I2UD » Rio+20 Blog

Visit to Rio+20

Warren — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:25:33 +0000

It wasn’t until arriving in Rio de Janeiro (1) that participants to Rio + 20, United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, could see the effect this event was having on the lives of local Cariocas and their city. Even though the main venue of the conference, Rio Centro, was about 60 minutes northwest of downtown Rio, dozens of related events were scattered all over the city, including at the legendary Copacabana beach in the Bay of Guanabara, overshadowed by the iconic Corcovado statue. Near the affluent Lagoa neighborhood, youth groups distributed information about sustainability topics, and across the city large numbers of Cariocas queued up in long lines, sometimes 400 yards long, to get into venues such as the “Humanidade Pavillion” that were not restricted to accredited participants.

Local media provided constant coverage of the negotiations between the countries’ representatives at Rio Centro. On the streets, environmental groups provided their own commentary on the negotiations, handing out flyers that were mostly critical of the outcome document “The Future We Want”. This document, theoretically, should move the international environmental agenda forward, seeing nations make concrete commitments to sustainability. After all in this city 20 years earlier, the United Nations held the historic “Earth Summit,” a landmark event in international environmental policy-making that paved the way for one of the first comprehensive agreements on environmental policy.(2) The Conference sparked Agenda 21, a local plan for sustainability; the Convention on Biological Diversity, which prioritizes the protection of endangered habitats; and the Framework Convention on Climate Change, which itself led to the Kyoto Protocol. The ten-year follow-up in Johannesburg, South Africa, saw world leaders again promising to take stronger actions to eradicate poverty while also protecting the environment.

But this year, two decades after the first Conference in Rio, many groups expressed their frustration with the slow pace of translating promises into action on environmental issues, raising their voices and marching in protest through the streets of Rio. In essence they claimed that the conference document lacks depth and specific commitments by nations to take drastic actions towards sustainable development. Although many issues were raised, the absence of an international agenda to curb the use of fossil fuels – which are the greatest contributors of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere – proved a particular point of contention. At the end of the week, civil society organizations released a strong objection to the final document entitled The Future We Don’t Want.

"NGOs reject Rio+20 final document"

Many civil society organizations took advantage of the global audience to stage protests on a wide variety of environmental and social issues

While negotiations among Presidents, Secretaries of State, Prime Ministers and other high-level officials took place in Rio Centro, other venues offered side events. These events encompassed informational and interactive panels and courses organized by themes of interest and directed at global, regional and local levels. The Conference discussed a variety of issues related to sustainable development, such as Energy; Cities; Food; Water; Oceans; and Disasters. A few examples of panels and educational modules include:

At a global level, a panel presented and discussed indicators of climate change and measures for sustainability. The International Network for Gender and Sustainable Energy offered a series of activities including a panel of energy and gender. This discussion touched on women in the formal and informal job arena and argued for women as a primary end user of energy.

Honorees of the Huairou Commission

At a regional level, the foundation Futuro Latinoamericano coordinated a panel on forestation policies and climate change. Panelists compared policies of 10 different countries across Latin America and discussed the accomplishments and challenges each country faces. In another session, the Small Islands Development States Network, a network of islands located in the Pacific and in Atlantic Ocean, shared technical experiences as well as know-how on how to contend with tsunamis.

At the local level, a session on sustainability for cities brought together technicians, NGO’s and public officials to discuss and learn about local management tools. There was also a series of activities dedicated to financing and partnerships. In another, the oldest Israeli environmental NGO shared techniques, tools and policies from its experience with water harvesting in semi-deserted areas. On gender issues, The Huairou Commission, a grassroots women organization in more than 50 countries, participated in panels advancing pro-poor, gender-equitable programs and policies at a local level. Finally, a panel demonstrating that “location matters” couldn’t have been more accurate in summarizing one of the main concerns of climate change and sustainability. The dominant, ongoing dialogue still suffers from a major gap in linkage between the global and local arenas.

To put this challenge in perspective, it is well documented that the urban population will almost duplicate by 2050 (4), and growth will be seen mainly in developing countries such as in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Furthermore the persistent challenge to house and foster social inclusion for low-income populations in primary and, more recently, in secondary cities is also well documented. Many of these low-income informal settlements tend to locate themselves in areas prone to risk. While topics such as local vulnerability and risk analysis had limited presence at Rio + 20, challenges such as low income population adaptation and resilience were even more underrepresented as discussion topics.

