hence eradicate poverty, focussing on inclusiveness and

avoiding equity gaps. The need for a just transition to a sustainable system of production

and consumption that results in lower pressures on natural resources and the

environment while improving the quality of life, prosperity and social well-being is now

widely recognised. This requires that economic development be oriented to remain

within the regenerative and absorptive capacity of the planet and contribute to

eradicating poverty by shifting consumption and production patterns onto a sustainable

path. Various green-economy tools and defining necessary measures will help all

stakeholders to implement the policies and actions needed to achieve sustainable

development. The transition to a green economy will be a global challenge, which both

developed countries and developing countries should embark on with ambitious national

and international action. A commitment to open markets is important. The

transformation to a green economy should not be used to introduce new trade barriers.

To strengthen the linkages between social and economic areas, strategies at all levels

should address all sectors in a horizontal way with a view to benefiting from cross-

sectoral policy coherence while maintaining competitiveness. To this end, framework

conditions should be established, primarily at national and sub-national level, making

use of policies and actions able to establish favourable regulatory frameworks and a

level playing field for green markets such as fiscal incentives, emissions trading, gradual

elimination of subsidies that have considerable negative effects on the environment and

are incompatible with sustainable development, green public procurement, the

promotion of eco-innovation and clean technology, green entrepreneurship, knowledge-

building schemes, etc. Social policies to reconcile social goals with economic policies

are also necessary. These initiatives should build on good governance, a dynamic and

innovative private sector, efficient regulation, reduced bureaucracy and market

instruments. Ratification of the relevant ILO conventions is of utmost importance to

ensure that growth is not only economically and ecologically sustainable, but also fair,

just and equitable, taking into account social issues and contributing to poverty

eradication.

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The EU and its Member States emphasise the importance of improving resource

efficiency and sustainable material management through full implementation of life-

cycle assessment and of management of Low Carbon Development Strategies as agreed

in Cancun. It is important to reflect environmental externalities in prices for resources

and services and apply negative incentives with regard to negative external costs and

diseconomies, and to encourage activities with positive external effects.

International action should be promoted and existing commitments reaffirmed in key

sectors such as water, food and agriculture, fisheries, forestry, energy, the marine

environment and chemicals, as well as in areas relating to the sustainable management

and restoration of natural resources and ecosystem services and the sustainable

management of waste along with both climate-change mitigation and adaptation

processes. The aim is to foster favourable framework conditions for

sustainable

development,

preserving and - where necessary - restoring natural capital and securing

the functions of ecosystems, hence ensuring benefit to all and contributing to poverty

eradication, social development and environmental integrity.

Special efforts are needed to enable poor people to participate in, contribute to, and

benefit from economic development. People who live in conditions of poverty and social

exclusion are more directly dependent on (local) natural resources and ecosystem

services. As key actors they should have a vital role in a green economy which promotes

decent work with effective respect for fundamental principles, rights at work, social

development, full freely chosen and productive employment for both women and men

and combats child labour and forced labour by taking into account the implementation of

the International Labour Standards and the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a fair

Globalization with a view to integrating social development through global sustainable

development. Improved water resource management and access to safe food, water,

sustainable and affordable energy, shelter, basic sanitation, education, infrastructure,

health and jobs with decent working conditions for the poor are central issues for

sustainable development, as these are fundamental rights for everyone. In this regard, the

vital role of women in achieving sustainable development needs to be underlined.

A key role of the private sector

Through (fair) trade, investment, public-private partnerships and research and

innovation, the private sector and civil society play key roles in delivering green growth

and promoting sustainable consumption and production, inter alia through corporate

social responsibility and technology diffusion. Private sector activities involving

promoting and adopting a sustainable business model in their supply chain and including

environmental and social concerns in their investment decisions, will make a concrete

contribution to a green economy roadmap. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational

Enterprises and the global framework for social responsibility, the Guiding Principles on

Business and Human Rights, the Global Compact 10 Principles, the ISO 26000 standard

on social responsibility and the Global Reporting Initiative are important tools in this

respect that should be recalled and used in the Rio follow-up by the private sector.

Further opening

up markets for sustainably produced goods and services would boost

trade in key technologies. The prospects of a global market, rather than regional or local

markets, would also strengthen incentives for firms to invest in R&D.

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Proposals for operational outcomes: elements of a green economy roadmap

In order to give renewed impetus to sustainable development, Rio+20 needs to agree on

a shared vision for change that can help to put the world on track towards sustainable

development and is able to deliver results within agreed time frames. The main

operational outcomes of Rio+20 should include a green economy roadmap with

deadlines for specific goals, objectives and actions at the international level as a

significant contribution to sustainable development and poverty eradication.

For the green economy roadmap, the EU proposes a number of actions as outlined in this

document. This includes a capacity development scheme for voluntary country-specific

and, where appropriate, region and sector-specific actions and a limited number of cross-

cutting and thematic international actions that contribute to a green economy in the

context of sustainable development and poverty eradication in a specific area.

At Rio+20, the acknowledgement and encouragement of voluntary national

commitments and actions by State actors as well as stakeholders to achieve a green

economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should also

take place as to ensure a bottom-up approach and the shaping of innovative partnerships.

The proposals made are not meant to be final proposals; they should rather be considered

as a contribution to the international dialogue on the outcomes of the Rio+20

conference. The EU and its Member States are interested in sharing and exchanging

ideas and look forward to further suggestions on the outcomes of the conference.

Proposals for cross-cutting actions

10.

11.

Measuring progress - models and indicators

Deliverables

12.

Further develop and strengthen indicators complementing GDP that integrate

economic, social and environmental dimensions in a balanced manner.

•

Such an approach should include the selection of headline indicators reflecting

several aspects of sustainable development (e.g. a “dashboard” of indicators).

•

Indicators for sustainable development which have been elaborated since 1992

should be revised and validated through a participatory process of peer review and

public discussion including different stakeholders. Specific indicators could be used

in conjunction with goals, if these were to be decided at Rio+20. To implement work

on indicators, support needs to be given to the on-going UN process of establishing

environmental accounts.

Provide global outlook and assessments on energy, water, food and other resource

areas, based on a partnership of international and UN organisations.

•

The aim is to publish a new World Resources Outlook [by 2015], akin to the first

IPCC report and building on other relevant reports. This would consider the links

between natural resources and climate change, and help assess global, national and

sub-national needs for the green economy in the context of sustainable development

and poverty eradication. Such a partnership should build on and extend the work of

the UNEP Resource Panel.

13.

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Rationale

14.

To accelerate and broaden the world-wide transition to a green economy that promotes

sustainable development and contributes to poverty eradication, goals may be developed

and set at different levels. Such goals would require measurable and steerable indicators.

For the further development of sustainable development indicators, existing initiatives

should be analyzed and built upon. Indicators should be developed in keeping with the

commitments made by the international community in Agenda 21 and the JPoI.

