The document discusses various proposals for reforming the institutional framework for sustainable development, including proposals that would establish a sustainable development council or transfer functions of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development to other bodies. It outlines the current mandate and outputs of the CSD, which include monitoring progress on sustainability commitments, reviewing implementation, and facilitating partnerships. The purpose is to analyze the CSD's role and functions in the context of the debate around creating an intergovernmental body for sustainable development.
For full coverage of the third prepcom and Rio+20, visit the IISD website at http://www.iisd.ca/uncsd/rio20/
or
Download the IISD Rio+20 mobile app for your apple or android devices: http://www.iisd.ca/enb-mobile/
IISD Summary of side events- Tuesday, March 20thuncsd2012
This document summarizes side events at a UN conference on sustainable development. It discusses:
1) A panel on enhancing civil society engagement in sustainable development governance that addressed reforming UN bodies and establishing a new Council on Sustainable Development. Participants also discussed corporate influence and youth/poverty input.
2) A session on education for sustainable development that highlighted its role in transforming societies and addressed national ESD programs, green society approaches, and moving beyond schools.
3) An event on sustainable cities that featured examples of slum upgrading in Kenya and local initiatives in low-income communities, emphasizing community challenges and strengths and calls for women's participation.
Stakeholder Forum- Pocket Guide to Sustainable Development Governanceuncsd2012
This document provides an overview of the challenges facing sustainable development governance at the global level. It discusses how, despite progress, environmental problems have intensified due to weaknesses in governance arrangements. Specifically, it outlines challenges around governing the global commons through the prism of national sovereignty. It also discusses criticisms of the effectiveness of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), including its status as a UN programme rather than specialized agency, limited funding, and location in Nairobi. The document notes calls for reforming international environmental governance to address such issues, including establishing a new autonomous global institution or strengthening UNEP's role and mandate.
The document summarizes the schedule and events for June 15, 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20). It outlines the agenda for meetings of the General Assembly and Preparatory Committee, including discussions on the outcome document and rules of procedure. It also lists side events on topics like green jobs, sustainable development governance, and women's resilience. Special events are noted, including a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit.
March Informals and Third Intersessional programme of side eventsuncsd2012
This document provides the program of side events for informal consultations on the zero draft outcome document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) held from 19-23 March 2012. It lists over 50 side events organized over the 5 day period covering topics such as the green economy, sustainable development, poverty eradication, food sovereignty, private sector engagement, gender, oceans, water management and more. The side events were organized by various UN bodies, governments, NGOs and organizations to inform discussions around the Rio+20 outcome document.
This document summarizes articles in an issue of Outreach, a multi-stakeholder magazine on climate change and sustainable development.
1. It leads with an article calling for collaboration as key to ensuring a fair transition to a green economy. National policies and knowledge sharing are emphasized.
2. Another article argues that without dedicated finance, the Rio+20 conference will fail to deliver on aspirations of transitioning to a green economy. It calls for ending fossil fuel subsidies and greening tax systems.
3. A third article discusses green job opportunities in Canada as the country transitions away from its reliance on oil reserves, and highlights examples from Ontario and other provinces of renewable energy policies creating domestic manufacturing and jobs. It argues
Global transition 2012 march dialogue info packuncsd2012
How can we ensure a just transition to a green economy that benefits people and the planet?
- What are the opportunities and challenges for developing countries in transitioning to a green economy?
- How can we ensure the transition leaves no one behind and helps lift people out of poverty?
- What policies and initiatives have shown success in creating green jobs and livelihoods?
- How can we ensure a green economy respects environmental limits and helps restore ecosystems?
- What principles of equity and justice should guide the transition globally and nationally?
FORMAT of the Plenary Sessions
Each plenary session will follow the format below:
- Scene Setting: Short presentations from 2-3 panellists to set
The document provides background information on the Rio+20 process and framework. It discusses the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which is responsible for sustainable development within the UN and serves as a forum for issues related to the three dimensions of sustainable development. It notes that CSD was established after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio to follow up on Agenda 21 and was given an updated mandate by the 2002 World Summit in Johannesburg. It also outlines the major stakeholder groups that participate in the Rio+20 process, including governments, UN agencies, and civil society groups. Finally, it lists the upcoming meetings in the Rio+20 process leading up to the June 2012 conference in Rio.
For full coverage of the third prepcom and Rio+20, visit the IISD website at http://www.iisd.ca/uncsd/rio20/
or
Download the IISD Rio+20 mobile app for your apple or android devices: http://www.iisd.ca/enb-mobile/
IISD Summary of side events- Tuesday, March 20thuncsd2012
This document summarizes side events at a UN conference on sustainable development. It discusses:
1) A panel on enhancing civil society engagement in sustainable development governance that addressed reforming UN bodies and establishing a new Council on Sustainable Development. Participants also discussed corporate influence and youth/poverty input.
2) A session on education for sustainable development that highlighted its role in transforming societies and addressed national ESD programs, green society approaches, and moving beyond schools.
3) An event on sustainable cities that featured examples of slum upgrading in Kenya and local initiatives in low-income communities, emphasizing community challenges and strengths and calls for women's participation.
Stakeholder Forum- Pocket Guide to Sustainable Development Governanceuncsd2012
This document provides an overview of the challenges facing sustainable development governance at the global level. It discusses how, despite progress, environmental problems have intensified due to weaknesses in governance arrangements. Specifically, it outlines challenges around governing the global commons through the prism of national sovereignty. It also discusses criticisms of the effectiveness of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), including its status as a UN programme rather than specialized agency, limited funding, and location in Nairobi. The document notes calls for reforming international environmental governance to address such issues, including establishing a new autonomous global institution or strengthening UNEP's role and mandate.
The document summarizes the schedule and events for June 15, 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20). It outlines the agenda for meetings of the General Assembly and Preparatory Committee, including discussions on the outcome document and rules of procedure. It also lists side events on topics like green jobs, sustainable development governance, and women's resilience. Special events are noted, including a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit.
March Informals and Third Intersessional programme of side eventsuncsd2012
This document provides the program of side events for informal consultations on the zero draft outcome document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) held from 19-23 March 2012. It lists over 50 side events organized over the 5 day period covering topics such as the green economy, sustainable development, poverty eradication, food sovereignty, private sector engagement, gender, oceans, water management and more. The side events were organized by various UN bodies, governments, NGOs and organizations to inform discussions around the Rio+20 outcome document.
This document summarizes articles in an issue of Outreach, a multi-stakeholder magazine on climate change and sustainable development.
1. It leads with an article calling for collaboration as key to ensuring a fair transition to a green economy. National policies and knowledge sharing are emphasized.
2. Another article argues that without dedicated finance, the Rio+20 conference will fail to deliver on aspirations of transitioning to a green economy. It calls for ending fossil fuel subsidies and greening tax systems.
3. A third article discusses green job opportunities in Canada as the country transitions away from its reliance on oil reserves, and highlights examples from Ontario and other provinces of renewable energy policies creating domestic manufacturing and jobs. It argues
Global transition 2012 march dialogue info packuncsd2012
How can we ensure a just transition to a green economy that benefits people and the planet?
- What are the opportunities and challenges for developing countries in transitioning to a green economy?
- How can we ensure the transition leaves no one behind and helps lift people out of poverty?
- What policies and initiatives have shown success in creating green jobs and livelihoods?
- How can we ensure a green economy respects environmental limits and helps restore ecosystems?
- What principles of equity and justice should guide the transition globally and nationally?
FORMAT of the Plenary Sessions
Each plenary session will follow the format below:
- Scene Setting: Short presentations from 2-3 panellists to set
The document provides background information on the Rio+20 process and framework. It discusses the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which is responsible for sustainable development within the UN and serves as a forum for issues related to the three dimensions of sustainable development. It notes that CSD was established after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio to follow up on Agenda 21 and was given an updated mandate by the 2002 World Summit in Johannesburg. It also outlines the major stakeholder groups that participate in the Rio+20 process, including governments, UN agencies, and civil society groups. Finally, it lists the upcoming meetings in the Rio+20 process leading up to the June 2012 conference in Rio.
BASIC South Initiative - Newsletter 1st issuebasicvoices
1) The author argues that India needs to reformulate its approach to climate negotiations to combine attention to developed countries' historical responsibility while also embracing India's own responsibility to pursue low-carbon development paths.
2) Specifically, India should reconceptualize its stance on climate equity to recognize that all countries have a duty to explore lower-carbon development given knowledge of climate impacts, not just focus on per capita emissions allocations.
3) India also needs to engage strategically on shaping the implementation of the new Durban Platform and prepare detailed positions on upcoming negotiations to effectively promote both development and climate objectives.
This document discusses country ownership and organizational capacity building in the context of HIV/AIDS programs. It defines country ownership as the full participation of a country's population, including government, civil society, and the private sector, in conceptualizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development policies and programs. While country ownership is not a new concept, challenges remain in achieving it in practice. The document argues that capacity building of both government institutions and civil society organizations is needed to strengthen local leadership and sustainability of HIV/AIDS responses over the long term. It provides examples of how capacity building initiatives have supported greater country ownership in various country contexts.
Bridging Anti-corruption and Social Accountability – The role of Civil Socie...UNDP Policy Centre
Opening session of the Rio+20 side event on "Civil Society and Knowledge Community: Dialogues around Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development". Presentation delivered by Ms. Leisa Perch, IPC-IG's Policy Specialist and Team Leader - Rural and Sustainable Development.
