International Conference: "Rule of Law for Nature"

The Natural Resources Law Group at the Faculty of Law in Oslo will organize this conference in Oslo (Norway) on May 9-11, 2012 aimed at exploring the legal status of nature, how environmental goods and services are valued and taken into account in decision-making, and the implications of the rule of law in this respect.
More information and call for papers

UNESCO: 1st Meeting of High Panel on Science for Development

Meeting from 15-16 September in Paris (France), the Panel’s first meeting focused on trends in the sciences, UNESCO’s present role, and how it can promote the use of science for sustainable development. Sessions included “Mobilizing international science to address pressing interdisciplinary challenges facing our societies,” and “Models for capacity building in science, technology and innovation.” The Panel of 28 eminent experts will meet twice a year to guide UNESCO’s strategies for promoting sustainable development and advancing poverty eradication, along with examing potential new partnerships with the private sector, civil society and academia.
Press Release

EU/South Africa Summit

As an outcome of the 4th Summit on 15 September, leaders of South Africa and the European Union (EU)  produced a Joint Communiqué including specific language regarding UNFCCC negotiations ahead of and during COP-17 in Durban and preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20).

CBD: Quarterly Report

The CBD Secretariat has published the 53rd issue of the Quarterly Report on the Administration of the Convention, covering the period from 1 April-30 June 2011. It contains a summary of key activities in implementing the decisions of the Conference of the Parties and other relevant matters during this period.

Asia-Pacific: Green Economy

UNEP and other partners have released a report titled “Resource Efficiency: Economics and Outlook for Asia and the Pacific,” which calls for a new “green” industrial revolution through improvements in resource efficiency.The report calls for a regional effort to improve efficiency, supported by public policy measures and fiscal policies including ecological taxes and budget reforms

EC: Baltic Sea Fishing

The European Commission (EC) has tabled its proposal, to be discussed by ministers in October, on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2012; with the overall aim of making fisheries in the Baltic Sea environmentally and economically sustainable.

Based on scientific advice, the EC proposes to:
- increase total allowable catches for both stocks of Baltic cod and for two stocks of herring (Western and the Gulf of Bothnia);
- decrease total allowable catches in the remaining stocks, in particular salmon, given the stocks' poor state; and
- limit the number of days at sea for fishing vessels to the levels established last year.

Press Release

Call for Action on SLCFs

During a Ministerial Meeting  in Mexico City (Mexico), UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner recently called for action and outlined options to reduce short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs)

 

Press Release

Guest Article from Sha Zukang

A guest article by Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of UNCSD (Rio+20) titled "The Challenges for Rio" was posted to the UNCSD-L Announcement Service on September 12.

42nd Pacific Island Forum

Meeting in Auckland (New Zealand) on 7-8 September, the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) was joined by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who engaged in an interactive dialogue and released a joint statement with leaders.

Key outcomes of the PIF also included the reappointment of Tuiloma Neroni Slade as Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat for a second term of three years, and a forum communiqué with sections on, inter alia: sustainable economic development; fisheries; transport and energy; tourism; education; trade; labour mobility; climate change; the Pacific Plan; the Cairns Compact; health; and Pacific Oceanscape.

UNEP: World Congress Prior to Rio+20

On the eve of UNCSD (Rio+20), UNEP and additional sponsors will convene the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from 1-3 June. The Congress will bring together Attorneys-General, Chief Prosecutors, Auditors-General (Cour des Comptes), Chief Justices and Senior Judges from around the world to foster a common vision among those key stakeholders of how to transform discussions into action and use law, justice and governance to promote sustainable development. 

UNCSD Bureau: 17th Meeting

At its 17th meeting, the Bureau for Rio+20 met with representatives of international financial institutions (IFIs) and regional banks, and also discussed: - the Organization of Work for PrepCom III and the Conference itself;
- the Compilation Document; and
- the proceedings of an informal preparatory meeting in Brazil.

The next Bureau meeting will take place on 8 November, and is expected to include discussion on regional preparatory meetings, and the organization of work for Intersessional II, taking place from 15-16 December.

Minutes

USA: Evaluation of "Cash for Clunkers"

A recent article titled: “The 'Cash for Clunkers' Program: A Sustainability Evaluation”  describes and evaluates the effectiveness of the US Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009, also known as the “Cash for Clunkers” legislation. After reviewing various studies assessing the effectiveness of this act, the article identifies five major lessons.  These are: (1) the use of environmental protection to achieve economic development; (2) the importance of reliable sustainability indicators; (3) the potential for citizen engagement to drive improvements in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions; (4) the possibility of rapid change toward sustainability; and (5) the key role of financial sustainability.

