A multi-stakeholder magazine on climate change and sustainable development outreach

1. inside:
Deleting our Rights, Bracketing our Future:
Why we need a People's Summit
Common but Differentiated Responsibility
at Rio+20
a multi-stakeholder
magazine on
climate change
and sustainable
development
out reach. 23 April 2012
www.stakeholderforum.org/sf/outreach/ pic: Benoit Theodore

2. contents.
1 Note from the Editors
UN Human Rights Chief urges States to inject human rights into
2 Rio+20
Deleting our Rights, Bracketing our Future: 3
3 Why we need a People’s Summit
4 Common but Differentiated Responsibility at Rio+20
Road Map for international endorsement of a Charter of Universal
6 Responsibilities
7 Stable Populations: an Essential Condition for Sustainability
Profile. 4
8 Calling forth Rights of Nature at the Earth Summit Rio+20
9 Rio+20 Side Event Calendar
10 Principle 10: Time for a global convention
7
pic: Ian Wallace
OUTREACH IS PUBLISHED BY: Outreach is a multi-stakeholder publication on OUTREACH EDITORIAL TEAM
climate change and sustainable development.
It is the longest continually produced Editorial Advisors Felix Dodds Stakeholder Forum
stakeholder magazine in the sustainable Farooq Ullah Stakeholder Forum
development arena, published at various
international meetings on the environment; Editor Georgie Macdonald Stakeholder Forum
including the UNCSD meetings (since 1997), Co-editor Amy Cutter Stakeholder Forum
UNEP Governing Council, UNFCCC Conference
of the Parties (COP) and World Water Week. Editorial Assistant Jack Cornforth Stakeholder Forum
Published as a daily edition, in both print Print Designer Jessica Wolf Jessica Wolf Design
and web form, Outreach provides a vehicle
for critical analysis on key thematic topics in Web Designer Thomas Harrisson Stakeholder Forum
the sustainability arena, as well as a voice
of regional and local governments, women, Web Designer Matthew Reading-Smith Stakeholder Forum
About Stakeholder Forum indigenous peoples, trade unions, industry,
youth and NGOs. To fully ensure a multi-
Stakeholder Forum is an international stakeholder perspective, we aim to engage CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
organisation working to advance sustainable a wide range of stakeholders for article
Navi Pillay UN Human Rights chief Roger Martin Population Matters
development and promote democracy at a contributions and project funding.
global level. Our work aims to enhance open, Paul L. Quintos IIbon International Doris Ragettli Rights of Mother Earth
If you are interested in contributing
accountable and participatory international City University of Hong Christine Loh Civic Exchange
decision-making on sustainable development to Outreach, please contact the team Robert Gibson Kong
through enhancing the involvement (gmacdonald@stakeholderforum.org or Gita Parihar Friends of the Earth
of stakeholders in intergovernmental acutter@stakeholderforum.org) Sudha Reddy International Forum of
Ethics & Responsibilities
processes. For more information, visit: You can also follow us on Twitter:
www.stakeholderforum.org @OutreachLive

3. Note from the Editors
Georgie Macdonald and Amy Cutter
Editors for Outreach Magazine, Stakeholder Forum
Yesterday’s 42nd Earth Day Rio+20 offers us an opportunity to make the right
turn and change our course towards a just and
marked yet another milestone sustainable transition. Ban Ki-moon went on to note that
as we approach Rio+20. With “sustainable development recognizes that our economic,
social and environmental objectives are not competing
over 120 Heads of State and goals that must be traded off against each other, but
governments now expected to are interconnected objectives that are most effectively
pursued together in a holistic manner…We need an
attend the Summit – more than outcome from Rio+20 that reflect this understanding and
in 1992 – the pressure is now that relates to the concerns of all.”
mounting for Rio to deliver. The
Over the next two weeks, the Outreach team will be
next two weeks of negotiations tracking the negotiations, engaging stakeholders, covering
serve as one final opportunity events and gathering articles, in order to provide rich
daily insights for those attending the negotiations and
for us to ensure that we enter those following from afar. To help us target certain hot
the Summit on a sure footing and topics and timely discussions, we will be loosely basing
each edition around a series of themes. Today’s theme
produce a successful outcome. is Rights, Responsibility and Principles, continuing the
discussions that emerged in the March meetings.