Skills Assessment for National Adaptation Planning: How Countries Can Identif...UN CC:Learn
This activity report highlights a way of assessing the skills gap that a country may have in designing and implementing a national adaptation plan. To achieve this, the document proposes a skills assessment framework. The report is also available in French and can be download from UN CC:Learn website.
This document discusses challenges for least developed countries regarding information and communication technologies. It summarizes the author's dissertation thesis which examines ICT use in four developing countries - Guatemala, Lao PDR, Malawi and Yemen - on the macro and micro levels. On the macro level, the author argues that developed Western countries are failing to address the growing digital divide and are benefiting from developing countries' lack of access to and skills around ICTs, reinforcing patterns of colonialism. On the micro level, the study investigates users' demographics, habits and the opportunities and barriers around ICT use in these countries. The author proposes strategies for implementing ICTs in a sustainable way to counter colonial tendencies and foster development
Part IV: Our Future is Worth It: How YOUth can take ACTION for Sustainable De...EOTO World
The final installment of the Rio+20 toolkit series that focuses on the concept of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development and how to use the Arts to spread the word!
This document summarizes information about National GEO Committees in several Black Sea countries. It finds that Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, and Turkey are members of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Bulgaria has an active National GEO Committee coordinating Earth observation activities. Georgia and Romania are still developing their National GEO Committees. Russia and Ukraine participate in GEO but do not yet have formal National GEO Committees. The document recommends strengthening cooperation between environmental organizations, data centers, and governments in the region to further Earth observation goals.
The document discusses enhancing resilience and accelerating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in Asia and the Pacific region by 2015. It notes that while progress has been made towards the MDGs, more must be done. Disaster risk reduction can help accelerate progress on the MDGs. Both the 2010 MDG Summit and the 2009 Global Platform recognized the need to further integrate disaster risk reduction into development policies to contribute to achieving the MDGs and HFA by the target years of 2015.
The document discusses enhancing resilience and accelerating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in Asia and the Pacific region by 2015. It notes that while progress has been made towards the MDGs, more must be done. Disaster risk reduction can help accelerate progress on the MDGs. Both the 2010 MDG Summit and the 2009 Global Platform recognized the importance of disaster risk reduction to sustainable development and achieving the MDGs.
Developed and developing countries disagreed on the future of the Kyoto Protocol at climate talks in Bonn. Canada, Russia, and Japan will not commit to a second commitment period. Developing countries insist a second commitment period is needed. Developed countries want commitments from all major emitters, including developing countries. The talks highlighted differences on the legal form of future commitments and whether technical discussions should begin before political issues are resolved.
BUILDING ON THE KYOTO PROTOCOL: OPTIONS FOR PROTECTING THE CLIMATEDr Lendy Spires
An Architecture for Climate Protection Kevin A. Baumert and Nancy Kete Walls, windows, floors, and doors are some of the elements used in designing a house. Not just any mix of architectural elements will create a functional home.
Although there are many possible designs, making a home functional means assembling walls, windows, and other elements into a compatible whole that meets the needs of its inhabitants. So too, a climate protection treaty has its own set of “architectural elements” that must meet the needs of its stakeholders.
Elements of a climate protection treaty include provisions for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, man-aging economic costs, and promoting accountability, among other things. While the options for designing a home may seem limitless, the diversity of potentially effective climate agreements is not nearly as constrained as current international negotiations might lead us to believe.
As with homes, innovation and creativity are needed in treaty design. Since 1997, the debate over global climate change has focused narrowly on the Kyoto Protocol—an international treaty to control greenhouse gas emissions that are trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Protocol calls on industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by about 5 percent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. Over the past 5 years, government officials, observers, and experts have been absorbed in the arcane details of the Protocol, arguing at great length about the treaty’s merits and demerits.
As the Kyoto Protocol comes to life, this debate will shift to include new ideas for future commitments to protect the global climate system. This volume explores a set of options for designing an international framework for climate protection “beyond Kyoto,” that is, beyond the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period.1 We pay special attention to achieving international cooperation across the so-called North-South divide.
Community Resilience Mentorship InitiaiveSonny Neale
The document provides details on the Community Resilience Mentorship Initiative (CRMI) scoping project. The CRMI aims to identify, access, and mobilize wisdom and experience from past natural disasters in Australia through mentor/mentee relationships. It was designed by stakeholders from government agencies, non-profits, and communities to address the gap of lost experience and wisdom after disasters. The proposed model includes multi-year funding, hosting by a non-government organization, and governance by a steering committee of emergency management organizations and community representatives. Mentors would support mentees facing recovery challenges to empower self-directed recovery processes. The scoping project found the CRMI could help leverage existing knowledge, support indigenous recovery, and augment
Dipecho v aan hfa drr orientation brief reportedmnepal
This document provides an orientation report on workshops held in Nepal to raise awareness of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR). It summarizes:
1) ActionAid Nepal held four workshops in two districts to sensitize government officials, NGO leaders, politicians, and journalists on HFA and mainstreaming DRR.
2) The workshops presented on DRR concepts, HFA priorities, Nepal's disaster context, and ActionAid's DIPECHO project. Evaluations found the workshops effectively increased understanding of DRR and the need for stronger policies.
3) Over 170 people participated across the workshops. Evaluations indicated increased awareness of DRR and support for integrating it
Research paper: Reducing REDD: Implementation issues for lower Mekong subre...SPERI
This document presents a critical analysis of challenges in implementing REDD programs in the Lower Mekong Subregion. It examines issues through field exposures and interviews. Key challenges discussed are the hunger for economic growth prioritized over environmental protection, insecure land tenure increasing land conflicts, and lack of inclusion of local communities in decision making. The document calls for more decentralization of forest resources and stronger inclusion of local voices in REDD programs to better address equity and indigenous rights.
National disaster risk management framework pakistan. south asiaMalik Khalid Mehmood
The National Disaster Risk Management Framework for Pakistan was prepared to establish policy and institutional arrangements for reducing disaster losses in the future. Pakistan faces various natural hazards that threaten sustained economic growth, such as the 2005 earthquake that caused $5.2 billion in losses. Key hazards include earthquakes, droughts, floods, windstorms, and landslides. Factors contributing to Pakistan's vulnerabilities include poor construction practices, weak early warning systems, lack of awareness and education, and poverty. The Framework sets priorities over five years to strengthen disaster management, including establishing institutional arrangements, conducting risk assessments, boosting training and awareness, mainstreaming risk reduction into development, and improving emergency response systems.
The document provides an overview of how to impact global policy and enact paradigm shifts through the United Nations. It discusses how the UN was created by governments to develop policy on international issues. It then outlines the process for influencing the UN from the bottom-up as commoners. This includes writing to member state representatives, requesting panels to explore commons-based solutions, and commoning with major groups and other stakeholders during UN conferences to help shift discussions and outcomes toward a commons paradigm.
Oxford-NRDC workshop. Memo. What has been said in the UNFCCCPriyanka DeSouza
This document summarizes statements from UNFCCC parties and observers regarding subnational and non-state actions, multi-stakeholder alliances, and other international cooperative initiatives in the UNFCCC process. It finds that discussion of these topics is growing, with parties and observers largely positive toward such actions but providing few details. It also notes that parties emphasize subnational actions must not substitute for or contribute to national commitments, and must not impose new obligations on developing countries. The document reviews statements from various parties and observers and includes two appendices, one listing relevant quotes and one containing the ADP co-chairs' draft text on subnational actions.
best practice guidelines action research engaging with cald communities july ...Human Rights Commission
This document provides best practice guidelines for agencies and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to effectively communicate during and after a disaster. It recommends that agencies get to know CALD communities before a disaster by building relationships based on trust and understanding. Agencies should improve cultural competency, use interpreters, promote diversity in staffing, and properly resource communication with CALD communities. The document is based on research and consultations conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand following destructive earthquakes to understand challenges and ways to enhance communication between agencies and CALD communities during recovery efforts.
Dipecho5 news letter 2nd edition- oct 09 aaDIPECHO Nepal
This document discusses community mobilization approaches for disaster preparedness in Nepal. It describes how various organizations are empowering communities to participate in disaster risk reduction from the bottom-up. Key approaches mentioned include forming inclusive disaster management committees, conducting participatory vulnerability analyses to identify risks, developing community disaster preparedness plans, and building local leadership through focus groups that represent different community demographics. The goal is to make communities active participants in early warning systems and all stages of project planning and implementation rather than just beneficiaries, in order to increase community ownership and sustainability.
This document provides an introduction and background on the People's Caravan on Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal event held on October 13-14, 2009 to mark International Day for Disaster Reduction. The key objectives of the event were to raise public awareness on disaster risk reduction issues in Nepal and obtain commitments from policymakers to enact disaster management policies and institutionalize disaster risk reduction. A steering committee was formed comprising government, UN, and NGO representatives to organize the two-day event, which included a national symposium, rally, exhibition, convention, and meetings with high-level officials. The expected outcomes included a joint declaration committing to disaster management legislation and an increased understanding among communities of their rights and the need for stronger disaster risk
The document discusses science and technology trends for sustainable development since the 1992 Earth Summit. It finds that:
1) While technology progress has addressed many problems, it has also created new ones. Global technology progress has been too slow to compensate for increasing consumption.
2) Large emerging economies have become leaders in clean technology production, exports, and use. South-South technology transfers have increased but barriers remain.
3) Market-based policy instruments are increasingly emphasized over technology mandates and standards. However, price incentives alone have limitations for achieving sustainability goals.
