1 April 2010: The UN Secretary-General’s report on “Progress to date and remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits in the area of sustainable development and analysis of the themes for the Conference” (A/CONF.216/PC/2) has been released in preparation for the 17-19 May 2010 Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, which will meet in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in 2012 (Rio+20).

The report provides an assessment of the progress and gaps in implementation of sustainable development decisions since 1992, as well as a review of the two themes of the Conference: green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. In relation to climate change, the report notes that, while there is a scientific and political consensus over the threat posed by climate change, remedial and mitigation efforts have been slow and inadequate. It adds that, “while political commitment to addressing climate change has risen dramatically, it has not yet translated into concrete actions and results; this is in part because climate change has not been approached as an integrated sustainable development challenge.”

The report indicates that the “response to the climate change threat must be multi-pronged.” It should: address the mitigation challenge in ways that are supportive of sustainable development; promote inclusive economic growth in developing countries; increase international financial and technical support for the adaptation of developing countries; and strengthen institutions at local level as well as UN and other international institutions that provide humanitarian, reconstruction and development support to countries faced with climate-related disasters and longer-term impacts. [UN Secretary-General’s Report] [UNCSD Website]