The “think global, act local” phrase was originally attributed to Patrick Geddes 1915, and subsequently in an environmental context to David Ross Brower, founder of Sierra Club. However this action is still not happening as massively as needed. In Rio + 20, there were panels, round tables and groups for global thinking but far fewer for those acting locally, especially for those facing the challenge of poverty, resilience and adaptation to climate change. This challenge is not yet embedded enough in the planning-environmentalist mindset.

Hopefully, the World Urban Forum in September 2012 in Naples, Italy will address these challenges in a comprehensive manner by linking microclimate change, adaptation and resilience with local policies while fostering sustainability from a local perspective and sharing specific ideas and tools that can inspire planners, government officials, NGO’s and especially communities from around the world.

After all, while climate change touches all communities in all countries, it is the poor who will suffer first and most.

Alejandra Mortarini attended the Rio + 20, United Nations Conference for Sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, from 19 June through 22 June.

Endnotes:

[1] With a population of more than 6,000,000, it was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries until Brasilia was constructed. Rio has been a laboratory for innovative and diverse housing policies, strategies and tools, due to a historical abundance of extensive informal settlements called Favelas.

[2] agreement on what sustainability meaning “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

[3] Between 2011 and 2050, the world population is expected to increase by 2.3 billion, passing from 7.0 billion to 9.3 billion (United Nations, 2011).At the same time, the population living in urban areas is projected to gain 2.6 billion, passing from 3.6 billion in 2011 to 6.3 billion 2050. Thus, the urban areas of the world are expected to absorb all the population growth expected over the next four decades while at the same time drawing in some of the rural population. As a result, the world rural population is projected to start decreasing in about a decade and there will likely be 0.3 billion fewer rural inhabitants in 2050 than today. Furthermore, most of the population growth expected in urban areas will be concentrated in the cities and towns of the less developed regions. Asia, in particular, is projected to see its urban population increase by 1.4 billion, Africa by 0.9 billion, and Latin America and the Caribbean by 0.2 billion. Population growth is therefore becoming largely an urban phenomenon concentrated in the developing world (David Satterthwaite, 2007).

First Impressions of The Future We Want

Warren — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:32:33 +0000

In a brief email from I2UD senior research associate Alejandra Mortarini, she tells us about the reaction to The Future We Want, the international agreement on sustainable development that everyone has been waiting for. After months of negotiations it is supposedly complete, and will be signed by world leaders on Friday:

“Firts Impressions of the documents: depends on who you talk, among other things, but there seems to be a consensus that 1) there is a lack of depth to commitments (so far). 2) representatives of women’s groups are not happy because they feel they have been left out 3) expectations on global energy commitments lack any depth. On the positive side I heard that finally there are several articles in there that refer to regional planning and include local governments, which apparently is a new mindset.”

Echoing this gauge of the Conference, a statement by in the opening plenary by a representative of NGOs, civil society from around the world declared in no uncertain terms their dissatisfaction with the agreement:

“Thank you President I am making this statement on behalf of the NGOs It feels amazing to be sitting in this room among all the world leaders, and feeling all this power around me that can shape the World. We all know the threat that is facing us, and I do not need to repeat the urgency. Science is very clear. If we do not change in the coming five to ten years the way our societies function, we will be threatening the survival of future generations and all other species on the planet. Nevertheless, you sitting here in this room have the power to reverse all of this. What you can do here is the dream of each one of us: to have the opportunity to be the savors of the planet. It is all up to you. And yet we stand on the brink of Rio+20 being another failed attempt, with governments only trying to protect their narrow interests instead of inspiring the World and giving all of us back the faith in humanity that we need. If this happens, it would be a big waste of power, and a big waste of leadership. You cannot have a document titled ‘the future we want’ without any mention of planetary boundaries, tipping points, or the Earth’s carrying capacity. The text as it stands is completely out of touch with reality. Just to be clear, NGOs here in Rio in no way endorse this document. Already more than 1,000 organisations and individuals have signed in only one day a petition called “The Future We Don’t Want” that completely refuses the current text. It does not in any way reflect our aspiration, and therefore we demand that the words “in full participation with civil society” are removed from the first paragraph. If you adopt the text in its current form, you will fail to secure a future for the coming generations, including your own children. To mention a few examples: In the issue of finding resources to implement sustainable development, we see countries using the economic crisis as an excuse, while at the same time spending 100s of billions of dollars subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, the most profitable industry in the world. The first thing you can do is eliminating the existing harmful subsidies, especially fossil fuel subsidies, which was voted as the number one issue during the civil society dialogue. Under the oceans section, you have failed to give a clear mandate to even start negotiating an implementing agreement to stop the Wild West abuse of the high seas. There are many other failures in the document related to women’s reproduction health, missed opportunities to start new global treaties on civil society participation and on sustainability reporting, the extraordinary lack of any reference to armed conflicts, nuclear energy (especially after the Fukushima disaster), and many others. But it is not too late. We do not believe that it is over. You are here for three more days, and you can still inspire us and the world. It would be a shame and a waste for you to only come here and sign off a document. We urge you to create new political will that would make us stand and applaud you as our true leaders.”