Joint Messages of Local and Sub-national Governmentsuncsd2012
The document contains 8 recommendations from local and sub-national governments for the UN Secretary General regarding sustainable development and cities. The key recommendations are: 1) A new multi-level governance architecture is needed to promote partnerships for sustainable urban development. 2) Sustainable cities should be a cross-cutting issue in the sustainable development agenda, including goals on access to basic services, social inclusion, and the environment. 3) Cohesion among territories should be fostered through consultation and integrated governance frameworks.
BASIC South Initiative - Newsletter 1st issuebasicvoices
1) The author argues that India needs to reformulate its approach to climate negotiations to combine attention to developed countries' historical responsibility while also embracing India's own responsibility to pursue low-carbon development paths.
2) Specifically, India should reconceptualize its stance on climate equity to recognize that all countries have a duty to explore lower-carbon development given knowledge of climate impacts, not just focus on per capita emissions allocations.
3) India also needs to engage strategically on shaping the implementation of the new Durban Platform and prepare detailed positions on upcoming negotiations to effectively promote both development and climate objectives.
This document discusses country ownership and organizational capacity building in the context of HIV/AIDS programs. It defines country ownership as the full participation of a country's population, including government, civil society, and the private sector, in conceptualizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development policies and programs. While country ownership is not a new concept, challenges remain in achieving it in practice. The document argues that capacity building of both government institutions and civil society organizations is needed to strengthen local leadership and sustainability of HIV/AIDS responses over the long term. It provides examples of how capacity building initiatives have supported greater country ownership in various country contexts.
Bridging Anti-corruption and Social Accountability – The role of Civil Socie...UNDP Policy Centre
Opening session of the Rio+20 side event on "Civil Society and Knowledge Community: Dialogues around Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development". Presentation delivered by Ms. Leisa Perch, IPC-IG's Policy Specialist and Team Leader - Rural and Sustainable Development.
Skills Assessment for National Adaptation Planning: How Countries Can Identif...UN CC:Learn
This activity report highlights a way of assessing the skills gap that a country may have in designing and implementing a national adaptation plan. To achieve this, the document proposes a skills assessment framework. The report is also available in French and can be download from UN CC:Learn website.
This document discusses challenges for least developed countries regarding information and communication technologies. It summarizes the author's dissertation thesis which examines ICT use in four developing countries - Guatemala, Lao PDR, Malawi and Yemen - on the macro and micro levels. On the macro level, the author argues that developed Western countries are failing to address the growing digital divide and are benefiting from developing countries' lack of access to and skills around ICTs, reinforcing patterns of colonialism. On the micro level, the study investigates users' demographics, habits and the opportunities and barriers around ICT use in these countries. The author proposes strategies for implementing ICTs in a sustainable way to counter colonial tendencies and foster development
Part IV: Our Future is Worth It: How YOUth can take ACTION for Sustainable De...EOTO World
The final installment of the Rio+20 toolkit series that focuses on the concept of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development and how to use the Arts to spread the word!
This document summarizes information about National GEO Committees in several Black Sea countries. It finds that Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, and Turkey are members of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Bulgaria has an active National GEO Committee coordinating Earth observation activities. Georgia and Romania are still developing their National GEO Committees. Russia and Ukraine participate in GEO but do not yet have formal National GEO Committees. The document recommends strengthening cooperation between environmental organizations, data centers, and governments in the region to further Earth observation goals.
The document discusses enhancing resilience and accelerating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in Asia and the Pacific region by 2015. It notes that while progress has been made towards the MDGs, more must be done. Disaster risk reduction can help accelerate progress on the MDGs. Both the 2010 MDG Summit and the 2009 Global Platform recognized the need to further integrate disaster risk reduction into development policies to contribute to achieving the MDGs and HFA by the target years of 2015.
The document discusses enhancing resilience and accelerating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in Asia and the Pacific region by 2015. It notes that while progress has been made towards the MDGs, more must be done. Disaster risk reduction can help accelerate progress on the MDGs. Both the 2010 MDG Summit and the 2009 Global Platform recognized the importance of disaster risk reduction to sustainable development and achieving the MDGs.
Developed and developing countries disagreed on the future of the Kyoto Protocol at climate talks in Bonn. Canada, Russia, and Japan will not commit to a second commitment period. Developing countries insist a second commitment period is needed. Developed countries want commitments from all major emitters, including developing countries. The talks highlighted differences on the legal form of future commitments and whether technical discussions should begin before political issues are resolved.
BUILDING ON THE KYOTO PROTOCOL: OPTIONS FOR PROTECTING THE CLIMATEDr Lendy Spires
An Architecture for Climate Protection Kevin A. Baumert and Nancy Kete Walls, windows, floors, and doors are some of the elements used in designing a house. Not just any mix of architectural elements will create a functional home.
Although there are many possible designs, making a home functional means assembling walls, windows, and other elements into a compatible whole that meets the needs of its inhabitants. So too, a climate protection treaty has its own set of “architectural elements” that must meet the needs of its stakeholders.
Elements of a climate protection treaty include provisions for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, man-aging economic costs, and promoting accountability, among other things. While the options for designing a home may seem limitless, the diversity of potentially effective climate agreements is not nearly as constrained as current international negotiations might lead us to believe.
As with homes, innovation and creativity are needed in treaty design. Since 1997, the debate over global climate change has focused narrowly on the Kyoto Protocol—an international treaty to control greenhouse gas emissions that are trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Protocol calls on industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by about 5 percent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. Over the past 5 years, government officials, observers, and experts have been absorbed in the arcane details of the Protocol, arguing at great length about the treaty’s merits and demerits.
As the Kyoto Protocol comes to life, this debate will shift to include new ideas for future commitments to protect the global climate system. This volume explores a set of options for designing an international framework for climate protection “beyond Kyoto,” that is, beyond the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period.1 We pay special attention to achieving international cooperation across the so-called North-South divide.
Community Resilience Mentorship InitiaiveSonny Neale
The document provides details on the Community Resilience Mentorship Initiative (CRMI) scoping project. The CRMI aims to identify, access, and mobilize wisdom and experience from past natural disasters in Australia through mentor/mentee relationships. It was designed by stakeholders from government agencies, non-profits, and communities to address the gap of lost experience and wisdom after disasters. The proposed model includes multi-year funding, hosting by a non-government organization, and governance by a steering committee of emergency management organizations and community representatives. Mentors would support mentees facing recovery challenges to empower self-directed recovery processes. The scoping project found the CRMI could help leverage existing knowledge, support indigenous recovery, and augment
Dipecho v aan hfa drr orientation brief reportedmnepal
This document provides an orientation report on workshops held in Nepal to raise awareness of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR). It summarizes:
1) ActionAid Nepal held four workshops in two districts to sensitize government officials, NGO leaders, politicians, and journalists on HFA and mainstreaming DRR.
2) The workshops presented on DRR concepts, HFA priorities, Nepal's disaster context, and ActionAid's DIPECHO project. Evaluations found the workshops effectively increased understanding of DRR and the need for stronger policies.
3) Over 170 people participated across the workshops. Evaluations indicated increased awareness of DRR and support for integrating it
Research paper: Reducing REDD: Implementation issues for lower Mekong subre...SPERI
This document presents a critical analysis of challenges in implementing REDD programs in the Lower Mekong Subregion. It examines issues through field exposures and interviews. Key challenges discussed are the hunger for economic growth prioritized over environmental protection, insecure land tenure increasing land conflicts, and lack of inclusion of local communities in decision making. The document calls for more decentralization of forest resources and stronger inclusion of local voices in REDD programs to better address equity and indigenous rights.
National disaster risk management framework pakistan. south asiaMalik Khalid Mehmood
The National Disaster Risk Management Framework for Pakistan was prepared to establish policy and institutional arrangements for reducing disaster losses in the future. Pakistan faces various natural hazards that threaten sustained economic growth, such as the 2005 earthquake that caused $5.2 billion in losses. Key hazards include earthquakes, droughts, floods, windstorms, and landslides. Factors contributing to Pakistan's vulnerabilities include poor construction practices, weak early warning systems, lack of awareness and education, and poverty. The Framework sets priorities over five years to strengthen disaster management, including establishing institutional arrangements, conducting risk assessments, boosting training and awareness, mainstreaming risk reduction into development, and improving emergency response systems.
The document provides an overview of how to impact global policy and enact paradigm shifts through the United Nations. It discusses how the UN was created by governments to develop policy on international issues. It then outlines the process for influencing the UN from the bottom-up as commoners. This includes writing to member state representatives, requesting panels to explore commons-based solutions, and commoning with major groups and other stakeholders during UN conferences to help shift discussions and outcomes toward a commons paradigm.
Oxford-NRDC workshop. Memo. What has been said in the UNFCCCPriyanka DeSouza
This document summarizes statements from UNFCCC parties and observers regarding subnational and non-state actions, multi-stakeholder alliances, and other international cooperative initiatives in the UNFCCC process. It finds that discussion of these topics is growing, with parties and observers largely positive toward such actions but providing few details. It also notes that parties emphasize subnational actions must not substitute for or contribute to national commitments, and must not impose new obligations on developing countries. The document reviews statements from various parties and observers and includes two appendices, one listing relevant quotes and one containing the ADP co-chairs' draft text on subnational actions.
best practice guidelines action research engaging with cald communities july ...Human Rights Commission
This document provides best practice guidelines for agencies and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to effectively communicate during and after a disaster. It recommends that agencies get to know CALD communities before a disaster by building relationships based on trust and understanding. Agencies should improve cultural competency, use interpreters, promote diversity in staffing, and properly resource communication with CALD communities. The document is based on research and consultations conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand following destructive earthquakes to understand challenges and ways to enhance communication between agencies and CALD communities during recovery efforts.