The challenge was best summarised this month by
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who stated that We would like to invite our readers to contribute to
“The world stands at a crossroads…we need everyone – Outreach over the next nine days and at Rio itself. Below
government ministers and policymakers, business and civil is a list of daily themes, with content deadlines. Articles
society leaders, and young people – to work together to should be between 500-700 words in length (max. 700)
transform our economies, to place our societies on a more and we can also include images. Please contact us if
just and equitable footing, and to protect the resources
and ecosystems on which our shared future depends.” information about Outreach. .
you would like to contribute articles, or would like more
CONTENT DEADLINE
MEETING PUBLICATION DATES THEMES
(5PM EST EACH DAY)
Monday 23rd April Rights, Responsibility & Principles Today’s edition
Tuesday, 24th April Green economy Monday, 23rd April
Wednesday, 25th April Food and Agriculture Monday, 23rd April
Thursday, 26th April Oceans/Blue Economy Tuesday, 24th April
Rio+20: Second round Institutional Framework for Sustainable
of 'informal-informal' Friday, 27th April Wednesday, 25th April
Development
negotiations on the
Zero Draft of Outcome Monday, 30th April Energy Saturday, 28th April
Document Private Sector discussions on Sustainable
Tuesday, 1st May Saturday, 28th April
Development & Rio process
Wednesday, 2nd May Disaster, Risk and Resilience Monday, 30th April
Thursday, 3rd May Youth/Earth Debates Tuesday, 1st May
Friday, 4th May The Final Sprint to Rio Wednesday, 2nd May
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4. UN Human Rights Chief urges States to inject
Navi Pillay
human rights into Rio+20
UN Human Rights chief
As negotiations on the Rio+20 Conference outcome enter
a critical phase, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has
urged all United Nations Member States to ensure that
human rights are thoroughly integrated in the discussions
and in any final outcome.
Twenty years after the adoption of the landmark
Rio Declaration, the United Nations Conference on pic: Espen Faugstad
Sustainable Development is due to convene in June this
year. Regrettably, said Pillay in a letter sent to all UN because it was “thoroughly infused with human rights
Member States, the draft outcome document of the considerations essential to sustainable development.”
Rio+20 Conference fails to take sufficient account of
human rights imperatives. She called on all Member States to commit to ensuring
full coherence between their international human rights
“In recent years, people have taken to the streets in obligations and efforts to advance the green economy.
every region of the world, passionately demanding their
fundamental human rights – in many instances at great “All policies and measures aimed at advancing sustainable
personal risk,” Pillay said. “For Rio+20 to be successful, development must be firmly grounded in the right to
its outcome must ensure that explicit human rights development, based on the principles of participation,
safeguards are in place.” accountability at the national and international level, non-
discrimination, empowerment and the rule of law,” Pillay said.
Pillay warned that incoherence between international
human rights standards, environmental strategies and “Public and private sector actors must exercise due
economic policies can undercut all three. diligence, including by conducting human rights impact
assessments. They must take particular care to prevent
“Strategies based on the narrow pursuit of economic and remedy any negative impact on the human rights of
growth without due regard for equity and related vulnerable and marginalized groups, including indigenous
environmental, social and human rights considerations, peoples, minorities, migrants, people living in poverty,
will both fail in their economic objectives, and risk older people, individuals with disabilities, and children.
damaging the planet and the fundamental rights of Empowerment of women, the protection of their rights,
people,” she said. and their meaningful participation in decision-making
must be assured.”
The High Commissioner noted that there were numerous
examples of projects aimed at sustainable development Pillay added that States must ensure that explicit attention
seriously impinging on the rights of already vulnerable is paid to protecting the human rights to food, to water
communities, leading to landlessness, homelessness and and sanitation, to health, housing and education, and to
economic dispossession. participation in public affairs.
“Technocratic processes have excluded women from “A strong outcome at Rio, seamlessly integrating the
decision-making, economic and social inequalities have environmental, social, economic, and human rights
been exacerbated, indigenous peoples have seen threats elements of sustainable development, will do much to
to their lands and livelihood from some emission reduction help us advance our collective mission to create a world
schemes, scarce food-growing lands have sometimes free from fear and from want,” the UN rights chief added.
