USA: Sustainability in EPA

The National Research Council has just issued a report, Sustainability and the U.S. EPA. Requested by the EPA, It presents a framework for incorporating sustainability into the US Environmental Protection Agency’s principles and decision making and thus help the agency better assess the social, environmental, and economic impacts of various options.

A prepublication PDF version of the report is available at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13152.

Conference: Green Economy and Mountains

ICIMOD and UNEP are collaborating to convene the International Conference on "Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development – Opportunities and Challenges in View of Rio+20" from 5-7 September in Kathmandu (Nepal). The conference will gather international, regional, and national experts and policy makers to discuss the relevance and scope of the topic and seek strategies, approaches, and options for enhancing the role and prominence of mountain systems in regional and international debates and discussions. Outputs will feed into UNCSD (Rio+20)

The ICIMOD Secretariat is accepting ideas, examples, or studies related to green economy, sustainable mountain development, or mountain ecosystem services, which can be sent to Pavitra Rana, prana@icimod.org.

AEWA: New Acting Executive Secretary

The AEWA Secretariat has announced the appointment of Marco Barbieri as Acting Executive Secretary until a new Executive Secretary has been recruited. He has nearly 20 years of working experience with the UN and joined the CMS Secretariat in September 2000 as Scientific Officer. Since 2008, he has been CMS Agreements Officer, mainly in charge of negotiating new agreements and MOUs under CMS and the servicing of several MOUs already in place. He also served as ASCOBANS Senior Advisor between 2007 and 2010.

CBD/COP-11: High Level Segment

In a letter to Ministers dated 1 August, Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of Environment and Forests of India, host of COP-11, identified five key issues for the High-level Segment:- biodiversity and livelihoods;
- integration of value of biodiversity in national planning and accounting process;
- strategic resource mobilization;
- coastal and marine biodiversity; and
- operationalization of the Nagoya Protocol.

The COP will take place from 8-19 October 2012 in Hyderabad (India), with the High-level Segment held in the last three days.

NGO Statement on Invasive Species

Science magazine has published a letter from leaders of major conservation organizations entitled “Invasives: A Major Conservation Threat.” In the letter, the leaders of IUCN, Birdlife, WWF, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fauna and Flora International, and Island Conservation argue that recent discussions on alternative strategies to the management of invasive species should not undermine ongoing efforts to prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive species. Therein, they call on the global community to work together to control the most harmful invasive species, and to meet target 9 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, which calls for action to control invasives.

In addition, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of CBD welcomed the letter saying, "it confirms the commitment of the conservation community to address this threat. Preventing and mitigating the negative effects of invasions is indeed a huge challenge, and the cooperation of the NGOs is of crucial importance."

EFSA: GM Post-market Monitoring

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released an updated version of its guidance document on post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of genetically modified (GM) plants, which is a key element of the EU legislative policy framework on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), complementing the elements of risk assessment and risk management. Under EU legislation, applications for the cultivation of GM plants must contain a detailed PMEM plan, demonstrating how the GM plant will be monitored for possible adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Rio Conventions: JLG-11

The summary report of the 11th meeting of the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) of the Rio Conventions - CBD, UNCCD, and UNFCCC - has now been released. 

South African Priorities for UNFCCC COP-17

In a press briefing, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and incoming President of UNFCCC/COP-17, together with South African Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, described South Africa's preparations for the Durban Climate Change Conference.

According to IISD-RS, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane underlined that her Government has been working closely with Mexico in its capacity as current COP President. She explained that South Africa has undertaken informal consultations at all levels to "facilitate a credible outcome that is equitable, fair and inclusive," underlining the importance of the party-driven principle. She also listed the events that she will host or organize, including: with Mexico, a Leaders’ Dialogue on Climate Change on the margins of the 66th session of the UN/GA; a negotiator-level meeting and an informal ministerial meeting in September 2011, in South Africa; a stakeholder meeting on 5 September; and a “Pre-COP” Informal Ministerial Consultation on 20-21 October 2011, in South Africa. She stressed the need for ministers to focus on finance, means of implementation and the other outstanding political issues.

