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Participants during the discussion.
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In this event, panellists discussed ways of incorporating governance safeguards into commitments and processes that come out of Rio+20, while offering concrete guidance on the form that these safeguards should take.
David Banisar, Article 19, chairing the event, spoke of the need for more transparent approaches to establishing climate finance, stressing that the establishment of safeguards is about engendering trust, building participation, supporting knowledge, and having real discussions in the multilateral environment. Calling for a “transparency revolution,” he stressed the need for knowledge collaboration, and lamented the lack of strong commitments and legal measures in the outcome document that would ensure transparency and access to information.
Lisa Elges, Transparency International, spoke of the link between corruption, environmental destruction, conflict and poverty, underscoring the need for robust governance based on transparency and accountability. She underlined actions that encourage accountability, including: mapping and assessment; monitoring; learning through networking and multi-stakeholder engagement; and corruption awareness within society in order to demand change and find solutions. On anti-corruption solutions, she highlighted advocating for legal centres within countries for anonymous tip-offs and protection for whistle-blowers, and developing integrity pacts as a tool in public procurement processes. She elaborated on potential actions such as an undertaking by bidders and public authorities to not accept bribes, and suggested arbitration as a conflict resolution mechanism.
William Ehlers, Global Environment Facility (GEF), elaborated on the GEF’s fiduciary standards as a management tool to avoid abuse of allocated climate and development project funds. He stressed the core principles of professional standards of independence, transparency, monitoring and response, and summarized the GEF’s required financial processes, including: external financial audits; financial management and control frameworks; financial disclosure; a code of ethics; and internal audits. On activity processes and oversight, he suggested implementing appraisal standards, procurement processes, monitoring systems, and independent evaluations of possible misconduct.
Rafael Lopes Torres, Brazil’s Tribunal de Contas da União, stressed the importance of making climate finance an effective driver of sustainable development through performance audits, which address money transfers from the federal government to states, municipalities and private entities, and of assessing how the money is spent. On challenges faced during these phases, he outlined: the technical capacity of proponents; compatibility of the project in relation to the general objectives of the funding; project feasibility analysis; evaluation of project costs; and following-up the project’s execution.
Participants discussed: evaluating investments and follow-up after the portfolio of investments has been implemented; challenges to implementing audit policies; minimizing the risks of abuse of funds in fragile States; the cycle of corruption in municipalities and local governments; investing in social control mechanisms; and capacity building for civil society through the development of local networks.
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Participants during the discussion.
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This side event focused on the sustainable management and development of the high seas as an imperative to achieving the environmental, economic and social benefits of a global public resource.
Sue Lieberman, Pew Environment Group, chairing the event, lamented the insufficiency of current ocean governance systems to ensure the long-term sustainability of the marine environment. She reflected on the numerous times over the past forty years when commitments to ensure the sustainable development of marine resources have been agreed on and called for concrete action to implement these commitments.
Duncan Currie, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, presented a review of progress made in ecosystem protection through high seas fisheries governance and the UN General Assembly (GA) processes. On the decline in fish stocks, he said the collapse of diversity is accelerating, and warned that it presents dire consequences to the oceans’ ecosystem services. Calling for the further establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), which currently constitute 1% of the ocean, he listed benefits from marine protection, such as the conservation of species’ diversity, and improved resilience and fisheries productivity. He suggested strategies for the recovery of degraded ocean ecosystems, including: the protection of coral habitats; expansion of MPAs; and actual implementation of agreements.
Kristina Gjerde, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), spoke about the problems of interconnected ocean space, saying that 64% of the ocean is beyond national boundaries. She lamented the lack of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to determine cumulative impacts as a whole, and noted ways to address marine governance gaps, inter alia: international cooperation; science-based management; global facilitation; correct operating principles; protection of marine genetic resources; and regional cooperation.