.
been diverted for the production of biofuels, and massive
infrastructure projects have resulted in the forced eviction “I look forward to being a part of this important process.”
and relocations of entire communities,” she said.
“Simply put, participatory, accountable, non- MORE INFO
discriminatory and empowering development is more This text was adapted from a press release from the Office
effective, more just and ultimately more sustainable.” of the High Commissioner on Human Rights published on
18th April 2012.
Pillay said that the 1992 Rio Declaration has been celebrated
for its integrated approach to economic development, For the full text of Navi Pillay’s letter to Member States,
social development and environmental protection – and please visit: www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/HRAndClimateChange/Pages/
HRClimateChangeIndex.aspx
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5. Deleting our Rights, Bracketing our Future:
Paul L. Quintos
Why we need a People’s Summit
Ibon International
I think the best way to Language hinting to the need for reform of International
Financial Institutions, the multilateral trading system and
appreciate the need for a the big banks are being dismissed as beyond the remit of
People’s Summit in Rio is to Rio. What happened to integrating the three pillars?
look at what happened at the last The powerful States are consistently opposing prescriptive
round of discussions in March. language that would commit governments to take action
on what they claim to support in principle. On the other
There we witnessed a systematic attempt by some hand, they are pushing for private sector investments and
powerful states to weaken, ‘bracket’, or outright eliminate initiatives to fill in the gap left by the public sector.
nearly all references to human rights obligations and
equity principles in the Outcome Document for Rio+20. If all the attempts from these States to remove rights,
eliminate equity, whittle down Rio principles and avoid
Let’s take the section on Food. One major power has concrete commitments to meaningful reforms in social,
proposed to remove text that refers to the ‘Right to food economic and environmental policies and governance are
and proper nutrition’ while others would like to see the successful, then what are we left with?
‘Right of everyone to have access to safe, sufficient and
nutritious food…’ bracketed. Text that refers to increasing The narrative emerging from these negotiations can only be
agricultural productivity or improving access of small understood in the context of the current global economic
farmers to global markets is accepted, but references crisis. New investment outlets, markets, sources of raw
to ‘Promoting access to land particularly for women, materials and new ways of squeezing more profits from
indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups’ or the toil of working people are desperately being sought out.
‘specific attention must be paid to challenges faced by
poor smallholders, women and youth including their But governments can’t easily privatise if we assign clear
participation in decision-making…’ are contentious. obligations on states to ensure universal access to water,
which is what rights imply. They can’t expand to biofuel
The same story goes for water. Some States would like plantations if there are safeguards in place to respect
to delete the ‘Right to safe and clean drinking water customary land use rights and practices of indigenous
and sanitation’ from the text. But they agree to ‘efforts peoples. They can’t speculate on commodities and
to improve access’ because this can be met through the derivatives if we have financial regulations in place, and
privatisation of water utilities in order to encourage private they can’t aim for ever expanding capital accumulation
investment. Whereas rights assign the duty to the state. if we insist on the redistribution of resources and
environmental space within planetary boundaries.
It’s not just human rights that are under attack. Principles
already agreed upon in Rio in 1992 – the Polluter Pays Principle, That’s why we need a People’s Summit!
Precautionary Principle, and Common but Differentiated
Responsibility (CBDR) – are also being bracketed. A space where people can more freely and openly discuss
and question the fundamental underpinnings of the global
CBDR is particularly contentious with developed countries economic and political order, embrace new paradigms
which are trying to eliminate prescriptive language that for development and sustainability, and explore truly
would commit them to the provision of finance, technology transformative solutions, not the false solutions that we
transfers and capacity building in support of sustainable have heard so far in the preparatory negotiations.
development effort in the South.
But we can’t abandon the official process either. We
have to send a resounding message to our leaders that
pic: Sergiu Bacioiu we will not allow them to ‘delete’ our rights and ‘bracket’
our futures. We must not allow them to backtrack on the
Rio principles and on human rights obligations. We must
.
make it clear to them that this is not the future we want!
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6. Common but Differentiated Responsibility
Robert Gibson
at Rio+20
Adjunct Professor, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong
Action on climate change has Since the Kyoto Protocol, arguments over CBDR have been
one of the biggest barriers to action on climate change.
been weakened by disagreements Most developing countries have refused to agree to anything
on sharing responsibility which they consider to contravene the CBDR principle.
