| EP adopts an “ambitious” resolution on Rio+20 conference |
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In light of the preparations for the United Nations conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) to be held next year, the European Parliament (EP) expressed its priorities for the summit in a resolution adopted last week. MEPs called on the EU to come up with a “strong and unified” position if the event is to result in significant globally binding targets. While this resolution is not binding on the Council the Parliament urges the Council to take account of the parliament’s recommendations in defining the EU contribution to the zero draft of the outcome document for Rio+20. This needs to be submitted to the United Nations before 1 November. The EU, having some “practical experience in the fight against climate change and other sustainability issues” should take the lead in the discussions on a global action plan for sustainable development policy, stressed MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz (European People's Party). “An environmentally-friendly economy as a global standard is the only way forward and "Europe's leading role is an economic, environmental and social opportunity", he added. The set of recommendations that was approved with 449 votes in favour, 103 against and 45 abstentions, includes calls for a global “Green Economy Roadmap” and universal targets to increase the use of renewable energy as a means to secure energy efficiency. “We call on industrialised and developing countries to work together to reduce the global environmental footprint. Only firm action now will allow the world’s growing population to share its limited natural resources fairly and sustainably in the future,” said German MEP Jo Leinen (S&D), Chair of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee that prepared the draft document. One day before the vote, members of all three EU institutions as well as of the High Level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP) gathered together to express their views on a common EU position for Rio+20. Connie Hedegaard from the GSP pointed to the unsustainable economic growth strategies pursued by industrialised and emerging economies that have led to an irresponsible exploitation of nature and environment. Participants thus agreed that if sustainable development was to be pursued in a truly committed way, the economy needed to be restructured and be built on an efficient and sustainable management of resources and natural capital. The transformation of the economy that, according to some, will contribute to achieving sustainable development is generally referred to as ‘Green Economy’, a concept that has been subject to controversial debates in recent times. According to Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Green economy presents a “vehicle for delivering on sustainable development” that “offers opportunities for countries in all stages of development”. He also stressed that the recently released Commission’s resource efficiency roadmap was in a way also the roadmap for the green economy. For Andrzej Kraszewski from the Council of Ministers, the transformation for the economy however not only depends on access to technology but also requires a change in consumer patterns. If the world is thus to become more sustainable, consumers have to learn how to save energy and recycle their products in a sustainable way, he stressed. Kraszewski also emphasized the need for a “specialized agency” with a clear mandate on sustainable development. Jo Leinen (chair of the ENVI committee - S&D) emphasized that 20 years after the first Rio conference held in 1992 there’d been some achievement but overall trends were going in the wrong directions, the footprint of humanity on the planet remains very negative. He also stressed that considerable wealth had been generated but there’s still terrible poverty. “The economy must serve people and the environment. An economy that destroys the environment and endangers people is not a good economy. We need to redefine what we mean by economy against this backdrop” he continued. MEPs referred to the resolution as an ambitious and also comprehensive document as it covers a wide range of issues from environment protection to equity and social justice. Sandrine Bélier (Greens) called on the Council and the Commission to use the EP resolution at the highest possible level. The Environment Council will adopt its conclusions on Rio+20 on 10 October and the EU is expected to submit its common position to the UN by the beginning of November. Read the resolution here: European Parliament - Texts adopted Sources:  |
