The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
2012 is also known as UNCSD2012, Rio+20 or Earth Summit 2012. This
conference will be a watershed event.
CI has joined a host of other NGOs, coalitions and pressure
groups in submitting its recommendations on sustainable
development to Rio+20. This 'Zero Draft' consultation is viewed by
many as a key part in the processes of influencing any agreement
that can be reached at the UN Earth Summit in Rio.
CI wants to see the following agreed at Rio+20:
1. An explicit commitment to measures that will support
sustainable consumption, including the full implementation of
section G of the UN guidelines for consumer
protection.
Secured by CI in 1999, section G of the UN guidelines remains a
key principle of the consumer movements fight for more sustainable
modes of production and consumption:
"Governments, in partnership with business and relevant
organizations of civil society, should develop and implement
strategies that promote sustainable consumption through a mix of
policies that could include regulations; economic and social
instruments; sectorial policies in such areas as land use,
transport, energy, and housing; information programmes to raise
awareness of the impact of consumption patterns; removal of
subsidies that promote unsustainable patterns of consumption and
production; and promotion of sector-specific environmental
management best practices".
2. Support for, and endorsement of, an
ambitious 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) on Sustainable
Consumption and Production.
In 2002, governments at the Johannesburg summit called for the
development of a 10-year framework of programmes in support of
regional and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards
sustainable patterns of consumption and production. CI has been
working as part of the
Marrakech Process on developing the framework and now wants to
see the programme implemented in a systematic and integrated manner
with the proper involvement of national consumer organisations.
The importance of Rio+20
CI's Bjarne Pedersen, talks about the importance of
Earth Summit 2012.