Some developed countries have refused to take additional
between countries. Rio+20 commitments to reduce emissions, as they consider these
should provide an equitable will reduce their ability to compete with rapidly growing
developing countries.
basis for future agreements
by defining how the principle International shipping as an example of CBDR preventing
of Common but Differentiated action on climate change
Responsibility (CBDR) applies
International shipping provides an example of how
to individuals and agreeing
contention around the principle of CBDR can limit action
that the responsibility of each to mitigate climate change. The International Chamber of
country should be the aggregate Shipping (ICS) has proposed putting a carbon price on the
emissions of all international shipping, with most of the
of the responsibilities of its money raised being used to fund mitigation and adaptation
residents. in developing countries. It has highlighted that:
• Its proposal meets the CBDR principle by the
The concept of CBDR was enshrined as Principle 7 of the way money is spent rather than how it raised.
Rio Declaration at the first Rio Earth Summit in 1992. • If the carbon price only applied to shipping
This reads: flagged in developed countries then ship owners
… In view of the different contributions to global will reflag their vessels in developing countries to
environmental degradation, States have common avoid it. This would make the scheme ineffective.
but differentiated responsibilities. The developed
countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear
The ICS proposal would have raised the cost of
in the international pursuit to sustainable development
emissions from shipping and incentivised reduction of
in view of the pressures their societies place on the
these emissions. More significantly it could have raised
global environment and of the technologies and
substantial funds to help developing countries invest in low
financial resources they command.
carbon technology and adapt to climate change. Developing
countries, however, considered that having a carbon price
The Rio Earth Summit also produced the United Nations
apply to ships flagged in their countries would contravene
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) creating a list
the CBDR principle. They therefore blocked this proposal in
(Annex 1) of ‘developed’ countries incorporating CBDR in
meetings of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
its principles:
and the UNFCCC.
The Parties [i.e. Countries] should protect the climate
system for the benefit of present and future generations
of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance How CBDR applies to individual citizens
with their common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities. Accordingly, the developed To see the way forward on this issue, it is helpful to consider
country Parties should take the lead in combating how the arguments that justify CBDR at country level apply
climate change and the adverse effects thereof. to the position of individuals.
1. Firstly, carbon emissions, unchecked for long enough,
In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol required developed countries
will destabilise the climate, adversely impacting the
to reduce their emissions while developing countries only
standard of living and life expectancy of everyone. It is
needed to report their emissions. The USA refused to ratify
therefore in the interest of all individuals to fund action
this agreement partly because it considered the lack of
to achieve low carbon prosperity and thus reduce the
symmetry would create competitive distortions.
risk of destabilising the climate.
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7. 2. The following arguments for the greater responsibility Given the above points we conclude:
of developed countries apply equally to individuals:
1. Any individual, regardless of nationality or country
• Developed countries currently release greater of residence, should pay for the carbon emissions of
per capita emissions and place more pressure their activities which are part of ‘rich world lifestyles’
per capita on the environment and so should - including using fossil-fuelled transport, eating meat
pay more. Similarly, individuals with higher frequently and heating/cooling living spaces of more
consumption place more pressure on the
than modest area per person - and the money generated
environment and so should pay more.
should be used to create low carbon prosperity.
• Developed countries are richer and so can
afford to help fund mitigation and adaption 2. The responsibility of a country should be the aggregate
activities in developing countries. Similarly, of the responsibility of its residents.
individuals who are wealthier can afford to spend
more on preventing the climate from being 3. As there is more enjoyment of ‘rich world lifestyles’
destabilised. in developed countries and more action required to
achieve low carbon prosperity in developing countries
3. The argument that developed countries have ‘historical
there should be a flow of funds from developed to
responsibility’ due to their higher historic carbon
developing countries. As a result, individuals with poor
emissions appears reasonable for countries which have
living standards due to living in developing countries
a continuous existence but is not tenable when applied
should benefit from funds flowing into those countries
to individuals. For example, consider two individuals
to help them achieve low carbon prosperity.
