This event discussed the mechanics of voluntary commitments that can be made in the lead up to Rio+20.

Brice Lalonde, Rio+20 Executive Coordinator, outlined pertinent questions to be addressed including: how commitments will be captured; how to provide the commitments with necessary gravitas; and how to ensure accountability. Elizabeth Thompson, Rio+20 Executive Coordinator, noted that the concept of commitments has evolved to broaden and enhance the issue of implementation, moving discussions beyond the dialogue of text.

James Tee, Rio+20 Secretariat, noted that commitments made must be new, specific, measurable and funded. He said that side event organizers are strongly encouraged to register commitments that arise from their side events. Jacob Scherr with Michael Davidson, Natural Resources Defense Council, outlined a proposal to develop a global registry of commitments, noting that there has been a movement towards making “non-globally negotiated” commitments for globally negotiated agreements.

Sean Cruse, UN Global Compact, highlighted UN Global Compact’s efforts for registering voluntary commitments for Rio+20. He noted the criteria established for commitments, including that commitments must: advance a sustainable development goal; be time-bound; be measurable; and include an agreement to publicly disclose progress on an annual basis. Lalanath de Silva, The Access Initiative, outlined the Access Initiative’s “3Ds Campaign,” in which civil society groups across the globe have submitted a list of achievable demands for their governments, in order to ensure reforms to strengthen environmental democracy.

In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: timelines for implementing commitments; progress beyond Rio+20; the ultimate objective of the Rio+20 commitments; and keeping a global view of voluntary commitments.

Moderated by Nick Nuttal, UNEP Spokesperson, this event discussed how to advance the sustainability science agenda through bridging the science-policy gap, how to refine the science generated from bridging the gap, and how this could assist Rio+20 with its outcomes.

Gisbert Glaser, ICSU, highlighted the outcomes of the Planet Under Pressure conference, which was held recently in London, England. He noted that the conference supported the creation of universal sustainable development goals (SDGs) based on sound science, urged increased scientific collaboration, and encouraged science-policy dialogue, which will reinforce the science-policy interface at all levels.

Alice Abreu, ICSU Regional Coordinator for Rio+20, highlighted five regional workshops, which addressed the main themes of Rio+20 for input to the preparatory process. She said that the regions stressed the urgency needed for action, called for strong global commitment and urged governments to recognize and enhance the relationship between policy, science, technology and innovations.

Joseph Alcamo, UNEP Chief Scientist, provided an overview of the UNEP Foresight Process, which was initiated to canvass the UNEP community for opinion on important emerging issues. He noted that the two most important issues were identified as: a governance system lacking representativeness, accountability and effectiveness; and a need for training in green skills and multi-disciplinary programmes to take advantage of the green economy.

Opening the panel discussion, Gretchen Kalonji, UNESCO, stressed the need for including women and local and indigenous people in Rio+20 discussions. Delegates also addressed: the relationship between civil society and scientists; data dissemination; and the need for science to “find solutions.”

This event presented youth and students with an opportunity to voice their opinions on sustainable development at the UN.

Esperanza Garcia, President, Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development, moderating the event, said the youth’s role in the negotiating process leads to better policy formulation and implementation.

Elizabeth Thompson, Rio+20 Executive Coordinator, spoke on the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, which asks universities to commit to: shrinking their ecological footprint; addressing issues of water waste, energy and transport; greening their physical structures; supporting the development of a body of literature on sustainability and sustainable development; and teaching sustainable development as a core module across disciplines.

Ambassador Josephine Ojiambo, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN, commending the activities of the NY+20 initiative, warned of the economic and environmental hazards that disproportionately affect the youth, and encouraged young people to use their energy to “shake off” complacency and old habits of unsustainable living.

Kate Offerdahl, Columbia University, applauded the efforts of New York youth as well as internet participants from across the world in producing their formal statement. Brendan Guy, Yale University, read the formal statement to the UN, highlighting: accountable sovereignty; inclusive representation of youth in international governance; and responsible finance though stringent environmental and social impact assessments.

Céline Ramstein, Sciences Po Environment, told of the major cities who have joined in the youth movement called MyCityPlus 20. She described how the idea was realized through social media and stressed the importance of engaging the youth in generating enthusiasm into the sustainability process.

Ivana Savic, Children and Youth Major Group, outlined the focus of the group’s actions, which is to provide policy inputs and build a movement around sustainable development in the form of proper implementation, focused on youth needs.

Jean-Pierre Thébault, French Ambassador for the Environment, warned of the many difficult subjects that need to be addressed prior to Rio+20, and said that the youth’s “job” only starts at Rio, continuing for the next two to three decades.