Dipecho5 news letter 2nd edition- oct 09 aaDIPECHO Nepal
This document discusses community mobilization approaches for disaster preparedness in Nepal. It describes how various organizations are empowering communities to participate in disaster risk reduction from the bottom-up. Key approaches mentioned include forming inclusive disaster management committees, conducting participatory vulnerability analyses to identify risks, developing community disaster preparedness plans, and building local leadership through focus groups that represent different community demographics. The goal is to make communities active participants in early warning systems and all stages of project planning and implementation rather than just beneficiaries, in order to increase community ownership and sustainability.
This document provides an introduction and background on the People's Caravan on Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal event held on October 13-14, 2009 to mark International Day for Disaster Reduction. The key objectives of the event were to raise public awareness on disaster risk reduction issues in Nepal and obtain commitments from policymakers to enact disaster management policies and institutionalize disaster risk reduction. A steering committee was formed comprising government, UN, and NGO representatives to organize the two-day event, which included a national symposium, rally, exhibition, convention, and meetings with high-level officials. The expected outcomes included a joint declaration committing to disaster management legislation and an increased understanding among communities of their rights and the need for stronger disaster risk
The document discusses science and technology trends for sustainable development since the 1992 Earth Summit. It finds that:
1) While technology progress has addressed many problems, it has also created new ones. Global technology progress has been too slow to compensate for increasing consumption.
2) Large emerging economies have become leaders in clean technology production, exports, and use. South-South technology transfers have increased but barriers remain.
3) Market-based policy instruments are increasingly emphasized over technology mandates and standards. However, price incentives alone have limitations for achieving sustainability goals.
Joint Messages of Local and Sub-national Governmentsuncsd2012
The document contains 8 recommendations from local and sub-national governments for the UN Secretary General regarding sustainable development and cities. The key recommendations are: 1) A new multi-level governance architecture is needed to promote partnerships for sustainable urban development. 2) Sustainable cities should be a cross-cutting issue in the sustainable development agenda, including goals on access to basic services, social inclusion, and the environment. 3) Cohesion among territories should be fostered through consultation and integrated governance frameworks.
The document outlines key proposals for Chapter V of the zero draft on the framework for action and follow-up. It discusses priority issues such as food/nutrition, water, energy, cities, oceans/seas, and more. It also covers proposals for accelerating progress via SDGs, and means of implementation including finance, technology, capacity building, and trade.
A green urban economy realizes opportunities to enhance human well-being and local natural resources, while reducing future costs, ecological scarcities and environmental risks. Cities concentrate people, infrastructure, and economic activity, allowing them to achieve more with less through eco-efficiency. Local governments can steer investments, set policies, and provide incentives to green the local economy by supporting areas like renewable energy and clean technologies.
A commitment to provide social protection to all workers, ensuring that all workers and their families are protected against the multiple environmental and economic crises they face. This we call the Social Protection Floor.
The document is a program of meetings for June 21, 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20). It lists the scheduled plenary meetings, round table discussions, and speakers for the day, including heads of state, ministers, and representatives from UN bodies, NGOs, and other intergovernmental organizations. The topics of the meetings include the general debate and looking at ways to implement the expected outcomes of the conference. Over 100 speakers are listed between the two plenary sessions and two round tables scheduled for the day.
The document summarizes the programme of meetings and parallel activities taking place on Friday, 22 June 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Key events included the 5th and 6th plenary meetings focused on general debates and adoption of documents, as well as Round Table 4 on implementing expected conference outcomes. Side events and press conferences were also scheduled alongside other sessions on partnerships, sustainable development learning, and a dialogue with UN system heads.
United Nations Environment Programme environment for developmentcarloparlato
This document discusses the importance of the environmental pillar to the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD). It provides background on achievements made since the 1972 Stockholm Conference, including the creation of mechanisms to address environmental issues and linkages between environmental, development and economic concerns. At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, a number of institutions were established under Agenda 21 to advance sustainable development goals, including the Commission on Sustainable Development. The document outlines some of the key institutions and agreements that were formed to strengthen international environmental governance in pursuit of sustainability.
The document discusses current ideas on developing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to replace the Millennium Development Goals after 2015. It outlines proposals from member states and civil society organizations for SDGs. The Governments of Colombia and Guatemala proposed broad sustainable development themes or objectives be agreed upon at Rio+20. Civil society organizations proposed 17 specific SDGs. Existing indicators for sustainable development are also discussed. Developing SDGs and indicators through an open process could help focus international efforts on sustainability issues.
Regional governance for sustainable development can be strengthened in three key ways:
1. Regional bodies like the UN Regional Commissions convene meetings to develop policy responses to regional challenges and provide guidance to national actions. They promote integration of economic, social, and environmental issues.
2. Coordination can be enhanced between regional institutions and between regional and global levels. Regional organizations address region-specific issues while supporting national implementation and informing global policymaking.
3. Moving forward, better integrating governance across the three pillars of sustainable development and analyzing links between organizations like the UN, development banks, and regional groups could improve policy coherence and complementarities in achieving sustainable development.
The annual report summarizes progress made in 2011 on projects to strengthen Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS). Key accomplishments include:
1) Hiring support staff and assigning them to MoSS departments.
2) Completing construction on several infrastructure projects and following implementation plans.
3) Developing MoSS staff capacity through expanded training programs.
4) Updating several information technology systems including those for smart cards, social services database, and pilgrimage administration. Issues addressed and risks monitored included MoSS's weak infrastructure and integrating project management.
The annual report summarizes the progress and performance of projects in 2011. Key achievements include establishing 20 projects out of 62 planned by the Central Agency for Reconstruction and completing 5 out of 10 planned educational projects. Issues addressed include MoSS's weak infrastructure and limited staff capacity. Risks such as expected policy changes are ongoing. The report provides accountability on projects and outlines further work for information systems, including expanding the family database system to more governorates and customizing the NGO application.
The annual report summarizes progress made in the first quarter of 2012 on a project to strengthen Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS). Key accomplishments include setting up meetings between MoSS staff and consultants to facilitate knowledge transfer, upgrading several social units, and making progress on construction projects. Ongoing risks include MoSS's limited capacity and changing mandate. The report provides updates on three outputs: establishing expertise to support MoSS, developing MoSS's structure, and building MoSS's capacity, with progress reported on targets within each output.
The document summarizes the key discussions and activities from Day 3 of the UN Operations Management Team retreat in Rwanda. It focused on developing the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), which will guide how the UN can better harmonize processes and reduce transaction costs over the next five years to more efficiently support Rwanda's development agenda. Participants worked in groups on different aspects of the BOS, including needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and developing a results framework. While the concepts were challenging to understand in one day, developing the BOS is seen as important to demonstrate cost savings and how the UN can deliver programs as one coherent entity in Rwanda.
This document summarizes existing international commitments related to sustainable cities that contain specific targets and deadlines. It outlines commitments from agreements such as Agenda 21, the Istanbul Declaration, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. The document presents a table that lists targets and deadlines for improving environmental infrastructure, government services, health indicators, waste reuse/recycling, and waste treatment from various agreements to be achieved by years 2000, 2010, and 2025.
The document discusses National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which are mid- to long-term adaptation strategies established under the UNFCCC. It outlines the objectives and process for developing NAPs, comparing them to the previous National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) which focused on immediate needs. The guidelines in Decision 5/CP.17 provide a framework for developing NAPs through stages including laying the groundwork, preparatory elements, implementing strategies, and reporting/review. The document then discusses some questions around Nepal developing and implementing its own National Adaptation Plan to address medium- and long-term climate adaptation needs.
Target2-Securities Project Design: A Progress ReviewThe Benche
Bob Currie reports on advances in the project design and challenges in meeting the ECB’s proposed timeline, through which T2S will be ready to be used by the first group of CSDs by September 2014.
The document provides an annual review report for 2012 on a project to strengthen Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity. It summarizes progress made on project outputs including establishing a project management unit, developing MoSS's new structure, and building MoSS's capacity through IT systems and training. Key achievements are reported such as rolling out the family database system, developing targeting systems, and providing various training programs. It also updates project risks and their management.
This document discusses capacity-building efforts related to climate change. It provides background on capacity-building being recognized in the UNFCCC since COP5. Key points covered include:
1) Previous work includes the Cancun Agreement establishing institutions and networks to support developing countries, and discussions at COP16 and AWG-LCA14.3 on monitoring effectiveness.
2) Future expectations focus on moving from establishing frameworks to implementing capacity-building. Parties may decide actions at COP17 like knowledge management and institutional strengthening.
3) Challenges include measuring capacity-building integrated in other projects and weak national reporting in developing countries. Parties call for strengthened bodies and mechanisms to enable full convention implementation.
This document discusses capacity building under the UNFCCC. It provides background on capacity building, outlines key concepts, and reviews progress made so far including the Cancun Agreement and Panama Conference. It also discusses expectations for COP17, including completing the second review of capacity building frameworks and implementing capacity building activities. Challenges include monitoring effectiveness due to lack of dedicated capacity building funding information and weak national institutions in non-Annex I parties. Parties call for strengthened existing bodies and potential new mechanisms to enhance capacity building implementation.
The document discusses National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which are mid- to long-term adaptation strategies established under the UNFCCC. It outlines the objectives and process for developing NAPs, comparing them to National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) which address immediate needs. The guidelines in Decision 5/CP.17 provide a framework for developing NAPs through laying the groundwork, preparatory elements, implementing strategies, and reporting/review. The document then raises questions about whether Nepal should start developing its NAP to address medium and long-term adaptation and mainstream it into national planning processes.