Arni Finnsson, Icelandic Nature Conservation Society, referred to Iceland’s role in international agreements and spoke of the obstacles in negotiations over the past two decades. Highlighting the role of civil society, he provided several illustrations of “carefully” drafted policy statements that “resisted” pressures from environmental organizations to protect the ocean. He lamented his government’s narrow view that pollution remains the singular threat to oceans.
Sophie Mirgaux, Belgian Ministry of Environment, discussed marine governance gaps, lamenting the lack of a comprehensive operational framework for: developing institutionally agreed standards; monitoring and enforcement; and capacity building and technology transfer. She identified limitations in regional mechanisms and sectoral instruments, referring to several international commitments at previous negotiations, which have not yet been delivered on. Mirgaux suggested building blocks for an international framework, including: MPAs; EIAs; and marine genetic resources.
In the ensuing discussion, participants deliberated on: the potential of complying with an implementing agreement; interim agreements if negotiations should fail; legal mechanisms and practical steps to ensure implementation; gaps in the science of the marine environment; and potential payment for ecosystem services initiatives.
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Participants during the discussion.
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This event focused on how both changing population dynamics and increasing levels of material consumption present long-lasting challenges to human health and wellbeing, and to the natural environment.
Martyn Poliakoff, Royal Society, presented his organization’s report on “People and the Planet,” which linked population, consumption and the environment. He stressed the important role of scientists in the sustainability policy discussion and in ensuring that natural resources are more efficiently used. He also emphasized that 1.3 billion people need to consume more basic materials to lift themselves out of poverty, while many in developed countries must consume less by learning to use natural resources more efficiently.
Paula Caballero, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that any metrics developed during the Rio+20 negotiations, such as sustainable development goals, must incorporate population dynamics. She noted that high fertility rates can be controlled only if women are empowered and provided with education.
Noting that the world is inextricably bound by its environment and demographic changes, Michael Herrmann, UNFPA, said the success of least developed countries (LDCs) and developing countries will affect all of humanity. He called for sustainable consumption and production while simultaneously changing unsustainable demographic changes, which he emphasized can be changed. He concluded that the challenge of sustainable development is to promote human wellbeing while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Eliya Zulu, African Institute for Development Policy, said the number of people living in slums in sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow due to migration and urban population growth. He noted that contraceptive planning in Rwanda continued after the 1994 Genocide because its government realized that it cannot develop a middle-income class without addressing high population growth. He highlighted the link between the lack of demographic planning and climate change, explaining that leaders of African countries are presently more willing to address uncontrolled demographic growth as they realize its impact on the environment.
Suzana Cavenaghi, Latin America Population Association, provided a Latin American perspective on demographic planning. She reiterated that sustainable consumption cannot be detached from demographic dynamics, which includes gender inequality. Presenting the change in Brazil’s population pyramid in the past 40 years, Cavenaghi explained how population increases are highest among the poorest segments of the population, while the lowest growth rates are found among the richest segments of the population. She explained that developing countries, such as Brazil, must deal simultaneously with these two issues. She underscored the importance of considering population dynamics in the implementation of any sustainable development policy.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: preventing and controlling AIDS; reorienting consumption and demographic patterns; universal family planning; and eradicating gender violence, particularly in Africa. Other participants lamented the absence of an international forum to openly address land tenure rights, fertility planning for women; and strategies to control western-style consumption patterns in the emerging middle-class of developing economies.
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Participants during the discussion.
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Ralph Wahnschafft, DESA, chaired the event, which presented an overview of an initiative by the Global Forum for Human Settlements (GFHS) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to provide zero-emission transport for Rio+20.
Lu Haifeng, Secretary-General, GFHS, noted that the demonstration vehicle project is comprised of two parts: providing Rio+20 Secretariat transport; and allowing delegates, public and viewers to experience the electric vehicles. He noted that a pure electric vehicle is the best embodiment of sustainability in the transport sector, including through improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Noting that the technology is now maturing, he stated some governments have provided incentives to encourage the adoption of this technology.
