UNCSD ► Rio20plus : The "Green Economy" Agenda in the context of SD and Institutional Framework for SD

EEAC Working Group Sustainable Development giving input on the 'zero draft'

Following previous input in the preparation process of the UNCSD 2012, the Working Group at its meeting on 8 February 2012 agreed on comments on the so-called 'zero draft', a document issued in January that serves as basis for the negotiations in the run-up to the Rio conference. Building on the experience of SD councils in national and sub-national SD processes, it proposes wording for the paragraphs 59 - 61.

Comments on the UNCSD “Zero Draft: The Future We Want” by the Working Group Sustainable Development of EEAC - the European Environmental and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils

59. We encourage regional, national, subnational and local authorities as well as the private sector to set up overarching sustainable development strategies for guiding decision making on all levels. This encompasses the creation of vision, long term thinking, and skills to implement commitments in an integrative way. Sector strategies provided by e.g. development plans and green economy roadmaps need to become strong and effective parts of sustainable strategies.

60. We call for the strengthening of existing regional and sub-regional mechanisms, including the regional commissions, in promoting sustainable development through capacity building, exchange of information and experiences and providing expertise. We call for sufficient capacities and accountability structures that will ensure implementation of these tasks.

61. We underline the need for more coherent and integrated planning and decision-making at all levels, as well as strengthened civil society participation. We therefore call on countries to establish Sustainable Development Councils or similar multi-stakeholder bodies that bring in new ideas, set the agenda, change market patterns, make participation schemes work and stimulate informed debate. The challenge lies in linking possible long-term futures and threats with solutions and decisions. We expect the (new) UN Council for Sustainable Development to establish working links to national and sub-national Sustainable Development Councils or similar multi-stakeholder bodies.

The WG Sustainable Development had previously elaborated the 2011 EEAC Statement, with background papers and national assessments of green economy policies, which was submitted during the initial input phase for the 'zero draft':

UNCSD ► Rio20plus : The "Green Economy" Agenda in the context of SD and Institutional Framework for SD

This document is endorsed by 11 councils from 9 countries.

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