The article is available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1766098.   Click on “One Click Download” and follow the simple instructions.

CBD: Call for Nagoya Implementation

During the annual high-level meeting of CBD COP Presidents, representatives of past and future Presidencies agreed to and signed a call for "urgent action on the implementation of the successful Nagoya Outcomes." The Call will be forwarded to the 66th session of the UN/GA and to the high-level meeting of the Assembly on desertification, land degradation, and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, to be held on 20 September.

UNECE: MDGs Database

The UNECE Statistical Division has launched a database of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators. The database contains official estimates of over a 100 indicators used to monitor MDGs nationally and internationally.

Mountains and Green Economy

The “International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development: Opportunities and Challenges in View of Rio+20,” recently brought together international, regional and national experts and policy-makers in Kathmandu (Nepal) to discuss the relevance and scope of the green economy in the context of sustainable mountain development. An outcome of the two-day workshop and one-day Conference was the “Kathmandu Declaration on Green Economy and Mountain Development," which includes recommendations to feed into the UNCSD (Rio+20) process regarding:
- the recognition of benefits derived from mountains;
- the establishment of global, regional, national and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services mountains provide;
- the establishment of favorable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services;
- a green economy in mountains based on equity; and
- access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities and marginalized groups.

Further information

OAS: Support for Rio+20 Process

The Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS-DSD) has announced its intent to organize a series of hemispheric dialogues in a variety of sustainable development themes, such as Energy and Climate Change, Integrated Water Resources Management, Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Management, Risk Management and Environmental Law, Policy and Governance. The results of these dialogues will feed into the UNCSD (Rio+20) process through means such as policy papers and recommendations.

More Information

Rio+20 High-level Symposium

The High-level Symposium on UNCSD (Rio+20), co-organized by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the UNCSD Secretariat, took place from 8-9 September in Beijing (China). It was co-organized by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the UNCSD Secretariat. Aimed at facilitating in-depth discussions among government officials, experts and representatives from the UN system and Major Groups on both the objective and the two themes of Rio+20, the more than 200 participants were tasked with formulating concrete proposals as a contribution to preparations for the Conference.

Website including Chair's Summary

John Scanlon: Guest Article

In a Guest Article published on 9 September, CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon informs readers of the Convention's contribution toward CBD's New Strategic Biodiversity Plan 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

EU/US: IUU Fishing Statement

Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Jane Lubchenco, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator, signed a statement on September 7 pledging bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

EU: 5th JDP of Community Fisheries Control Agency

The Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA)  has started a joint deployment plan (JDP) for pelagic fisheries in Western waters of the North East Atlantic, which gives effect to the European Commission specific control and inspection programme for these fisheries exploiting herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, anchovy and blue whiting.
Press Release

BCIE: Environmental Strategy

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) has adopted an Environmental Strategy to guide its financing of sustainable development projects in Central America and promote environmental principles in its practices. The Strategy sets out general principles and calls for Bank action in six areas: biodiversity; waste management; energy; air pollution; land management; and water as a resource.

Press Release

Latin America and Caribbean Inputs to Rio+20

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Preparatory Meeting for UNCSD (Rio+20) convened from 7-9 September in Santiago (Chile) and assessed progress since the 1992 Earth Summit, discussed the proposed themes for Rio+20 and adopted a set of conclusions that will be submitted to the Rio+20 Preparatory Committee as inputs for the draft negotiating document for the Conference.

Europe: Water Management Law Conference

The Annual Conference on European Water Management Law will take place from 8-9 December in Trier (Germany) concentrated on "Practical implications of European policy for water conservation". Key topics include:- Water shortage and conservation: existing EU legislation;
- Instruments of European policy for water conservation;
- Watercourses and nature protection;
- Water supply and wastewater; and
- Cosumer protection

Further information

Ozone: OEWG-31

The outcomes of the 31st meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol have been reported by IISD-RS. Therein, are the details regarding consideration of two proposals - one by the US, Canada and Mexico, and a second by the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - to amend the Montreal Protocol to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Disasters and Land Use Law

A working draft of a new article titled: "Reconstituting Land Use Federalism to Address Transitory and Perpetual Disasters: The Bimodal Federalism Framework" is available for download. It seeks to provide a more comprehensive framework within which to analyze prospective mitigation or prevention of disaster risk and costs through a rebalancing - or reconstituting - of the respective roles of the federal and state governments in land use planning.

Global Compact and Climate

The UN Global Compact has released the report from the Third Meeting of the Signatories of "Caring for Climate," during which discussion focused on ways to scale up and intensify the business contribution towards the sustainable development objectives of UNCSD (Rio+20).

