Donna Petrachenko, First Assistant SecretaryAustralian Government Rio+20 Taskforce
Presented at United Nations Association of Australia (Vic) Australia at Rio+20 Seminar in Melbourne, Thursday 17 May, 2012
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Donna Petrachenko - Presentation - Australia at Rio+20 Seminar
1. Australia at Rio+20
Ms Donna Petrachenko
Water Lilies (C. Zwick) Living Greener in the ACT (D. Markovic) Kakadu (M. McAulay) Swift Parrot (T. Tonelli)
Cape York NRM region (K.Trapnell) Kangaroo Island NRM region (J. Baker)
2. Rio+20
United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) 20 – 22 June 2012.
10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on
Sustainable Development
20th anniversary of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit
www.environment.gov.au
3. Rio+20: Objective and Themes
Objective
•To secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development
•assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation
of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development; and
•address new and emerging challenges.
Theme Theme
A green economy in the context of Institutional framework for
sustainable development and sustainable development, including
poverty eradication international environmental
governance
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4. Green economy in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication
Green economy - no single definition, but some
common themes:
recognises environmental degradation as a factor
which may impact on economic growth
pursues opportunities for economic growth that
minimise and, ideally, avoid environmental
degradation
maximises the efficiency with which natural resources
are used
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5. Australia has a number of examples of the Green
Economy
Measuring Sustainability
Clean Energy Future Package
Water for the Future
Developing skills for sustainability
Green Skills Agreement
Clean Energy and Other Skills package
Supporting innovation
National Waste Policy
Broader based measures of progress
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6. Institutional Framework for Sustainable
Development
Integrate the three pillars of sustainable development
and strengthen the environment pillar
Coordination across UN institutions and cooperation
UN Environment Programme
UN Economic and Social Council – Commission for
Sustainable Development
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7. Australia’s preparations for Rio+20
Australia’s submission to the Rio+20 Compilation
Document in November 2011
Zero Draft Outcomes Document
The Future We Want
Formal and informal preparatory meetings
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8. Informal Preparatory Meetings
2nd Informal preparatory meeting was held from the
23 April - 4 May in New York
Key points of interest from the negotiations include:
Concerns regarding the Green Economy
The development of Sustainable Development Goals
The Institutional Framework for Sustainable
Development
The meeting agreed to hold additional negotiating
days on 29 May to 2 June.
www.environment.gov.au
9. Australia’s Priorities at Rio+20
Oceans
Sustainable
Food
Development
security
Goals
Disaster risk Indigenous
reduction peoples
Gender equality Mining for
& women's sustainable
empowerment development
www.environment.gov.au
10. Oceans and the Blue Economy
Marine aspects of the theme “green economy in the
context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication”
Oceans have a key role to play in sustainable
development
But threats to marine resources and ecosystems
are growing
Oceans and the Blue Economy will feature
prominently at Rio+20
www.environment.gov.au
11. Text relating to Oceans and the Blue Economy
NCST 80. We recognize the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological
diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. We note the establishment by the UN General Assembly of an
Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation [, access to -
Mexico] and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction [. We
encourage the working group to improve progress on its agenda, in particular, its consideration of
gaps in implementation of existing instruments and the possible development of a multilateral
agreement under UNCLOS –Australia; US, Russian Federation delete; Venezuela reserve] [and we
agree to initiate as soon as possible the negotiations of a multilateral agreement that would effectively
address the conservation and the equitable and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas
beyond national jurisdiction in conformity with the precautionary principle, - Venezuela; Canada,
Norway, US, Russian Federation, Iceland, Australia delete] and look forward to its recommendations [to
the General Assembly on these issues – Australia; US delete; Venezuela reserve]. [Canada, Norway,
Mexico, Japan, Iceland, RoK, New Zealand retains original paragraph; US, Russian Federation reserve;
EU delete para and prefer to work with para.80]