Minister Molewa stressed the need for COP-17 to "at least" put in place the "necessary building blocks to deliver a balanced agreement that takes historical responsibilities into account." She indicated her Government's commitment to develop a common African position in the negotiations, underlining that Africa is the continent most affected by climate change. She outlined the following priorities for Durban, as identified at the AU Summit: maintaining the integrity of the multilateral process; determining the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and a comparable emission reduction regime for non-Kyoto Parties; affording a central place to adaptation; and focusing on finance discussions, particularly the design of the Green Climate Fund.

Molewa's Remarks
Nkoana-Mashabane's Remarks

Liability and Redress Regional Workshops

The CBD Secretariat has released reports of two regional workshops on the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress, in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Both workshops addressed: basic concepts and facts relating to liability and redress; the negotiation process and overview of the Supplementary Protocol; stakeholder perspectives; scenarios of damage and cases of liability; experiences and approaches in the region in providing rules on liability and redress; and signature and ratification.

UNCSD (Rio+20) Newsletter

Volume 2, Issue 14 of Rio+20:Making it Happen is a special issue focusing on one of the two themes of UNCSD (Rio+20), the "institutional framework for sustainable development" (IFSD)

Role of Forests in a Green Economy

The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) has prepared a briefing for UNCSD (Rio+20), which draws on reports from UNEP, UNECE, FAO and civil society organisations regarding the role of forests in transitioning to a more sustainable economic system.

ECOSOC: 2011 Substantive Session

Delegates to the Substantive Session agreed on, inter alia, a Ministerial Declaration on education; recommendations on preparing for the 2012 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) of the UN system's operational activities by the UN/GA; follow-up to LDC-IV; and postponing consideration of a review of UN support for SIDS.
 Website of Session

Córdoba Dialogue With Civil Society

UNEP, together with the Spanish Ministry for Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs is organizing this meeting on October 17-18 under the theme "Citizenship for a Sustainable Planet". With a special emphasis on civil society from developing countries, the event aims to ensure that the outcome of UNCSD (Rio+20) be as inclusive as possible. Individual topics on the agenda include:

- green jobs as an opportunity;

- the role of cities;

- green economy and women; and

- food security.

Further information (agenda, location, etc.) will be put on UNEP’s website as it becomes available (www.unep.org/civil-society).

ECOSOC: Committee on Geospatial Information Management

ECOSOC has agreed to establish a committee of experts on global geospatial information management to coordinate international dialogue on spatial data infrastructures and enhance cooperation in that field. The committee will comprise experts from all member States, with representatives from international organizations as observers. It is mandated, inter alia, to provide a platform for the development of effective strategies on how to build and strengthen national capacity on geospatial information, especially in developing countries, and contribute to the establishment of spatial data infrastructures.
UN Press Release

UNEP: IFSD Briefs

UNEP has launched a series of "Issues Briefs" on the environmental dimension of the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD), one of the themes of UNCSD (Rio+20). To date, UNEP has released the following briefs: - Importance of Environmental Pillar to IFSD;
- Fragmentation of Environmental Pillar and its Impact on Efficiency and Effectiveness;
- Country Responsiveness: Implementation and Capacity Support for the Environmental Pillar of IFSD; and
- Legal Questions and Answers on IEG Reforms: WEO and UNEO?]

UN/GA: Human Right to Water and Sanitation

The UN/GA has concluded its debate on challenges to achieving the human right to water and sanitation in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with some delegates stressing the impact of climate change on the realization of this right, in particular in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS)

Press Release

IIED Briefing on Traditional Knowledge

This new briefing in the series "Reflect and Act" is concentrated on IIED's work to assist indigenous and local communities to protect their rights over traditional knowledge. It showcases how ‘biocultural heritage’ offers a framework for protecting community rights and biodiversity.   

