EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Johannah Bernstein Pamela Chasek Peter Doran Virgina Hulme Managing Editor Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" A DAILY REPORT ON THE 1995 SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5 No. 41 Friday, 28 April 1995 CSD HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 1995 INFORMAL PLENARY The Plenary met in the morning to finalize its work on the outstanding draft resolutions. DRAFTING GROUP A: The Chair, Magnus Johannesson, noted that drafts on Changing Production and Consumption Patterns and Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development were unresolved. Changing Production and Consumption Patterns: In paragraph 16 (work programmes), the reference to a "forum" was replaced with "an expert meeting with the widest possible participation, hosted by interested governments." This amendment was accepted. Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development: No consensus was reached on the reference to sustainable development in paragraph 3 (Uruguay Round). DRAFTING GROUP B: Takao Shibata noted that two paragraphs remained unresolved: sub-paragraph 10(3) (finance) in Science for Sustainable Development and paragraph 12 (finance) in Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology, Cooperation and Capacity Building. In paragraph 12, the bracketed references were replaced with "the provision and the mobilization of resource flows" and references to Chapters 33.13-16 and 34 of Agenda 21 were added. It was agreed to replace paragraph 10(3) with a reference to Chapters 33.14-16 and 35 of Agenda 21 in the chapeau. The final formulation was suggested by the Chair, and amended by the US and the G-77/China. DRAFTING GROUP C: In Overall Considerations, paragraph 1 (integrated approach) now includes reference to "freshwater" ecosystems. In paragraph 3 (financial support), relevant articles of Chapter 33 of Agenda 21 are cited. Integrated Approach to the Planning and Management of Land Resources: A new paragraph 20 reaffirms commitments in Chapters 33 and 34 of Agenda 21. Brackets were removed in paragraphs 16 (holistic approach to biodiversity) and from 19(d) (ESTs and resources). Combating Deforestation: Paragraph 24 (forest product certification and labeling) is deleted. In paragraph 23 (EST transfers), "the provision of new and additional resources" replaces a reference to "adequate and predictable new and additional" resources. The terms of EST transfers are qualified, "as mutually agreed." An amendment to paragraph 21 (cross-sectoral issues) calls for further study of voluntary certification. Annex 1. Intergovernmental Panel on Forests: In paragraph I.3 (forest related knowledge), a reference to the Biodiversity Convention was introduced. Reference to "under national law" was deleted. HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT UNITED KINGDOM: John Gummer, Minister of the Environment, stressed the need to express CSD decisions in a vocabulary that is comprehensive to the public. He noted the UK's leading role in promoting debt relief and offered to host an international workshop on oceans. UNITED STATES: USAID Administrator Brian Atwood said environmental protection and international development are under political attack in the US. USAID will increase support for: forest conservation and the development of indicators; environmentally sustainable agriculture; lead abatement; and marine conservation. SPAIN: Jose Borrell, Minister for Public Works, Transport and the Environment, urged increased support for: the Oslo Conference conclusions; environmental management tools and economic instruments; internalization of environmental costs; increased cooperation in the Mediterranean; and a world charter on tourism. SWEDEN: Margareta Winberg, Minister of Agriculture, stressed the need for a commitment to long-term food security. Sweden supports a biosafety protocol and the forest panel. She said that gender equality is a prerequisite for sustainable development. GABON: Martin Fidele Magnaga, Minister of the Environment, said the GEF should fund reforestation and forest management activities. He proposed the establishment of a working group on technology transfer, under the auspices of UNIDO and UNEP, to develop a legally-binding code of conduct. NORWAY: Thorbjorn Berntsen, Minister of Environment, highlighted key recommendations from the Oslo Roundtable and called for progress reports on the implementation of Chapter 4 of Agenda 21 by the 1997 CSD session. JAPAN: Sohei Miyashita, Minister in Charge of Global Environmental Issues, highlighted: Japan's Basic Environmental Plan; the development of sustainability indicators; the promotion of Local Agenda 21s; and plans to host the World Conference on Local Initiatives for Sustainable Cities. HUNGARY: Katalin Szili, Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment, said Hungary has done its best to harmonize an integrated environmental policy, but economic transition, recession and agricultural privatization are creating difficulties. DENMARK: Svend Auken, Minister for the Environment and Energy, said that while there have been important results since Rio, the momentum has been lost. Further progress is necessary before the 1997 review, especially on finance and ODA, trade and the environment, and international legislation. SWITZERLAND: Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss highlighted several commitments: financial support for the forest panel; cooperation with the Dutch workshop on the technology transfer needs of developing countries; a seminar on biodiversity and biotechnology; and support for UNEP. TURKEY: Riza Akcali, Minister of Environment, highlighted: the recent national environmental action plan; the Programme for Environmental Management and Protection of the Black Sea; formulation of an Agenda 21 for Central Asia and the Balkan Republics; and establishment of a regional environmental center. BRAZIL: Gustavo Krause, Minister of Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon, welcomed the establishment of the forest panel, which will help assess the need for new international agreements, arrangements or mechanisms. ARGENTINA: Maria Julia Alsogaray, Minister of the Environment, said Argentina is setting up a national council for sustainable development. She called for the removal of subsidies and protectionist policies. GERMANY: Erhard Jauck, Deputy Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, urged the CSD to: focus on the linkages between Agenda 21 chapters; streamline reporting requirements; and ensure expedient work by the forest panel. Germany will host a workshop on indicators. THE NETHERLANDS: Jozias J. Van Aartsen, Minister of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, said that agriculture and nature management have been discussed as if they are unrelated and that attention to Chapter 10 has