Rio+20: towards the green economy and reinforced

governance

ASEF 17-18 July 2011

Jakub Wejchert

Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit

European Commission – DG Environment

Overview of presentation

EU preparations on Rio+20

Main lines in the Commission’s Communication: Taking stock twenty years after Rio 1992

Framing the debate: “what”, “how”, “who”?

Initial Commission proposals for possible outcomes for Rio+20 for further discussion within EU

EU Preparations for Rio+20

1. Commission Communication adopted on 20 June 2011 Builds on a range of EU policies related to sustainable development and

Europe 2020 strategy. Follows from a range of discussions, consultations and inter-service

meetings with services in the Commission, stakeholders, Member States, Parliament groups, as well as several 3rd countries.

2. Basis for discussion with EU Member States and the European Parliament

3. International outreach activities and dialogues

4. EU consolidated position by November 2011

Taking stock and how to move forward

Despite some successes – the world is not on the path of sustainable development, in particular in poverty eradication and in addressing environmental sustainability

Many implementation gaps remain agreed in Rio 1992 and Johannesburg 2002

Green Economy and reinforced governance offer a way of tackling remaining challenges of SD

Relevant to countries in all stages of development

EU approach builds on the EU2020 strategy and relates it to global challenges

Framing the debate and potential outcomes

1. Investing in the sustainable management of key resources and natural capital (“what”)

2. Establishing the right market and regulatory conditions (“how”)

3. Improving governance and private sector involvement (“who”)

A set of European Commission proposals for outcomes for Rio+20 as a basis for the consolidated EU position

1. Invest in the sustainable management of key resources and natural capital (“what”)

Water, energy, marine resources and oceans, food security and sustainable agriculture, forests, materials, chemicals and waste…

Sustainable management of natural capital essential for the economy, poverty eradication and the environment

Currently underpin many livelihoods and jobs around the world

Can become basis for future economic growth and global markets

If well managed well can draw people out of poverty, create better livelihoods, and create new jobs.

2. Establish the right market and regulatory conditions (“how”)

The enabling conditions to help stimulate green growth and markets in areas outlined under “what” include:

Eco-taxes, cap and trade, removal of environmentally harmful subsidies, innovation

Regulatory instruments

Mobilising and leveraging public and private financial resources

Developing skills for new (“green” and “decent”) jobs

Mutual support between trade and sustainable development

New ways of measuring progress, in addition to GDP

3. Improve governance and private sector involvement (“who”)

Need to modernise, reinforce and streamline governance structures to advance and deliver sustainable development, green economy and eradicate poverty

Different levels of governance: Sustainable development within the UN (e.g. role of ECOSOC) International environmental governance (e.g. reinforcing UNEP) Wider international framework for economic, environmental and social

governance (e.g. role of IFIs, WTO) Sustainable development governance at national and sub-national level Reinforced role of non-state actors (civil society, business, finance)

Possible ingredients of an outcome at Rio+20

A broad political rallying call for greener and more sustainable economy with shared vision and goals

Green economy roadmap A set of international actions and a framework for national/regional actions

National/regional actions “Bottom up”, greening national priorities and national economic and

development policies with the help of a “toolbox” of best practices

Key indicators and accounting Establish a system for environmental & social accounting, in addition to

economic accounting (GDP)

Agree on indicators (only a couple!) based on the work of work of OECD, World Bank, UNDP

Possible Actions: Resources & Natural Capital

Reinforce international partnerships on water, renewable energy and energy efficiency

Commitments for reducing marine pollution and waste; strengthen UNCLOS (law of the seas); move forward with benefit sharing and marine protected areas

Promote sustainable agriculture and food security through a partnership on sustainable trade of food commodities

Sustainable forest management partnership (building on success of FLEGT)

Robust international regime on chemicals

Possible Actions: Greening Markets

Move forward with domestic carbon emission trading schemes A scheme to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies Public-private financing strategies and schemes for the green economy:

mobilise and leverage public/private funding incentivise private investments and banks

Partnerships for eco-innovation More sustainable trade agreements both multilaterally and bilaterally Green skills programmes

“Re-skilling” for existing workforces Youth training programmes (with ILO)

Possible Actions: Improving Governance

Sustainable development Reinforce sustainable development in UN ECOSOC Upgrade CSD with extended functions or mainstream in UN

Environmental governance Transform UNEP into Specialised Agency Streamline MEA system

Reinforce capacity building

Private sector/civil society Essential for success of partnerships Networking, alliances, commitments

Moving forward

The European Commission’s orientations on Rio+20 will lead to the EU initial position by 1 November 2011

The EU is open to discuss with all countries and stakeholders on how to further shape the outcome, commitments and actions in build up to Rio+20

For further information - Google: Rio+20 EU