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Rio +20: Towards the Green Economy and Better Governance Outputs of Rio +20 Consultation
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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 1 st November)
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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
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Outline Introduction Progress since Rio 1992 Green Economy Comments on existing proposals Implementation Expectations from Rio +20
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Introduction The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development takes place from 4-6 th June 2012 Marks 20 th 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
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Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes International Aarhus Convention, 1998 Millennium Development Goals, 2000 European level EU Strategy for Sustainable Development EU Emissions Trading System Europe 2020 Strategy Roadmap to a Low Carbon Economy EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan National National Energy Efficiency Plan 2009-2020 Water Framework Directive and River Basin District Management National Waste Prevention Programme Strategic Environmental Assessment Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland schemes
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Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes Local Progress under Local Agenda 21 South Dublin and Waterford County Councils Climate Change Strategy Waterford City Council and others Environmental Awareness Officer and Sustainable Neighbourhood Unit Development Officers Waterford County Council Economic Plan 2010-2014
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Progress Since Rio 1992: Failures International International fight against poverty Failure to halt Biodiversity Decline National Energy consumption in Transport Sector Energy Security GHG Emissions Failure to decouple waste generation from economic growth Failure to halt biodiversity decline Inadequate designation of SACs Poor planning of development during ‘boom’
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Expectations for Rio +20: Outcome Document Set of specific goals A clear pathway of implementation An agreed timeline for achieving targets
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Thank You Email: Sheila.George@environ.ie Phone: 018882909
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