been inadequate. COSTA RICA: Dr. Rene Castro, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, reported success in combating deforestation, and promoting energy conservation, eco-tourism and citizen involvement. He highlighted the Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development and a regional biodiversity agreement. MEXICO: Julia Carabias, Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, noted the recently established Advisory Council for Sustainable Development. She stressed the need for grassroots involvement and rural development. CANADA: Sheila Copps, Minister of Environment, said that the CSD must be taken out of the UN basement and onto the streets. She stressed the importance of the participation of major groups and the work of the forest panel. She proposed holding the fifth session of the CSD away from UN Headquarters. THE NETHERLANDS: Margaretha De Boer, Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, said that the Netherlands will introduce an energy tax in 1996, host a workshop on the relationship between government and industry and host a meeting on national needs assessment studies. BURKINA FASO: Anatole Tiendrebeogo, Minister of Environment and Tourism, said that the CSD must focus on the mobilization of resources for implementation. He urged countries to ratify the Desertification Convention and achieve the target of 0.7% GDP for ODA, while periodically reviewing this rate. UNEP: Executive-Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell said the post-UNCED context requires a strengthened role for UNEP to raise the world's consciousness about actions harmful to the environment. UNEP's role is to bring the environmental perspective to the CSD's work. GERMANY: Dr. Klaus T”pfer, Minister for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development, noted that the IMF, the G-7 finance ministers and the CSD are meeting at the same time without interaction. Sustainability must be integrated in the economic and financial framework. EGYPT: Mostafa Tolba proposed: setting a date for developing sustainability indicators and selecting innovative financial mechanisms; country-specific studies of production and consumption patterns; and establishing a task force to develop a methodology for reviewing implementation of Agenda 21. BULGARIA: Jordan Uzunov, Deputy Minister of Environment, said that Bulgaria has established a high-level council to integrate environmental concerns in social and economic activity and polluter-pays legislation. He noted the 1995 conference in Sophia to promote Rio goals in Central and Eastern Europe. COLOMBIA: Ernesto Guhl, Vice-Minister for the Environment, noted that Colombia's new constitution includes the principle of sustainable development. He welcomed the creation of the forest panel, but expressed concern about establishing a legally-binding instrument. EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Marius Enthoven, Director-General for Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection, described agricultural policy reform in the EU. The forest panel should concentrate on: criteria and indicators; timber certification; and examining the need for a Forest Convention. PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE MEDIA AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNCED Secretary-General Maurice Strong said sustainable development cannot be presented as a generic term. The relationship between particular events and themes must be explained. Political interest depends on media interest. David Lascelles, Natural Resources Editor, Financial Times, London, said sustainable development must be explained in terms of its application to policy and business decision-making. Sustainable development is not yet an imperative, politically or legally. The CSD should avoid presenting the concept on an ethical basis. Barbara Pyle, Vice President for Environment Programmes, CNN/Turner Broadcasting, said the media needs more knowledge and policy makers need to be more accessible. Scientific uncertainty is a significant barrier. Censorship, high level interference, and training inadequacies also create coverage problems. She suggested that the CSD: develop a stake in the issues; adopt a bold charismatic spokesperson; find local role models of sustainable development; and highlight immediate issues. Michael Keats, IPS World Desk Editor said that media coverage of development issues is confined to the occasional disaster story or global conference. Most stories have sustainable development dimensions, although many governments often prevent access to key information. Communications is a two-way street. Blair Palese, Chief Press Officer, Greenpeace International, said that CSD discussions must not be carried out in a vacuum. Real problems, people and issues must be highlighted. Problems in media coverage include the lack of linkage with other issues and the lack of coverage of available solutions. The Internet, the World Wide Web, interactive video and CDRom are useful communication tools. Ingebrigt Sten Jensens, JBR Rehlamebyra, described key messages to market sustainable development: consumption levels in the developed world are unsustainable; political leaders do not communicate the importance of reducing consumption for fear of losing political support; the people of the rich world do not long for more garbage; and a society based on sustainable consumption is not a society based on unbearable hardship but on a better life. In the discussion that followed, the UN Correspondents Association said the UN puts its news through a "blanding" machine. Algeria noted the lack of media coverage of desertification and drought. Friends of the Earth (UK) cited the importance of presenting sustainable development within a wider agenda. Sweden said television promotes unsustainable life-styles. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment will conclude its discussions this morning and the Chair is expected to provide a summary of the Segment when the CSD reconvenes this afternoon at 4:00 pm. CLOSING SESSION: The final session of the CSD will take place at approximately 5:00 pm. The Plenary will formally adopt all of the decisions on sectoral and cross-sectoral issues, the provisional agenda of the fourth session of the CSD, and the report of the third session before adjourning. =========================================================== This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) is written and edited by Johannah Bernstein, Pamela Chasek , Peter Doran and Virgina Hulme. The Managing Editor is Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" . The sustaining donors of the Bulletin are the International Institute for Sustainable Development , the United Nations Environment Programme and the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship Initiative. 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