May 2012: The Centre for Environment and Development, together with several collaborating partners, has launched the Peoples’ Sustainability Treaties initiative. A series of treaties represent a platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) to cooperate in the development of “an independent and strong outcome” of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), rather than reacting to an inadequate outcome.

Under the initiative, draft treaties are produced on various issues related to sustainable development, and CSOs are invited to give input on the drafts. The final treaties will contain a collection of proposals for governments to consider when negotiating the Rio+20 outcome, and are planned as an alternative peoples’ Rio+20 outcome.

There are currently seven draft treaties available for input, on: consumption; equity; sustainable economies; radical ecological democracy; sustainable development governance; rights of Mother Earth; and sustainable development goals (SDGs). They currently are open to contribution and input by the general public.

According to the timeline for the initiative, the treaties will be finalized in May 2012, and open to the public for endorsement and adoption beginning 1 June 2012. The six months after Rio+20 will be used for further outreach through the Campaign for a Global Movement towards Sustainable Futures.

The treaties also are intended as complementary to the People’s Summit Rio+20, organised by Brazilian civil society. [Initiative Website] [The Draft Treaties] [Website of People’s Summit Rio+20]