www.environment.gov.au
12. Text relating to Oceans and the Blue Economy cont.
NCST 83. We remain committed to maintaining or restoring fish stocks to levels that can
produce the maximum sustainable yield [with the aim of achieving these goals for depleted
stocks on an urgent basis and where possible not later than 2015 / by 2015, or the shortest
period possible given the biological limitations of the species in question – Australia],
[among others by implementing science-based management plans / to this end, we commit
to develop by 2015 and implement science-based management plans, including by
reducing or suspending fishing catch or effort in line with the status of the stocks. We
further commit to eliminate destructive and harmful fishing practices as soon as
possible, including by appropriate by-catch and discards management, enhanced
efforts to manage environmental impacts and implementation of relevant General
Assembly resolutions. We call on regional fisheries management organizations that
have not undertaken independent performance reviews to do so on an urgent basis,
and encourage implementation of the recommendation of such reviews–Australia].
www.environment.gov.au
13. Text relating to Oceans and the Blue Economy cont.
NCST 83 bis. We [agree -Australia / encourage States –Canada] to take action to eliminate
subsidies that contribute to [overfishing, –US, Australia] illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
and to over-capacity [consistent with the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation / by 2015 –Australia].
We reiterate our commitment to conclude multilateral disciplines on fisheries subsidies which give effect
to the WTO Doha Development Agenda and the Hong Kong Ministerial mandates to strengthen
disciplines on subsidies in the fisheries sector, [including through the prohibition of certain forms of
fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing –US; EU delete] / [including
appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing countries –New
Zealand; G77 delete], taking into account the importance of this sector to developing countries [, and
acknowledging in this context the principles of WTO, in particular the need for appropriate and effective
special and differential treatment for developing countries –New Zealand, Canada, US delete]. We
encourage states to further improve the transparency and reporting of existing fisheries subsidies
programmes [through relevant WTO processes -Australia]. [Given the [state of global / global status
of –Iceland] fisheries resources, as an interim step, we agree not to [introduce new subsidies or –
Australia] extend or enhance existing subsidies that contribute to overfishing and over-capacity. –
Japan, EU reserve; Canada delete; Australia retain]
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14. Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable development goals would integrate the
three dimensions of sustainable development:
social
economic
environmental
Relationship to the Millennium Development Goals
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15. Text relating to Sustainable Development Goals
NCST 105 bis. We [also – EU delete] recognize that the development of goals could [also –
G77, EU] be useful for pursuing focused and coherent action on sustainable
development, taking into account the need for an integrated approach incorporating its three
dimensions. In this regard [, and [building on / complementing - Japan] the Millennium
Development Goals, - G77] we agree to [develop a set of [global –
Norway, Australia, Kazakhstan] sustainable development goals (SDGs) that address [and
incorporate – Switzerland] all three dimensions of sustainable development and their
interlinkages – RoK, EU / incorporating the three dimensions of sustainability and their
interlinkages in the post-2015 UN development agenda– US; EU delete] [and contribute
to an overarching post-2015 framework – EU].
www.environment.gov.au
16. Sustainable Development Goals: EU goals and
targets
The European Union have recently inserted concrete proposals
for goals and targets in five priority areas (water, sustainable
energy, oceans, land and ecosystems, and resource efficiency and
waste).
It is unclear at this time what the relationship is between these
goals and the SDGs proposal.
www.environment.gov.au
17. Sustainable Development Goals: EU goals and
targets cont.