UN/GSP Prepares for 4th Meeting

The report of the latest meeting of the “sherpas” to the UN/S-G's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability has been released in preparation for the upcoming 4th meeting (GSP-4). Meeting on 23-24 June, the "sherpas" were presented with a draft of the first two sections of the Panel’s final report – on “where we are” (current challenges and opportunities in sustainable development) and “where we need to be” (the Panel’s vision for the world within several decades) – as well as the “cabinet papers” that will inform the third section, on “how do we get there” (a road map of actions to be taken by governments, international organizations, the private sector and individuals).

ECJ: GMO Ruling

In reference to a case regarding the detection of GMO pollen in honey, the European Court of Justice has ruled that products containing pollen derived from genetically modified organisms have to be considered the same as foodstuffs produced from GMOs, and cannot be sold without prior authorization.

UNDP: Sustainable Efforts

Speaking at the 2nd Regular Session of the UNDP Executive Board, Administrator Helen Clark highlighted the Programme's preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20) and stressed a commitment to promoting UN system coherence, noting that a well-coordinated system is better equipped to promote sustainable development across the three pillars She also underscored that UNDP is investing in framing the global development agenda, with an emphasis on accelerating the achievement of the MDGs and preparing for Rio+20, among other priorities such as increasing support to transition countries, with a special focus on the need for crisis prevention and recovery, including disaster risk reduction; implementing the organization’s change agenda; strengthening strategic human resources management; and enhancing corporate value-added services and accountability.
UNDP Press Release

US: Senate Oceans Caucus

A Senate Oceans Caucus was recently inaugurated as "an important, bi-partisan group that will increase awareness and find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans. The Caucus membership will work to ensure a sustainable, science-based, and efficient approach to the utilization of our ocean resources." Founding Members of the Senate Oceans Caucus are:

Daniel Akaka (D-HI)

Mark Begich (D-AK)

Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Scott Brown (D-MA)

Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

Marie Cantwell (D-WA)

Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)

Thomas Carper (D-DE)

Chris Coons (D-DE)

Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Daniel Inouye (D-HI)

John Kerry (D-MA)

Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Patty Murray (D-WA)

Olympia snowe (R-ME)

Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Ron Wyden (D-OR)

ACTO: Environmental Agenda

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) met from 31 August-1 September in Brasilia, (Brazil) to discuss areas for future cooperation and common action under ACTO's environment agenda, including the participation of its eight member countries in UNCSD (Rio+20).

The ACTO Permanent Secretariat presented its proposal for an Amazonian Cooperation Platform on the environment, while delegations explained the environmental policy making process and institutions in their countries and outlined their priorities for Amazonian cooperation on the environment. The Secretariat was asked to present a revised proposal, taking into account input from delegations, at the Amazonian Cooperation Council (CCA) meeting in October, which could then recommend action to the Meeting of Foreign Ministers.

Press Release

CITES/CMS: Draft Joint Action Plan

At the request of the 61st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, the Secretariat has published the draft joint Action Plan of the CITES/CMS Secretariats containing:
- a list of activities;
- an indicative list of envisaged common tasks;
- a summary of envisaged tasks; and
- related time-frames and costs.

Parties are requested to send comments on the draft Plan by 31 October 2011.

CITES Notification, containing Draft Action Plan

EEA Report on Landscape Fragmentation

The European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment have released a report, titled “Landscape Fragmentation in Europe,” demonstrating how land areas in Europe become unable to support high levels of biodiversity when they are split into smaller and smaller parcels. It concludes there are several proactive policies that could provide more effective protection of remaining unfragmented areas: wildlife corridors could successfully reverse the trend of fragmentation; planners should aim to upgrade old roads instead of building new roads, and to "bundle" new infrastructure; where the volume of traffic has fallen, roads should be reduced in size or dismantled completely; and cumulative effects need to be considered more effectively, based on the precautionary principle, to avoid repeating mistakes of the past.

UN/S-G: Linking Sustainable Development to Security and Renewables

During his visit to New Zealand to attend the 42nd meeting of the Pacific Island Forum, Ban Ki-moon addressed Auckland University saying, “there is no sustainable security, no true guarantor of peace, without sustainable development.” Furthermore, he noted that during his report to the UN/GA this month, he would call on the international community to make sustainable development a top priority.