FAO: Ecosystem Services in Agriculture

A new publication titled "Payments for Ecosystem Services and Food Security" has been released by FAO examining the role of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) in agriculture; the relevance of the OECD agri-environmental measures for PES; opportunities and gaps in PES implementation and key areas for further investigation; cost-effective targeting of PES; social and cultural drivers behind the success of PES; landscape labelling approaches to PES through bundling services, products and stewards; enabling conditions and complementary legislative tools; and PES within the context of a green economy.

IMO: Ban on Heavy Fuel OIl in the Antarctic

A ban on heavy fuel oil in the Antarctic will enter into force on 1 August. The ban is contained in an amendment to MARPOL (Resolution MEPC.189(60), 26 March, 2010), with a new chapter on "Special requirements for the use or carriage of oils in the Antarctic area." The effect of the new chapter is to prohibit the use of heavy fuel oils by ships transiting the Antarctic area, which will have to switch to higher grade fuels while in the area.

Australia Environmental Law Council

The Environmental and Planning Law Group of the Law Council of Australia is holding its 2^nd Environmental Law Symposium in Sydney (Australia) on Friday 25 November titled: "The Future of Environmental Law". The occasion will also honor the contribution that Emeritus Professor Ben Boer and Professor Robert Fowler have made, and continue to make, in both Australia and internationally to the study and teaching of environmental law.

The title of the Symposium is designed to provoke some discussion about the directions and value of environmental law as the 20^th anniversary of the Rio Declaration and the 20^th anniversary of the Framework Convention on Climate Change draw near, as well as what the next 20 years holds for society and the planet

Five sessions during the Symposium will address the themes in the following areas:
- Land;
- Air;
- Water;
- Energy; and
- Courts and Institutions.

Expressions of interest, abstracts, and a short CV are sought from speakers for each of the sessions. The information should be sent to matthewbaird@wentworthchambers.com.au by no later than 15 August 2011. Speakers will be advised by 30 August 2011. Final papers to be provided by 15 November 2011.

UN/DESA: IFSD and Peer Review

The "Issues Brief: Lessons from the Peer Review Mechanism" by UN/DESA,  focuses on options for strengthening IFSD and summarizes peer review mechanisms currently in place in UN system institutions while considering their potential to contribute to the implementation of international agreements. The brief describes peer review as distinct from compliance enforcement mechanisms or other dispute settlement bodies, such as courts or cap and trade systems. It indicates that peer review seeks to promote compliance through a constructive, persuasive, learning-based and non-adversarial process that rests on the equality of the parties concerned and therefore respects national sovereignty.

Website of Issues Briefs

Pacific PrepCom for UNCSD (Rio+20)

The UNCSD (Rio+20) Subregional Preparatory Committee for Pacific Countries convened in Apia (Samoa) from 21-22 July. The over 80 participants, including 13 ministers adopted “in principle” an outcome document (Rio+20/Pacific/2011/4-1/Draft) and agreed that Pacific Island Countries (PICS) and the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) would provide comments on the document prior to 1 August 2011.

IISD-RS Coverage

PIC Ministers

UNEP: New Draft Treaty Text for Mercury Negotiations

UNEP has released a an advanced copy of the "new draft [treaty] text for a comprehensive and suitable approach to a globally legally binding instrument on mercury" in preparation for the 3rd round of negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) from October 31-November 4 in Nairobi (Kenya). The text addresses challenges including:
- supply of, and interantional trade in, mercury;
- products and processes that use mercury, including artisanal and small-scale gold mining;
- emissions and releases of mercury into the atmosphere, water and land; and
- mercury storage, wastes and contaminated sites.

FAO/CGRFA-13: Outcomes

The 13th regular session of FAO's Commission on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-13) has: adopted the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA); established an Ad hoc Technical Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) for genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA); and developed a roadmap for climate change and GRFA.