07 a0123 sustainable development briefing noteRajesh Yaramadi
Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. A key aspect is reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent human-induced climate change. Byrne Ó Cléirigh provides sustainable solutions consulting by assessing projects across social, economic, and environmental factors like energy use, transport, waste, and biodiversity. Their services help organizations succeed at sustainability and comply with growing related regulations.
The annual report summarizes progress made in 2012 on the project to strengthen Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity. Key outputs included establishing structures to support the new ministry, developing staff capacity, creating systems for NGO accreditation and social protection, and improving Nasser Social Bank. Progress was made on rolling out IT systems, training over 1000 staff members, connecting social units and branches to digital networks, and studying payment processes and branch needs. The report documents progress against targets and ensures stakeholders are informed of performance.
UNESCO has decentralized resources and staffing to field offices to better adapt global programs to local needs. A two-tier field network of cluster and national offices reports to headquarters and specialized regional bureaus. Recent reforms further decentralized resources and accountability to strengthen impact. UNESCO also aligns with the UN's ‘One Country’ approach to enhance coherence and country ownership of programs.
The document discusses the role of Designated National Authorities (DNAs) in promoting the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). It defines promoting the CDM as encouraging its popularity, development, and existence. DNAs can promote the CDM by increasing awareness, improving the CDM process, building capacity, and decreasing costs and time required. Specifically, DNAs can identify target groups, disseminate information, provide consultation and advice, and share their experiences. The document also provides an overview of Mongolia's experience with CDM, including establishing its DNA, approved CDM projects, and barriers to implementation that have decreased over time. It concludes that DNAs can play an important role in promoting CDM through awareness raising,
The document summarizes key aspects of negotiations around establishing an Adaptation Committee under the UNFCCC. It discusses composition options for membership in the committee representing both developed and developing countries. It also outlines proposed linkages between the Adaptation Committee and other UNFCCC bodies and institutions working on adaptation. Finally, it covers other topics under negotiation like decision making, secretariat support, financing, review processes and meeting schedules.
The Downtown Transportation Study was commissioned by the City of San Antonio to advance the goals for downtown established in SA 2020 and the Strategic Framework Plan. The study developed recommendations to support a sustainable, vibrant downtown through transportation improvements that encourage economic development, improve access and circulation, and provide multi-modal choices. A public involvement process solicited input from stakeholders and the community through public meetings and an online presence to gather feedback and comments on draft recommendations.
Over 700 voluntary commitments were made by governments, UN organizations, businesses, and NGOs towards sustainable development, mobilizing over $500 billion. These commitments include planting trees, greening deserts, saving electricity, empowering women entrepreneurs, and establishing education programs. The UN is supporting countries' sustainable energy and development efforts. The commitments complement the official Rio+20 Conference outcomes and take the world closer to achieving sustainable development goals.
This document provides the schedule of meetings for June 20, 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20). The day includes two plenary meetings to discuss conference proceedings and an opening general debate with addresses from heads of state. It also lists a roundtable discussion on implementing conference outcomes and side events taking place that day.
The Future We Want Rio+20 Outcome Documentuncsd2012
1) World leaders met in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 to renew their commitment to sustainable development and ensuring an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable future for the planet.
2) They acknowledged that eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, and protecting natural resources are essential to achieving sustainable development.
3) The leaders committed to taking urgent action to implement agreements from previous summits and address new challenges in order to accelerate progress toward sustainable development goals.
Personal security awareness is important in Rio de Janeiro, as street crime can be a problem. When visiting tourist sites, be aware of pickpocketing and purse snatching, even where police are present. Look and act cautiously to avoid unwanted attention. Use ATMs inside buildings rather than on streets, and be wary of anyone nearby. Take taxis between locations at night rather than walking or taking public transit. Carry only needed cash and cards, and don't resist criminals or try to keep possessions if confronted. Follow security tips and be vigilant to stay safe.
The document discusses economic instruments for water management in a green economy. It describes various approaches to economic instruments including taxes, charges, pricing, fees, subsidies, markets, and payments for ecosystem services. It provides lessons learned from implementing economic instruments, noting that they work best as part of good policies and regulation, and that the appropriate instrument depends on the country's development stage and institutions. Economic instruments can encourage more efficient water use and pollution reduction if properly designed and adapted to local conditions.
This document provides information and guidelines for official delegations attending the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It addresses topics such as accreditation, visas, firearms, health regulations, transportation, accommodations, and procedures for arriving in Rio via commercial or official flights. Key points include requirements for pre-accreditation, types of visas needed, restrictions on certain goods and animals, recommended immunizations, and expedited customs for pre-announced foreign officials.
This document summarizes negotiations during the third round of informal consultations on the zero draft outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD). Delegates debated and proposed amendments to text on issues including chemicals and waste, oceans, sustainable consumption and production, education, and the green economy. Discussions focused on balancing language to reflect different country positions. Negotiations continued into the evening in working groups and breakout sessions on specific topics.
ICSU-UNESCO Regional Science and Technology Workshopsuncsd2012
The document summarizes five regional workshops organized by ICSU and UNESCO in 2011 to provide input from the science, technology, and innovation community into the Rio+20 Conference on sustainable development. Each workshop brought together scientists, policymakers, civil society representatives, and others from their respective regions to discuss key issues. They recommended strengthening the role of science in policymaking and sustainable development, prioritizing issues like climate change, food security, and green economies. The workshops aimed to ensure science is integrated into sustainable development efforts and address regional concerns at the Rio+20 Conference.
The Rio +20 Summit will address progress on sustainable development commitments from previous summits. Key issues include the green economy and poverty reduction. Agriculture can contribute to the green economy through sustainable practices that produce more with less and minimize environmental impacts. Farmers represent half the world's poor and managing natural resources sustainably helps alleviate poverty. The summit should develop approaches to reward farmers for ecosystem services and help them adapt to issues like drought and disasters.
Press Release- Rural woman lag behind on MDGsuncsd2012
Rural women around the world continue to lag behind men on key development goals due to lack of access to resources and persistent inequalities. While governments have committed to gender equality, they have failed to meet targets to support rural women. Rural women make up 79% of the agricultural workforce in developing countries but receive less than 10% of credit, 7% of extension services, and have reduced access to land, education, and infrastructure. To achieve sustainable development, governments must address the underlying inequalities facing rural women at the upcoming Rio+20 conference through concrete programs and resources.
Earth Negotiations Bulletin Summary of Second Round of Informal-Informal Nego...uncsd2012
This document provides a summary of informal consultations on the draft outcome document for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). It discusses the process of revising the draft document through negotiations between 23 April and 4 May 2012. While some progress was made and agreement reached on 21 paragraphs, over 400 paragraphs remained bracketed due to ongoing disagreements on issues like green economy, institutional framework for sustainable development, and sustainable development goals. An additional negotiation session was scheduled for late May to continue working on the document before Rio+20.
This document summarizes negotiations between countries on sections of a draft outcome document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Delegates discussed proposals and amendments to text on topics like water resources, sanitation, energy, and oceans. Countries disagreed on issues such as references to access to modern versus sustainable energy, commitments on reducing pollution, and subsidies for fossil fuels. Negotiations focused on reaching consensus on the language and targets to be included in the final document.
The document summarizes a report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) analyzing how investments in green economy sectors could generate millions of new jobs globally over 5 years. The economic analysis, conducted by the Millennium Institute, found that investing 2% of GDP annually in green industries in 12 countries could create up to 48 million jobs. Country case studies and analyses of sectors like energy, manufacturing, construction and transport demonstrated strong job creation potential across different economic levels and regions. The report aims to inform governments, businesses and unions on how green investment strategies can stimulate economies and create decent work opportunities.
The Functions of a Highest Level SD Body- Stakeholder Forumuncsd2012
The document discusses defining the functions and structure of the highest-level UN body for sustainable development. It outlines several key functions such as providing political leadership, ensuring implementation of sustainable development agreements, monitoring progress, and strengthening coordination. It also discusses necessary structural aspects, including the body's leadership, secretariat, membership, relationships with other UN entities and specialised agencies. The overall aim is to establish an effective mechanism to tackle global sustainable development challenges.
The document summarizes informal negotiations on the draft outcome document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD). Delegates discussed the text section by section, with disagreements around language on topics such as a green economy, poverty eradication, international commitments, and the roles of various stakeholders. Efforts were made to streamline the text, but negotiations became bogged down in debates over preserving different positions.
The "Joint Messages of Local and Sub-national Governmentsuncsd2012
The 8 recommendations stress the importance of acknowledging the positive role that urbanization plays in development. They advocate for a new multi-level governance that promotes effective partnerships in building sustainable cities and call on members-states to take into account the specific perspective of local and sub-national governments for addressing global challenges.
Negotiating and Implementing MEAs: A manual for NGOsuncsd2012
This document provides an overview of negotiating and implementing multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It covers key topics such as defining MEAs and their proliferation, basic information on selected MEAs, how MEAs enter into force internationally, and civil society participation in MEAs. The document also discusses the role of NGOs in MEA negotiations, national and regional preparations for MEA meetings, and networking strategies for NGOs. The overall aim is to help equip NGOs with useful information and guidance about engaging with the MEA process.
This document summarizes informal negotiations on the draft outcome document for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD). Working Group 1 discussed the framework for action section and debated proposals on financing, technology, and capacity building. Working Group 2 discussed the institutional framework for sustainable development and considered proposals regarding sustainable development strategies and regional organizations. Countries expressed a variety of views on issues including strengthening the science-policy interface, clean technology, and upgrading the UN Environment Programme.
