ENB:05:26
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CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
Joke Waller Hunter of the CSD Secretariat reported that at the next session of the CSD a work programme on changing patterns of production and consumption will be presented and developed in consultation with governments. The Secretariat has identified four major components of such a work programme: (1) a review of long term trends on changing consumption patterns; (2) a review of commitments by industrialized countries; (3) a discussion on the impact of changing consumption patterns in developed countries; and (4) an overview of social and economic instruments.
Norway informed delegates about the upcoming Oslo Roundtable (see Things To Look For). The representative added that possible elements on sustainable patterns of consumption and production that could be included in the CSD"s work programme are: (1) an introductory section; (2) setting a new course; (3) focus on the end-use needs; (4) delineation of how responsibility for sustainable consumption and production should be distributed; and (5) a concluding section on the major bottlenecks.
The Netherlands then announced the upcoming Workshop on Facilities for Sustainable Households (see Things To Look For). The OECD representative said that the CSD work programme should: examine terminology and key concepts; assess trends and changes in economic and social effects; and identify policy options, drawing on the OECD"s body of work.
THIRD INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE: Spain, Algeria and Mexico organized the Third International Energy Conference in Cartagena, Spain, from 19-20 September 1994. This dialogue between producers and consumers of energy began in France in 1991 and continued in Norway in 1992. At the Cartagena meting, more than 30 countries and international organizations examined energy and the environment, forecasts for the energy market, natural gas, and improving the transparency, communication and efficiency in the relationship between producers and consumers. The principle objective was to strengthen understanding between energy producers and consumers in the political, economic and environmental dimensions of energy. One of the main conclusions of the Conference is that there is a need to achieve compatibility between economic development and preservation of the environment.