IISD-RS Coverage

IDLO: Tribunals and Courts Tool

The International Development Law Organisation (IDLO) has launched an online research tool on "Sustainable Development in the Decisions of International Courts and Tribunals 1992-2012." Organized into eight sections: sustainable development, sustainable use of natural resources, equity and poverty eradication, integration, precaution, openness, common but differentiated responsibilities, and good governance; the tool allows the user to research how various bodies have referred to, or used, the concept of sustainable development, and related international legal principles over the last 20 years.

Discussions on IFSD for Rio+20

The High-Level Dialogue on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD)  concluded on 21 July with a call for integration, implementation and greater coordination and coherence among international and regional institutions, in order to strengthen IFSD. Proposals emerging from the Dialogue, included: the need to strengthen the environmental pillar of sustainable development while at the same time reinforcing the economic and social pillars and achieving greater balance among the three; the creation of a world environmental organization; and the formation of a sustainable development council.

The outcome will be summarized in a report prepared by the host Government with the support of the UNCSD Secretariat, formulating concrete proposals that could be taken up for consideration and possible adoption at UNCSD (Rio+20).

UN Women: Green Economy and UNCSD (Rio+20)

UN Women is conducting a survey on "Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in a Green Economy," as part of the preparatory process for UNCSD (Rio+20). A report is expected to be published and launched during Rio+20 identifying experiences and initiatives, and providing ideas for decision-makers and development practitioners in government, the UN system, civil society and the private sector on concrete initiatives that can be scaled up and replicated to accelerate women’s economic empowerment in the green economy.
The deadline for completion of the online survey is 1 August 2011.

Transboundary Conservation and Conflict Resolution

IUCN has published "Crossing Borders for Nature: European examples of transboundary conservation" aiming to improve transboundary conservation in the mountainous border zone between Albania, Macedonia and the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

In addition to the large-scale ecological benefits of protecting extensive natural areas, supporting species migrations, reducing the risk of biodiversity loss, generating additional income opportunities, and helping to resolve political conflicts; the report emphasizes that integrating conservation of two or more protected areas across an international boundary implies gaining the necessary political support and/or support of protected area managers, and that political indifference and lack of commitment can impede the establishment of a transboundary initiative.

ICIMOD: CBD Implementation

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has released a new publication titled: Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity: A retrospective analysis in the Hindu Kush-Himalyan countries. Using the national reports to CBD as the primary source, the paper examines progress made by the eight countries of the region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar and Pakistan.

New Global Network Established

The Global Network of Prosecutors and General Attorneys was recently launched during the 9th International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement from 20-24 June in British Columbia (Canada). This initiative is an outcome of the workplan developed by the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (IUCN-CEL) Specialist Group for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement and is being carried out in cooperation with the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE).

The Network will emphasize activities that ensure compliance with legal protections for flora and fauna, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and habitats. Potential specific areas of focus include fish, forest and wetlands. The Network is to be formed from prosecutors and attorneys general that are educated on environmental compliance and enforcement issues and possess the skills and tools, relative to their legal system and culture, to successfully prosecute environmental crimes.

WTO: Renewable Energy Arbitration

The WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism has established a Panel to arbitrate in the Japan vs. Canada case on measures applied to Canada's renewable energy sector. It will examine the case "Canada - Certain Measures Affecting the Renewable Energy Generation Sector" to determine whether Ontario's feed-in-tariff programme violates WTO law when providing guaranteed long-term pricing for the output of renewable energy generation facilities that source up to 60% of their inputs from Ontario. Domestic content requirements are not permitted under WTO law, although exceptions may be accepted for environmental purposes, if certain specific conditions are met.

UN Security Council: Impact of Climate Change

In a debate on 20 July, the UN Security Council considered the impact of climate change under the item entitled "Maintenance of international peace and security." Thereafter, President of the Security Council Ambassador Peter Wittig issued a Statement expressing the Council's "concern that possible adverse effects of climate change may, in the long run, aggravate certain existing threats to international peace and security."