1. www.uncsd2012.org
RIO 2012 Issues Briefs
October 2011
Produced by the UNCSD Secretariat No. 3*
IFSD: Issues related to an intergovernmental body on SD
1. Introduction Development. 1 This option reflects the expansion of the
Discussions on the institutional framework for sustainable discussion to cover the crucial question of an intergovernmental
development (IFSD) have been gaining momentum. While clear body on SD.
signs of convergence have not emerged, there is a clearer focus
on defining some of the options on the table. One set of options 2. Mandate and outputs of the Commission
covers the functions of an intergovernmental body or A number of SD governance reform proposals have direct
arrangement on sustainable development (SD). or indirect implications for the Commission and the scope of its
work. Some proposals, e.g. the establishment of a SD Council or
What is the role of an intergovernmental body on SD in a the transfer of the Commission’s functions to ECOSOC, would
reformed institutional framework? How should it go about the entail disbanding the Commission. Other proposals, such as
task of promoting the integration of the three dimensions of SD? upgrading UNEP to the status of a specialized agency, would at
What is the balance among the following: the very least invite a re‐assessment of the Commission’s
mandate. Irrespective of the precise form of the reform proposals
o Advocating for SD and setting the agenda for the future, thus
going forward, there is merit in examining the functions carried
involving negotiations to fill gaps and address emerging
out by the Commission on Sustainable Development, not least to
challenges;
answer basic questions about what has worked and what has not.
o Reviewing progress in implementation of commitments, thus Accordingly, the aim of this note is twofold: (a) provide a brief
involving metrics for monitoring and mechanisms for assessing overview of the Commission’s mandate and main outputs; and (b)
progress; relate these insights to some of the proposals for an
intergovernmental body on SD. Given its modest scope, this paper
o Reviewing mainstreaming and integration of all three pillars of
does not aim for systematic analysis of the Commission’s track
SD at all levels;
record.
o Reviewing progress in meeting commitments to provide
support for SD in developing countries; GA resolution 47/191 of 22 December 1992 called on ECOSOC to
establish the Commission as a high level commission, a status that
o Sharing experiences and lessons learn and extending
was re‐affirmed in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
partnerships with other stakeholders, thus playing a facilitative
(JPOI). The Commission’s functions as outlined in the GA
role; and
resolution are the following:
o Building technical capacity of countries in the area of
a) monitor progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, based
sustainable development?
on analysis and evaluation of reports from all relevant organs,
programmes and institutions of the United Nations system;
After the United Nations Conference on Environment and
b) consider information provided by Governments, including
Development (UNCED) in 1992, the General Assembly endorsed
problems faced in implementation;
the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as a high level
commission, a status that was re‐affirmed in the Johannesburg c) review the progress in the implementation of the
Plan of Implementation in 2002 and in all subsequent sessions of commitments set forth in Agenda 21, including those related
the General Assembly. The CSD was thus intended as the to the provision of financial resources and transfer of
cornerstone of the intergovernmental framework for sustainable technology;
development governance in the United Nations.
d) review and monitor regularly progress made by developed
countries towards achieving the target of 0.7 per cent of GNP
Under the broad heading of IFSD, various processes have
as ODA, as reaffirmed in JPOI;
attempted to address the sub‐set of issues related to
international environmental governance (IEG), primarily the e) review on a regular basis the adequacy of funding and
status and functions of UNEP. Likewise, scholarly literature and mechanisms, including efforts to reach the objectives agreed
policy work has also gravitated towards these questions, in in chapter 33 of Agenda 21;
particular the establishment of a specialized agency for the
environment. Most recently, the Nairobi‐Helsinki Outcome, which
emerged from the UNEP‐led process on IEG identified five
* Re‐issued for technical reasons.
options, including reforming the United Nations Economic and 1
The structural, legal and financial implications of the five options
Social Council and the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
are covered in a separate consultant’s study.
1
2. f) receive and analyse relevant input from competent non‐ approach to the CSD (Kaasa, 2005). Methodological difficulties
governmental organizations, including the scientific meant that output was selected as the explanatory variable for
community and the private sector; investigation; it should be readily apparent that tracing cause and
effect relationships for outcomes and, even more so, impact
g) enhance the dialogue with non‐governmental organizations
presents problems that are insurmountable for practical
and other entities outside the United Nations system;
purposes. In particular, since the CSD policy decisions are “soft”
h) consider information regarding the progress made in the and do not impose binding obligations, it is very difficult to isolate
implementation of environmental conventions, which could impact (Kaasa, 2005); distinguishing causation from correlation
be made available by the relevant conferences of parties; and remains very difficult.
i) provide appropriate recommendations to the GA, through
The CSD has played a role in providing a ‘home’ for keeping the
the ECOSOC.
broad sustainable development agenda under active review, and
has in a number of instances been instrumental in launching new
The resolution also enjoins representatives of various parts of the initiatives and introducing topics into the broader UN
United Nations system and other intergovernmental intergovernmental framework (Dodds et al, 2002).
organizations, including international financial institutions and
regional development banks, to “assist and advise the commission For analytical purposes, the activities of the CSD can be grouped
in the performance of its functions” and “participate actively in its under three headings that capture its core mandate:
deliberations”.
o Monitoring and reviewing progress on the implementation of
Agenda 21;
Thus at the core the CSD’s mandate are monitoring progress in
the implementation of Agenda 21 and reviewing progress in the o Agenda setting: developing policy recommendations;
implementation of the commitments set forth in Agenda 21,
o Partnerships and multi‐stakeholder dialogue.
including those related to the provision of financial resources and
transfer of technology. Beginning its work in 1993, the
Commission has held 19 annual sessions to date. Following
2.1 Monitoring and reviewing progress on the
reforms outlined at the World Summit on Sustainable implementation of Agenda 21
Development, and beginning in 2004, the CSD has followed a two‐ Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 calls on countries and the international
year cycle, with the first year being devoted to review and the community to develop indicators of sustainable development. At
second to policy decisions. its third session in 1995, the CSD adopted a Work Programme on
Indicators of Sustainable Development, which resulted in the
Sustainable development is an exceptionally broad field to cover. preparation of an indicator set in 1996, with a second in 2001. The
An assessment of the Commission’s performance as an institution third, revised set of CSD indicators was finalized in 2006 by a
must be cognizant that the North‐South political divide manifests group of experts from developing and developed countries and
itself in the work of the Commission. A fair‐minded appraisal of international organizations. The revised edition contains 96
the Commission ought thus to consider carefully whether indicators, including a subset of 50 core indicators. A cursory
criticisms truly bear on the CSD as an institution, or reflect a overview of the Division for Sustainable Development’s national
broader lack of political agreement that is also evident in other information database suggests that a considerable number of
processes at the United Nations not least in the development countries maintain some form of indicators, but whether these
field. An example falling into the latter category is the are based on, or draw upon, the CSD indicators is not clear.
disagreement between developed and developing countries However, it seems plausible that the Commission’s promotion of
about the so‐called “means of implementation”, encompassing indicators has to some extent influenced their implementation at
finance, technology transfer and capacity building. the country level.
Given the very breadth of the Commission’s mandate, what is a The CSD has maintained a system of national voluntary reporting.
sensible way of assessing its performance? What is a realistic Although the reporting rate may appear less than stellar, in fact
yardstick for measuring its effectiveness? A theoretical approach observers note that reporting has been quite creditable for a
used to analyse international regimes defines effectiveness in voluntary initiative; rather, a more serious shortcoming in the
terms of output, outcome and impact. Here output refers to the eyes of some is that the reports are not comparable and lack
rules, programs and regulations emanating from the regime, e.g. quality assurance mechanisms (Kaasa, 2005). Secretary‐General’s
in this case the decisions of the Commission and related reports have drawn on national reports, as well as inputs from UN
initiatives; outcome refers to change by key target groups, e.g. system entities. A pertinent question is the degree to which
passage of national laws to implement international national reports have been utilized in the review process,
commitments; impact refers to actual improvements on the especially the review year of the two‐year cycle.
ground in the relevant issue area (Miles et al, 2002; Andresen et
al, 2006). At least one comprehensive study has applied this
2
3. 2.2 Agenda setting: developing policy recommendations consensus‐building among countries, conditions that may not
The fulfilment of the agenda‐setting role has seen the exist in a predictable pattern. This suggests that, in addition to
Commission serve as the entry point for SD issues, which have agenda‐setting, an intergovernmental body on SD should perform
then been further elaborated in other bodies, e.g. the General other, bread‐and‐butter functions of a more routine and
Assembly. Thus, on a number of occasions CSD outputs have predictable nature. In this regard, it has been suggested that it
contributed to setting the agenda on SD issues, including may be worth exploring ways of establishing more robust
agriculture, forests, oceans, freshwater, education for sustainable connections with those UN actors responsible for implementation
development, and energy. A comprehensive examination of the at the country level. It also points to the need to have enough
Commission’s treatment of various themes falls outside the scope flexibility to address new and emerging issues and to be able to
of this paper; rather, what is aimed for is to draw out selected, react quickly if and when the need arises.
illustrative examples.
2.3 Partnerships and multi‐stakeholder dialogue
The CSD was instrumental in advancing intergovernmental
The CSD has been characterized by openness toward the
consideration of forests, building on the Forest Principles that
participation of major groups (civil society). Multi‐stakeholder
emerged in Rio after difficult and polarizing discussions. In a major
dialogues, introduced at CSD‐6, have given greater prominence to
contribution to intergovernmental forest policy development, the
major group participation, but questions remained as to their
Commission established the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests
actual impact (Dodds et al, 2002).
