1 introduction to sustainable development : the international process and main actors jacqueline...

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Introduction to Sustainable Development :the International Process and Main Actors

Jacqueline Aloisi de LarderelFormer UNEP Assistant Executive Director

BudapestOctober 12, 2004

+ more data from 2004

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MAIN POINTS PRESENTED

Why do we need sustainable development?

How did the concept and responses developed?

Who are the main Actors, and what are their role?

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A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD

• globalization, with increasingly faster communications

• growing population

• growing consumption and production worldwide

• more inequities between and within countries

environmental impacts social impacts tensions


Resulting in

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

• emission of greenhouses gases, air pollution

• water scarcity and water pollution

• loss of biodiversity (fisheries, forests…)

• soil degradation

• wide contamination by toxic chemicals

•…


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SOCIAL ISSUES

• 2,8 billon people live on less than 2 dollars per day

• 1/3 of world population does not have access to energy

• 20% of world population depends on water supply not meeting WHO standards

• 60% of world poorest population live in ecologically vulnerable areas

• …


8 Based on World3 model and figure 8.1 of "Beyond the Limits", D.H. Meadows, D. L. Meadows, and J. Randers 1992; Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction VT.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE ?

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1900 2000 2100

population

resources

food

industrial output

pollution

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : A LONG TERM ISSUE


Political leaders term of office

Corporate investment payback period

Life of an electricity generating plant

Life of a child born today

Influence of CO2 on climate

1900 21002002 2050

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : A LONG TERM ISSUE


1900 21002002 2050

If we go on with current production and consumption patterns,Two planets needed by 2050

Based on "Beyond the Limits", D.H. Meadows, D. L. Meadows, and J. Randers 1992; Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction VT.

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OUR FOOTPRINTS


Total Footprint *

Biocapacity* Deficit *

World 2.4 1.9 -0.5

China 1.6 1.0 -0.6

Hungary 3.3 1.9 -1.4

Germany 5.2 1.8 -3.4

Italy 4.1 1.1 -3

USA 9.8 5.4 -4.4

Brazil 2.3 6.0 +3.7

* Expressed in Global hectares per capita

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THE 3 PILLARS OF Sustainable Development:


Economic (financial capital)

Environmental (natural capital)

Social (human capital)

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We all live in a paradox :


I want to have a fashion car , to use the latest electronic equipment and the

fashionable gadgets…

We would like to stop poverty ,

violence, pollution…

HENCE THE NEED TO PROPOSE WORKABLE SOLUTIONS

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• How did the concept and responses developed?


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AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :THE INTERNATIONAL WORK (1)

• 1970: the first „Earth Day” on the 22. April, 1970.

• 1970: United Nations (UN) start „The man and the biosphere”

• 1972: The Club of Rome (est. 1968) „Limits of growth” book

• 1972: UN Conference on man and the environment, Stockholm• adoption of a declaration (26)

• creation of UNEP (UN Environment Programme)

• 1975: Helsinki: The Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe

• 1979: Geneva: I. Europeen Conference on Environmental Protection

• Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) (->1983)


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• 1985: Helsinki: acception of limits on SO2 emission

• 1985: Vienna: Adoption of the Vienna convention on the protection of the ozone layer

• 1987: Publication of the Brundtland report “Our common future”• First definition of Sustainable Development: development that meets the needs

of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

• 1987: Adoption of the Montreal Protocol on the Ozone Layer

• 1988: Sofia Convention on limiting NOX emission (NOX=nitrogen-oxides: NO, NO2, N2O)

• 1989 : Basel Convention on hazardous wastes


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• 1992: RIO DE JANEIRO: UN Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED)(Earth Summit), Rio de Janeiro.

Participants: UN 172/178, (761 NGO officer, ~8000 NGO officer) Adoption of:

• The conventions on climate change and biodiversity

• The forestry principles

• „27 Rio Principles” of sustainable development (art 25 states “peace, development and environment protection are interdependent and cannot be seen in isolation of each other”)

• Agenda 21 (=tasks for the 21st century)

• Creation of the CSD (Commission of Sustainable Development)• 1992: Establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• 1997: Kyoto: Convention on emissions of greenhouse gases• (CO2, CH4, N2O, CFC –freon, water vapor, trop. ozone)• e.g. -20% decrease in emission of CO2 (in ten years 1990->2000)

• Kyoto: non-ratified by USA, Russia, China (min. 55% needed!)

• -> 2004 finally Russia has ratified, >55% of the world emission is in.• 2005.02.16. Kyoto Convention came into force (without USA!)


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AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :THE INTERNATIONAL WORK (4)• 1997 Kyoto: developed countries decided that 0.7% of their GDP -> to the non-

developed countries to help them introducing environmental protection technologies.