Aiming at a set of indicators is in line with ongoing initiatives. The commitment of CBD

Parties in Nagoya in 2010 to incorporate the value of biological diversity into national

accounting and reporting systems provides an impetus and rationale for actions aimed at

better integration of natural resources and ecosystem services into planning and poverty-

eradication strategies. In addition, extensive international work has been conducted in

recent years on measuring progress and wellbeing, including the deliberations by the

OECD, Stiglitz Commission and many others.

Any new metrics need to add empirically sound value to the ongoing discussion and

should be proportionate, reasonable and affordable and take into account existing work

and data availability. To assure compatibility, differentiated benchmarks should be

developed at international level according to countries' development priorities.

15.

16.

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

Deliverable

17.

Establish a

10-Year Framework of Programmes on SCP

(10YFP), as elaborated in

the negotiations in the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development,

based on Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration and the Johannesburg Plan of

Implementation.

Rationale

18.

SCP patterns are key driving forces in achieving a just transition to green economies

worldwide in a context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and in

promoting competitive, inclusive economies delivering full and productive employment

and decent work for all and fostering efficient social protection systems.

The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation called for the development of a 10 YFP in

support of regional and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards SCP in order to

promote social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems.

Current unsustainable patterns of consumption and production put a heavy stress on

ecosystems and on critical life-support systems, and impact on the quality of life and

social well-being.

Since Rio, substantial efforts have been made by governments and major groups to

promote SCP patterns in all countries, and a number of developed countries have been

taking the lead in accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated

responsibilities” (CBDR). All these efforts have created new economic opportunities in

both developed and developing countries which can be drawn upon.

19.

20.

21.

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22.

The 2010/2011 CSD cycle highlighted the readiness of the international community to

take action to accelerate this shift and to establish this 10YFP.

Capacity development scheme

Deliverable

23.

Establish a capacity development scheme - with input from the UN system,

International Financial Institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors and the

private sector - to provide country-specific advice, and, where appropriate, region

and sector-specific advice to all interested countries on the transformation to a

green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication

and to assist them in accessing available funds

In the spirit of the bottom-up approach, it would be up to the interested

countries themselves to specify the policy areas to focus on, based on their

national priorities and institutional arrangements and respecting national

differences.

This capacity-development scheme would rely on enhanced coordination

between existing structures and a more efficient, better-coordinated use of

existing resources. The task of improving coordination between existing

structures would be mandated to those reformed and strengthened IFSD

structures decided on at Rio+20.

A coherent approach would be facilitated, taking into account, inter alia, the

MDGs Acceleration Framework and the ongoing work on poverty-reduction

strategies and national sustainable development strategies. The work on the

Low Carbon Development Strategies and Plans and national strategies for

mitigation and adaptation actions (NAMAs) will be an essential component of

this effort. Furthermore, green economy capacity development should go hand

in hand with efforts to foster good governance and anticorruption policy.

In order to enable interested countries to choose from a menu of possible

actions and best practices, a toolbox or best-practice guide could be compiled,

providing information about appropriate legal, economic and other instruments

and policies designed to help all key actors accelerate the transition to a green

economy. This will also enable the sharing of national and regional experience

of green economy policies. Management of natural resources should build on

transparency and accountability, taking into consideration people in poverty

and marginalised groups.

An ambitious but realistic timeframe for each country seeking advice would

help with implementation. For example, all interested countries should be

matched to the actors most appropriate to provide the country-specific advice

and should have received such advice by 20XX (date to be specified). The

essential implementation steps should be completed by 20XX (date to be

specified).

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Rationale

24.

At present, the support provided by the UN system, International Financial Institutions,

bilateral and multilateral donors and the private sector is not sufficiently coordinated to

effectively accelerate the worldwide transition to a green economy in the context of

sustainable development and poverty eradication. A stronger, more efficient and better-

integrated multilateral architecture for sustainable development is needed in order to

undertake this coordination effort, in line with what Delivering As One is promoting

within the UN. The scheme described above, implemented by reformed and

strengthened IFSD structures, would enable the UN system to deliver coordinated,

demand-driven advice effectively and thereby drive substantial change.

Research and scientific cooperation

Deliverables

25.

Establish a mechanism for international research cooperation on major sustainable

development challenges.

The mechanism would aim to provide a robust knowledge base on sustainable

development issues, including the basis of measurement. It would provide regular

reporting based on the latest knowledge of the scientific community. The mechanism

would build on and work in synergy with existing scientific panels and bodies. Work

should start by 2013. In the longer term the mechanism could promote research and

innovation programmes in different sectors, jointly with the private sector and other

actors.

Strengthen the development and implementation of GEOSS to include sustainable

development aspects

Starting in 2013, develop a long term strategy for the second implementation phase of

GEOSS (2015-2025) that would review and reinforce those elements relevant to

sustainable development and create linkages across GEOSS's social benefit areas.

26.

Rationale

27.

Unprecedented levels of scientific and technological cooperation are needed to

overcome the major global challenges of the 21st century. Much information is

available, but it is fragmented, and there is a need for a mechanism to systematically

collect and process existing knowledge into authoritative and comprehensive reports on

key sustainable development and green economy issues. This knowledge should be

made freely available to the scientific community and policy makers, businesses and the

public at large.

GEOSS, Global Earth Observation System of Systems, was founded as a follow-up to

Rio+10. It is an example of how research cooperation has already substantially

progressed towards meeting the needs for long-term global information as a basis for

decision-making. GEOSS combines national, regional and global earth observation data

and infrastructures to build global datasets necessary to understand and predict the

functioning of the earth systems. In the future, there is an opportunity to channel

GEOSS information and data to support sustainable development decision making.

28.

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Innovative finance and subsidies

Deliverables

29.

Launch an international process to promote the role of innovative and private

instruments of finance, including by highlighting their importance in areas such as

climate change and biodiversity, and stress the role of the Leading Group on

Innovative Financing for Development.

Ensure commitments to gradually eliminate subsidies that have considerable

negative effects on the environment and are incompatible with sustainable

development, complemented with measures to protect poor and vulnerable groups,

inter alia by expansion of existing G20 and APEC commitments regarding the

rationalization and phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies in the medium

term to all UN Member States and timely implementation of the strategic goal and

targets on subsidies harmful to biodiversity set out in “The Strategic Plan for

Biodiversity 2011-2020” decided in Nagoya 2010.

30.

Rationale

31.

Innovative instruments of finance are likely to play a far more prominent role in

international financing for development in the near future. In December 2010

UN Resolution A/RES/65/146 was adopted; it stressed that innovative mechanisms of

financing can make a positive contribution in assisting developing countries to mobilise

additional resources for development on a stable, predictable and voluntary basis.

In the area of climate change, emissions-trading schemes or levies on international

aviation and maritime transport are examples of pricing carbon emissions. The Report of

the Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing (UN

AGF) and the G-20 report on mobilizing climate finance may be flagged as a reference

in this respect. In the area of biodiversity, innovative financial mechanisms also have an

important role to play, as is reflected in CBD COP 10 decisions for instance.

A recent study by the OECD found that removing consumer subsidies for energy over

the next decade would reduce global greenhouse gases emissions by over 10 per cent in

2050.

Proposals for actions in specific areas

32.

33.

Water

Deliverables

34.

