ENB:11:32
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WORKING GROUP I
IV. GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION
The CHAIR of the Drafting Group on a right to adequate housing, Marcela Nicodemos (BRAZIL), reported that with the exception of a reference to forced eviction in 44bis, all relevant paragraphs are agreed. In 2bis (access to safe and healthy shelter), a bracketed reference to "the right to adequate housing" is deleted. In 9 (absolute poverty), reference to the right to an adequate standard of living is drawn from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Paragraph 13bis (formed from 13) (international instruments), reaffirms commitment to ensuring human rights and the right to adequate housing, taking into account that the right, as included in the cited international instruments, shall be realized progressively. In 24 (obligation of Governments), most of the language from the draft Habitat Agenda (A/CONF.165/L.1) is retained. Paragraphs 44 (right to adequate standard of living) and 44bis (actions by Governments) were merged into one paragraph. A reference to countries’ responsibilities is replaced with "all Governments." Subparagraph 44(a) refers to discrimination. In 44(c)v "domestic" is deleted from a reference to mobilizing innovative resources. The Group proposed that 48ter (discrimination) be deleted.
C. Sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world: In 92bis (population), delegates agreed to split the paragraph and began informal consultations. In 93 (human health), delegates amended the original and added text from the alternative formulation regarding a holistic approach to health. Text regarding the contribution of improved health to economic and social development was deleted. The G-77/CHINA proposed to delete "people are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature" but the US and the EU objected. The US amended the reference to children. The US introduced a 93bis regarding lead poisoning prevention.
In 94 (health problems from adverse environmental conditions), the EU, supported by the G-77/CHINA, deleted bracketed text regarding the disproportionate effect of environmental degradation on vulnerable groups. Brackets were removed from 95 (environmental risks in the home and workplace) with the G- 77/CHINA’s addition of "children" and AUSTRALIA’s addition of "rates of exposure."
In 95ter (waste management), the US deleted "particularly in industrialized countries." Paragraph 95quater (design of built environment) was amended with "the design of high-rise housing should complement the context of the neighborhood and community in which it will be located (US). The large-scale development of high-rise housing can bring social and environmental disadvantages and therefore special attention should be paid to the quality of its design (EU), including scale and height (NORWAY), proper maintenance, regular technical inspection and safety measures (EU)." TURKEY submitted a new 95quinquiens regarding livability of the built environment.
In 98(a) (water), CANADA added practices and patterns of "production." In 98(a)bis (clean water), JAPAN deleted the target date of 2000. Delegates approved a reference to "as soon as possible." The G-77/CHINA introduced a reference to hazardous waste and replaced a target date of 2025 with "as soon as possible." AUSTRALIA included "hazardous waste." In 98(c)bis (generation of waste), the EU suggested "goals for the reduction of packaging."
MOROCCO proposed a new 98bis(b) regarding the establishment of greenbelts around urban and rural agglomerations. In 98bis(c) (land-based marine pollution), ICELAND, supported by NORWAY and CANADA, added "significantly" reduce and deleted "most" productive areas. CANADA added "coastal areas." The EU added a new 98ter(f)bis regarding recycling of sewage. CANADA added new subparagraphs on aquatic ecosystem preservation and restoration; water use efficiency in agriculture and industry; and women’s participation in water conservation, management and technological choice.
In 99 (transboundary pollution), the US added "can" before a phrase that pollution represents a serious threat, but the EU objected. "Can" was inserted in brackets. The G-77/CHINA and the US agreed to replace "bilateral and multilateral" with "international" legal mechanisms. In 99bis (preventing transboundary pollution), the US preferred the environmental impact of proposed "activities" and, with TURKEY, suggested adding evaluation of "relevant" comments provided by potentially affected countries. Bracketed references to significant/gravely hazardous/adverse impacts on the environment were deleted.
In 100 (sustainable energy use), the G-77/CHINA, supported by AUSTRALIA, replaced energy sources "based on fossil fuels" with "non-renewable" and added "can" lead to climate change. In 101, IRAN and SAUDI ARABIA inserted "efficient and" sustainable energy use. In 101(b) (energy-pricing policies), IRAN added "due consideration should be paid to those countries whose economies are based on oil," but the US and the EU objected. The subparagraph was bracketed.