EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Chad Carpenter, LL.M. Peter Doran Kira Schmidt Lynn Wagner Editor Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. Managing Editor Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Vol. 5 No. 74 Tuesday, 15 April 1997 CSD-5 HIGHLIGHTS MONDAY, 14 APRIL 1997 CSD delegates began negotiating the Intersessional Working Group Co-Chairs’ draft outcome for UNGASS. Dialogues with women and trade unions took place in parallel meetings. Informal consultations on institutional issues and forests also took place. PLENARY IMPLEMENTATION IN AREAS REQUIRING URGENT ACTION. Integration of Economic, Social and Environmental Objectives: In paragraph 17 (introduction), the EU noted the importance of democracy, respect for human rights, transparent government and participation of civil society. The G-77/CHINA noted that sustained economic growth is an essential precondition of sustainable development and must be guided by equity, justice, social and environmental considerations. The US said sound economic growth is an important goal in the context of sustainable development. The G-77/CHINA added text regarding an enabling international economic environment. On 18 (eradicating poverty), CANADA said the empowerment of women is critical. NORWAY added a reference to the 20/20 concept. The US called for the reduction of overall poverty in the shortest possible time and the eradication of absolute poverty. The G-77/CHINA proposed intensifying international cooperation to support poverty eradication efforts in developing countries. NORWAY recommended cooperation among donors and recipients to allocate increased shares of ODA to poverty eradication. The US amended the text with: national strategies with targets to reduce absolute poverty; cooperation with and involvement of people living in poverty to develop and implement poverty reduction programmes; and analysis of policies’ impacts on poverty. On 19 (Changing Consumption and Production Patterns), the US recommended developing national policies to encourage changes in consumption patterns. CANADA proposed policies to encourage greater consumer awareness. On 19(a) (environmental cost internalization), the G-77/CHINA added avoidance of negative effects on market access for developing countries and promotion of business' role in shaping more sustainable consumption patterns and deleted natural resource pricing. NORWAY added green tax reforms and reducing environmentally-damaging subsidies. On 19(e) (energy and material efficiency), the EU recommended consideration of a ten-fold improvement in resource productivity in the long-term and an increase by a factor of four in the next 2-3 decades. The G-77/CHINA deleted targets and timetables and added measures to assist developing countries to improve efficiency. The US deleted references to timetables and international targets. In 20 (Making Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development Mutually Supporting), the G-77/CHINA noted the need to eliminate discriminatory trade practices and added that environmental standards may have unwanted costs in developing countries. In 20(b) (multilateral trading system), NORWAY called for WTO attention to environmental impacts of subsidies and taxation. The US called on national governments to encourage coordination between trade and environment officials. The G-77/CHINA called for measures to mitigate adverse impacts on developing countries. Sectors and Issues: On 25, (freshwater) the EU called for freshwater for all within ten years and for a global programme of action. The G-77/CHINA highlighted the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation in developing countries and the importance of water for satisfying basic human needs. In 25(e) (pricing policies), the G-77/CHINA deleted recognizing water as an economic good. NEW ZEALAND suggested its recognition as a "public" good. AUSTRALIA inserted protection of ecosystems and promotion of water conservation. The US added programmes to reduce water consumption and increase recycling. The G-77/CHINA: added text on international support for developing country efforts to shift to more high-value, less water-intensive modes of agricultural and industrial production; replaced a reference to the Global Water Partnership with bilateral and regional initiatives; and deleted the call for an intergovernmental dialogue. The US proposed text on demand-side solutions and waste-water reuse, recycling and recovery programmes. In 26(b) (existing oceans agreements), the G-77/CHINA called for universal participation in existing agreements. JAPAN objected to the reference to the Moratorium on Commercial Whaling. In 26(c) (excess fishing fleet), the G-77/CHINA called for reduction and elimination of wasteful fishing practices, especially in developed countries. JAPAN objected to the reference to subsidies. The EU called for consideration of positive and negative impacts of subsidies on fisheries. A US redraft referenced work by FAO’s COFI22. ICELAND suggested that subsidies be reduced by 50% by 2002. NORWAY added text on control and enforcement. In 26(d) (UN activities), the G- 77/CHINA called for public awareness of oceans as a finite resource. The EU called for comprehensive CSD follow-up in 1999. EGYPT called for preparedness for oil spill accidents in regional agreements. On 28 (energy), the G-77/CHINA's reformulation emphasized increased energy services in developing countries; international cooperation to reduce environmental impacts of fossil fuel development; and consideration of countries dependent on fossil fuel exports and those vulnerable to effects of climate change. The EU called for an intergovernmental forum to elaborate a common strategy for a sustainable energy future. Additions to 28(c) (modern renewable energy) included: use of energy- intensive materials (EU); reducing life-cycle costs (US); and cost-effective and environmentally-sound renewable energy sources (CANADA). The G-77/CHINA's amendment called for time- bound commitments to technology transfer. In 28(e) (pricing policies), the EU, the US, JAPAN and AUSTRALIA deleted a reference to eliminating subsidies for fossil and nuclear energy within ten years. CANADA deleted nuclear energy and added movement towards energy pricing that reflects full economic and environmental costs. JAPAN inserted "reduction" of subsidies. Proposals for new subparagraphs included: international cooperation to address negative consequences of energy consumption (JAPAN); increased use and transfer of safe and environmentally-sound energy technologies (EU); and promoting safety measures regarding radioactive waste (NORWAY). In 29 (transport), the G-77/CHINA deleted references to oil and fossil energy, as well as text on policies to improve energy efficiency. The UKRAINE and SWITZERLAND said the call in 29(d) (guidelines and targets) for a phase-out of lead additives in ten years is unrealistic. The