Strengthen the implementation of internationally agreed goals for water and

sanitation and expand commitments and initiatives addressing the following main

aspects:

Renewing the commitment made at the Rio+10 Conference to the

development and implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management

at national level and for joint management of transboundary waters.

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Continuing commitment and support to accelerate access to sanitation and safe

drinking water for all (MDG7) within reasonable timeframes, as well as other

water-dependent MDGs.

Proposing a new commitment to reduce water pollution from households,

industrial and agricultural sources and promote water efficiency and the use of

wastewater as a resource, particularly in expanding urban and peri-urban areas.

Building on international partnerships on water and sanitation (such as the EU

water initiative) and reinforcing the involvement of economic actors as well as

participation of stakeholders, including people in poverty, marginalized groups

and in particular women, who play a central role in water management at local

level.

Scaling up investments and developing innovative financing mechanisms in

the areas of water resources and ecosystems, sanitation infrastructure, water

policy reform, prevention of water-related risks due to global changes, and the

uptake of relevant new technologies to improve resource efficiency.

35.

Promote international initiatives and partnerships to better address the

"water/energy/food security nexus", involving economic actors and promoting

appropriate goals and concrete initiatives to foster action. This could create

synergies with other initiatives such as the “Sustainable Energy for all” initiative or

the “Global Soil Partnership”.

Rationale

36.

By 2030, in a business-as-usual scenario, humanity's demand for water could outstrip

supply by as much as 40 percent. This could cause increasing public health costs and

could hinder economic development, lead to social and geopolitical tensions and cause

lasting environmental damage. The world lags seriously behind in meeting the MDG

target for sanitation. Water and sanitation are also closely linked to all other MDGs

especially in poverty and hunger reduction and access to energy and health, all of which

require water and the development of the water sector.

Pressures on natural resources are challenging the effectiveness of conventional planning

and decision-making. Trying to meet demand through single-sector approaches in

response to what are inherently interlinked processes limits our ability to provide basic

water, food and energy services to the poorest. New approaches are needed to address

inter-dependencies across the water, energy and food sectors.

37.

Food and Agriculture

Deliverables

38.

Promote investments in food security by improving access to local and global

agri-food markets for (small-scale) farmers, with special attention to women (e.g.

by establishing a scheme).

Establish schemes that expand public-private partnerships and facilitate multi-

stakeholder and certification initiatives to promote sustainable, climate-smart and

high-productive agriculture and agri-food chains and markets.

39.

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40.

Strengthen cooperation of International Organizations dealing with the issue of

food security and support, inter alia implementation of the 2004 Voluntary

Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in

the Context of National Food Security.

Promote the implementation of the planned Voluntary Guidelines for the

Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of

National Food Security under the FAO Committee on World Security.

41.

Rationale

42.

Today, over one billion people live in hunger and 2 billion people have a chronic lack of

nutrient-rich food. The world population will grow to 9 billion people by 2050 and food

consumption patterns in emerging economies are changing fast. According to the FAO,

food production and productivity have to increase by about 50% or more on the existing

land area. The efforts must focus on enlarging the sustainable agricultural production

capacity and increasing the quality of food.

For the promotion of a high-production, sustainable agriculture, it is necessary that all

stakeholders in the agri-food chain cooperate to improve access to local and global

agri-food markets for farmers, with special attention to women. Business, primary

producers, governments, traders, retailers and consumers each have different

possibilities and responsibilities which need to be pooled in order to achieve sustainable

agriculture and food security. Multi-stakeholder initiatives are best practices which

facilitate sustainable agriculture through dialogue between the relevant stakeholders in

the agri-food chain. These initiatives promote more equitable investment contracts as

part of more sustainable business models. While the EU recognizes that private sector

involvement and investment (by small holders as well as large entities) are essential to

improve food security and support responsible investments, safeguards against

undesirable social and ecological impacts of investments are also necessary.

It is however important to bear in mind that, according to UNEP (2009), enough food for

10 billion people is already produced. The problem is that half of this food is spoiled or

thrown away as garbage. The raw material and food produced is thus harvested and

consumed in an inefficient way and distributed unequally. In addition to high-production

agri-food-chains it is important to give attention to more efficient and equal consumption

of food and raw materials.

43.

44.

Sustainable energy

Deliverables

45.

Build on the Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4ALL) launched by the

Secretary-General, including its concrete goals

Provide universal access to a basic minimum level of modern energy services

for both consumption and production uses by 2030.

Pursue the SE4ALL goal of doubling the share of renewable energy in the global

energy mix by 2030 through promoting the development and use of renewable

energy sources and technologies in all countries.

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Increase efforts to improve energy efficiency at all levels with a view to doubling

the rate of improvement by 2030.

Develop an accountability framework including timelines and benchmarks for

progress and for tracking the provision, delivery and results of stakeholder

commitments.

46.

Promote mechanisms for international dialogue and cooperation on developing and

exchanging sustainable energy technologies between countries and between the

public and the private sectors.

Rationale

47.

Energy services can provide crucial support to both social and economic development,

thereby strongly influencing developing countries' ability to achieve the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs). For the 1.4 billion people without access to electricity and

the 2.7 billion people in the world without clean cooking facilities, electrification or the

availability of clean cooking fuels can reduce poverty, improve health conditions, and

increase standards of living.

48. The 2030 global targets proposed under the SE4ALL Initiative are likely to form the

basis of a new energy partnership between developed and developing countries.

However, more discussion is needed internationally on the definition of modern energy

services, as well as on the global CO2 emissions likely with such targets.

49.

In this context, continued development and dissemination of sustainable energy

technologies has an important role to play, while at the same time fostering synergies

with international efforts and actions to combat climate change. Renewable energy and

energy efficiency have the potential to contribute to social and economic development,

ensure security of supply as well as to mitigate climate change and provide

environmental and health benefits

Existing mechanisms for technology transfer that could be further developed and

improved are for instance the new Technology Mechanism as decided in Cancun and

IRENA.

50.

Forestry

Deliverables

51.

52.

Promote progress on REDD+ and FLEGT initiatives at all levels.

Promote horizontal policy frameworks as well as market instruments that

effectively slow, halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation and promote

the sustainable use and management of forests, as well as their conservation and

restoration. This should unleash the full potential of forests for sustainable

development and improve the resilience of forest ecosystems to environmental risks

and disasters.

Initiatives under this heading would address the following key issues:

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Promote public-private partnerships and strengthen dialogue and information

flow between science and practice along the whole value chain. This would

focus on innovation in the field of new forest-based products and responsibility

for forest management that takes climate change, biodiversity and other global

challenges, (such as water scarcity, poverty, hunger, and employment) into

account. Step up efforts to address gaps in valuation of forest goods and

services and to mainstream forest values in national policy making processes.

Ensure transparency of value chains and markets for bio-based forest products

and services through the enhanced use of certification systems and schemes for

improved market access and consumer acceptance.

Promote benefits for people through setting up legal and policy frameworks for

the participation of forest rights holders groups and other stakeholders in

decision- making, and in the design of benefit sharing mechanisms.

53.