Update from Alejandra in Rio: Humanidade 2012

Warren — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:52:16 +0000

In an old fort on the trendy Copacabana beach, a side event called “Humanidade 2012” opens a conversation as large as civilization itself. Walking through this three-storey pavilion, the visitor traces a path through human and natural history, encountering a wealth of flora and fauna as well as stunning visual representations of the world in its current state. Senior research associate Alejandra Mortarini had the opportunity to visit this exhibition, which intends to open a conversation not only around sustainable development, but the path of civilization itself. Check out our Facebook page for photos of Humanidade, as well as more of Rio+20.

A model of Rio de Janeiro; each pipe represents a different piece of infrastructure

Agreement Reached

Warren — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:00:54 +0000

A press release from the United Nations announces that 191 countries have agreed on a document to be presented and signed by world leaders on Friday. The new document promises to strengthen the UN Environmental Program, promote gender equity, encourage corporate sustainability reporting, and detail a green economy. However, critics have already accused the document of not including enough commits to action; rather, the text only reaffirms that these sectors are important to the UN members. We will follow details of the text as the Conference continues, especially on how the new text will set international policy on cities.

We’ll also hear from I2UD senior researcher Alejandra Mortarini, who is attending Rio+20. Of the many events offered at Rio, she will attend a class on Water Harvesting best practices given by presenters from the arid nation of Israel, as well as a program on Sustainable Cities on Thursday.

What’s on the Agenda?

Warren — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:28:15 +0000

Much hype surrounds the UN Conference on Sustainable Development: thousands will attend, including business and industry representatives, delegations of native peoples, the heads of state of about 130 countries, and countless civil society groups (including the I2UD, represented by Alejandra Mortarini). The objective of the Conference is for UN member states to craft an agreement that will set international environmental, economic, and human development policy for the next several years – in other words, a document that will chart the path towards global cooperation on sustainable development.

The Conference will focus on two themes: a green economy, and the institutional framework needed to achieve sustainable development. Previous rounds of negotiations have already produced a draft agreement; conference planners hope that official delegates will sign off on a final document by Friday. The agreement is complex and expansive as it attempts to create policy in seven diverse areas, including high seas, food security, and energy.

With such a broad range of issues, many disagreements persist over how best to move forward. Two of the most controversial arguments revolve around financing sustainable development programs and curbing consumption. Poorer, developing countries are demanding that wealthier nations – as recompense for contributing the lion’s share of humanity’s environmental footprint – finance sustainable development programs. Similarly, emerging economies are seeking clauses that curb wealthy nations consumption. According to the BBC, the draft document is only about 20% agreed upon – and that’s after several months of negotiations. The Conference is unlikely to produce the type of comprehensive agreement anybody wants, but the hope is that the global focus on cooperation, poverty alleviation, and the environment will spur a renewed spirit of compromise.

Sustainable Development vs. Sustainability

Warren — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:42:13 +0000

Next week’s “Rio+20” Conference is an opportunity for world leaders to refocus and commit to bold measures that alleviate poverty, protect the environment, and strengthen the economy. The conference’s chief organizer, the United Nations, hopes to achieve this wealthier, greener world through the process of “sustainable development.” But what exactly does this mean, and how does it differ from the term “sustainability”? In a world where every organization, product, and project tout themselves as sustainable, it’s easy to lose the meaning of the words and their important implications. To understand them, we must look back before 1992’s Earth Summit.

In 1987, a report entitled Our Common Future defined sustainable development for the first time as development that “that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The report was born out of global dissatisfaction with large-scale development projects such as hydroelectric dams or logging schemes that increased GDP but at the expense of local peoples and natural resources. The poor especially were subject to physical displacement and vulnerable to job loss due to destruction of ecosystems. Sustainable development recognizes the inseparable link between people, the planet, and wealth; it advocates for policies that fully consider these three components to ensure that none negatively impact the others. A program that is enacted “sustainably” means that attention has been given to meeting human and environmental needs.