Example of text
New Para after NCST 64.We therefore agree to the following
target: By 2020 achieve an increase of access of small-holder
farmers, especially women in rural areas, to agricultural
land, markets and finance, training, capacity-building, knowledge
and innovative practices. –EU; G77, US, Canada, Australia, Japan
reserves position
New Para after NCST 67 By 2030 achieve universal, sustainable
and equitable access to safe and clean drinking water and basic
sanitation as necessary for poverty eradication and to protect
human health as well as improve the well-being, particularly for
the most vulnerable. –EU; RoK to consider
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18. Indigenous Land & Sea Management
better conservation of improved social
biological diversity cohesion
sustainable use of economic
natural resources opportunities and
alleviation of poverty
www.environment.gov.au
19. Text relating to Indigenous Land & Sea
Management
CST pre91. ... [This highlights the importance of managing biodiversity at landscape and
seascape scales, enhancing habitat connectivity, particularly through corridors, and building
ecosystem resilience. –Australia, Mexico, US] We also recognise that [indigenous peoples’ –EU
delete; US retain] [and local communities’ traditional –G77, Australia, Mexico, US]
knowledge, innovations and practices make an important contribution to the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. [We consider there is value in facilitating greater understanding
and use of this traditional knowledge, with the prior informed consent of the holders of the
knowledge, to support social wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods. –Australia; US reserve]
[We recognize that [poor people / indigenous [peoples –Norway] and local [communities /
traditional knowledge – Norway] –US] are most directly dependent on [goods and services /
ecosystem services –US] and therefore are most immediately affected by the loss of
biodiversity and the degradation and loss of ecosystem services. –EU, US]
www.environment.gov.au
20. Mining for Sustainable Development
Mining can be used as a catalyst for sustainable
socio-economic development
Rio+20 should:
Acknowledge that sustainable mining practices and good
governance include:
comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks and policies
open and transparent markets
fair revenue distribution to all levels of the
community, including landowners, women and youth
www.environment.gov.au
21. Text relating to Mining for Sustainable
Development
CST 97 sext We recognise that mining [can be a catalyst for / has the potential to support –
US, EU] sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation. We urge countries with a
mining sector to adopt comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks and policies [and –US, EU]
[to facilitate mining – US, EU delete] practices [for the mining sector –US, EU] that deliver
economic and social benefits [to all citizens of producing countries –US delete] and include [sound
management of the environment and the conservation of biodiversity –US delete] [effective
safeguards that reduce social and environmental impacts as well as conserve biodiversity
[and ecosystem services –EU] –US, EU], [including reducing the social and environmental
impacts of [large scale commercial –Canada delete] mining –Australia, US delete]. We also urge
governments and the mining sector to commit to the continuous improvement of accountability and
transparency, taking account of [leading –US delete], best practices in public financial management
[and revenue and contract transparency, and to explore new mechanisms to prevent conflict
minerals from entering legitimate supply chains –US, EU, Norway]. [G77 reserves]
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22. Disaster Risk Reduction
A disaster resilient community is one that works together to
understand and manage the risks that it confronts.
At Rio+20: ensure that disaster risk reduction is effectively
integrated in sustainable development and the outcomes of
the conference.
We hope to see increased commitment to integrate
disaster risk reduction into policies, plans and programs
for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
www.environment.gov.au
23. Text relating to Disaster Risk Reduction
CST.87. We reaffirm our commitment to the Hyogo Framework of Action 2005-2015:
Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters [and call for [member –
HolySee, New Zealand delete] States, the UN system, International Financial Institutions
and civil society to accelerate implementation of the framework – Australia, New
Zealand, Mexico, RoK, Norway; G77 questions placement, to CST.87.bis]. [We recognize
that disaster risk reduction contributes: to [human security and – Japan] human well-being
by protecting lives; to economic growth by reducing losses; to lessening infrastructure
damage; and, to poverty eradication by protecting livelihoods – Australia, New Zealand
delete]. We reiterate the call for disaster risk reduction and [building of – Australia, New
Zealand, Norway] resilience to [natural and man-made disasters -Switzerland] be
addressed with a renewed sense of urgency in the context of sustainable development and
poverty eradication, integrated into policies, plans and programmes at all levels and placed
within the post-2015 [development agenda / framework – EU].
www.environment.gov.au
24. Gender Equality and Women’s
Empowerment
Highlight gender as a key cross-
cutting issue that is crucial to
achieving sustainable development.