UN/GA: Resolution on "Happiness"

The UN/GA adopted Resolution A/RES/65/309 on 19 July titled “Happiness: Towards a holistic approach to development,” based on a draft text presented by the representative of Bhutan. The final text notes the inadequacy of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an indicator of the wellbeing of a people in a country, and invites States to elaborate additional measures for incorporating wellbeing into development policies and into the measurement of social and economic development.

The General Assembly agreed that Bhutan would convene a panel discussion on the theme  during the upcoming 66th General Assembly. Finally, it requested the UN Secretary-General to present a report on the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing at its 67th session.

Draft Resolution (A/65/L.86 + Add.1)

State of Research for UNCSD (Rio+20)

The Earth System Governance Project has launched an initiative to provide an overview of the state of research on the topics of IEG and IFSD aimed at contributing to the process leading to UNCSD (Rio+20). Activities include support to the project's researchers involved in the science-policy dialogue and synthesizing and initiating research and activities on these topics. The initiative is also designed to target decision-makers to contribute to actual improvements

See the website: www.ieg.earthsystemgovernance.org.

IWC-63 Outcomes

The 63rd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was held from 11-14 July  in St Helier, Island of Jersey (UK). Among other issues, the Commission held extensive discussions on new and revised Rules of Procedure, and agreed by consensus on a Resolution on improving the effectiveness of operations within the IWC that also incorporated some changes to its Rules of Procedure and Financial Regulations. In addition to the rule changes, the resolution included: investigating options for providing assistance to member governments with limited means to participate actively in the Commission’s work; establishing a working group to further consider the role of observers at IWC meetings; and agreeing to regularly review its rules in the light of international good practice and to address specific problems that may arise. The IWC also agreed to a new experimental procedure relating to the participation of NGOs in its plenary sessions.

With regard to a proposal sponsored by Brazil and Argentina for the creation of a South Atlantic Sanctuary, a number of whaling countries withdrew from the room when it was suggested to put the proposal to a vote. The agenda item was eventually left open until the 2012 annual meeting.  If consensus cannot be reached then, a decision will be taken in accordance with the Commission’s rules of procedure. IWC-64 will be held in June/July 2012, in Panama City (Panama).

Resolutions

Green Growth Guide

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) has released a guide titled: Green growth – implications for development planning. It is primarily aimed at national planners and policy advisors in developing countries and focuses on the role of economic tools in planning for green growth challenges.

EU: Greater Integration of Environment

Environmental policy and climate change action are to be included in all of the EU's main funding instruments including cohesion, agriculture, maritime and fisheries policy, research and innovation and external aid under the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2014-2020. It includes a budget of 382 million EUR for sustainable growth, the LIFE+ Programme will be split between the environment (2.4 billion EUR) and climate change (800 million EUR). The Commission proposes to allocate funds for research and development, with the risk of freezing the budget allocated to the Common Agricultural Policy.

USA: Oils Spills and Criminal vs. Civil Violations

In the wake of a number of recent onshore oil spills in the United States and the fact that the number of crude and refined oil pipelines continues to expand in the US, an article titled: If polluting was a criminal offense, would it happen as much? recently appeared in High Country News. Citing US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood's current proposal for the "Pipeline Safety Action Plan" and the Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act of 2011 (S. 350) pending before Congress; the author concludes that there is need for guidance and further legislation to be developed to determine when it is appropriate to use criminal enforcement to deter offenders.

Upcoming Seminar: MPAs in ABNJ

An international seminar titled "Towards a legal framework for the creation and management of cross sectoral marine protected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction" will take place September 19-21, Nausicaa Boulogne-sur Mer (France). 

The seminar's objectives are:
- to conduct a legal analysis of different possible options for the creations and management of cross-scectoral MPAs in ABNJ;
- to explore the political conditions that would enable the realisation of each legal option developed; and
- to adopted accordingly, specific recommendations that will be brought to international forums particularly in view to the 6th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, UNCSD (Rio+20)and IUCN's 5th World Conservation Congress.