• 2000: Launch of the „UN Global Compact” by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

• 2001: Convention on POP’s (Air Quality, International efforts to address persistent organic pollutants

5 years after Kyoto: results of Agenda 21 are poor ->• 2002: Johannesburg: World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

Adoption of:

• a „declaration of sustainable development”

• a „Plan of implementation”, with targets and time tables, dealing with poverty, water and sanitation, sustainable production and consumption, energy, chemicals, management of the resource base…

• more than 220 partnerships between key actors to implement various projects

• -50% decrease in number of people living without healthy drinking water and under daily income of 1 US $

• Connecting environmental politics together with social politics


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AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :THE INTERNATIONAL WORK (5)• 1 Jan 2005: The „jewel in the crown” of Europe's climate change

policy is the EU emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS), which began on 1 January 2005

• in February 2005, the Commission proposed a strategy for the EU's future climate change policy after 2012 entitled "Wining the battle against climate change" (EurActiv, 10 Feb. 2005). The strategy suggests focusing on the following "core elements":

• -Persuading all major world emitters to commit to a binding scheme, including the United States and rapidly emerging economies such as China and India

• -Including more sectors in emissions reductions, including transport (aviation, maritime) as well as tackling the deforestation which increases global warming in some regions

• -Promoting climate-friendly technologies • -Market-based instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme• -Adaptation policies in Europe and globally to deal with the inescapable impacts

of climate change


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AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :THE INTERNATIONAL WORK (6)• However, the Commission preferred not to define precise targets for

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its draft, arguing that the paper was only designed to "structure the future negotiations of the EU with its global partners".

• Commission suggesting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets (15-30% by 2020 and 60-80% by 2050).

• The summit of EU leaders on 22-23 March 2005 only agreed to flexible targets for 2020 (EurActiv, 24 March 2005).

• The summit conclusions stated that a 15-30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions "should be considered" for 2020, but only "in the light of future work on how the objective can be achieved, including the cost-benefit aspect". At the insistence of Germany and Austria, heads of state and government did not mention any precise targets after 2020, refusing to take on the 60-80% cuts proposed by environment ministers for 2050.


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AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :THE INTERNATIONAL WORK (7)• 29 June 2005: A report by the European environment agency (EEA) states

that the EU could feasibly commit to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

• July 2005: G8 adopts Action Plan on climate change, clean energy and sustainable development

• December 2005: UNFCCC conference (COP-11/MOP-1) agrees to start talks to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. An agreement is also found to launch talks under the UNFCCC with non-Kyoto signatories

• Up to 2012: The Kyoto Protocol - a binding addendum to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - requires industrialised countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 5% compared to their 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. The EU has committed to a reduction of 8% under this first commitment period.

• EU post-2012 climate change policy: With the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol closing in 2012, the EU has launched discussions on its future long-term strategy to fight global warming. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and making continued use of market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading are among the main elements of the proposed strategy.

• But the first and biggest challenge will be to draw all major world emitters - including the US and China - into a binding pollution-cutting scheme.


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SUMMARY of MAIN MOVEMENTS, ACTIONS form 1970 till today

• „only” conferences, books, research studies etc. from 1970 -> 1992 (Rio) /1997 (Kyoto)

• Major activity: monitoring & enforce Kyoto Convention (1997)

• 2003: At Commission of Sustainable Development (CSD), definition of the process to monitor implementation of the WSSD commitments

WSSD (World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002 Johannesburg)

• 2004 finally Russia has ratified Kyoto Convention, so >55% of the world emission is in the ratifying countries

• 2005.02.16. Kyoto Convention came into force (USA-, China-)• 2005-2009: Evaluation of the aimed emission decrease values• 2009. Now it seems that the aims of Kyoto will not be reached

untill 2012, so change / enforcement of the Kyoto protocol is needed.

• 2009 Sept 16. - Oct.3 UN General Assembly: main topic: global warming and other environmental issues (speeches…)


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How did the concept and responses developed? • Who are the main Actors, and what are their role?

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FROM ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION…… ……..TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

How to act to be sustainable? • Dilution (less concentration, less immission)

• Treatment (mechanical, chemical etc. cleaning, purification, separation)

• Recycling (resource management)

• Cleaner and safer production:• Production processes

• Products

• Life-cycle economy (product monitoring: „from the cradle to the grave”)

Development of environmental management toolssuch as ISO 14000 series


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INCREASING DEMAND COMING FROM :

•Consumers (env. friendly attitude is increasing: „environmental awareness” is arising)

•Employees (safety & health reasons, human rights)

• Investors, finance sector (investing into / financing the production and selling of environmental friendly products is a „good deal”, operating of them not so good…e.g. wind power plant farms

•General Public (information: education, news, advertisements, experiences of their everyday life: traffic jams, smog hazards, high polluted surroundings, noise level around newly built motorways, airports, changing landscape, etc.