with similar assets and consumption:
• If one of them lives in Bangkok and the other in Strengthening the CBDR principle
Paris should they pay different amounts on their
carbon emissions? Rio+20 should act on these conclusions by updating
• Does the answer change if they have different Principle 7 in the Rio Declaration as follows:
nationalities or have moved to their current States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership
country of residence during their lifetime? to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity
• Does the answer change if they have lived all of the Earth's ecosystem. In view of the different
their lives in one country but their parents, or contributions to global environmental degradation
grandparents moved there from another country? caused by the current differing levels of resource
consumption of their citizens, States have common but
• What should be the position for people who are
differentiated responsibilities. All States acknowledge
half French and half Thai some of whom live in
Paris and some in Bangkok? the responsibility that they bear in the international
pursuit to sustainable development is determined by
the pressures the living standards of their citizens place
The conclusion from asking these questions is that, with on the global environment and by the technologies and
one minor exception, there is no reasonable or practical financial resources they command. Developed countries
way of distinguishing the responsibility of individuals. acknowledge the higher average living standards of
The minor exception is that people in a developed their citizens, and their greater access to technologies
country may have more responsibility due to benefiting and financial resources, increases their responsibility.
from infrastructure whose construction caused past
carbon emissions. This, however, is part of the argument This revised CBDR principle can then become the basis for
that those with a higher standard of living should pay negotiation within the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action
more for action to reduce the risk of destabilising the under the UNFCCC to increase the contribution of emerging
climate and is not, therefore, an additional reason for
differentiating the responsibility of individuals. .
economies to climate change mitigation, in line with the
increase of wealth and consumption of their citizens.
MORE INFO
The concept of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’
referring to the emissions of individuals was proposed by
Shoibal Chakravarty, Ananth Chikkatur, Heleen de Coninck,
Stephen Pacala, Robert Socolow, and Massimo Tavoni in
"Sharing Global CO2 Emission Reductions Among One
Billion High Emitters."Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences of the United States of America (July 6, 2009)
pic: NASA Goddard
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RIO+20

8. Road Map for international endorsement of a
Charter of Universal Responsibilities
Sudha Reddy
International Forum of Ethics & Responsibilities
Since the first international Responsibility is also the core of any social contract
between socio-professional groups and the rest of
conference on environment in
the society, whether it’s scientists, professionals, civil
Stockholm, forty years ago, it has servants, farmers or children. It mitigates corporatist
or sectoral interests, or loyalty to a limited community
become clear that the two pillars of
without the conscience of being part of a larger one. The
the international community – the UN very concept of co-responsibility reflects, from the local to
Charter and the Universal Declaration the global level, this idea of a social contract.
of Human Rights – are no longer Over the last fifteen years, the international negotiations
sufficient to deal with the growing have failed even when our long term survival is at stake.
As a result of the heterogeneity of the state members of
interdependence of humanity and the the UN, all the major states have opted for consensus
biosphere. With the present incapacity conferences with a de facto veto right for every country.
International negotiations have therefore become mere
of our societies to curb development, bargaining between leaders that are only geared by their
and the failure of the international national interests and claiming their sovereignty. They
have become truly negligent of the common good. This
intergovernmental community to make the
cannot be changed except if the international community
decisions most needed to protect our truly acknowledges our global interdependence and its
corollary, the principle of universal responsibility.
future, the adoption of a third pillar
has become urgent. Ethics are the link between personal inner convictions,
which orient our choices and help us solve ethical
Over the years, the Universal Declaration of Human dilemmas, and the law, which is the expression of rules
Rights has been the starting point to define these rights agreed upon by a community as binding for personal
in a broader sense, including the economic, social, and collective behaviour. Common ethics combine the
cultural and environmental rights, which are part of influence of personal choices and orientation of the law.
human dignity and social justice. However, responsibility A Charter of Universal Responsibilities has the potential
is the hidden face of rights and a fair balance between to stimulate responsible behaviour at the individual and
rights and responsibilities is at the core of any true collective levels, be a common ethical reference for the
democracy and bio-civilization. different communities, institutions, stakeholders and
people in positions of power and authority, and the basis
All the reflections about the great transition that we are for international and national laws.
