rio +20: towards the green economy and better governance outputs of rio +20 consultation
TRANSCRIPT
Consultation Process DECLG circulated a consultation document
in July 2011 and invited stakeholder input as part of Irelands’ national contribution to the Rio +20 preparatory process.
Comhar SDC summarised the received responses and will shortly produce a report highlighting the main issues raised in the submissions
DECLG will submit this to the UN as part of Ireland’s input to Rio +20 (Deadline 1st November)
Stakeholder Responses (23)CDBs Donegal Fingal Kerry Kilkenny Laois North Tipperary South Dublin South Tipperary Waterford County Waterford City
State Department of Agriculture Fisheries
and Food Department of Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation Department of Transport, Tourism and
Sport Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Environmental Pillar Friends of the Environment VOICE
Social/Development
Dóchas
Goal
Irish Aid
Irish Presentation Justice Network
Energy
Bord Gáis Éireann
Independent
Elizabeth Cullen
Outline Introduction Progress since Rio 1992 Green Economy Comments on existing proposals Implementation Expectations from Rio +20
Introduction The United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development takes place from 4-6th June 2012 Marks 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit held
in 1992, main outcomes of which included: Agenda 21 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Statement of Forest Principles UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes
InternationalAarhus Convention, 1998Millennium Development Goals, 2000
European level
EU Strategy for Sustainable DevelopmentEU Emissions Trading SystemEurope 2020 StrategyRoadmap to a Low Carbon EconomyEU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan
National
National Energy Efficiency Plan 2009-2020Water Framework Directive and River Basin District ManagementNational Waste Prevention ProgrammeStrategic Environmental AssessmentSustainable Energy Authority Ireland schemes
Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes
Local
Progress under Local Agenda 21South Dublin and Waterford County Councils Climate Change StrategyWaterford City Council and others Environmental Awareness Officer and Sustainable Neighbourhood Unit Development OfficersWaterford County Council Economic Plan 2010-2014
Progress Since Rio 1992: Failures
InternationalInternational fight against povertyFailure to halt Biodiversity Decline
National
Energy consumption in Transport SectorEnergy SecurityGHG EmissionsFailure to decouple waste generation from economic growthFailure to halt biodiversity declineInadequate designation of SACsPoor planning of development during ‘boom’
Green Economy: Advancing SD Rising fuel prices
Ireland is over-dependent on fuel imports
Leaves the country exposed to market price fluctuations
Green economy will result in greater investment into energy efficiency, renewables and transport technology which will decrease carbon emissions and increase energy security
Advancing SD Meeting renewable energy and
emissions targets 16% of all energy from renewable
sources by 2020 Reduce emissions by 20% of 1990
levels by 2020 Ireland is well placed to exploit
renewable energy but several hurdles have limited progress
Green economy must overcome hurdles to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
This will make it easier to reach targets
Advancing SD Green Public Procurement
Involves including economic, environmental and social criteria in the public procurement process
Recognises the need to decouple economic growth from resource use
Takes account of legislation put in place to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services
Will help drive the green economy forward
Green Economy: Advancing SD Consumer preferences
Recent years have seen changes in consumer preferences
Clean technology, resource efficiency, eco-design, secondary resource standards and innovation could all be enhanced by focus on green economy
Still a way to go in breaking consumer cycle Need to change consumers’ expectations
regarding products
Advancing SD Other comments
The green economy alone does not guarantee sustainable development
A green economy is one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive
Need an economy that secures growth and development while respecting environmental boundaries and improving human well being
Development Aid Ireland has a good track record in fighting
poverty and hunger Has committed to raise development aid
to 0.7% of GDP by 2015 Main issues are food security, climate
change, access to quality resources and insufficient knowledge on how to manage resources sustainably
Development Aid Food security
Rio +20 must deal with the issue of agriculture and food security
Agroecology links ecology, economics and society with the aim of providing sustainable agricultural production, food security and environmental protection
Development Aid Climate Change
Developing countries are often hit hardest by climate change, despite contributing the least to it
Ireland has an obligation as a developed country to set a positive example as a successful low carbon country
Must minimise our contribution to climate change
Development Aid Access to resources and knowledge on
how to use them efficiently A move towards the green economy should
reduce irresponsible resource use by developed countries
The green economy also continues to bring advances in key technologies and research capabilities which developing countries could benefit from
Comments on Existing Proposals Green Economy Roadmap
Would be useful in informing and shaping national and local policies and responses to global issues
Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative Would aid progress on renewable energy, reduce
dependence on energy imports, reduce emissions and provide energy security
Sectors within Ireland’s renewable energy mix could become more economically competitive
Could provide sustainable employment Will promote sustainable development by outlining
targets for all member states
Implementation: Closing the Gap Framework
Bottom up CDBs and local authorities must cooperate to implement
action in all areas of sustainable development At national level, governments must provide direction
and resources required to implement sustainable development
Targets decided at Rio +20 should be incorporated into all national and regional plans and policy decisions
There must be cohesion between global initiatives UN institution is required to deal with sustainable
development issues, would fall under the UN Delivering as One initiative
Implementation: Closing the Gap Measure of success
We must decouple economic progress from resources exploitation
The way that we measure growth and success must change
A new economic model should embrace all three pillars of sustainable development
Progress indicators must be redefined
Implementation: Closing the Gap Knowledge dissemination
Need a stronger commitment to increasing understanding of sustainability and involving the community in decision making
Ireland has yet to ratify the Aarhus Convention There are some positive community-based
initiatives Need collaboration between government, non-
state actors and marginal groups to close implementation gap
Implementation: Mechanisms and Tools Implementation of existing sustainable
development strategies Adoption of policy framework that
promotes a low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive society
Formation of national Environmental Governance Network
Appointment of sustainable development Ombudsperson at UN and national level
Implementation: Mechanisms and Tools Sustainability workshops run by CDBs New set of indicators for well being Resources specifically aimed at promoting
sustainability More support for NGOs Use of incentives to promote change Set of legally binding rules Enforcement of compliance
Expectations for Rio +20: Outcomes Reiteration of commitment to Principles
contained in the Rio Declaration, 1992 Commitment from all sectors to ensure
understanding of SD and communication and cooperation between communities and government
Shift in focus from the current economic model
International commitment to halt climate change
Expectations for Rio +20: Outcomes Targets set based on what needs to be
achieved Commitment from all nations to the
implementation of action An enhanced governance framework to
promote and monitor progress
Expectations for Rio +20: Outcome Document Set of specific goals A clear pathway of implementation An agreed timeline for achieving targets