Further develop the existing monitoring of the state of forests and harmonise

reporting on sustainable forest management, forest function and forest condition

for multipurpose usage with a focus on international reporting obligations by

relevant international conventions and agreements. Support efforts of the FAO and

GEOSS to strengthen and further develop remote sensing services for global forest

monitoring.

Rationale

54.

Forests provide a variety of goods and services that support human well-being and

poverty reduction, contribute to long-term social and economic development, and reduce

environmental risks and ecological scarcities. They provide income and subsistence to

hundreds of millions of people. Over 1.6 billion people depend on forest goods and

services for subsistence. Sustainable Forest Management is an essential dimension of the

green economy of many tropical countries, improving livelihoods and food security,

eradicating poverty and strengthening the resilience of forest ecosystems.

The Global Objectives on Forests, adopted at the UNFF session in 2006, should be

important guiding principles in partnerships that discourage deforestation and safeguard

forest ownership and user rights, especially for poor, forest-dependent communities and

indigenous populations. The UNEP Green Economy Report highlights the need for

further action on sustainable forest management, protected forests, payments for

ecosystem services (PES and REDD+), reducing deforestation, recreation, forest

certification, afforestation, agri-forestry and good governance and policy-making.

Soil and sustainable land management

Deliverables

55.

Enhance and foster the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

as a global policy and monitoring framework.

Promote partnerships and initiatives for the safeguarding of soil resources for

future generations such as the

Global Soil Partnership

(GSP) proposed by the

FAO.

56.

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57.

Promote scientific studies and initiatives aimed at raising wider awareness of

the global economic benefits of healthy and productive land and soil such as the

Economics on Land Degradation

(ELD) Initiative.

Rationale

58.

The global dimension of soil degradation needs the be acknowledged internationally,

because protecting, restoring and managing soils has an effect on biodiversity,

forests, climate change, and thus the quality of soil can have an underlying influence

on the ability to achieve MDGs targets.

The policy response to date in many cases has been limited to national actions, by

laws on soils and national programmes and policies: the UNCCD is the only existing

normative framework for soil and sustainable land management, providing those

countries which are parties with a common instrument and a coordinated global

response to these issues.

The UNCCD recognizes the needs of the most vulnerable populations and the

poorest countries and can help find the tools to make land use in agriculture, energy

and forestry sustainable and to achieve food security.

The Global Soil Partnership has the objective of addressing soil and land degradation

at global level by improving global soil governance, soil data collection, validation,

reporting and monitoring; establishing guidelines and indicators, and promoting

targeted soil research. The ELD initiative aims to carry out a comprehensive

assessment of land degradation that looks at both the costs of failing to prevent

further land degradation and the economic benefits of addressing it through

sustainable land management policies.

59.

60.

61.

Marine Environment – oceans

Deliverables

62.

Ensure a commitment by those UN Member States that have not yet done so to

become parties to UNCLOS.

Agree to launch the negotiation of a new implementing agreement under UNCLOS

for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, in

particular addressing marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments

and the access to and benefits of sharing genetic resources in areas beyond national

jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Ensure a commitment to deliver and continue to support a more meaningful UN

Regular Process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine

environment, including socio-economic aspects.

63.

64.

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65.

Promote a holistic and integrated approach to the governance of oceans, seas and

coasts by all States including through the development of cross-sectoral policy tools.

Such an approach should include conservation and management measures and

address cumulative environmental impacts, in areas within and beyond national

jurisdiction, in a way that is coherent, compatible and without prejudice to the

rights and obligations of all States under UNCLOS.

Develop a global action plan to combat marine litter and pollution.

Recognize the significant economic, social and environmental contribution of coral

reefs to island and coastal States, including by promoting regional cooperation on

the model of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), and encouraging the

International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

66.

67.

Rationale

68.

Marine ecosystems are central to human well-being as a source of several important

ecosystem services and the sustainable management of oceans and seas, including

sustainable fisheries, is essential to achieve the goals of a "blue" economy in terms of

sustainable economic growth, poverty eradication and job creation with decent working

conditions. However, as economic activity increases in the oceans, pressures on coastal

and marine ecosystems also increase, thus calling for an integrated, eco-system based

management of human activities. An adequate prevention strategy is needed to counter

the vulnerability of coastal States to the negative impacts of incidents directly related to

maritime and coastal activities.

UNCLOS is the legal framework regulating all human activities in the oceans but some

States are still not parties to this Convention. A new implementing agreement for

UNCLOS is necessary to operationalize the provisions in UNCLOS with regard to the

conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national

jurisdiction, in particular questions on marine genetic resources, marine protected areas

and environmental impact assessments. There is also a need to take forward the Regular

Process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment,

which was agreed on at the WSSD and is now being gradually implemented by the UN

system. Ensuring the sustainable management of the oceans, seas and coasts requires

reinforced application of an ecosystem-based approach supported by adequate tools to

work across different sectoral policies affecting the oceans, seas and coasts. The

increasing threats of marine pollution and litter require a global answer.

Coral reefs are essential to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and several coastal

countries. They provide direct economic benefits (fisheries, tourism, biodiversity),

contribute to natural-disaster protection, sustainable coastal management, and are a rich

and unique ecosystem, directly threatened by climate change, with high social and

cultural value. Regional cooperation on the basis of the Regional Seas Convention is the

relevant level for promoting best governance and mobilizing resources and commitments

by State and non-State actors as shown by CTI. Created in 1994, ICRI is recognized

(UNGA 2010 resolution on coral reefs) as the leading international initiative on coral

reefs advocacy, uniting both developed and developing countries which are co-chairing

it.

69.

70.

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Fisheries

Deliverables

71.

Confirm existing commitments and step up all actions envisaged under

paragraph 31 of the JPOI to achieve sustainable fisheries

in particular the

universal adoption of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA).

This includes:

restoring and maintaining stocks at levels that can produce Maximum Sustainable Yield,

ratification of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement,

adoption and implementation of modern

fisheries management principles such as the ecosystem and precautionary approaches as

well as the need to improve scientific knowledge in order to base measures on the best

available science,

improved cooperation between States including through effective

Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and other Regional Conventions, the

reduction of fishing overcapacity

and the reduction of significant adverse impacts on

threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems.

Eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by developing a

common approach to combat it and by adopting and implementing effective tools

including through the ratification of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures

Agreement and other relevant international agreements.

72.

Rationale

73.

Despite targets previously agreed at Johannesburg and the adoption of measures by

States and Regional Fisheries Management Bodies, the status of global fish stocks as

reported by the FAO has continued to deteriorate. IUU fishing accounts for a large

portion of the catch for some species and contributes to the failure of management and

conservation measures. It penalises fishermen who play by the rules by giving an unfair

advantage to those who ignore rules. The FAO Agreement complements the duties of

flag States to ensure that their vessels do not participate in IUU fishing, and aims to

block the movement of IUU-caught fish into ports and onto national and international

markets.

Currently, together with the EU, only three States have ratified the FAO

Agreement, which requires 25 parties to the Agreement for entry into force.

