8 November 2012: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched the environmental sustainability thematic consultation on the post-2015 agenda. The consultations are beginning with a call for papers; individuals and groups are invited to submit papers on topics they think should be a priority for the environmental sustainability thematic discussion.
The consultation aims to facilitate an open dialogue and stimulate thinking to generate consensus on environmental sustainability in the post-2015 agenda.
The consultation concept note recommends considering the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development as the defining framework. It also recommends incorporating: lower carbon intensity development paths; greener growth; improved waste management at all levels; and sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns.
The call for papers, Phase 1 of the consultation, encourages participants to consider the role of environmental sustainability within the post-2015 development framework, and to propose specific development goals related to environmental sustainability. Participants are further encouraged to: submit papers that build on the experiences and lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7 on environment; propose integrated approaches that link economic, environmental and social sustainability; and consider cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, inequalities, human rights, partnerships and youth. Papers should include: an outline and rationale; field or policy research findings; and proposed questions to frame online discussions.
In January 2013, a Leadership Meeting will convene 40 emerging and leading thinkers to develop a framework for the consultation’s second phase. These leaders will consider submitted papers in their formulation of topics for the phase two online discussion. It is anticipated that the final report on this consultation will be submitted in April 2013.
The Climate Action Network International is the lead NGO network for the consultation. [Call for Papers] [Consultation Concept Note]