facing due to the shortcomings of the present development
model, underline the fact that beneath the different crises Therefore, representatives of the global civil society must:
there is an ethical crisis, with personal short term material
interests and violent power relations being celebrated by • Urge the governments which will participate in
the present economic and political ideology, at the expense the Rio+20 conference in June 2012 to put the
of relations of reciprocity, compassion and caring, within discussion on the draft of a Charter of Universal
society, and between humanity and nature. Responsibilities and the adopt a road map for
an international endorsement by the UN General
Assembly of a binding Charter within the coming
We need common ethics that have deep roots in our
three years on the institutional framework agenda
different cultures, philosophical or religious traditions,
of the conference; and
and reflect the interconnectedness of our universe to run
our fragile and only planet. Responsibility – reciprocity, • Support the ‘Call on Governments’ issued by the
caring and management of the commons – is at the International Network of Ethics and Responsibilities
and cascade it through different networks.
core of communities, and hence this common ethic.
Therefore, even the poorest persons and communities
claim, not only their rights, but also their responsibility MORE INFO
– towards children, elders and the commons – as the Find the draft of ‘Charter of Universal Responsibilities’
expression of being a citizen. & ‘Call on Governments’ on the International Forum of
.
Ethics & Responsibilities website: www.ethica-respons.net
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9. Stable Populations:
an Essential Condition for Sustainability
Roger Martin
Chair, Population Matters
part of our finite planet. Conversely, building ever more
schools, hospitals and roads just to maintain standards for
an ever-expanding population brings no additional benefit
to anyone; so it is not real ‘investment’, it’s just running
to stand still – as every African Education Minister knows
– and leaves less money for actual improvements; so long-
term poverty persists.
Yet population growth is a variable, not a ‘given’. Clearly
sustainable prosperity will be far easier to achieve, the
nearer to 8.1 billion the population stabilises. All it needs is
priority, and resources: in developing countries for (strictly
non-coercive) family planning and women’s education
and empowerment programmes; in developed countries
for public information programmes/incentives, aiming
pic: UN/ Kibae Park
to balance individual reproductive rights (which must be
respected) with social and environmental responsibilities
Population is a sensitive topic; but anyone genuinely to current and future generations. Ending unintended
concerned for the planet their children will inherit cannot pregnancies – 40% of the total – could achieve the goal.
ignore it. Everyone has a right to take control of their own
fertility and have as many children as they wish. But they Resources for family planning are the key. There are
also have a responsibility to take account of how their currently 215 million women (and rising) with an unmet
choices affect everyone else. The fact remains that, on our need for family planning. Yet total world aid for family
finite and degrading planet, population growth is, together planning is only 10% of the Goldman Sachs bonus pot,
with consumption, a multiplier of all our environmental and EU aid for family planning is only 0.4% of total EU aid
and resource problems. These all become harder, and – derisory figures. Priority for family planning is low, partly
ultimately impossible to solve with ever more people. because the ‘population’ problem has in recent years been
As Kofi Annan has said: “Population stabilization should marginalised as one largely of sexual and reproductive
become a priority for sustainable development.” health and women’s rights; whereas in reality it affects the
long-term prospects of success for all programmes across
The environmental impact of recent growth – all Departments. The additional cost of meeting the unmet
unprecedented in human history – is huge. Our numbers need for family planning, some $3.4 billion per year, is
have more than tripled to 7 billion in my lifetime, still about half what Americans spend on Halloween.
growing at 80 million per year or 10,000 per hour, and
projected by 2050 to be between 8.1 and 10.6 billion – a The implications for Rio+20 are clear. Ignoring the
range of 2.5 billion, or the Earth’s entire population in population multiplier guarantees ultimate failure for all
1950. Each additional person needs more food, water, sustainable development initiatives, since ever-rising
and energy and produces more waste, CO2 and pollution populations will overwhelm any development gains. The
(the rich consuming and polluting more than the poor, conference must recognise this, and include priority for
of course). So all population growth: increases soil family planning among its key recommendations. “Family
exhaustion, erosion, desertification, habitat destruction, planning could do more good for more people at less cost
deforestation, aquifer depletion, climate change, sea level than any other known technology” (UNICEF).
rise, and chemical or pathogenic pollution; and reduces
the finite and dwindling natural resources available per The consequences of continued silence on this key issue
person. There is an ethical principle behind the saying: will be grim. Indefinite population growth being physically
“It’s no use reducing your footprint if you keep increasing impossible, it is certain to end at some point. But this can
the number of feet”. only happen: either sooner by fewer births; or later by more
deaths. Maurice Strong, Secretary of the first Rio Earth
The economics matter. Smaller populations can
sustainably consume more resources per person than larger
ones, while remaining within the biophysical limits of their
.