Rio+20: Making It Happen, Volume 2, Issue 13

The latest issue of the newsletter from the Secretariat of UNCSD (Rio+20) highlights the special policy dialogue on “Education for Sustainable Development” that took place during the recent High-level Segment of ECOSOC; a meeting between the UNCSD Bureau and ECESA Plus; and several documents recently released or under production including a brief prepared by the UNCSD Secretariat analyzing existing peer review mechanisms of UN institutions, and how their experiences could contribute to the UNCSD. Other documents featured in the newsletter are: an article on measuring sustainable development; input from the European Commission’s public consultation on the UNCSD; and a report based on the survey, currently being conducted by UN Women, on “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in a Green Economy.”

IMO: Mandating Emissions Reductions

Measures to reduce greenhouse gases from shipping have been adopted by parties to Annex VI (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) represented in the Marine Environment Protections Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organizations (IMO), which met for its 62nd session from 11-15 July. The adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI add a new chapter on regulations on energy efficiency for ships to make mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships. Other amendments to Annex VI add new definitions and the requirements for survey and certification, including the format for the International Energy Efficiency Certificate.

The new regulations apply to all ships of at least 400 gross tonnage and are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013. In some cases, the requirements may be waived by the administration.

UNCSD (Rio+20): Eight Priorities

Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of UNCSD (Rio+20), summarized a recent speech in a new post to his blog elaborating on eight “new and emerging challenges” that States and other stakeholders have highlighted for priority attention.

The challenges are identified as:
1) green jobs and social inclusion, emphasizing the social pillar of sustainable development and the problem of unemployment;
2) energy access and security, noting the problem of energy poverty and calling for endorsement of the initiative for universal energy access by 2030;
3) food security and sustainable agriculture, calling for protecting soils, water, and biodiversity in efforts to feed more people;
4) sound water management, to combat desertification and drought, as well as the risk of conflict over scarce water;
5) urbanization and sustainable cities, noting the potential for cities – through building and transport practices – to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and solve other sustainable development problems;
6) management of the oceans and marine resources, calling for accelerated implementation of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21;
7) enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience, particularly in “vulnerable developing countries;” and
8) means of implementation, on which he noted developing countries’ need for international support to build greener infrastructure and industries, which he suggested could be met through a new public and private financing initiative, such as a global green economy fund.

Auditors and Sustainable Development

Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, speaking at the 21st session of the UN International Organziation of Supreme Audit Insitutions (SAIs), pointed out that these institutions, which promote sound financial management and overall accountability, are part of the solution to global problems. He highlighted the global problems of ocean damage, water scarcity, and food and oil prices and said, “without good governance, sustainable development will not be sustained,”

See the MEA Bulletin Guest Article, "Improving MEA Compliance: the Role of National Audit Offices," by Vivien Lo for further reading.

UNECE: Conference on Eco-innovation

The international conference titled: "Promoting Eco-innovation: policies and opportunities," took place in Tel Aviv (Israel) from 11-13 July and gathered policy-makers, academics and private sector representatives, who reviewed policy experiences in varying UNECE member States. Among the  ideas presented, speakers emphasized the need to embrace a broad concept of eco-innovation, going beyond a focus on research and development to include life-cycle considerations and the environmental impact of consumption patterns. Participants also discussed how eco-innovation policies should not be seen as a niche area, but rather as a mainstream strategic concern with multiple ramifications. The conclusions  are expected to provide an input to the UNCSD (Rio+20)
Conference Presentations

UN/S-G: Recent Comments on Sustainable Development

During his official visit to Finland, the UN/S-G met with President Tarja Halonen and called for greater attention to sustainable development, highlighting that climate change is a growing threat to people and economies worldwide. He stated that "our old model of growth is not only obsolete, it is also dangerous,” and underlined the need for a shift towards a green economy with the engagement of all stakeholders.

UN Press Release
Press Conference Transcript