11 July 2013: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have released for comment the final report of the global consultation on environmental sustainability in the post-2015 development agenda.
The draft paper summarizes input received through 90 discussion notes from organizations and individuals, the leadership meeting held in San Jose, Costa Rica, in March 2013, and over 1,100 comments posted in online discussions.
The summary highlights an “overwhelming call for environmental sustainability to be at the heart of the post-2015 agenda,” and notes that the global discourse on sustainability is no longer only on preventing harm to the environment but also about “how environmental sustainability is fundamental to human development and well-being.”
It identifies four basic principles that participants saw as fundamental to the post-2015 development agenda: the full integration of environmental issues into human development policies, plans and action; equality between rich and poor, men and women, indigenous peoples and others, disabled, elderly, youth, and between generations; a human rights based approach, including people’s participation in decision making and implementation and ensuring minimum substantive environmental and social standards; and resilient societies, where a healthy environment provides food, water, shelter, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the grounds for peace and security to people both “today and well into the future.”
On building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), contributors noted that poor integration of the environment into other sectors, development policies, institutions and investment decisions has hampered or even reversed development achievements. Recognizing changes since the MDGs were formulated, the paper says, participants consistently highlighted three specific challenges for environmental sustainability: population dynamics, consumption and production patterns and climate change.
Contributions to the consultation stress the need for “transformational” change, and identify four drivers that could get the world onto the needed development trajectory: governance and accountability; local action and empowerment; education; and economic transformation. Finally, according to the draft, participants “could not have been more explicit about their resolve” for making sure that no one is left behind and everyone is carried forward.
The consultation’s co-chairs seek feedback on the draft report to ensure it faithfully represents discussions. Comments can be submitted during 11-26 July. [Consultation Webpage] [Publication: Draft Final Report] [IISD RS Coverage of Leadership Meeting]