Rio +20: Towards the Green Economy and Better Governance

Outputs of Rio +20 Consultation

Consultation Process DECLG circulated a consultation document

in July 2011 and invited stakeholder input as part of Irelands’ national contribution to the Rio +20 preparatory process. 

Comhar SDC summarised the received responses and will shortly produce a report highlighting the main issues raised in the submissions

DECLG will submit this to the UN as part of Ireland’s input to Rio +20 (Deadline 1st November)

Stakeholder Responses (23)CDBs Donegal Fingal Kerry Kilkenny Laois North Tipperary South Dublin South Tipperary Waterford County Waterford City

State Department of Agriculture Fisheries

and Food Department of Jobs, Enterprise and

Innovation Department of Transport, Tourism and

Sport Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Environmental Pillar Friends of the Environment VOICE

Social/Development

Dóchas

Goal

Irish Aid

Irish Presentation Justice Network

Energy

Bord Gáis Éireann

Independent

Elizabeth Cullen

Outline Introduction Progress since Rio 1992 Green Economy Comments on existing proposals Implementation Expectations from Rio +20

Introduction The United Nations Conference on Sustainable

Development takes place from 4-6th June 2012 Marks 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit held

in 1992, main outcomes of which included: Agenda 21 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Statement of Forest Principles UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes

InternationalAarhus Convention, 1998Millennium Development Goals, 2000

European level

EU Strategy for Sustainable DevelopmentEU Emissions Trading SystemEurope 2020 StrategyRoadmap to a Low Carbon EconomyEU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan

National

National Energy Efficiency Plan 2009-2020Water Framework Directive and River Basin District ManagementNational Waste Prevention ProgrammeStrategic Environmental AssessmentSustainable Energy Authority Ireland schemes

Progress Since Rio 1992: Successes

Local

Progress under Local Agenda 21South Dublin and Waterford County Councils Climate Change StrategyWaterford City Council and others Environmental Awareness Officer and Sustainable Neighbourhood Unit Development OfficersWaterford County Council Economic Plan 2010-2014

Progress Since Rio 1992: Failures

InternationalInternational fight against povertyFailure to halt Biodiversity Decline

National

Energy consumption in Transport SectorEnergy SecurityGHG EmissionsFailure to decouple waste generation from economic growthFailure to halt biodiversity declineInadequate designation of SACsPoor planning of development during ‘boom’

Green Economy: Advancing SD Rising fuel prices

Ireland is over-dependent on fuel imports

Leaves the country exposed to market price fluctuations

Green economy will result in greater investment into energy efficiency, renewables and transport technology which will decrease carbon emissions and increase energy security

Advancing SD Meeting renewable energy and

emissions targets 16% of all energy from renewable

sources by 2020 Reduce emissions by 20% of 1990

levels by 2020 Ireland is well placed to exploit

renewable energy but several hurdles have limited progress

Green economy must overcome hurdles to reduce dependence on fossil fuels

This will make it easier to reach targets

Advancing SD Green Public Procurement

Involves including economic, environmental and social criteria in the public procurement process

Recognises the need to decouple economic growth from resource use

Takes account of legislation put in place to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services

Will help drive the green economy forward

Green Economy: Advancing SD Consumer preferences

Recent years have seen changes in consumer preferences

Clean technology, resource efficiency, eco-design, secondary resource standards and innovation could all be enhanced by focus on green economy

Still a way to go in breaking consumer cycle Need to change consumers’ expectations

regarding products

Advancing SD Other comments

The green economy alone does not guarantee sustainable development

A green economy is one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive

Need an economy that secures growth and development while respecting environmental boundaries and improving human well being

Development Aid Ireland has a good track record in fighting

poverty and hunger Has committed to raise development aid

to 0.7% of GDP by 2015 Main issues are food security, climate

change, access to quality resources and insufficient knowledge on how to manage resources sustainably

Development Aid Food security

Rio +20 must deal with the issue of agriculture and food security

Agroecology links ecology, economics and society with the aim of providing sustainable agricultural production, food security and environmental protection

Development Aid Climate Change

Developing countries are often hit hardest by climate change, despite contributing the least to it

Ireland has an obligation as a developed country to set a positive example as a successful low carbon country

Must minimise our contribution to climate change

Development Aid Access to resources and knowledge on

how to use them efficiently A move towards the green economy should

reduce irresponsible resource use by developed countries

The green economy also continues to bring advances in key technologies and research capabilities which developing countries could benefit from

Comments on Existing Proposals Green Economy Roadmap

Would be useful in informing and shaping national and local policies and responses to global issues

Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative Would aid progress on renewable energy, reduce

dependence on energy imports, reduce emissions and provide energy security

Sectors within Ireland’s renewable energy mix could become more economically competitive

Could provide sustainable employment Will promote sustainable development by outlining

targets for all member states

Implementation: Closing the Gap Framework

Bottom up CDBs and local authorities must cooperate to implement

action in all areas of sustainable development At national level, governments must provide direction

and resources required to implement sustainable development

Targets decided at Rio +20 should be incorporated into all national and regional plans and policy decisions

There must be cohesion between global initiatives UN institution is required to deal with sustainable

development issues, would fall under the UN Delivering as One initiative

Implementation: Closing the Gap Measure of success

We must decouple economic progress from resources exploitation

The way that we measure growth and success must change

A new economic model should embrace all three pillars of sustainable development

Progress indicators must be redefined

Implementation: Closing the Gap Knowledge dissemination

Need a stronger commitment to increasing understanding of sustainability and involving the community in decision making

Ireland has yet to ratify the Aarhus Convention There are some positive community-based

initiatives Need collaboration between government, non-

state actors and marginal groups to close implementation gap

Implementation: Mechanisms and Tools Implementation of existing sustainable

development strategies Adoption of policy framework that

promotes a low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive society

Formation of national Environmental Governance Network

Appointment of sustainable development Ombudsperson at UN and national level

Implementation: Mechanisms and Tools Sustainability workshops run by CDBs New set of indicators for well being Resources specifically aimed at promoting

sustainability More support for NGOs Use of incentives to promote change Set of legally binding rules Enforcement of compliance

Expectations for Rio +20: Outcomes Reiteration of commitment to Principles

contained in the Rio Declaration, 1992 Commitment from all sectors to ensure

understanding of SD and communication and cooperation between communities and government

Shift in focus from the current economic model

International commitment to halt climate change

Expectations for Rio +20: Outcomes Targets set based on what needs to be

achieved Commitment from all nations to the

implementation of action An enhanced governance framework to

promote and monitor progress

Expectations for Rio +20: Outcome Document Set of specific goals A clear pathway of implementation An agreed timeline for achieving targets

Thank You

Email: Sheila.George@environ.ie

Phone: 018882909