In the realm of urban sustainability however, the ‘s’ word has a much greener connotation. Urban areas are by definition a displacement of ecological space for human constructions. Expansion of cities almost always means a degradation of soils, lowering of the water table, and dirtying of the air. In post-industrial countries, regulations and infrastructure have sought to curb pollution problems; for example in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, city policymakers are working on innovative ways to control stormwater through green spaces. However, in the developing world, municipal laws and services have usually been overwhelmed by the rapid influx of migrants and population growth over recent years. For example, in Nairobi, Kenya, waste management presents a tricky problem because adequate landfills do not exist to hold the refuse of 3 million people daily.

Though the difference may seem arbitrary, distinguishing between sustainable development and urban sustainability is an important way to assess products and programs. In many cases the close association between the two concepts has caused ‘sustainable development’ to be compartmentalized as solely environmental, although it is intended to facilitate coordination between social, environmental and economic issues. Much of the discussion at Rio+20 will be to ensure that world leaders truly enact sustainable development projects that do not just pay lip service to its ideals. Our exploration of urban sustainability will examine projects that truly reflect sustainable development: programs that have positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes.

Two Decades of Sustainable Development

Warren — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:50:44 +0000

Rapid urbanization poses health and environmental hazards

The upcoming Conference on Sustainable Development is called “Rio+20” because it is the follow-up to the landmark Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which convened 20 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The integration of human development, environmental sustainability, and economic growth – at the time a young concept named “sustainable development” – was the hallmark idea behind UNCED. This meeting of world leaders dramatically changed the global conversation in regards to international development policy. The conference produced major agreements concerning sustainable development: the Convention on Biological Diversity; the Framework Convention on Climate Change; and the Agenda 21 path to sustainable development were all written here, and remain critical documents in international policy: the FCCC, for example, was the first global forum for climate change action and spurred the creation of the Kyoto Protocol. Additionally, the UNCED streamlined the concept of environmental sustainability, ensuring that ecological impact would be a core component of any policy or project (the conference even became known as ‘the Earth Summit’) .

Rio+20 is thus an occasion for global scrutiny on the progress made. So how has the world changed since 1992? The UN Environmental Program has just released a report comparing the world now and then in a variety of sectors. The major demographic story is that, for the first time in human history, more than 50% of our population lives in cities. This has important implications for the natural environment as a whole and urban ecologies in particular. Cities now consume 75% of the world’s energy and produce 80% of carbon emissions. Urban infrastructure – especially in developing countries – has been overwhelmed and unable to accommodate the rapid expansion of cities, increasing exposure to pollutants and health hazards. To illustrate this, although the proportion of slum dwellers has dropped, the absolute number has risen to over 800 million residents since 1992.

The I2UD has long recognized that improving living conditions for humans is a way to revitalize degraded ecologies, and vice versa; many of our past projects have tried to seize these “win-win” opportunities through strategic planning. From Tanzania to Turkey, Bolivia to Albania, the I2UD often recommends infrastructure upgrades to cut down on pollution, minimize the threat of natural disasters, and ensure sustainable economic growth. In the run-up to Rio+20 next week, check back for a deeper look into many different urban sustainability issues, as well as innovations from around the world and from our own portfolio that address these problems.

Spotlight on Urban Sustainability for Rio+20 Conference

Warren — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:36:28 +0000

Receding glaciers have serious implications for high-altitude cities' water supply

The I2UD is excited to announce an interactive program ahead of this month’s landmark United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development! Next week, leaders from around the world will assemble in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to negotiate the future of international environmental policy. Commonly referred to as Rio+20, the UNCSD hopes that countries will make bold progress towards partnering against the most pressing ecological concerns of our time, including climate change, food security, and clean water. At the heart of the negotiations is how to develop sustainably; that is, how to erase poverty while simultaneously protecting natural resources. The I2UD has long recognized the threat pollution and climate change pose to urban societies. With over half the world’s population living in cities, human health and economic vitality are linked to environmental integrity now more than ever. Indeed much of our work identifies best practices and urges implementation in related areas, such as slum upgrading in vulnerable localities. With this in mind, and as an NGO with special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC), I2UD is sending senior researcher associate Alejandra Mortarini participate in Rio+20. Throughout the Conference, we will follow Alejandra’s progress, discuss the major themes in urban sustainability today, as well as highlight our past research on the topic. Check back for analysis and commentary on all the exciting discussions Rio+20 is sure to create!