Promote gender
equality, empower women and
support women’s economic
participation.
www.environment.gov.au
25. Text relating to Gender Equality and
Women’s Empowerment
CST 102. bis We recognize that progress on gender equality has been made in some areas but
[that women [continue to –RoK] make up the majority of the poor and – Canada, New Zealand
delete] the potential of women to engage in and contribute to sustainable development as
leaders, participants and agents has not been fully realised on account of persistent social
economic, and political [inequities / inequalities –Norway, Liechtenstein, EU, Iceland, New
Zealand; US reserve / discrimination both in explicit and implicit forms -RoK]. [Women can be
among the greatest contributors to promoting, sharing and practicing / Women’s contributions to
the promotion, sharing and practice of –Canada, New Zealand] sustainable development
methods and practices [can be enhanced - Canada, New Zealand] if they [are allocated / have -
US] equal access to opportunities and resources and are afforded critical decision-making roles [on
equal footing with men –Norway, Liechtenstein, EU, Iceland, New Zealand] in sustainable
development. We recognize that [investing in the development of women / gender equality and
women’s empowerment - Canada, New Zealand] [‘s capacities -RoK] has a multiplier effect
www.environment.gov.au
26. Food Security
increasing the effectiveness of the
Rio+20 should commit to a
international architecture around food
program of action to boost
security
global food security
including: improving agricultural productivity
improving the openness and
efficiencies of markets to respond to
global food security needs
www.environment.gov.au
27. Text relating to Food Security
NCST 64 undec ter We stress that a universal, rules-based, [more –EU] open, non-discriminatory and
equitable multilateral trading system will promote agriculture and rural development in [developing / all –New
Zealand, Canada, Australia] countries and contribute to world food security [and we urge national, regional
and international strategies to promote [access to and –New Zealand, Australia] the participation of
farmers, especially smallholder farmers, including women, in domestic, regional and international markets –
EU delete]. We call upon [Member – New Zealand delete] States and the World Trade Organization [to take
measures – EU delete] to promote trade policies that would be capable of promoting further trade in
agriculture products, [which supports sustainability, -EU] [including through eliminating barriers and
policies that distort production and trade in agriculture products,[which impede the achievement of
food security and act as –G77, Australia; EU delete] –New Zealand, G77, Australia; EU, RoK, Norway
delete] [identifying / particularly – New Zealand] the obstacles to trade which have the most serious impact
on the world’s poor [and / thereby –New Zealand] contributing to supporting small-scale and marginalized
producers in developing countries. [We call for rapid implementation of Doha Agriculture Mandate while
recognizing the rights of countries to fully utilize their policy space and flexibilities, consistent with
their WTO commitments. –G77; EU, Canada reserve until discussion on trade issues in V-C; Norway
delete] [In this regard, -EU, Switzerland]
www.environment.gov.au
28. Rio+20 and Business
Rio+20 Sustainable Development Dialogue
Business Action for Sustainable Development
19 June
Natural Capital Declaration
www.environment.gov.au
29. Rio+20 Draft Outcomes Document
Standardisation and corporate reporting of
sustainability information within the reporting cycle
(para 24)
Green Jobs
Compendium of Commitments
Corporate Governance
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30. Current Dialogue with Business
Ministerial roundtable - Business 21 May
Department of
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities – meeting to discuss UNEP financial
initiatives - 25 May
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Hinweis der Redaktion
Welcome to this presentation on the Rio+20 Conference process and the Australia’s submission and priorities. The presentation will be broken up: The broader themes and objectives of the ConferenceWhere Australia’s priorities lie at Rio+20Business engagement at Rio and Australia
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will convene in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20-22 June 2012 (Rio+20). Rio+20 will mark: the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa; and the 20th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The Earth Summit produced: Agenda 21, which articulates a global program of action for sustainable development; the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; the Forest Principles; and the ‘Rio’ conventions – the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification.