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use: Investing in natural capital for a Green

Economy

Deliverables

74.

Strengthen the mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem services in policies

and decision-making processes at international, regional and national levels,

including through promoting the valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services

in the economy and encourage investments in natural capital through appropriate

incentives and policies which support a sustainable and equitable use of biological

diversity and ecosystems. The aim is to protect and enhance biodiversity and

ecosystem services.

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75.

Establish in this context an International Partnership amongst governments,

international organisations, NGOs, financial actors and private companies to share

and promote best practices relating to 'Investing in Natural Capital'.

Initiatives

under this heading would address the following key issues:

measuring natural capital (statistics and trends, indicators, research and

development, valuation of ecosystem services);

integrating physical and monetary natural capital values in accounting and reporting

systems at national and international level (e.g. System of Environmental and

Economic Accounting (SEEA), ecosystem accounting, economic and social

progress reports, accounting and reporting rules for businesses);

promoting incentives and policies to encourage investment in natural capital

(market-based instruments and innovative financing instruments for ecosystem

protection and restoration, promoting business models that integrate risks and

opportunities relating to biodiversity and ecosystem services).

Rationale

76. The study on the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) has demonstrated

the strong links between the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystems

on the one hand and economic opportunities and poverty alleviation on the other.

Healthy ecosystems provide materials vital to rural livelihoods and increase the

resilience of communities to climate change as well as to water and food insecurity.

Progress in this area requires the valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services and

the integration of these values into policies, decision-making and economic processes.

Currently, the value of natural capital is not fully reflected either in statistics and

accounts or in markets and policies. Opportunities for investing in natural capital are not

seized, even when they could provide prosperity and jobs with decent working

conditions.

77. There are a number of national and international initiatives relating to the specific

individual steps needed to promote investment in natural capital including TEEB and the

World Bank's "Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services" (WAVES).

Specific activities to be undertaken under IPBES may also be of relevance in this context.

A new impetus in Rio+20 would help to advance and synthesise these initiatives and

promote best practices in developed and developing countries.

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Chemicals

Deliverables

78.

Strengthening and building on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals

Management (SAICM), to step up efforts towards a more robust, coherent,

effective and efficient international regime for chemicals throughout their lifecycle.

Taking into account increasing and shifting global production and use of chemicals as

well as trade in products containing chemicals, the WSSD commitments on chemical

management should be strengthened, and their implementation better monitored, in order

to reflect the developing knowledge base as well as new policy approaches recognising

the need for greater transparency and industry responsibility. Further international

efforts should build on and strengthen the multi-sector, multi-stakeholder dimension of

SAICM, and further develop and broaden ongoing efforts to increase coordination and

cooperation within the chemicals and waste cluster, ensuring that hazardous substances

that have been identified as being of global concern can be addressed rapidly through

agreed processes. Sustainable and adequate long-term funding will be important. In this

connection, the EU and its Member States will give consideration to UNEP's

forthcoming proposals on financing to assist developing countries with sound chemical

and waste management and seeks an integrated approach that combines nationally

mainstreaming such management, including in national development strategies,

involving the private sector and providing external support for the incremental costs of

achieving global environmental benefits.

79.

Further develop and broaden ongoing efforts to increase synergies and

coordination and cooperation within the chemicals cluster and the waste cluster.

Rationale

80. Compared to the ambitions established at the WSSD, progress has been uneven and

insufficient, making it likely that the WSSD chemicals target will be missed.

Information on chemical hazards remains incomplete and scattered, and the international

system fragmented.

81. Many developing countries have a chronic lack of capacity for sound management of

chemicals. Unsound management of chemicals throughout their lifecycle can lead to the

contamination of air, water and soil, leading to increased human exposure and associated

risks to health and the ability to work and make a living. Chemical pollution also

negatively affects the natural resource base which is fundamental to economic

development. Chemical management is closely related to waste handling, since reuse

and recycling become difficult if products contain hazardous chemicals.

Sustainable management of materials and waste

Deliverables

82.

Foster the development of policy and planning instruments enhancing resource

efficiency and encouraging waste prevention, minimisation, reuse and recycling,

based on the polluter-pays principle and extended producer responsibility (e.g.

take-back schemes, fee systems), enabling better resource allocation and improved

conditions for the poor.

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83.

Improve the quality and reliability of waste-related data and indicators for better

inventories, monitoring, implementation, policy development and general access to

information.

84.

Promote public - private partnerships aiming to enhance capacity and technology

for environmentally sound waste management, based on international standards, as

well as to mobilize financial resources and investment, while ensuring coherence

and avoiding duplication with already existing partnerships and other relevant

work at international level.

Rationale

85. Sustainable management of materials and waste is expected to generate substantial

economic, environmental and social benefits, which include natural resource and energy

saving, creation of new businesses and jobs, biological treatment such as digestion or

compost production supporting agriculture, energy production from non-recyclable

waste, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, contributions to equity and poverty

eradication. Sustainable recycling requires improved information on the presence of

chemicals in products during the entire life cycle in order to enable risk management and

for the consumers to choose greener products and a more sustainable lifestyle. Improved

health, avoidance of health costs, avoidance of water and soil contamination, and the

consequent cost of alternative water supply and of soil remediation are also important

benefits. Greening the waste sector implies: avoidance of waste through sustainable

community practices; the eco-conception and the minimisation of waste generation

through the lifecycle approach; design for recycling remanufacturing, reuse or recycling

of waste into usable products, then recovery of materials and energy from non-

recyclable waste; treating any remaining unusable waste in an environmentally friendly

or in the least damaging way; and integrating informal waste collection and recycling

into formal, better-regulated systems, following environmental guidance, labour-

protection measures, as well as the recognition of women’s needs and roles in “green

job” creation programmes. It is essential to move towards a recycling society, that

productively uses what is now discarded, through environmentally sound effective and

efficient management of waste.

Sustainable urban development

Deliverables

86.

Mobilise a renewed process at local level in order to ensure that urban development

is sustainable by integrating in the work of the whole UN system the agenda for

sustainable urban development as well as the good practices, lessons learned and

partnerships implemented by cities.

87.

Promote an integrated and holistic approach to building sustainable cities

88.

Support the scaling up of successful experiences as a means to achieve sustainable

development and eradicate poverty globally.

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Rationale

89. It has been reported that cities accommodate more than half of the world’s population

and that they are experiencing rapid spatial expansion leading to the emergence of mega-

cities, mega-urban regions and increasing spatial and social fragmentation, poverty and

inequality. Furthermore, globalization, climate change, rising urban insecurity and

crime, increasing destruction of human settlements by disasters and conflicts of natural

or human origin, and rising informality within cities all pose major challenges that

should be the object of renewed global attention.

90. A just transition to a green economy therefore cannot be achieved without a strong

involvement of cities. They have several means of action arising from their

responsibilities in the fields of urban governance, transport, city planning and social

services. Cities create added value (wealth) and increase investment capacity, which is

essential for changing production processes.

91. Urban governance is key for an effective response to local needs but also for solutions to

social, economic and environmental concerns at the global level.