Murilo Moreno, Renault-Nissan Alliance, stated that unprecedented growth in the global population has led to an expanding middle class, which is demanding increased mobility. Due to this increasing demand, he cautioned that the status quo cannot remain, and urged for progress to be made to reduce GHG emissions. He highlighted that the alliance is the leader in electric vehicles, saying there are four models commercially available and more are to be released in the future. He lauded the success of partnerships to drive and promote the use of electric vehicles, citing partnerships with Mexico City and São Paulo.
Kathleen Abdalla, DESA, lauded the general support for electric mobility. She noted that the sustainability community has been addressing transportation impacts since the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) 20 years ago, as it affects all three pillars of sustainable development. Noting mobility is essential for economic growth, she highlighted that development has historically been spurred by improvements in mobility. She cautioned that this has led to a number of sustainability concerns, warning that electric mobility is one part of a menu of options for sustainable transport.
David Redfern, Renault-Nissan Alliance, noted that many people question whether electric vehicles are a true sustainability solution. He contested this idea, citing numerous improvements in the technology that has led to vehicles having zero emissions, being a “no-compromise real car,” that allows a sophisticated drive with lower fuel and maintenance costs. He said that the demonstration vehicles are being used to provide a shuttle service for participants during Rio+20, noting that test drives of these vehicles may also be arranged.
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| Lu Haifeng, Secretary General, GFHS |
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| Kathleen Abdalla, DESA, noted that electric vehicles also contribute to decreasing noise pollution. |
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| Murilo Moreno, Renault-Nissan Alliance |
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| David Redfern, Renault-Nissan Alliance |
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This event focused on the Swedish experience in transitioning from conventional forestry to sustainable forest management (SFM). The event was preceded by a film documentary on forest management practices, programmes and policies in Sweden, which portrayed the different perspectives of various forest stakeholders, highlighting the increased demand for forestry products as a result of the increase in biomass demand and other manufacturing sectors.
Tomas Lundmark, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, moderating the event, presented on the Swedish forestry model. He said his country has 2% of the world’s boreal forests but produces 5% of the world’s renewable forest products, indicating highly efficient forestry production per hectare. He described how Sweden overexploited its forested in the 19th century to gradually become a leader in forest sustainability. He also indicated that annual forest growth is presently superseding forest felling in Sweden.
Björn Merkell, Swedish Forest Agency, presented on recent national forest policy developments. He said that 70% of Sweden’s land mass is forested and 11% of exports come from forest-related products. Describing the evolution of the Forestry Act from 1903 to 1993, where environmental considerations were progressively integrated, he said that the 1993 Forestry Act calls for equal goals for wood production and environmental conservation. Noting that the Forest Agency is under the Ministry of Rural Affairs, he said his agency oversees the implementation of the Forestry Act by all forest owners.
Annika Nordin, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, said there are increasing demands on boreal forests such as timber, recreation, habitat conservation, water protection and bioenergy. By focusing her presentation on the bioenergy potential of forests to reduce Sweden’s dependency on oil and reducing its GHG emissions, Mossing said that intensifying forest growth through enhanced fertilization, improved forest regeneration, and fast-growing species, Sweden’s dependency on oil could be reduced. Citing a scenario conducted by Sweden’s Royal Academy of Science, she predicted that Sweden would need to harvest, approximately, an additional 50 million cubic meters of timber to become carbon neutral, translating into 24 billion cubic meters of timber at the global scale.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: the relationship between food security and the use of agricultural land by the forest sector; the ramifications of increasing the demand of biomass on biomass-exporting nations; and comparisons of the carbon life cycle of biomass versus biofuels. Responding to a question on how Sweden facilitated the transition from conventional forestry to SFM, Merkell said his government avoided providing subsidies to the unsustainable industrial wood production sector.