Summit, put it bluntly: “Either we reduce our numbers
voluntarily, or nature will do it for us brutally”.
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10. profile. Christine Loh
How did you get to the role you are in today and what People make things happen. To strive for
sustainable development, it may mean existing
advice would you give aspiring earth champions?
vested interests are affected. Those advocating
for change can face all sorts of pressure to stop.
I founded Civic Exchange in 2000 after I stepped
Thus, human rights – especially of freedom of
down from the legislature in order to focus on
expression and association – need to be protected.
policy research to find solutions to problems,
including environmental/ecological issues. For
Nationality: Chinese How important is the RIO+20 process and what do you
aspiring Earth Champions, I would like to say
that they are on the right path because restoring think the priorities for action should be in 2012 in the run
Country of residence:
Hong Kong
ecosystems is one of the most important things up to the summit?
humans can do today.
The Rio+20 process should transcend nationalities
Current Position: CEO of
non-profit think-tank Civic What do you believe should be achieved at Rio+20? and cultures and produce action across public
and private spheres to support the transition to a
Exchange
The world faces problems that are global in green economy. Before the summit, there needs to
nature. Climate change, extreme weather events be greater outreach in all communities so people
including flooding and drought, biodiversity loss, know Rio+20 is happening and people can see
desertification, famine, financial crisis, terrorism what they can do on the ground at home. Most
and war. It is necessary that humanity come people can’t go to Rio but they can log-on and
together to solve these problems collectively. see what happens there and look at the outcomes.
Although we are not yet very good at it, we are Furthermore, irrespective of the outcomes,
learning to act as a species on a planetary scale communities can still act locally.
in order to ensure the future is sustainable.
Rio+20 is one step on the pathway to Favourite quote:
sustainability. Thus, the most important thing is
for a consensus to be reached on a global scale 'Ecosystems functions are more valuable than
among policy makers. material consumption'. This is the conclusion from
Following the discussions on rights at the Rio+20 will be at Rio+20. .
John D Liu, ecological film maker and teacher who
negotiations, why is the inclusion of human rights within
international sustainable development so important?
Calling forth Rights of Nature at the Earth Summit Rio+20
Doris Ragettli
Rights of Mother Earth All humans and other beings are part of Planet The time has come for society to restructure
Earth, an indivisible, living community of the fundamental framework of our governance
interrelated forms. However, nature is treated as systems as they relate to the relationship of
property under current law around the world. humans and the environment.
The economic wellbeing and income generation
of society can no longer be dependent on the The grassroots movement www.RightsOfMotherEarth.com
destruction of nature. There are alternative ways, is delivering thousands of signatures to the Rio+20
which call forth a quantum shift in thinking and Earth Summit and requesting the acceptance and
acting on a global level. implementation of the Universal Declaration of
Rights of Mother Earth by all Nations.
Our call is for civil society, corporations,
governments and the UN, to recognise nature as We invite you to be the voice for Mother Earth at
a living being, in all its life forms, with the right the Earth Summit Rio+20. Visit our petition site
to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its
vital cycles rather than being seen as property
– a resource to be consumed and exploited.
com/1/yes-to-rights-of-nature/ .
and say yes to Rights of Nature: www.thepetitionsite.
