| European Civil Society voices its positions towards Rio+20 |
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Following the publication of the zero draft document for the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to take place in June 2012, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a conference during which European civil society organisations (CSOs) agreed on a set of recommendations for EU and global leaders. Participants emphasised the need for a greater emphasis on the social dimension of sustainable development and called for the eradication of poverty to be a top priority on the Rio+20 agenda. The conference took place from 7-8 February 2012 in Brussels and saw the participation of European CSOs, decision-makers, EU officials and public officials. Discussions focused on the current state of the Rio+20 processes and the concept of green economy, for which a common definition is yet to be agreed upon. Participants also took stock of the European contribution to sustainability and the enhancement of sustainable development in non-EU countries. In the outcome document, participants call on EU member states to commit to the principles of sustainable development and to reduce their resource consumption. Political leaders should furthermore agree on a green economy roadmap, with clear goals and monitoring mechanism, the document reads. Proposals for a new monitoring and evaluation mechanism include the creation of a new sustainable development council and the setting in place of a new UN agency for the environment. According to EESC president Steffan Nilsson “the Rio+20 summit will not solve the world's problems overnight; however it will be able to harness the will to act and give new momentum to sustainable development”. He emphasised the need for a greater CSO involvement in the different negotiation and implementation processes, an issue that should be addressed by political leaders during the conference, Nilsson stressed. He furthermore encouraged CSOs to step up their actions ahead of the conference. “Civil society's thinking and action for the Rio+20 summit are important because civil society can speak with one voice across EU Member States and other nations” he added. Prominent speakers, such as European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik, EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and Executive Coordinator of the UN Rio+20 Conference, Brice Lalonde, acknowledged the efforts of the Committee to channel European CSO voices on sustainable development and climate change and encouraged the body to play a more active role in the negotiation and implementation process of the sustainable development agenda, to be agreed upon. Sources:
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