(1995 – 1997) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (1997
– 2000). In 2000, ECOSOC established the United Nations Forum The idea of voluntary, multi‐stakeholder partnerships to facilitate
on Forests (UNFF), a subsidiary body with the main objective to and expedite the realization of sustainable development goals and
promote the management, conservation and sustainable commitments was an important contribution of the World
development of all types of forests. This could be characterized as Summit on Sustainable Development. Following the attention
the Commission’s filling one of the “gaps” left on the SD agenda given to voluntary, multi‐stakeholder partnerships at WSSD, CSD‐
after Rio. 11 set out guidelines for partnerships and requested that the
Secretariat establish a database to register what became known
On oceans, there are a number of examples of follow‐up actions
as CSD Partnerships. The provisions related to partnerships
flowing from CSD decisions. CSD‐7 recommended that the General
established a flexible framework and provide a solid mandate to
Assembly establish an open‐ended consultative process on
work with all stakeholders, notably the private sector, which often
oceans. The Commission’s decision is thorough and balanced – a
does not find an easy fit with the UN. The Partnership for Cleaner
model policy decision. Acting on the Commission’s
Fuels and Vehicles stands out for having catalyzed private sector
recommendation, the Assembly established the UN Open‐ended
participation and for having achieved a tangible goal, namely the
Informal Consultative Process on Oceans to review developments
global phase‐out of lead in fuels. The SG report on Partnerships
in ocean affairs.
states that the majority of partnerships working towards
Extending the coverage of energy beyond the rather cursory sustainable development tend to have a multi‐sectoral approach
treatment of the issue in Agenda 21, the decision on energy at to implementation. Agriculture, energy for sustainable
CSD‐9 systematically covered key energy issues – accessibility, development, education and water are among the leading
energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy – and primary themes identified. Partnerships have showcased their
identified associated challenges. Given that energy lacks an work through the partnership fairs, held at the CSD sessions,
institutional “home” in the UN system, CSD‐9 provided an contributing to broad‐based participation. The Learning Centre –
opportunity to consider energy within the broader sustainable consisting of courses designed impart practical knowledge and
development context, while integrating the concerns and know‐how to CSD participants –improves understanding of
perspectives of different groups of countries. Although energy sustainable development issues and helps to promote
proved to be a contentious issue, the World Summit on implementation.
Sustainable Development (WSSD) made considerable steps
Although the CSD can rightly be said to have pioneered multi‐
forward, including the need for providing financing for modern
stakeholder partnerships on this scale, Rio+20 offers the
energy services, as well as the diversification of energy resources
opportunity for reflection on strengthening this mechanism to
towards cleaner and renewable energy. At CSD‐15 when energy
promote a more participatory approach to the implementation of
and climate change were on the agenda, however, the fault lines
sustainable development. UNCSD can be a platform to revitalize
re‐emerged, and the Commission was unable to reach consensus,
partnerships, especially public‐private partnerships, making them
victim perhaps of prevailing disagreements among key actors over
more effective in advancing the sustainable development agenda
climate change.
and, in particular, in leveraging additional resources for
The above examples suggest that the CSD, or a similar body, can implementation of commitments.
provide useful policy guidance and contribute towards setting the
intergovernmental SD agenda on selected issues. Successfully
influencing the intergovernmental SD agenda requires addressing
a combination of issues that are ripe for discussion and
3
4. Table 1. “Strawman” grouping of sample CSD outputs
Less effective More effective
Country reporting SD Indicators
Monitoring &
Monitoring financial
reviewing progres contributions
Reporting on follow‐up &
implementation
Energy – UNGASS (1997) Water – Assessment of Forests – Inter‐
Agenda setting expanded consideration of Freshwater Resources (1997), governmental Panel on
energy & transport; policy priority theme at CSD‐6 in 199 Forests (1995),
decisions at CSD‐9 (2001) and considered at CSD‐12/13 International Forum on
contributed to JPOI; no (2004/5) Forests (1997) and
consensus at CSD‐15. recommendation to
establish UN Forum on
Forests (2000)
Oceans – recommended
establishment of open‐
ended consultative proce
on Oceans (1999)
Partnerships & Engagement of UN system Multi‐stakeholder dialogues Overall openness to and
multi‐stakeholder entities (UNDP, IFIs, etc) (1998); value seen as declining participation of Major
over time Groups
dialogue &
engagement CSD partnerships, instituted
after WSSD
Source: Adapted from Dodds et al (2002, 2011) and Kaasa (2005).
3. Participation more fundamentally, a truer measure of participation would also
A common criticism levelled at the CSD is that high‐level account for involvement in the Partnership Fair, Learning Centre,
participants are mainly from environmental portfolios, as side events, and other events taking place around the CSD.
opposed to other ministries – finance, economy, planning,
development – that are regarded as also playing a critical role in Overall, many countries show a fairly stable pattern of
sustainable development at the national level. A partial analysis of representation, with several European countries together with
ministers recorded as having spoken in the CSD bears this out: Australia and Canada very frequently being represented by
ministers of environment accounted for fully 80 per cent of Ministers of Environment, or ministers with environment in their
ministers speaking in the course of the first 10 sessions of the portfolios, which have been placed in the same category here.
Commission. In many cases, high‐level representation below Some countries, e.g. the U.S., have most often been represented
ministerial rank, e.g. senior civil servants, has also been drawn by that part of the executive responsible for foreign affairs. In the
from the ranks of the environment ministries. However, some case of the U.S., the State Department has played a coordinating
caution is called for in measuring participation in terms of role for the sometimes extensive input of other parts of the
speakers at formal CSD sessions. In some cases, more than one federal government.
minister or high level official may have attended the session, but
only one was chosen to speak. Since the post‐WSSD introduction The analysis of countries recorded as having spoken also evinces
of regional implementation meetings (RIMs), the level of the strong influence of foreign affairs, which predominates over
participation and engagement in these forums could also be senior‐level (non‐ministerial) participants from environment or
counted as a measure of commitment to the Commission’s other parts of government. Participation of ministers who did not
agenda. The CSD ha also benefited from the participation of have environment in their portfolios was limited; the participation
principals and senior officials of UN specialized agencies, funds of non‐environment ministers increased in relation to certain
and programmes, and IFIs. Also, many countries leave formal themes, e.g. agriculture and energy. With a few exceptions, there
statements to political groups, e.g. G77.China and EU. Perhaps is very little evidence of ministers from portfolios that might
4
5. relate in a cross‐cutting manner to sustainable development, such debate on sustainable development”, as do subsequent GA
as finance, commerce or planning. resolutions.
The predominant participation of Ministers of Environment in the Some observers argue that the disparity in representation
CSD must also be considered in light of UNEP’s Global Ministerial between developed and developing countries leads the latter to
Environmental Forum (GMEF), which since 2000 has provided an fall back on general political positions, rather than more detailed
annual opportunity for environment ministers and high‐level engagement with substantive issues (Kaasa, 2005). To some
officials to meet with the mandate to “review important and degree, this also pertains to the predominant conception of the
emerging policy issues in the field of the environment.” General Commission as either primarily a forum for negotiation or as a
Assembly resolution 53/242, which established the GMEF notes forum for sharing experiences and best practices, with
“…the need to maintain the role of the Commission on negotiations taking an ancillary role.
Sustainable Development as the main forum for high‐level policy
Table 2. Snapshot of participation
CSD‐1 CSD‐5 CSD‐9 CSD‐13 CSD‐15 CSD‐17 CSD‐19
Member
States 116 140 162 162 144
attending
Ministers 35 42 37 89 107 54 16***
speaking*
% Env 77% 90% 75% 49% 54% 83% 63%
Ministers**
UN system Pres of GA ES of UNEP DSG SG, ES UNEP, ED SG
participation ASG of FAO CEO GEF SG of WMO UN‐Habitat,
ES CBD Asst Admin. ES CBD, ED UNIDO
UNDP ES ECLAC,
VP World Ban CEO GEF,
VP World Bank
* Counting solely Ministers or Deputy/Vice Ministers recorded as having spoken during the session, as reflected in official records.