Objective and themesThe United Nations General Assembly set the following objective and themes for the conference: to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable developmentassess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development address new and emerging challenges. Rio+20 also has two broad themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; andthe institutional framework for sustainable development. .
Green Economy The green economy themeserves to generate discussion on how to reform economies to focus on improving well-being, promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce inequality, without exposing future generations to environmental risks and scarcities. Therefore a green economy is generally seen as a means to achieve sustainable development. A key element of the concept of a “green economy” is the recognition that economic development is underpinned by the natural resource base and the environmental services that it provides. A green economy is therefore one which:Recognises environmental degradation as potential limit to economic growth Pursues opportunities for growth that minimise and, ideally, avoid environmental degradation (the notion of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation and resource depletion) Maximises the efficiency with which natural resources are used.
There are a range of policy tools that can be used to move towards a green economy, and each country will need to select a mix of tools which suit their particular circumstances.Australia has a number of practical examples of initiatives already underway that contribute to a green economy. The Clean Energy Future Package, which includes putting a price on carbon, is an example of the use of price-based instruments to provide incentives for more efficient use of resources and to address negative externalities Pricing carbon will drive a structural change in the economy, creating incentives to reduce pollution and invest in clean energy and ensuring pollution is reduced at the lowest cost to the economy.Water for the Future contains a suite of policies and programs to secure Australians’ water supply, including funding for environmental water purchasing, irrigation modernisation, desalination, recycling, and storm water capture.In the Rio+20 context, Australia has called for a practical and people-oriented transition to a green economy. In Australia, we are working to provide workers with the skills, knowledge and capacity to develop and implement innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and contribute to greening the economy, for example through: the Green Skills Agreement across Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, which embeds skills for sustainability within the National Training System; and The Clean Energy and Other Skills package, which will enable tradespeople and professionals in key industries to develop the skills to deliver clean energy services, products and advice to Australian communities and businesses.Australia recognises the importance of innovation as a key means of breaking dependence on unsustainable practices and is building a strong national innovation system, fostering a culture of innovation based around its strengths in education, a skilled labour market, business, research and the broader economyAustralia’s Innovation Agenda, Powering Ideas, sets a 10-year reform agenda to make Australia more productive and more competitive. It sets a course for improving skills and expanding research capacity, increasing incentives for innovation in business, government and the community sector, and building linkages and collaboration.Australia is also supporting international science collaboration so that the world’s best researchers are working together to achieve world-leading solutions to national and global challenges.Australia is implementing a National Waste Policy, which aims toavoid the generation of waste, reduce the amount of waste for disposal and manage waste as a resource The National Waste Policy will also complement other government action to deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions, reduce energy and water use, support jobs and invest in future long term economic growth.Broader-based indicators of progress that take into account natural and social as well as economic capital, provide useful information for decision-makers, not only within government, but also for business.The Australian Government’s Measuring Sustainability program, will provide indicators of economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability to inform decisions and planning at national and community levels.At Rio+20, Australia supports agreeing green economy outcomes which include practical actions that deliver social, environmental and economic outcomes; and robust approaches to measuring progress.
