4 February 2012: The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2012 (DSDS 2012) has concluded with global leaders and policy makers pledging to protect the global commons and adopt sustainable methods. Participants included current and former presidents, who identified sustainable agriculture and green growth as among the key needs for preserving the global commons. Panelists also discussed sustainable development and consumption, and highlighted issues in South Asia and Africa.

DSDS is an annual gathering organized by the The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). DSDS 2012 took place from 2-4 February 2012 in New Delhi, India, and focused on the theme, “Protecting the commons: 20 years post Rio.” It included a variety of special events, such as the 9th World CEO Sustainability Summit, the Sustainable Development Leadership Award, the 4th Green Globe Foundation Award Ceremony, and the Asian launch of the Report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP).

The first day of the Summit featured panels titled “leading to preserve the global commons,” during which world leaders identified the key needs for preserving the global commons, including: a carbon tax; social equity; pricing models for products; sustainable agriculture; strong political will; international cooperation to combat climate change; green growth; effective monitoring; and an interdisciplinary approach for a sustainable future. Panel members also underlined the role of NGOs and the media, stressing that in guiding the world towards sustainability, leaders need public support.

The Summit also included sessions on: biodiversity; a corporate dialogue on the global commons; water; sustainable development and consumption; sustainable management of global commons in South Asia; global commons and challenges in Africa; new frontiers in combating climate change; the information revolution and sustainable development; clean energy; and overcoming the global North-global South divide.

Closing the Summit, TERI Director General Rajendra K. Pachauri highlighted the issues of poverty eradication and sustainable development. [Summit Bulletin, 3 February 2012] [Summit Bulletin, 4 February 2012] [Summit Bulletin, 5 February 2012] [Summit Website]