EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Chad Carpenter, LL.M. Peter Doran Daniel Putterman, Ph.D. Lynn Wagner Managing Editor Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" A DAILY REPORT ON THE 1996 SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5 No. 52 Friday, 26 April 1996 CSD HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY, 25 APRIL 1996 Delegates to the fourth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-4) heard reports on national experiences with coastal area management and continued negotiations on draft decisions related to cross-sectoral issues, finance and consumption and production patterns. PLENARY Damien Houeto, Director of the Ministry of Environment of Benin, spoke on ICZM in Benin. He highlighted: erosion; over-harvesting of mangroves for firewood; sediments from inland waters; and water pollution from LBA and offshore sources. He described a proposal for stabilizing coastline but stated that implementation is constrained by other development needs and insufficient resources. Regarding ICZM, he described a plan under preparation for the following: land management including agriculture and livestock; forestry; industry; transport and infrastructure; urban development; and energy. Chalapan Kaluwin, Senior Climate Change Officer, South Pacific Regional Environmental Programmes, described such coastal management challenges as: environment; education; climate change; sea-level rise; institutional arrangements; culture; and finance. He stated that land and sea are owned by the people and not by the government. Coastal area management includes both traditional and Western concepts. To encourage institutional capacity for ICZM, a culturally- sensitive regional, bottom-up framework is being developed. To control marine pollution from shipping, observance of regional agreements is important. Vulnerability assessment is being developed for sea-level rise. Cheryl Fraser, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada, stated that three different ecosystems found along the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coastlines require different ICZM models. She identified the following constraints: limited public and government commitment; jurisdiction overlaps, with 15 federal agencies having jurisdiction over water; and limited scientific data. Community-based management initiatives, including those with indigenous groups in the Arctic, as well as regional initiatives, are leading to a national plan for ICZM. She concluded by describing: the draft Canada Oceans Act to consolidate existing legislation; an Oceans Management Strategy based on sustainable development and the precautionary approach; and a National Programme of Action consistent with the Washington GPA. Bo Kjellén described recent actions in the Baltic Sea region, such as a Joint Cooperation Programme. The Programme, carried out by countries and financial institutions, seeks to eliminate pollution from industries and sewage plants and has produced concrete results through a "hot spots" approach. He also described a Baltic Sea protected areas programme that prevents development within 100-300 meters of the waters edge, and noted the need for further protection of wild salmon and small mammals. An initiative was also launched to promote modern, flexible spatial planning. Haroldo Mattos de Lemos, Secretary of Coordination for Environmental Issues, Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources and Legal Amazon, Brazil, called attention to the need for a comprehensive integrated plan for the coastal area, which includes Atlantic tropical forest and mangrove areas. Large cities and industrial zones also impact the region. Brazil has made progress in ICZM, such as establishing: data bases; community participation; and protection programmes for biodiversity, coral reefs and marine turtles. Contributions of traditional knowledge and from science and technology are important. Delegates then completed their discussion of atmosphere and oceans issues. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, speaking on behalf of AOSIS, highlighted the importance of the FCCC and Berlin Mandate to SIDS, and of ESTs in support of the Convention’s goals. BANGLADESH underlined the responsibilities of Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 countries under the FCCC. He described efforts to phase out CFCs and to mitigate marine pollution. IRAN called for regional environmental action plans for the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea, and invoked CITES for sturgeon protection. SOUTH AFRICA highlighted efforts on: the Montreal Protocol; Agenda 21 on living marine resources; ICZM; and the Washington GPA. The RUSSIAN FEDERATION requested future presentations on regional cooperation for coastal management. He outlined efforts on ozone depleting substances, and supported regional coordinating mechanisms on climate change. MEXICO highlighted: marine and coastal ecosystems; reducing organic discharge from LBA; and protection of living marine resources. He underscored Mexico’s commitment to implementing the FAO Code of Conduct. The INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC UNIONS called for support for the Climate Agenda and the GOOS, and emphasized ICSU’s readiness to study international waters. UNIDO highlighted its energy program to promote both industrial development and environmental strategies to combat climate change. DRAFTING GROUP II The Drafting Group considering financial issues reconvened in the afternoon, chaired by Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago (Tanzania). In the draft decision on financial resources and mechanisms (Chapter 33 of Agenda 21), the G-77/CHINA added the "urgent" need to fulfill financial commitments, and further GEF replenishment. Three new subparagraphs address: initiatives to stabilize volatile foreign private capital flows; the circumscribed impact of capital flows; and the need for business and transnational corporations (TNCs) to encompass sustainable development. A new paragraph calls for new measures to alleviate external debt. The G-77/CHINA introduced language on: environmental responsibility and TNCs; innovative mechanisms and the Joint Development Committee of the World Bank and IMF; and the financing role of major groups. The EU reaffirmed that Agenda 21 financing in general will come from a country’s own public and private sectors, and suggested concentrating ODA in LDCs and vulnerable sectors. He deleted a reference to achieving stability in international private capital