Institutional framework for sustainable developmentThe purpose of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development theme is to improve the current governance system for sustainable development. The goal is to see how the key institutions across social, economic and environment spheres work in delivering on sustainable development objectives – and how they interlink. Rio+20 presents us with a timely opportunity to design the institutional framework we need to support our collective efforts on sustainable development for the coming decadesRio+20 institutional reform outcomes should: seek to integrate the three pillars of sustainable development in United Nations decision-making and strengthen the environment pillar of sustainable development to reflect the equal importance of all three pillars;improve coordination across United Nations institutions, streamline resource utilisation and minimise duplication;Australia’s key priorities for reform are:strengthening United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to better perform its role as global environment anchor institution; either through enhancement of its authority or upgrading to a specialized agency.transforming the Commission on Sustainable Development into a significantly more effective organisation or transforming it into a Sustainable Development Council;enabling the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to better perform its role as the primary high-level decision‑making body for all three pillars of sustainable development; and
Australia’s submission to the Rio+20 compilation document in November 2011Through the whole of government approach, Australia developed its initial submission to the Rio+20 compilation document which was submitted to the UNCSD in November 2011. It included resilient and sustainable economies sectoral themes, Addressing cross-cutting sustainable development issues, in particular: more effectively mobilising finance; promoting better measurement of sustainability and environmental accounting; establishing sustainability goals and measuring progress; using market mechanisms to reflect environmental costs; continuing to empower women; promoting and further developing education and training; and encouraging universal access to modern telecommunication services, and Improving the institutional framework to support and drives sustainable developmentZero Draft outcomes documentUN member states’ comments were compiled into a document of 19 pages – The Future We Want – which was published on the UNCSD in January. Formal and informal preparatory meetingsAustralia has been involved in sixteen international meetings to date with preparations for Rio commencing in May 2010 with the 1st Preparatory Committee Meeting. Since submission our zero draft, Australia has participated in: the 2ndIntersessional meeting in mid Dec 20111, and informal consultations in New York in 25-27 January, 19-23 March and 23 April to 4 May 2012. There is much work still to do and the key remaining formal preparatory meetings are: 3rd round of informal-informal negotiations on the zero draft from Tuesday 29 May until Saturday 2 June 3rd preparatory committee meeting in Rio de Janeiro, 13 Jun 2012 - 15 Jun 2012 Rio+20 conference from 20-22 June 2012.
The second round of informal-informal negotiations were held from the 23 April to 4 May in New York.Readings of the draft outcomes document progressed slowly.As a result of slow progress, the meeting agreed to hold additional negotiating days on 29 May to 2 June 2012.Key points of interest from the negotiations include:The divide between the Group of 77 and China and others on the issue of the Rio+20 theme of ‘a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication continues.The major groups (Business & Industry, Children & Youth, Farmers, Indigenous Peoples, Local Authorities, non-government organisations, Science & Technological Community, Women and Works & Trade unions) also hold concerns regarding the green economy. Colombia will push for indicative themes and a process on sustainable development goals to be announced at Rio+20. Colombia is also working closely with the EU to finalise a new version of its SDGs proposal. The revised version aims to flesh out an approach for Rio+20, including a number of draft goals.China and the US support the development of SDGs but do not want Rio to identify priority themes while the G77 issued an ultimatum that unless ‘their’ list of principles are used for the basis of work there will be no SDGs.The G77 presented a proposal for reform of the IFSD. The proposal caused a split within the G77, with Kenya making an intervention on behalf of the African Union that the G77s proposal did not include certain aspects of it’s position.
Following Australia’s participation at the preparatory meetings, Australia has refined its sectoral priorities to include:OceansSustainable development goals Food securityDisaster risk reductionMining for sustainable development gender equity; and indigenous land and sea management.
