UNECE Workshop on Measuring Sustainable Development – 29 October 2012, Geneva

Erol CavusProject Manager

ENPI-SEIS Project

Implications from Rio+20 for the EEA work

Rio +20 main outcomesRio +20 main outcomes

• Green economy• Institutional reform• Action in a number of areas (such as water, oceans, land,

agriculture, food security and nutrition, sustainable production and consumption)

• Sustainable development goals• Means of implementation• Other areas such as the corporate sustainability reporting,

and beyond GDP

Rio +20 outcomes and relevance to the EEARio +20 outcomes and relevance to the EEA

Rio+20 outcomes clustered in five main groups:

•Data, indicators & accounting for SDGs•Green Economy & the 10-year framework of programmes on SCP•Access to environmental information •Regional cooperation, networking and partnerships•Engagement with major groups, including business and civil society

How the EEA can contribute within the 5 clusters:How the EEA can contribute within the 5 clusters:

1. Providing data, indicators and accounting that supports SDGs

2. Share EIONET experience can be used to enhance access & sharing of information for use in European policy process.

3. Sharing knowledge and experience on GE and SCP

4. Long lasting cooperation with UNEP

5. Experienced methods (tools and infrastructures) of information sharing btw EEA and key stakeholders

Cluster 1. Better access to environmental information Cluster 1. Better access to environmental information

Quotes on access to information from Rio+20 outcome  Para 43. “We underscore that broad public participation and access to information and … are essential to sustainable development.”Para 44. “We recognise that improved participation of civil society depends upon, inter alia, strengthening access to information…”Para 76(g). “promote the science-policy interface through inclusive, evidence-based and transparent scientific assessments, as well as access to reliable, relevant and time data…” Para 99. “We encourage action at regional, national, sub-national, and local levels to promote access to information, public participation, and access to justice in environmental matters, asappropriate.”Para 274. “…we note the relevance of global mapping and recognize the efforts in developing global environmental information systems, including the Eye on Earth Network…”

Cluster 1. Better access to environmental information Cluster 1. Better access to environmental information

• The Shared Environmental Information System - SEIS

• The Eye on Earth network

Cluster 2. Cluster 2. SDGs, indicators and accountingSDGs, indicators and accounting

Quotes on from Rio+20 outcome

 Para 38. “We recognize the need for broader measures of progress to complement gross domestic product in order to better inform policy decisions, and in this regard we request the United Nations Statistical Commission, in consultation with relevant United Nations systems entities and other relevant organization, to launch a programme of work in this area building on existing initiatives”.

 Para 247. “We also underscore that SDGs should be action-oriented, concise and easy to communicate, limited in number, aspirational, global in nature and universally applicable to all countries while taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.”

Para 248. “We resolve to establish an inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process on sustainable development goals that is open to all stakeholders, with a view to developing sustainable development goals to be agreed by the General Assembly.”Para 250. “We recognize that progress towards the achievement of the goals needs to be assessed and accompanied by targets and indicators…”

Cluster 2. Data, indicators and accounting Cluster 2. Data, indicators and accounting

• EEA core set of indicators

• Sustainable Development Indicators

• Buthanese new development paradigm initiative

Cluster 3. The Green Economy and the 10 YFP on SCP Cluster 3. The Green Economy and the 10 YFP on SCP

Quotes on the Green Economy and the 10 YFP on SCP from Rio+20 outcome   Para 56. “We consider green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development….”Para 62. “We encourage each country to consider the implementation of green economy policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication…”Para 4. “We recognize that poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development”. (first time unsustainable is recognized)Para 61. We recognize that urgent action on unsustainable patterns of production and consumption where they occur remains fundamental in addressing sustainability….”Para 226. “We adopt the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns….”

Cluster 3. Green economy and the 10YFP on SCPCluster 3. Green economy and the 10YFP on SCP

• EEA 2012 Indicators report on GE

• EU 7 th Environmental Action Programme

• EU Resource Efficiency Roadmap

• UN 10 year Framework of programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production

Cluster 4. Enhancing the international env. network Cluster 4. Enhancing the international env. network

Quotes on enhancing the international env. network from Rio+20 outcome

Para 84. “We decide to establish a universal intergovernmental high-level political forum, building on the strengths, experiences, resources and inclusive participation modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development, and subsequently replacing the Commission.”Para 85. “The high-level forum could…(k) strengthen the science-policy interface through review of documentation bringing together dispersed information and assessments, including in the form of a global sustainable development report, building on existing assessments…(i) enhance evidence-based decision-making at all levels and contribute to strengthening ongoing efforts of capacity-building for data collection and analyses in developing countries.” Para 88. “We are committed to strengthening the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)…..to adopt a resolution strengthening UNEP in the following manner: (a) Establish universal membership in the Governing Council of UNEP…”  

Cluster 4. Enhancing the international env. network Cluster 4. Enhancing the international env. network

• EEA and the cooperation with UNEP

• Interregional cooperation (US; Africa; South America; ASEAN)

• Science policy interface

Cluster 5.Engagement with major groups Cluster 5.Engagement with major groups

Quotes on engagement with major groups from Rio+20 outcome   Para 43. “…Sustainable development requires the meaningful involvement and active participation of regional, national and subnational legislatures and judiciaries, and all major groups: women, children and youth, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organisations, local authorities, workers and trade unions, business and industry, the scientific and technological community, and farmers as well ad other stakeholders…”Para 44. “ We recognize that improved participation of civil society depends upon, inter alia, strengthening access to information and building civil society capacity and an enabling environment..” Para 46. “…We support national regulatory and policy frameworks that enable business and industry to advance sustainable development initiatives, taking into account the importance of corporate social responsibility. We call on the private sector to engage in responsible business practices, such as those promoted by the United Nations Global Compact...”

Cluster 5. Engagement with Major GroupsCluster 5. Engagement with Major Groups

• Corporate sustainability reporting

• The European Citizens Science Partnership

OverallOverallthe Rio+20 outcome calls for increased global, regional and national efforts in a number of areas for which the EEA has a specific mandate in Europe and for which the EEA has considerable knowledge and expertise.

Thus, it provides opportunities for the EEA to further strengthen its role as an institution that develops and provides data, indicators, assessments and knowledge to policy makers, business and civil society

Signals 2012Signals 2012

Signals 2012: Building the Future we want brings together

environmental issues such as sustainability, green economy,

water, waste, food, governance and knowledge sharing. It is prepared in

the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development — Rio 2012.

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

erol.cavus@eea.europa.eu erol.cavus@eea.europa.eu