Global Compact LEAD: First Meeting

The 1st Annual Meeting of the Compat took plance on May 18 in Copenhagen (Denmark) where some of the the most active companies and organizations shared experiences across issues and countries – examining both their engagement in Global Compact groups and efforts within their own organizations to advance sustainability. Plenary sessions and roundtable discussion included:
- Stocktaking: Where the Global Compact Stands;
- Implementing Issues: Connecting the Dots;
- Looking Ahead: The Business Contribution to Sustainable Development – the UN Private Sector Forum 2011 and Rio +20.

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UNEP: Report on Decoupling

UNEP's International Resource Panel has released a report titled “Decoupling natural resource use and environmental impacts from economic growth.” analyzing the concept of improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate. The report stresses the need for massive investment in technological, financial and social innovation, to freeze per capita consumption in wealthy countries and assist developing countries to identify a sustainable path.

Publication: Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth

UNEP: Results of Sustainable Lifestyles Survey

UNEP's Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Branch has released the results of its Global Survey for Sustainable Lifestyles included in the report titled “Visions for Change: Recommendations for Effective Policies on Sustainable Lifestyles.”

Report: Social Contract for Sustainability

The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), an independent scientific advisory body, has published a report titled  “World in Transition: A Social Contract for Sustainability.” The report recommends establishing a “UN Council for Sustainable Development,” on par with the UN Security Council. Among other measures, the report also highlights reasons for the urgent need for a “post fossil-nuclear metabolism,” and presents 10 sets of concrete measures to accelerate the transition to sustainability.

European Commission: Sustainable Growth

With €105 billion available in the current EU budget for sustainable growth, the European Commission has issued a Communication titled "Regional Policy Contributing to Sustainable Growth in Europe 2020," urging the use of EU regional policy funds to finance sustainable growth projects.

Priorities for investment fall into three areas: energy efficiency, renewables and decarbonizing transport; protection of ecosystem services, biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, including screening for climate resilience, and natural disaster prevention; and eco-innovation through the deployment of information and communication technologies and "green clusters."

European Commission: Sustainable Growth Initiative

The EC has launched "A resource-efficient Europe: Flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy," which sets out its views on a strategic framework towards  more sustainable use of natural resources and the shift towards resource-efficient, low-carbon growth in Europe. Publication: A Resource-Efficient Europe: Flagship Initiative Under the Europe 2020 Strategy