“Blue Economy” refers to marine aspects of the Green Economy theme. The term was coined by Pacific Small Island Developing States, who have noted that, for them, “the green economy is a blue economy”A strong emphasis is being given to Blue Economy by many countries, particularly Pacific SIDS, but also the Association of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), the G77, the EU, and Brazil. Australia has also identified it as a priority for our engagement.There is a strong case for the emphasis being given to oceans issues. Marine ecosystems and resources are a foundation for sustainable development for many nations. They are a source of food, livelihoods, income and culture. Globally, fisheries provide animal protein and food security for over one billion people, support 170 million jobs and provide $35 billion to household incomes. An estimated half a billion people live in close proximity to coral reefs and rely on them as a source of food and income through small scale fishing and ecotourism. Marine resources and ecosystems (and the food, incomes and livelihoods they support) are under significant threat from multiple pressures, including climate change, unsustainable fishing, ocean acidification, habitat loss and pollution. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. In many countries, a number of steps have been taken towards ‘greening’ economic activity – but oceans is often under-represented in such efforts.Australia’s priorities for oceans at Rio+20Promote integrated ecosystem-based planningImproving the state of fisheriesStrengthening global governance and institutionsPromote existing blue economy frameworks
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shaping up as one of the most significant outcomes from the Rio+20 Conference. Australia is engaging actively in discussions to develop this concept and is seeking to play a constructive role. Australia is keen to see Rio+20 agree to the development of sustainable development goals, which should reflect key sustainable development priorities, and drive international efforts on sustainable development. The goals should encourage actions which deliver long term environmental, social and economic benefits. The relationship between the proposed SDGs and the Millennium Development Goals (which are due to expire in 2015) needs to be carefully considered. Australia supports a single track process to develop the post-2015 development framework, leading to a single set of goals. Some of the principles we consider important include: integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development, complementing existing targets, consistency with the principles of Agenda 21 and goals which are universal in application but for which countries can take different approaches It will be critical to consider how the SDGs concept can best feed in to the development of the post-2015 framework, and tailor the Rio+20 outcome to reflect this.
Australia reaffirms the importance of traditional knowledge and local practices in the conservation and sustainable use of landscapes and seascapes. Australia acknowledges the economic, social and environmental benefits that are derived by Indigenous peoples and local communities through local and regional approaches as demonstrated domestically and within the region. Australia is keen to share our experience and partner with countries from across the world that have a strong record on indigenous sustainable development - from Canada and Ecuador in the Americas to Norway in Europe, South Africa and Namibia in Africa through to New Zealand in our own region. Partnering with other countries would provide to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, build social cohesion and provide economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples.We see Rio+20 as an opportunity to share such knowledge and work together to create a more sustainable future.
Australia is a world leader in mining and is an active member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). This region includes some of the world’s largest producers and consumers of resources; consuming 60 per cent and producing 70 per cent of the world’s minerals and metals. Rio+20 presents an opportunity to encourage the development of a global approach to mining as part of the international sustainable development agenda. It also allows us to showcase Australia’s mining industry and regional AusAid initiatives. Australia strongly supports developing economies endowed with resources to adopt sound mining practices, and to promote mining as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction.Rio+20 should:recognise that mining, when conducted under sound socio-economic and environmental management, is a catalyst for sustainable development; acknowledge that sustainable mining practices and good governance include comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks and policies, open and transparent markets, fair revenue distribution to all levels of the community, including landowners women and youth.
Australia is committed to making countries and communities more resilient to natural disasters. Investing in disaster risk reduction not only saves lives and livelihoods, it protects development gains, is cost effective and supports achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.Australia’s objective at Rio+20 is to ensure that disaster risk reduction is effectively integrated in sustainable development and the outcomes of the conference.We hope to see increased commitment to integrate disaster risk reduction into policies, plans and programs for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Women’s empowerment and gender equality is a cross-cutting issue in which Australia has a strong interest and good track record within the United Nations. Australia’s objective is to highlight gender as a issue that is crucial to achieving sustainable development. At Rio+20, Australia will seek outcomes that promote gender equality, empower women and support women’s economic participation. This challenge is central to sustainable economic and human development and to supporting women’s rights. As long as the full potential of women to contribute to our economies and communities remains untapped, the debate and action around economic and environmental issues is skewed. Women face barriers to their full participation in economic, social and political life. The World Bank has found that eliminating discriminatory practices could increase productivity by up to 40 per cent. Governments should take up the opportunity of greater sustainable economic growth through enhanced female participation in the workforce by accelerating implementation of international commitments to advance gender equality and women’s rights. This should include a particular emphasis on: land and property rights; access to education and training; access to capital; sexual and reproductive health; freedom from gender-based violence; and full participation in economic and political decision-making.
In the previous negotiation, Australia supported the amendments of our likemindeds in the margins. We have subsequently submitted written comments specifically supporting text from our likeminded countries.