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Daily web coverage (click on the following links to see our daily web pages)
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UNCSD or Rio+20 resources
 Meeting website
Third PrepCom website
Third PrepCom organization of work
Secretary-General’s report on objectives and themes
Synthesis report on best practices and lessons learned on the objective and themes of the Conference
UNCSD website
UNCSD organization of work
Implementation of Agenda 21, the programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
Side events at Rio+20
Other events at Rio+20
SD-Learning at Rio+20
Partnership Forum
Rio+20 calendar
Member states
IISD RS resources
IISD RS coverage of the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability, 17-20 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro
IISD RS coverage of Rio+20: Third PrepCom and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), 13-22 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
IISD RS coverage of the Rio Conventions Pavilion, 13-22 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
IISD RS coverage of the Third Round of ‘Informal-Informal’ Negotiations on the zero draft of outcome document of the UNCSD, 29 May - 2 June 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of the Second Round of ‘Informal-Informal’ Negotiations on the zero draft of outcome document of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 23 April - 4 May 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the Second Round of ‘Informal-Informal’ Negotiations on the zero draft of outcome document of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 23 April - 4 May 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of the First Round of ‘Informal-Informal’ Negotiations on the zero draft of the outcome document and Third Intersessional Meeting of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 19-23 and 26-27 March 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the First Round of ‘Informal-Informal’ Negotiations on the zero draft of the outcome document and Third Intersessional Meeting of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 19-23 and 26-27 March 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of the Initial Discussions on the “zero draft” of the outcome document for the UNCSD or Rio+20, 25-27 January 2012, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS coverage of the Second Intersessional Meeting of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 15-16 December 2011, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
IISD RS summary report of the Economic Commission for Europe’s Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UNCSD or Rio+20, 1-2 December 2011, Geneva, Switzerland (HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary report of the UNCSD or Rio+20 African Regional Preparatory Process, 20-25 October 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary report of the UNCSD or Rio+20) Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Asia Pacific Region, 19-20 October 2011, Seoul, Republic of Korea (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS coverage of the UNCSD or Rio+20) Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Arab Region, 16-17 October 2011, Cairo, Egypt
IISD RS coverage of the Seventh “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference, 21-23 September 2011, Astana, Kazakhstan
IISD RS coverage of the UNCSD or Rio+20 Regional Preparatory Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean, 7-9 September 2011, Santiago, Chile
IISD RS summary report of the UNCSD or Rio+20 Subregional Preparatory Committee for the Pacific Countries, 21-22 July 2011, Apia, Samoa (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary report of the UNCSD or Rio+20 Subregional Preparatory Committee for the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea Countries, 7-8 July 2011, Mahé, Seychelles (HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary report of the UNCSD or Rio+20 Subregional Preparatory Meeting for the Caribbean, 20 June 2011, Georgetown, Guyana (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary report of the Keeping the Green Economy Blue: A Workshop in Preparation for the UNCSD or Rio+20, 29 April 2011, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF) (Spanish: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary and analysis of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the UNCSD or Rio+20, 7-8 March 2011, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary and analysis of the First Intersessional Meeting of the UNCSD or Rio+20, 10-11 January 2011, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF) (Spanish: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS summary and analysis of the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the UNCSD or Rio+20, 17-19 May 2010, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America (English: HTML - PDF) (French: HTML - PDF) (Spanish: HTML - PDF)
IISD RS coverage of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), 26 August - 4 September 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa
IISD RS coverage of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, 3-14 June 1992, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
IISD RS archive of sustainable development meetings
SDG - A mailing list for news on sustainable development policy
Sustainable Development Policy & Practice - A Knowledgebase of International Activities Preparing for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development
Sustainable Energy Policy & Practice - A Knowledgebase of Sustainable Energy Activities
SIDS Policy and Practice - A Knowledgebase on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
Biodiversity Policy & Practice - A Knowledgebase of UN and Intergovernmental Activities Addressing International Biodiversity Policy
Climate Change Policy & Practice - A Knowledgebase of UN and Intergovernmental Activities Addressing Global Climate Change Policy
Linkages Update - Bi-weekly international environment and sustainable development news
African Regional Coverage
Latin America and Caribbean Regional Coverage |
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Coverage of Selected Side Events at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) 