Statement by Secretary-General

Liability and Redress in Africa

The CBD Secretariat has released a report of the African Regional Workshop on the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In their conclusions, participants, inter alia: - accepted a suggestion by the African Union (AU) Commission to formulate guidelines and strategies to support African countries in putting legal frameworks on liability and redress into place;
- noted the African Model Law on Biosafety as as one possible source of information for the development of regulatory frameworks;
- agreed to initiate implementation by reviewing existing domestic laws; and
- considered the usefulness of a harmonized approach with regard to determining damage to biodiversity, measuring biodiversity loss, techniques for biodiversity valuation and strategies to control the transboundary movements of living modified organisms (LMOs).

CMS and IUCN-ELC

In the spirit of maintaining collaboration on legal matters, a new MOU between the IUCN Environmental Law Centre (IUCN-ELC), represented by Director, Alejandro Iza and the CMS Family Secretariats, represented by Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema was signed in Bonn (Germany) on 2 September. According to a CMS Press Release, "Based on an agreed number of days per year, the IUCN-ELC pledges, upon request and on a non-remunerative basis, to continue providing the CMS Family Secretariats with legal assistance." A specific, but not exhaustive, list of tasks including analyzing gaps to determine the potential benefits of new CMS instruments, drafting new CMS instruments, and assessing implications of the potential structural changes of the CMS Family has been agreed for the coming year and will be reviewed annually. Additional legal assistance in the future might include the amendment of the Convention or Agreement Text, the geographical coverage of existing CMS instruments or the merger of their secretariats.

AOSIS: Input of SIDS to UNCSD (Rio+20)

Following three sub-regional preparatory meetings of SIDS in June and July, this senior expert-level meeting on September 1 prepared the input of SIDS and advanced consideration of draft AOSIS elements aiming to capture common views on the objectives and themes of Rio+20. As the next step in the SIDS preparatory process, the AOSIS Working Group will take account of the views expressed and finalize the elements for submission to the G77/China, for incorporation in their UNCSD position documents. If SIDS’ most important positions are not taken up, it was noted, AOSIS would “retain the right to make a separate submission.”

IISD RS Reporting

Germany and UNIDO Cooperation

In view to the preparatory process for UNCSD (Rio+20), the Government of Germany and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the promotion of energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy in developing countries, including the promotion of sustainable industrial development. 
UNIDO Press Release on Cooperation Between UNIDO and Germany

CITES: Non-detriment findings

The CITES Secretariat has announced that its Animals Committee (AC) and Plants Committee (PC) have established a joint intersessional working group to prepare a draft of the guidance or guidelines referred to in Decision 15.24 on non-detriment findings (NDFs). The group will prepare the draft by 22 January for circulation to Parties so their comments may be considered during the joint AC/PC meeting convening in March 2012.

Notification

UNCCD: Call for Action

Representatives of past Presidents of UNCCD COPs, along with the forthcoming COP-10 host, the Republic of Korea, convened in Geneva on 3 September to discuss upcoming meetings of the UN/GA on the theme “Addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication,” and UNCCD/COP-10. Discussions resulted in the "UNCCD Geneva Call for Urgent Action on the Implementation of the Convention", which emphasizes the need to strengthen UNCCD to become a global authority on scientific and technical knowledge on the issues of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) and to align national actions with the 10-year strategy for 2008-2018, as well as confirming support to take the necessary measures at the UNCSD (Rio+20) towards mainstreaming DLDD as a major component of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

New Director of DSD

Effective September 1, Nikhil Seth has assumed the position as Director for the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). In this capacity, he will also serve as the Head of the Office of the Secretary-General of the UNCSD (Rio+20). Seth succeeds Tariq Banuri and previously served as Director of the Office for Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Support and Coordination.

Further Information

Legal Issues Leading up to Durban

The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) recently prepared a note discussing the legal issues and development of the international climate regime in the lead-up to UNFCCC/COP-16. 

Ramsar: Looking back at 40 Years

In a paper entitled "The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: 40 Years of Action," Ramsar Secretary General Anada Tièga reflects on progress Ramsar has made as well as areas where attention is still needed. The article offers an overview of the importance of wetland conservation, climate change and wetlands, interdependencies, impacts of climate change, links between climate change, wetlands and short- and medium-term consequences on agriculture, and the importance of cooperation and partnerships.

EU: EAP Implementation

The European Commission has unveiled its final assessment of the implementation of the 6th Environment Action Programme (EAP) of the EU over the past decade, highlighting progress, shortcomings and lessons learned in relation to biodiversity, climate change and the green economy.

UN-Water: Recommendations to go to Rio+20

UN-Water has announced that it is developing a status report on the application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources, for UNCSD (Rio+20). Based on 122 state responses to a global survey, the report is to include: lessons learned and recommendations; recommended areas for action; and guidance on the establishment of an international monitoring and reporting framework to promote sustainable development and management of water resources.
UN-Water Website