92. The setting up of partnerships between local officials and economic actors optimizes

funding and makes it possible to better use the opportunities offered by the action plans

to combat climate change with a view to economic development and social concerns.

----------------

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III. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT

Introduction / background

Governance structures are crucial in helping to deliver sustainable development, green

our economies and eradicate poverty. However,

current arrangements for

Sustainable Development Governance are not effectively responding to the

challenges before us.

Despite the commonly recognized inter-linkages between poverty, natural resource use

and ecosystem degradation, fragmentation, lack of co-ordination between UN agencies

and the international financial institutions (IFIs), and silo-type responses still occur . At

the same time, effective mechanisms for monitoring or ensuring implementation of

agreed commitments need to be enhanced. Current governance arrangements are very

complex but nevertheless often lack coherence. Over the last 4 decades, well over one

hundred multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) have been concluded and

around 50 UN bodies have the environment as part of their remit. They are also

resource- heavy: it was estimated by the UN Joint Inspection Unit that the cost of the

International Environmental Governance (IEG) system in 2006 was $US 1.6bn.

Against this background, it is clear that governance arrangements in all three

pillars of sustainable development need to be strengthened, better coordinated and

made more coherent. We need to ensure that the economic, social and

environmental dimensions work closely together. The Rio+20 Conference provides

a unique opportunity for forward- looking IFSD discussions contributing to better

implementation and greater integration of sustainable development at all levels

and in all countries.

The recent economic and financial crisis offers an opportunity for global collective

rethinking to facilitate a transition to a green economy, including improving institutional

tools to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development.

The EU and its Member States have identified the following

broader considerations

and key functions we expect to see reflected in and performed by an improved

institutional framework for sustainable development post Rio+20 and which are

relevant for consideration at all levels. Improvements are needed in

political leadership and direction; high-level visibility and political clout for

sustainable development topics

coherence and co-ordination, by taking a systemic approach to interlinked issues

with environment, social and economic impacts, such as food security, climate

change, unemployment, social protection, competitiveness etc; and an

interdisciplinary approach to policy analysis, i.e. by applying balanced and

coherent assessment techniques, by ensuring that reports on cross-cutting issues

are produced collaboratively and presented by institutions jointly; and through

support of joint efforts in areas such as outreach and consultation,

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effectiveness and efficiency, i.e. build on existing institutions, improve synergies

between existing processes, avoid duplication, eliminate unnecessary overlaps,

maximize effective use of financial resources, reduce administrative burdens,

avoid proliferation of sub-groups and meetings etc;

transparency and accountability i.e. strengthen the co-operation and communication

between institutions and stakeholders.

participation, i.e. ensure better utilization of the expertise and resources of all

stakeholders including non-state actors (from civil society and the private sector)

and especially women;

flexibility and risk management, i.e. improved capacity for quick responsiveness and

evidence-based analysis– especially in light of newly emerging issues and in

periods of crisis.

decision-making through an efficient mix of regulatory and market-based

instruments,

scientific evidence base through more integrated and inter-disciplinary scientific

research and reports.

progress monitoring and review i.e. clear goals and objective setting, capacity

transfer, knowledge building etc.

It will be important, as a general principle, that the

options that are being put forward

are practical and take into account financial, structural and legal implications.

New arrangements should make clear improvements upon existing arrangements,

enable more efficient use of existing resources and funds, and

be able to promote

work on sustainable development metrics.

Implementation should be streamlined into the various options for reform,

particular by facilitating the implementation of national and sub-national sustainable

development policies and strategies through policy exchange or peer reviews to promote

implementation of national strategies for sustainable development, as well as practical

and action-oriented guidance and advice and capacity building by the UN System and

by bilateral, and multilateral donors. The role of business and civil society in the

implementation phase is key, and can be promoted by establishing partnerships and

networking platforms.

There is a strong

functional link between IFSD

and the other theme of Rio+20 “a

Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty

eradication".

In addition to effective rules and regulations, and adherence to them ,

properly functioning global markets also need effective multilateral institutions. The

strengthening of international governance structures for sustainable development will

help the transition to a green economy. Long-term economic resilience is dependent on

sustainable use of natural resources. We need to reflect on which UN agencies and

bodies could best support, and by what means , the transition towards a green economy

in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication in compliance with

the framework of UN reform.

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Global Sustainable Development Governance

Reinforcing the architecture for sustainable development governance at

the global level

will require, in particular, strengthening of and better co-ordination and

coherence between the UN organizations responsible for sustainable development

in order to ensure better linkages between the three pillars and to improve

implementation of existing commitments. This will also require reinforcing and

mainstreaming environmental issues in a balanced manner.

During the preparatory process for Rio+20 a number of reform options have been

suggested. These include, inter alia, reform of the United Nations General Assembly,

the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission on Sustainable

Development (CSD) and the possible establishment of a Sustainable Development

Council.

The position of the EU and its Member States on all these reform options

remains open and we welcome the views of others on how to best achieve an

ambitious outcome for IFSD at Rio+20.

The outcome of the joint Executive

Committee on Economic and Social Affairs (EC-ESA) study on IFSD will serve as an

important source of information for comparing the various options, for assessing

possible interrelatedness and interdependence between options and for evaluating the

extent to which options would fulfil the required functions.

Governance aspects of the economic and social pillars of sustainable development must

be taken into account as well.

There is a need to ensure strong involvement in and

coherence between the activities of the International Financial Institutions,

especially the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, the regional

development banks, G20, and the World Trade Organization in regulating global trade.

Initial/preliminary considerations by the EU and its Member States

on some of the

options put forward for global sustainable development governance reforms are set out

below.

These options are not mutually exclusive and could be pursued as a

combination of options.

As the main deliberative organ of the UN, the

UN General Assembly

provides a

unique forum for multilateral discussion and political guidance at the highest level.

The main aim should be to ensure that sustainable development issues are

mainstreamed on its agenda, thereby effectively providing overall political

direction to the implementation and review of the UN’s sustainable development

work. Consideration could be given to the practice of scheduling high-level

meetings and thematic debates that are interactive and inclusive in nature as

important tools for facilitating in-depth discussion on current issues of critical

importance.

10.

11.

12.

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ECOSOC

has a pivotal role to play in ensuring coherence, coordination and

implementation in the area of sustainable development through its mandate on 2

of the three pillars, high-level coordination with the UN specialized agencies,

funds and programmes, its link with the Bretton Woods Institutions and its

oversight role vis-à-vis the functional commissions. Different options could be

considered for strengthening the way it performs this function, including:

Using the coordination segment of ECOSOC as an effective way of

strengthening

integration,

monitoring

implementation

decisions/resolutions on sustainable development, including those coming

from its functional commissions, as well as fostering coherence and

coordination across the UN system. The ECOSOC Spring meetings “Special

high-level meeting of ECOSOC with the Bretton Woods institutions, the

World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and

Development” provides an opportunity to build upon for strengthening the

link with the Financial Institutions and the UN System Chief Executives

Board for Coordination (CEB);

Using the ECOSOC operational activities segment to promote mainstreaming

of decisions/resolutions on sustainable development into programmes of UN

agencies and funds which would translate into concrete actions on the

ground;

A possible revision of the roles and division of responsibilities of the

ECOSOC and the CSD as regards sustainable development.