movements. On the expansion of foreign private capital flows, the US added language on non-discriminatory trade and open investment, and national laws, regulations and protecting intellectual property rights in the context of mobilizing resources for sustainable development. He noted the WTO agreement on TRIPS. On economic instruments, SAUDI ARABIA added language on economic instruments and international income redistribution, and conditionality. JAPAN deleted the reference to the gradual abolition of subsidies. In the draft decision on changing production and consumption patterns (Chapter 4), the G-77/CHINA stated that the draft was not balanced and that they are working on a redraft. The US added text from the Report of the Ad Hoc Group, noting that changes in "patterns" could result in the sustainable use of natural resources and that there is a trend towards a global consensus on the importance of changing "patterns." He added a reference inviting governments to report to CSD-5 on their experiences. In the sub-paragraph noting the responsibility of developed countries, the US and the EU deleted the reference to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The EU added text noting the importance of all countries recognizing their responsibility. NORWAY added a reference to "sustainable lifestyles." The EU added paragraphs recognizing that governments can influence other stakeholders in society, that procurement policies can address the use of environmentally-sound products, and urging governments to facilitate participation of major groups. The EU combined the paragraphs regarding business and industry and NGOs. NORWAY added references urging actors to bring their findings to CSD-5 and through that into the Special Session, and added the OECD to the list of international organizations called on to conduct policy relevant studies. CANADA called for the "further development," in addition to the possible use, of concepts such as carrying capacity, eco-space and ecological footprints. DRAFTING GROUP III The Drafting Group considering cross-sectoral issues met during the morning. In the draft decision on international institutional arrangements (Chapter 38 of Agenda 21), the G- 77/CHINA stressed the need to review the CSD’s structure in the paragraph noting the new elements introduced in the work of the CSD. The EU added text underlining the linkage between various UN Commissions through their multi-year programmes of work. In the draft decision on international legal instruments and mechanisms (Chapter 39), the US expressed reservations about references to "principles" of international law. The EU prioritized UNEP’s work in reviewing international law and referred to the Montevideo review. He proposed paragraphs recognizing the administrative burden on developing countries and the importance of major group participation. CANADA introduced paragraphs on compliance and monitoring, and dispute resolution. In the draft decision on promoting education, public awareness and training (Chapter 36), the G-77/CHINA added text calling on actors to provide assistance to promote education in developing countries. The EU, supported by CANADA, added text noting that traditional knowledge should be valued and establishing a work programme based on the operative paragraphs of the decision. CANADA added a paragraph encouraging governments to work in partnership with youth to prepare them for sustainable livelihoods. In the draft decision on information provided by governments and organizations, new EU paragraphs deal with consultation on reporting to future sessions of the Commission, taking account of ISDs, and streamlining reporting requirements. CANADA cautioned that a distinction must be drawn between CSD-related reporting and treaty-based obligations, including Rio conventions. In the first revision of the draft decision on integrating environment and development in decision-making (Chapter 8), delegates agreed to encourage the development of strategies for "sustainable development, including economic, social and environmental aspects of growth," rather than for "economic growth in the context of sustainable development." The EU proposed text noting the importance of integrated environmental accounting. SAUDI ARABIA bracketed "NGOs" in the paragraph calling for actors to support national activities to implement Agenda 21. In the first revision of the draft decision on Major Groups (Chapters 23 to 32), the G-77/CHINA specified NGO participation in mobilizing technical and financial assistance to support sustainable development in developing countries. A new subparagraph urges governments to involve major groups in preparations for the review process at the national level and at the UN. The US said an invitation to ensure major group involvement in the Special Session should be directed through ECOSOC. IN THE CORRIDORS The contact group on oceans continued its work on the Annexes to the report of the Ad Hoc Group on Sectoral Issues. Agreement was reported on Annex I (Washington GPA), which was said to be similar to the language in the Annex. Observers reported that Annex II (Fisheries) requires considerable work. The chair of the contact group held informal consultations Thursday afternoon, and the contact group will meet again Friday. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY PLENARY: The Plenary will meet throughout the day in Conference Room 1 to hear country presentations on sustainable development strategies. DRAFTING GROUPS: Drafting Group I (oceans) will meet in Conference Room 2 in the morning and again from 4:00-6:00 in the afternoon. Drafting Group II (finance) will meet in Conference Room 2 from 3:00-4:00. =========================================================== This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) is written and edited by Chad Carpenter, LL.M. , Peter Doran , Daniel Putterman, Ph.D. and Lynn Wagner .The Managing Editor is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI . The sustaining donors of the Bulletin are the International Institute for Sustainable Development , the Dutch Ministry for Development Cooperation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. General support for the Bulletin for 1996 is provided by the Overseas Development Agency (ODA) of the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Swedish Ministry of Environment, the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment of Iceland, the European Commission (DG-XI) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 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