8
RIO+20

11. Rio+20 Side Event Calendar
Date Time Room Title Organisers
1:15-2:45 6 The future Local and regional governments want United Cities and Local Governments
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Biovision,
23 April 2012
1:15-2:45 A Implementing sustainable, humane agriculture foundation for ecological development, International Partners for
Sustainable Agriculture (IPSA)
Rio+20 Issues Cluster on Innovation & 15/15/15 UN - Civil Society Partnership International Association for the Advancement of Innovative (IAAI)
6:15-7:45 7
Formula Approaches to Global Challenges
Environmental Health Initiatives: Innovative Approaches for Building
1:15-2:45 A Parliamentarians for Global Action
Sustainable Cities
1:15-2:45 7 Responding to the Global Soil Crisis Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN
24 April 2012
Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG); Public Advocacy
Initiatives for Rights and Values in India (PAIRVI); Centre for
1:15-2:45 4 Reclaiming the ’92 Earth Summit and Revisiting the Rio+20 Agenda
Community Economics and Development Consultants Society
(CECOEDECON); and Beyond Copenhagen
6:15-7:45 A Promoting Rights and Equity through Sustainable Development Goals IBON International and Both Ends
1:15-2:45 A SDGs: Evolution or More of the Same? WWF-UK
Rio+20: Towards sustainable agriculture and a world free of hunger - An
1:15-2:45 7 interactive dialogue with the Rome-based Agencies and the Committee on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
25 April 2012
World Food Security (CFS)
Sustainable Mobility on the Road to Rio+20: Priorities and Actions across Major
1:15-2:45 4 Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)
Groups
United Nations Environment Programme- Division of Technology,
6:15-7:45 7 Resource Efficient Cities as drivers of change
Industry and Economics (UNEP-DTIE)
1:15-2:45 4 The Future We Want for Rio+20 on Oceans and Seas UN DPI
26 April 2012
Governments of Slovenia, Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Iceland, Singapore,
1:15-2:45 A Global outlook and local action: water and energy for sustainable development
UAE (the Green Group)
Blue Carbon as a Tool to Mitigate Climate Change and Preserve Key Marine and
6:15-7:45 7 UNESCO, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Coastal Ecosystems
The State of the World Environment told by UNEP’s GEO-5 report and Global
1:15-2:45 7 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
27 April 2012
Solutions for Sustainability
1:15-2:45 A Rights at Risk: Decoding the Green Economy France Libertes Foundation Danielle Mitterrand
1:15-2:45 4 Planet Under pressure ICSU-UNESCO-IGBP
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9
RIO+20

12. Principle 10: Time for a global convention
Gita Parihar
Head of Legal, Friends of the Earth
20 years ago, on the threshold of a new millennium and in hopes environmentally oppressed planet. While regional approaches
of creating a brave new world, a momentous summit took place and conventions would continue to exist alongside it; a global
in Brazil. The legal frameworks and principles adopted then have convention would provide baseline standards for all. As a
set the stage for all environmental progress since. Amongst these result, any country that so chose could benefit from better
were the visionary principles of the Rio declaration. Principle 10 environmental decision-making, whether or not its neighbours
contains a simple but fundamental truth: the best way to achieve wished to do so.
good environmental decision-making is through the ‘participation
of all concerned citizens’, furnished with rights of information, Principle 10 magic is not restricted to the national level. As
participation and access to justice. any member of the civil society constituencies excluded from
the climate negotiations in Copenhagen will tell you; our
In the UNECE region, where I am from, this principle was access to negotiations is not treated as a right but instead as a
developed and made legally binding through the Aarhus privilege to be granted or withheld at the whim of the particular
Convention. The European Union then took the provisions of international institution or process concerned. In our globalised
the Aarhus Convention and applied them to its Member States world, it is simply not acceptable for decision-making on the
through internal legislation. Sometimes I wonder how it would greater environmental good to be made without the awareness
have been possible to work as an environmental lawyer before and involvement of concerned citizens. A global Principle 10
this happened. Without legally binding Principle 10 rights I would Convention would play a vital role in developing guidelines to
not be able to access information to understand the negative apply Principle 10 at the international level, building on work
(and positive) impacts of proposed projects, help members of done through the Aarhus Convention.
the public to have their say on development in their area, or
challenge bad environmental decision-making in court on behalf I watch attempts to backslide from this wonderful principle
of communities (or the organisation I work for), because of the with growing dismay. All states must acknowledge the basic
legal costs. Has the ability to do this resulted in more thoughtful legal principle of non-regression, you cannot go back from the
environmental decision-making with better outcomes for the standards you agreed 20 years ago. Instead, the opportunity
planet? The answer in my view is an unqualified yes. of returning to their first home should be seized. Principle
10 is neither loud nor attention-seeking, but when it is legally
With this in mind, what better way to celebrate Principle 10’s binding it quietly achieves positive steps towards sustainable
20th birthday than by giving it a global convention as a home?
This would fling open its doors to the entire population of our Rio could there be than that?.
development every single day. And what better outcome from
pic: Girl Guyed
Outreach is made possible by the support of