EU called for an international tax on aviation fuel. In 30 (atmosphere), the EU specified legally-binding commitments that COP-3 should adopt. The US called for a satisfactory result at COP-3. CANADA and JAPAN called on COP-3 to include legally- binding and quantified measures, respectively. SAUDI ARABIA said the outcome should not be preempted. On 32 (chemicals and wastes), the G-77/CHINA added text on facilitating access to environmentally-safe substitutes to POPs and on enhancing awareness of the importance of safety and management and ensuring prevention of accidents. DIALOGUE WITH MAJOR GROUPS WOMEN: Bella Abzug, WEDO, recalled how women have advanced recognition of their essential role in sustainable development. She highlighted poverty, globalization, free trade and biotechnology. Chief Bisi Ogunleye, Country Women Association, recalled UNCED’s commitment to allow the poor to voice solutions to poverty. The Micro-Credit Summit (1997) set the goal of using $21.7 billion to help 100 million families out of poverty. She suggested that UNGASS call for 1-2% of developed country aid and World Bank funding to be set aside for micro-credit. On food security, women have been forced to become unwilling partners in destructive agricultural processes. Delegates were asked to resist the language of "agricultural sustainability" associated with export-driven agriculture and to uphold the right to food rather than its commodification. Jocelyn Dow, Red Thread and WEDO, described the negative consequences for sustainable agriculture when trade rules change. Eva Charkiewicz, Central and Eastern European Network for Sustainable Development, said the CSD could identify "hot spots" of industrial contamination and proposed that the CSD address the effect of commercial advertising on unsustainable production and consumption. Thais Corral, REDEH, provided examples on the integration of women into local Agenda 21s and urged the CSD to examine practices to better integrate women into local councils in cities and towns. Topics addressed during the dialogue included: changing the way men perceive their roles in society; links to the Commission on the Status of Women; nuclear contamination and women’s reproductive health; the precautionary principle; human rights abuses; transboundary movements of hazardous materials; national efforts to include women in government; and reflecting the "paradigm shift" of the Beijing Conference at UNGASS. TRADE UNIONS: Clayola Brown, Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, said that sustainable development can be achieved through "collective engagement," a process of education and action that puts workers at the center and promotes action. Nilton Frietas, Central Unica Dos Trabalhadores, described a national accord reached through consultation that helped thousands of workers who were suffering from benzene contamination. Bertil Grahn, Graphical Workers Union, presented a case study on workplace and community partnerships that incorporated environmental concerns into all aspects of production. Paul Hackett, OECD, announced plans to publish a guide on cleaner production across Europe. Vlastimil Altner, Mine, Geological and Oil Workers, builds environmental awareness into health and safety training programmes and promotes eco-audits. Michael Boggs, Laborers’ International Union, called on donor organizations to fund environmental remediation programmes and recycling and recovery of urban waste to build housing. Isaac Mudyandaruva, Zimbabwe Council of Trade Unions, described cooperation with local authorities and local communities to research and address housing, local environments, unplanned urban growth and poverty. Else-Marie Osmundsen, ILO, recommended that governments ratify ILO conventions and develop national reporting and trade union participation. Per Erik Boivie, Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, described initiatives on eco-labelling for computers and green and ergonomic offices. David Bennet, Canadian Labour Congress, focused on controlling chemicals through harmonization and standard setting and the work of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety. Owen Tudor, Trades Union Congress, spoke about EU eco-management and audit schemes and the campaign for international codes of conduct. Kalpona Akter, Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union, described a complaint made to the ILO involving violations of workers' rights in Bangladesh. She called on the CSD and the international community to get rid of inhuman working conditions. The dialogue session focused on a number of topics, including: the relationship of eco-auditing and the ISO 14000 approach to environmental management; the adaptability of the auditing system to developing countries; and "informal" economies. Also discussed were: deregulation of national systems; trade unions in UN and EU deliberations; global targets for management; and funding for worker participation. INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS Delegates discussed the Co-Chairs’ draft text on institutional issues during informal consultations, chaired by John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda). At informal consultations on forests chaired by Amb. Bagher Asadi (Iran), delegations requested that the Secretariat draft a text, based on the IPF report and ministerial statements, for further negotiation. Delegates suggested that the text: endorse and call for implementation of the proposals for action agreed by the IPF; recognize that trade and funding mechanisms are outstanding issues; and outline the IPF’s options regarding institutional follow-up. A draft text was circulated during the afternoon. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY PLENARY: Delegates will continue negotiating the Co-Chairs’ draft text on "Sectors and Issues" in Conference Room 2. DIALOGUE SESSIONS: Dialogue sessions with indigenous peoples and NGOs will take place in Conference Room 1. INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS: Informal consultations on institutional arrangements and forests are expected to continue today. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin is written and edited by Chad Carpenter, LL.M. , Peter Doran , Kira Schmidt and Lynn Wagner . The Editor is Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. and the Managing Editor is Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI . French translation by Mongi Gadhoum . The sustaining donors of the Bulletin are the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Netherlands Ministry for Development Cooperation. General support for the Bulletin during 1997 is provided by the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) of the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Ministry of Environment of Sweden and the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment. 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