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MAIN ACTORS: 1. GOVERNMENTS

2. LOCAL AUTHORITIES

3. INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS

4. NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs)

5. INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS


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MAIN ACTORS : 1- GOVERNMENTS

•Legislation and regulation (adoption and enforcement)

•Economic incentives (changes in existing subsidy systems, taxes, polluter payer fees…)

• Integration of SD consideration in all government activities (including for example energy, transport, export credit agencies, procurement…)

• Institution /capacity building

•Education

•Demonstration by example


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MAIN ACTORS : 2- LOCAL AUTHORITIES

•Developing local plans of action

•Environmentally sound management of local services (transport, public buildings, waste man., water…)

•Public awareness raising


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MAIN ACTORS : 3– INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS

Developing Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR)

• Develop and implement an environmental and sustainability policy, involving CEO and members of the board

• Assess efficiency and pollution reduction potentials, and set quantifiable targets and goals for environmental performance

• Abide by legislation and regulations

• Implement codes of conduct and environmental management tools

• Innovate in cleaner and safer processes and products


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MAIN ACTORS : 3– INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS (2)

• Train staff

• Develop dialogue with neighbours and NGOs

• Develop partnerships

• Monitor environmental and sustainability performance against a set of defined criteria

• Report publicly annually (using the Global Report Initiative Framework GRI)


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MAIN ACTORS : 4- NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs)

•Contribute to constructive dialogue

•Contribute to partnerships

•Raise awareness of the public on sustainability / environamental / „green” issues


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MAIN ACTORS : 5- INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (1)

• Provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences (between governments, and also with industry and NGOs)

• Facilitate the adoption of international environmental regulations and standards

• Facilitate the adoption of voluntary codes

• Promote technology transfer (between industrialized and developing countries)

• Assist in capacity building in developing countries

• Support sustainable development projects in developing countries

Operate at subregional, regional or global level


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• EU (European Union)• The European Union (EU, formerly the European Economic Community) is a

political and economic community with supranational and intergovernmental features. It is composed of 27 member states. The EU created a single market which seeks to guarantee the freedom of movement of people, goods, services and capital between member states. It maintains a common trade policy, agricultural and fisheries policies, and a regional development policy. With almost 500 million citizens the EU generates an estimated 31 % share of the world´s nominal gross domestic product.

• OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)

• international organization (30 members) that brings together the governments of countries to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalization, including:

• Support for sustainable economic growth

• Boosting employment

• Raising living standards

• Maintaining financial stability

• Assisting other countries' economic development, and

• Contributing to growth in world trade.


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• UN system /The United Nations Organization (UNO) or simply the United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and the achieving of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its missions./

• UNEP (UN Environment Programme)• UNDP (UN Development Programme)• UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization)• ILO (UN’s International Labour Organization - The UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social

justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights • WHO (World Health Organization)• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)• Global Compact (2000) (see also separately on the next page)• DESA (secretariat of CSD - Commission of Sustainable Development)• Regional Economic Commissions

• International Finance Institutions • Development banks (World Bank, BERD, ADB,…)• IMF (The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization with 146 members, including the

United States. The main functions of the International Monetary Fund are to lend funds to member nations to finance temporary balance of payments problems, to facilitate the expansion and balanced growth of international trade, and to promote international monetary cooperation among nations. The IMF grew out of the Bretton Woods Conference of 1944. )

• WTO (World Trade Organization)• At the center of the present multilateral trading system is the World Trade Organization (WTO), an international

organization established in 1995. (Its main objectives include: (i) to administer trade agreements; (ii) to act as a forum for trade negotiations; (iii) to settle trade disputes; (iv) to review national trade policies; and (v) to assist developing countries in trade policy issues.


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What is the UN Global Compact?

The Global Compact is a framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of:

Human rights:1. to support human rights activities at workplace, 2. do not contribute to any activity that diminish human rights Labour:3. right of assembly4. no hard labor / no penal servitude,5. against child work,6. no discriminative movements on application / employmentEnvironment:7. theory of precaution,8. starting environmental protection activity,9. introducing environmental protection technologiesAnti-corruption:10. no corruption of any level


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UN Global CompactMainstream the 10 principles in business activities around the worldCatalyse actions in support of broader UN goals, such as the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs)To achieve these objectives, the Global Compact offers facilitation and

engagement through several mechanisms: Policy Dialogues, Learning, Country/Regional Networks, and Partnership Projects.

The Global Compact is not a regulatory instrument – it does not “police”, enforce or measure the behavior or actions of companies. Rather, the Global Compact relies on public accountability, transparency and the enlightened self-interest of companies, labour and civil society to initiate and share substantive action in pursuing the principles upon which the Global Compact is based.

The Global Compact is a network. At its core are the Global Compact Office and six UN agencies: -Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights -United Nations Environment Programme UNEP -International Labour Organization ILO -United Nations Development Programme UNDP -United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO -United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC


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UN Global Compact (cont.)

The Global Compact involves all the relevant social ACTORS:

- governments, who defined the principles on which the initiative is based;

- companies, whose actions it seeks to influence;- labour, in whose hands the concrete process of global

production takes place;- civil society organizations, representing the wider

community of stakeholders;- and The United Nations, the world's only truly global political

forum, as an authoritative convener and facilitator.


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NO OTHER CHOICE THAN SUSTAINABILITY

Words (don’t) come easy?

“We know the problems. We know the solutions. Together, as one world, we must find the will to deliver them”Tony Blair, Prime Minister, at World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002

etc.

for example check on internet, find on:2009 UN General Assembly: Obama’s Speech to the United

Nations General Assembly

CONCLUSION

1 introduction to sustainable development : the international process and main actors jacqueline...

Documents

sustainable future

world population

world poorest population

long term issuewhy

main actorsjacqueline

changing world globalization

workable solutions main

air pollution water