20 years after the

Commission for Sustainable Development

(CSD) was

created, there is broad agreement that the role of the CSD needs to be reviewed.

As it stands, CSD no longer delivers a satisfactory dialogue with the governing

bodies of implementing entities, is unable to support the incorporation of

decisions into UN country-level assistance frameworks, and lacks the authority for

an effective integration of the three pillars of sustainable development. Different

scenarios could be considered for improving the effectiveness, efficiency and

flexibility of activities currently performed by the CSD, including:

Enhancing and strengthening the CSD by endowing it with a sharper, more

focused, balanced and responsive engagement with a more limited set of

issues, resulting in a more strategic and manageable approach, as well as an

enhanced implementation of its decisions.

Reorienting its role by focusing on the part of its mandate in support of

sustainable development partnerships and dialogue and removing its

‘negotiation’ function

Enhancing the review dimension of the CSD by facilitating voluntary peer

review mechanisms for progress monitoring using best practice and/or

establishing linkages with regional level peer review mechanisms.

Abolishing the CSD, and transferring those functions that should be

continued to another organ within the UN system.

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The

establishment of a Sustainable Development Council under the UNGA

has been highlighted as a way to improve the UN’s work on Sustainable

Development. The key function of such a body could be to improve visibility of

Sustainable Development topics. However, considerations about the possible

establishment of a Sustainable Development Council must avoid any concrete or

potential overlap in the functions and mandates of existing organizations.

Special Envoy or Representative could

be the high-level voice and advocate

for sustainable development with various policy makers at the national level and

could promote an integrated approach in the UN system and at country level.

13.

Another key aspect of a improved IFSD pertains to

interagency improvements.

Policy

coordination needs to be strengthened and the coordinating mechanisms such as the

CEB, the UN Development Group (UNDG), the Environmental Management Group

(EMG) and others made more effective in support of sustainable development. In order

to strengthen the integration of environmental issues into the activities of the various

UN organs, the EMG should become more closely linked to the CEB. This could be

ensured by, for example, integrating it into the CEB. In order to enhance ownership of

the EMG, a rotating chairmanship could be considered.

Fragmented support from the international system for national-level implementation

should be avoided. UN Country Teams need to improve their support for sustainable

development implementation at the national level. The delivery of services needs to

become more efficient and effective. Lessons learned from the “System

Wide

Coherence”

exercise and “Delivering

as One (DaO)”

as well as from cross-sectoral

approaches such as the

“Poverty and Environment Initiative”

and

UNAIDS

can

provide valuable input for the discussions on IFSD. In this regard, the EU looks

forward to the results of the independent evaluation of the “delivering as one” pilots, to

be presented in May 2012. The DaO model could be further developed to help

strengthen sustainable development at the national level. Organizations engaged in

practical implementation, as well as governments where the UN is present on the

ground, are encouraged to come forward with and articulate observations that may

advance the discussions on the IFSD.

14.

International Environmental Governance (IEG)

15.

Reinforcing the architecture for sustainable development governance at

the global level

will also make it necessary to reinforce the environmental pillar in a balanced

manner.

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16.

Strengthening of IEG forms a crucial part of the strengthening of overall

sustainable development governance.

The EU has been a keen supporter of the

growing consensus for strengthening the environmental pillar and supports the overall

conclusions on system-wide responses for strengthening IEG as debated within UNEP,

including:

1. Science-policy interface

2. System-wide strategy for the environment,

3. Synergies between compatible MEAs

4. Global environmental policy making and finance

5. System-wide capacity building framework for the environment

6. Strategic engagement at the regional level.

17.

Setting up system-wide responses would also entail creating activities that span all three

dimensions of sustainable development and would thus ground IEG within the wider

IFSD architecture.

The EU and its Member States actively support the incremental improvements of

IEG that were identified in the Nairobi-Helsinki process and consider that they

should be rigorously implemented. Our views are set out more fully in paragraph

19. Furthermore, the EU and its Member States are convinced that, at the same

time, more ambitious and broader reform is necessary to respond to the

fundamental problems of the current system. A key outcome of Rio+20 should

therefore include the upgrading of UNEP into a Specialized Agency for the

Environment as part of the reform of IFSD, and our detailed views on this are set

out in paragraph 20 below.

With regard to

synergies among compatible MEAs,

the EU and its Member States

believe that the work on streamlining and reinforcing the MEA system needs to be

accelerated. While respecting the autonomy of different MEAs, there is much scope for

making their administration more effective through inter alia, coordination, cooperation

and avoidance of duplication – thus creating a better platform for securing coherent and

focused political oversight and leadership, thereby freeing up resources for better

implementation and for promoting favourable conditions for green growth. Such

synergies could include cooperation and coherence with regard to financial aspects. If

the political will exists among Parties, the MEA system can be streamlined and

reinforced. Rio+20 may provide the momentum for all of us to commit to and kick-start

such reforms and strengthened synergies between MEA’s, for example:

The EU and its Member States welcome the work already undertaken to improve the

co-operation and co-ordination between the

chemicals and waste cluster

and

consider that more work in this area could be undertaken for, e.g., significant

steps towards further advancing cooperation and coordination between new and

existing instruments within the chemicals and waste cluster, where a future proof

governance structure and an integrated approach to financing options need to be

key components.

18.

19.

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We also welcome further efforts for enhancing synergies between the

biodiversity-

related Conventions,

international and regional agreements and other relevant

bodies, which, without prejudice to their specific objectives or mandates, and with

a view to, inter alia, considering joint activities and identifying areas for Party-

driven collaboration regarding biodiversity, climate change, land degradation and

ecosystem based approaches, would support the transition to a green economy.

We also note the need to strengthen

coordination between the three ‘Rio

Conventions’

(the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN

Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Convention to Combat

Desertification) and promote joint activities for Party-driven collaboration on

ecosystem -based "win-win-win" solutions.

20.

The EU has over the years developed its thinking on

IEG.

The 2005 Council

Conclusions from EU Heads of State and Government support ‘the

establishment of a

UN agency for the environment, based on UNEP, with a revised and strengthened

mandate, supported by stable, adequate and predictable financial contributions and

operating on an equal footing with other UN specialized agencies. This agency, based

in Nairobi, would make it possible to develop the environmental dimension of

sustainable development in an integrated and consistent manner, and would

cooperate closely with multilateral agencies, each using its comparative advantages to

best effect.”

The

EU view of a UN Specialised Agency for the environment is as follows:

Pursuant to Articles 57 and 63 of the UN charter, a Specialised Agency of the UN (a

“World Environment Organisation or “United Nations Environment Organisation”)

would be established as the global body for the environment with its seat in Nairobi. It

would be based on the models of some of the existing, medium-sized UN specialised

agencies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World

Meteorological Organization (WMO), or the World Intellectual Property Organization

(WIPO).