** Ministers with environment listed in their portfolio.
*** More than 40 ministers or Deputy/Vice Ministers were listed as attending the session.
4. Starting with a clean slate: proposals for strengthening implementation actor as such, the SD body could promote
an intergovernmental body on SD implementation through improved monitoring and review,
focused policy guidance, and a more catalytic approach to
4.1 Integration partnerships. .
As described above, the Commission has chalked up a number of
achievements. Yet as Member States and other stakeholders Enhanced standing vis‐à‐vis UN system entities would be an
engage more deeply with the institutional framework, there is a important characteristic of an intergovernmental SD body. The
willingness to consider a fresh start with respect to the Commission has very little influence, persuasive or otherwise,
intergovernmental arrangements on sustainable development. If over the operational parts of the UN system, except for the few
it is to be an improvement over current arrangements, a future examples above when it managed to have its recommendations
intergovernmental body on SD must aspire to do justice to the endorsed by the General Assembly, and it has not generally been
enormity of the challenge, but at the same time be solidly successful in catalyzing action. One notable example was the 16th
grounded in political and institutional reality. This implies and 17th sessions of the Commission that dealt, among other
addressing three areas where the present arrangements are issues, with agriculture, as it so happened at the peak of the food
under‐performing: integration, implementation and coherence. crisis in 2008‐9. Although the Commission adopted a strong set of
policy options, none of the implementing agencies of the UN
4.2 Implementation system took it up in their governing bodies, with the result that
There is a widely shared view that an intergovernmental SD body implementation of the Commission’s decisions was limited and
must be a more forceful and effective agent for promoting and amounted to some technical capacity building projects.
facilitating implementation of sustainable development. While
remaining an intergovernmental body, and not an A more meaningful linkage between the SD body and UN system
entities would ensure that intergovernmental policy decisions
5
6. become more relevant for countries’ sustainable development ECOSOC. However, it should be borne in mind that ECOSOC has a
agendas. An option in this regard would be to build on the distinct Charter mandate, including responsibility for matters
experience of the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR) unrelated to sustainable development, e.g. humanitarian policies
carried out by ECOSOC, supplemented by an implementation and coordination activities (Strandenaes, 2011). Doing justice to
matrix, which would improve review of UN entities’ performance sustainable development would entail regular, in‐depth
in the relevant areas of work. Rigorous reporting by the UN consideration, a step that could risk overloading the Council’s
system entities would strengthen partner countries, putting them already busy agenda. Overall, the Council can and does engage in
in the driving seat. It has also been suggested that enhanced political debate on issues agreed in its functional commissions;
review of multi‐stakeholder partnerships from the CSD could however, the Council generally does not engage in detailed
make them a more effective instrument for implementation dialogue on the recommendations of its functional commissions,
(Beisheim et al, 2011). nor are discussions structured to aggregate recommendations ‐
into a substantive discussion on the three pillars of sustainable
The introduction of (universal or voluntary) periodic country development. There is also little horizontal dialogue among the
presentations could serve to promote implementation through different functional commissions of ECOSOC. Their agenda and
shared learning (Beisheim et al, 2011). The practice of country work is independently set, and there is little cross‐fertilization of
presentations could over time become one of the core, re‐current ideas. Silos rather than integration characterize the current
activities of the intergovernmental SD body. A review of UN situation.
system and IFI support to countries could be included in the
process (Strandenaes, 2011). The experience with the UN Human It would be incorrect to view a SD body as duplicating the
Rights Council provides valuable lessons with respect to ECOSOC, or as diminishing and weakening its authority
establishment of such a mechanism, as do other bodies. If a (Strandenaes, 2011). Rather, a SD body would essentially take to
thematic focus is desirable, countries could have the option of the next level functions currently carried out by the CSD, more or
specifying one or two “sectors” for presentation, or certain less self‐contained and without integration into the broader
themes would be specified for a particular cycle. The lesson from agenda of the ECOSOC. In this regard, a high‐level body on SD
a range of review processes is that they can be structured to focus would thus recognise the urgent need to give greater priority and
on mutual learning and support, through a country‐led, non‐ standing to functions already being carried out, albeit not at the
adversarial process. desired level of performance.
The Commission has improved linkages with the regions through Coherence across functional commissions could be improved – at
the holding of regional implementation meetings (RIMS) during present intergovernmental bodies operate in a silo fashion, e.g.
the review year, which encouraged the participation of regional there has been little cross‐pollination between the CSD and the
actors, including the UN regional commissions. For its part, the Commission for Social Development (CSocD), the Commission on
ECOSOC has the Development Cooperation Forum, which the Status of Women (CSW), the Statistical Commission or the
addresses broader policy issues. An intergovernmental SD body Commission on Population and Development, all of which have
would be able to build on these efforts, while also engaging UN relevance for sustainable development. A high‐level
system initiatives directed at the country level, e.g. the UN intergovernmental body on SD could engage more in‐depth with
Development Group and Delivering as One. these functional commissions on common sustainable
development concerns, thus promoting a more coherent
4.3 Coherence treatment, and even work on mutually beneficial projects that
A SD body should also be able to foster greater coherence among would involve more than one commission. There is certainly
all the relevant UN system entities. On one hand, the SD body scope for creative thinking, which would strengthen, rather than
could establish a cooperative relationship with the governing weaken any of the institutions involved.
bodies of the key funds, programmes, and the Rio conventions
dealing with sustainable development. If the SD body is structured The fact that a SD Council would interact with functional
as a subsidiary body of the GA, it would be better placed to commissions under the ECOSOC could be dealt with through
establish meaningful, institutionalized relationships with the appropriately structured reporting relationships. Thus, while a SD
governing bodies of funds, programmes, and the Rio conventions. body would be a subsidiary organ of the GA, on some matters it
Currently, the conventions report to the GA (Second Committee), would also innovatively draw on the work of the ECOSOC
but not to ECOSOC, which is a significant gap that could be filled machinery, e.g. on issues pertaining to functional commissions,
by a SD body. which could report through ECOSOC to the SD Council.
A critical question confronting the proposal for a SD body relates 4.4 Steps towards a SD body
to the ECOSOC. The argument can be made that that the kind of The experience with the Commission suggests that careful
functions described in this note could be assigned to a reformed thought would need to go into the agenda of the new SD body.
6
7. The selection of topics, in particular the number of issues per Even so, the question could well be asked whether a successor to
session, is a candidate for an overhaul. While recognizing that the the CSD is simply old wine in a bigger, shinier, bottle. First, if it is
Commission’s multi‐year programme of work was designed to accepted that an intergovernmental body on sustainable
unify issues into a thematic cluster, the fixed nature of the agenda development meets a genuine need, then it can be argued that
has contributed to the perception that the Commission is not tinkering with the existing arrangements is an inadequate
sufficiently responsive to current SD debates. Sharper, more response. Good as the record of the CSD has been, starting with a
focussed engagement with a more limited set of issues would lead clean slate opens a new door to real institutional innovation and,
to a more strategic – and manageable – approach. This would importantly, breaks from negative perceptions that have, rightly
entail consideration of the following: or wrongly, taken hold about the CSD. The new arrangements
would need more time and greater flexibility in meeting, as in the
o revising the multi‐year programme of work, so as to permit
case of the Human Rights Council. Second, it could be argued that
greater flexibility to deal with emerging issues;
the importance of SD has superseded the institutional level of
o building in a follow‐up “space” for core issues/clusters of CSD and it is time to have an elevated body overseeing this
issues, e.g. energy, water and sanitation, food/agriculture, agenda. This note has outlined what CSD did well and where it
SIDS; was lacking. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of CSD has been
that, as the high level intergovernmental body for sustainable
o revamping the cycle to consist of a “technical” session and an
development in the United Nations, it has kept sustainable
“integration” session.
development on the agenda. That agenda – it is widely
recognized – needs to encompass all of the three pillars in the
The technical session would be similar to the current review cycle, hands of an institution focused on promoting integration by
permitting in‐depth discussion and shared learning in relation to reaching out to all relevant ministries, major groups and the parts
selected topics. The integration session would have as its purpose of UN system.
bringing together environment, economy and social ministers to
deliberate a common agenda. Periodic country presentations Bibliography
(whether universal or voluntary) could then be designed as
integrative reviews spanning and linking the three pillars. A Beisheim, Marianne., Birgitte Lode and Nils Simon. A Sustainable
Development Council. SWP Comments 28, 2011. German Institute for
regular follow‐up mechanism has also proved beneficial as it
International and Security Affairs, Berlin.
monitored the implementation of suggested policies.
Dodds, F, Gardiner, R, Hales, D, Hemmati, M. and Lawrence, G. 2002.
The manner of establishing the HRC is instructive, as the General Post Johannesburg: The Future of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Assembly resolution that established HRC (60/251), apart Development, Stakeholder Forum Paper # 9, November 2002, WHAT
Governance Programme.
outlining the Council’s functions and participation, left it to the
HRC itself to devise its own programme and work modalities Economic and Social Council. Official Records (various years). New York,
through a process on “Institution‐building of the United Nations United Nations.
Human Rights Council”. The option of a successor body to the CSD Kaasa, Stine Madlan. The Commission on Sustainable Development: A
also needs to address issues about its programme and working Study of Institutional Design, Distribution of Capabilities and
methods. In terms of institution‐building, the lesson from the HRC Entrepreneurial Leadership. Fritjof Nansen Institut, 2005.
and other exercises such as UN Women is that, once the broad
Edward L. Miles, Arild Underdal, Steinar Andresen, Jargen Wettestad, Jon
functional framework has been agreed, the implementing details Birger Skjaerseth, and Elaine Carlin. 2002. Environmental Regime
can be filled in. The review of the work of the HRC after five years Effectiveness: Confronting Theory with Evidence. Cambridge, MA: MIT
has also proved a beneficial tool for increasing efficiency of its Press.
work.
Skodvin, Tora, Steinar Andresen and Jon Hovi (guest eds). 'Special Issue:
The Negotiation and Effectiveness of International Environmental
Twenty years after UNCED sustainable development has been Agreements'. Global Environmental Politics, Vol 6(3) 2006.
mainstreamed to a remarkable degree, whether it is in the
business sector or in the work of UN agencies. Does that success Strandenaes, Jan Gustav. A Council for Sustainable Development – a
possible outcome of the Rio + 20 Process. Paper prepared for
weaken the case for a dedicated, high‐level intergovernmental
Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, September 2011.
body on sustainable development? Heartening as the acceptance
of sustainable development is, objectively the sustainable The purpose of the Rio 2012 Issues Briefs is to provide a channel for
development agenda has expanded, not shrunk, since 1992. In policymakers and other interested stakeholders to discuss and review
short, a good case can be made for a high‐level standard‐bearer issues relevant to the objective and themes of the conference, including
a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
for sustainable development.
eradication, as well as the institutional framework for sustainable
development. For further information on this Brief, contact Friedrich
Soltau (soltau@un.org).
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