Food security is a major global development challenge, in particular for African Union countries and Small Island Developing States, and is a priority for Australia at Rio+20.Growing populations and changing diets are steadily increasing demand, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasting that global agricultural output must increase by 70 per cent from average 2005-07 levels by 2050 to feed the expected population of 9.3 billion. Experts forecast that food prices are likely to remain higher and more volatile than they were before 2008. Rio+20 presents an opportunity for the international community to develop a comprehensive approach to alleviating the short term impacts of food shortages and excessive price volatility on developing countries.It also provides an opportunity to improve the overall global food system to achieve long term food security for all. The Australian Government is committed to playing an active role in international efforts to address poverty, boost sustainable food production and protect the environment.
Rio+20 Sustainable Development Dialogue The Dialogue, a Brazilian Government initiative with the support of the UN, will be the primary official vehicle for civil society. The Dialogue will take place in Rio between 16-19 June at RioCentro between the UN PrepCom meeting and the High Level Summit. The Dialogue will feature over 100 civil society experts debating issues including oceans, food and nutrition security, sustainable development for fighting poverty and the economic and financial crises, sustainable energy, water, economics of sustainable development including sustainable patterns of production and consumption, cities and innovation, unemployment, decent work and migration and forests.I encourage you to participate in the on-line discussion forum at www.riodialongues.org BASD 2012The BASD 2012 Business Day on Tuesday 19 June in Rio de Janeiro will include a wide range of business, government, and NGO participants, and will address both sector and cross-cutting issues. The BASD 2012 Business Day will identify key actions and catalysts to drive scale, as a final input to the Rio+20 Conference and for collaborative action by the participants going forward. Natural Capital DeclarationThe UNEP Finance Initiative National Capital Declaration is a statement by global financial institutions that recognises natural capital as an issue that may bring significant risks and opportunities. Natural capital recognises that business need to factor in biodiversity and ecosystem impacts and dependency and the economic contribution of nature’s services into business decisions and accounting. The Declaration will feature as part of the UNEP Business Day at the Conference.
The Rio+20 draft Outcomes Document contains a number of references to business and industry.For example, the draft Outcomes Document encourages business and industry to:Green Jobs contribute to the creation of jobs to facilitate the transition to a green economycontribute to decent workand green jobs, including through partnership with small and medium enterprises and cooperatives.To assist this, a proposal has been put forward to establish a global green jobs centre to promote the exchange of information and knowledge on green job skills and to facilitate the integration of relevant data into national economic and employment policies.Compendium of Commitments The compendium of commitments is intended as a registry of voluntary commitments made at Rio+20 and throughout 2012 by governments, corporations, civil society organisations and others.The compendium would be a compilation of various approaches to promoting sustainable development both within and outside government. The proposal requests the United Nations Secretary General to compile the commitments and make them fully transparent and accessible to the public.Corporate Governanceto consult with relevant stakeholders in a transparent manner to take a green economy approach to achieving results including greening their supply chain in achieving their sustainability goals;align their practices with universally accepted principles concerning human rights, labour, social security, environment and anti-corruption, such as those set forth by the United Nations Global Compact.
Ministerial RoundtableThe Minister, the Hon Tony Burke will be hosting a roundtable discussion with tenkey business stakeholders to discuss the Rio+20 outcomes. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the key priority areas for Australia and how they translate from the International negotiations to domestic implementation. SEWPAC meeting SEWPaCwill be hosting a roundtable on 25/5 from 2.30 – 4.30pm at Woden with key finance stakeholders and Commonwealth agencies to discuss the role of finance sector and business in sustainable development. The roundtable will focus on: UNEP Finance Initiative perspective on Rio+20Natural Capital Declaration Natural Capital Accounting (InvitesEPA Victoria, NAB, RaboBank, Sustainable Business Australia, and Responsible Investment Association Australia and DFAT, AusAid, Treasury, and PM&C)