General objective

It would be recognized as the leader on matters relevant to the environment and would

perform a coordination function with regard to other UN bodies. It would represent "the

UN voice for the Environment", and be a designated body with a strong mandate so that

the UN response to the outstanding issues in the area of environment reflects the size of

the challenges.

The added value of a Specialised Agency over an enhanced UNEP would be:

an adequate position within the UN system to fulfil the tasks that governments have,

in 1972, entrusted to a body too low in the UN family to exert its influence;.

better positioning to help developing countries reinforce capacity and environmental

policies.

Mandate and key functions of the Specialized Agency

The Specialised Agency would:

Be the designated agency of the United Nations system on environmental issues.

Have a clear policy advice and guidance function as well as authority on assessment

and early warning on the global environment.

Build strong links between science, policy and decision-making to support

evidence-based and coherent decision-making inside and outside the UN.

21.

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Offer specific capacity building and technical assistance to countries to assist in the

process of implementing international environmental norms, standards, guidelines,

or guidance. It would respect the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid

Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action, and be in line with the System-

Wide Coherence and "Delivering as One" initiatives. It would also have to fully

respect the Bali Strategic Plan (amended as necessary to take into consideration the

establishment of the Agency).This country support will pass via its regional centres

not own -country offices, and also through close institutional links with other UN

bodies that would make it possible to work through existing institutions in their

efforts to achieve compliance and enforcement of environmental law, taking into

account the specific needs of developing countries. Although not a resident agency,

an Agency would support UN Country Teams when developing the UN Country

Assessments and Development Assistance Frameworks.

Promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable

development within the UN system by building on efficient coordination

mechanisms within UN system , such as the strengthened EMG.

Identify and bring new and emerging global environmental issues to the political

agenda so as to be responsive to challenges as they arise. For example, it is not

enough to focus international action solely on climate change- related issues: swift

responses are also needed to problems such as loss of biodiversity, land degradation

and sound chemical and waste management, management of natural resources or

disaster -risk reduction.

Develop global, regional and thematic environmental outlooks and contribute to

environmental outlooks at the country level to support the transformation of

economies from the perspective of a sustainable development.

Disseminate environmental information worldwide, raise awareness and mobilize

public opinion on critical environmental issues. Achieve strong and visible

dialogue/advocacy on environmental issues involving major companies and the

business world at large.

Give guidance for better environmental performance by integrating normative

environmental policy into UN operational activities. In this context, provide

regional level technical and technological support to focal-points pursuant to MEAs.

Undertake efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness of MEAs at national,

regional and international levels.

Enhance synergies among existing MEAs where this is feasible and desirable, as

one way of making implementation more efficient and effective. Contribute to

ensuring that any new MEAs are truly synergistic and future- proof instruments.

Facilitate the creation of synergies between the MEAs and other relevant

international treaties.

Provide support to MEA secretariats in technical, logistical and programmatic areas

in a synergetic way. A well-resourced and fully -equipped "environment house"

should be able to provide the professional services that Parties need to efficiently

implement MEAs.

Have a role in enhancing coherence and political oversight of global environmental

finance.

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Ensure an open political decision-making process and enhance transparency through

the involvement of civil society and the private sector. Similarly, the matter of

giving citizens a more powerful voice at global level should be addressed:

reinforced governance structures are needed to make sure that the voice of citizens

is heard in international, national and local decision- making. There are several

ways to enable broad, innovative participation on the part of the various

stakeholders, and to move beyond the current model where civil society has limited,

unsatisfactory opportunities to participate.

Funding

Its funding basis needs to be “adequate, predictable, and stable”. The Agency could

therefore work inter alia with assessed contributions as one of its funding sources

The widening of the funding basis to include other sources is essential.

No new funding structures would be set up as part of the creation of such an

Agency.

The agency would play a role in the necessary efforts to dovetail financial streams

for the environment, including the GEF. It would continue to fulfil UNEP's existing

mandate to provide policy guidance, and cooperate with the COPs of the

Conventions which are the competent bodies for the financial mechanisms of the

Conventions. This will be part of a better realignment of the multilateral policy -

making and the international funding mechanisms.

The Agency would be created through the transformation or upgrading of UNEP -

so cost evolution can be followed and controlled gradually.

The Agency would moreover provide cost savings if the administrative and financial

functions for both some of the MEAs and the Agency are successfully streamlined.

Relation with the MEAs

Resolving in a mutually supportive and balanced way the relationship between the

Specialised Agency and the MEAs is central to resolving the issue of the creation of

an Agency.

The Agency would provide guidance and cooperate in this respect with the COPs of

the Conventions.

The legal autonomy of the conventions would be fully respected.

Formulas would be worked out, without creating new structures, to closely associate

MEAs with the Agency, their high- level presence at the decision making bodies

being one example.

Multilevel SD governance: the role of regional, national, subnational and local

authorities

22.

The strengthening of IFSD needs to be addressed across

multiple levels of governance.

Regional, national, sub-national and local- level institutions

are at the forefront when

it comes to dealing with the challenges and opportunities related to the implementation

of sustainable development.

Promoting effective institutions and appropriate

framework conditions at these levels should be recognized as an indispensable

complement to efforts aimed at strengthening IFSD at global level.

Taking into

account lessons learned, proposals should build further on the valuable work that is

already taking place, notably with regard to the implementation of sustainable

development policies and strategies (National Sustainable Development Strategies

(NSDS)), Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS), Local Agenda 21), the work of local

governments and the work of intersectoral coordination structures.

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23.

Regional cooperation and South-South cooperation

is a powerful tool for bridging

the gap between the global and national levels of sustainable development decision-

making and implementation. UN regional commissions have a role to play in facilitating

technical assistance, regional coordination, mobilizing financing and implementation.

Overarching

sustainable development strategies

are key instruments for the

implementation of sustainable development commitments at regional, national or sub-

national level. Rio should provide incentives to countries or regions which already have

such strategies in place for updating the existing strategies and ensuring that all relevant

line ministries and stakeholders are involved in this process. Countries without national

sustainable development strategies or poverty reduction strategies in place could be

provided with the supportive measures (including mechanisms to secure public and

private funding) necessary for developing and implementing the strategies that will

allow them to tackle in a holistic manner the complex and interrelated economic,

financial, environmental, climate and social crises and challenges.

24.

The role of non-state actors

25.

One of the fundamental prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is

broad public participation

in decision-making. The IFSD package, therefore, should

include measures that encourage and facilitate an active and meaningful involvement of

all major groups and stakeholders

as central actors in both policy development and

implementation. Possible measures could include:

The promotion of dynamic

partnerships

and flexible alliances aimed at ensuring an

efficient and effective participation of major groups and stakeholders,

acknowledging in particular the role of business and the private sector, non-

governmental organizations and trade unions.

Promoting and strengthening

national Sustainable Development Councils

(as set

out in Agenda 21) composed of stakeholders from the different major groups that

are active in pushing forward the sustainable development agenda. Integrative and

trans-disciplinary in nature, Sustainable Development Councils can be seen as a

model for efficient and effective multi-stakeholder involvement.

26.

Similarly, reinforced governance structures are needed to make sure that the voice of

citizens

is heard in international, national and local decision -making.