2012: A Year of Opportunities

2. 2012: A Year of Opportunities The 2012 Rio Conference on Sustainable Development

3. What is this presentation about? • I- Rio 2012: yet another conference? • a) Green Economy • b) Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development • II - From Rio to Jeju • III – Questions for discussion

4. What are the objectives of the Rio 2012? As per the UN General Assembly Resolution adopted in 2009; the objectives of Rio 2012 are: (i) renew political commitment for sustainable development; (ii) assess progress and identify gaps in the implementation; and (iii) address new and emerging challenges.

5. What are the themes of Rio 2012? • In the course of the preparatory meetings, these have been shaped as to being the themes of Rio 2012: • Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; • The institutional framework for sustainable development • Emerging policy issues (e.g. water, energy)

6. Theme 1 – What is the Green Economy? • Reluctance from developing countries as could include trade barriers • Other concepts or reference: “Green Growth”; “Sustainable Growth”, “Blue Economy”, etc. • Consensus among countries: • Green Economy means different things in different countries (not one-size-fit all model) • Green Economy does NOT replace sustainable development but it is a vehicle to achieve sustainable development

7. Theme 1 - Possible role for IUCN in the Green Economy Message from IUCN: « Natureat the core of Green Economy and Sustainable Development» - Current preparatory discussions concentrate heavily on low-carbon economy - IUCN uniquely positioned to highlight the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for poverty reduction and equitable sharing of benefits

8. Theme 1 - IUCN draft position • (under consultation) • Defining/scoping Green Economy: • - It means greening the economic pillar/strand to achieve sustainable development • The recognition of the link between human- wellbeing and biodiversity is imperative • Equity is a corner stone of green economy • Building resilience: investment in green infrastructures ensuring water, energy and food security • Mainstreaming ecosystem values: call governments to take Target 2 and 3 of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan seriously

9. Theme 2 - Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development • On International Environmental Governance: long negotiation led by UNEP • Options to be considered for Rio 2012: • - Enhancing UNEP • - Creating a new environmental organization • - Mainstreaming environment in other organizations • Other governance-related initiatives/ideas: • Clustering MEAs • Strengthening interagency arrangements like EMG • IPBES • Etc.

10. Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) • Established by UN General Assembly in December 2010 asking UNEP « to operationalize… » • Multidisciplinary science-policy panel to bring relevant science to MEAs, MDGs and other policy processes in relation to biodiversity and ecosyst. serv. • First plenary meeting: October 2011 • Hosted by UNEP, UNESCO, and may be others UNDP and FAO • IUCN is actively participating in negotiations on IPBES governance to, among other, include civil society representation • For comments questions on IPBES, please contact: • pierre.commenville@iucn.org

11. Theme 2 - Possible role for IUCN in the governance discussion • Message from IUCN: • «a governance model that promotes transparency, public participation in decision making, a rights-based approach to conservation is imperative to achieve sustainable development» • IUCN uniquely positioned to make the case that global governance must support local governance models that promote sustainable livelihoods • The message will be passed on showcasing IUCN’s work on good governance

12. From Rio to Jeju 2011 – Rio 2012 in the RCFs agendas 2012 Timing: 4-6 June 6-15 September February March October December UNEP GC World Water Forum Congress Rio 2012 CBD COP11 UNFCCC COP17

13. Useful websites www.un.org/esa/dsd/rio20/ http://www.earthsummit2012.org/ http://www.iucn.org/knowledge/news/events/iucn_rio_20/

14. Questions for discussion: Green Economy • What are IUCN’s views on the Green Economy? • What are the projects your institution/organization/body is implementing or has implemented that could be the source of good practice and lessons learned on the Green Economy and Sustainable Development?

15. Questions for discussion: Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development • What are the main policy changes at local, national, regional and global level that need to occur to improve sustainable development governance? • What are the projects your institution/organization/body is implementing or has implemented that could be source of good practice and lessons learned? • How can IPBES contribute to environmental governance at all levels?

16. Questions for discussion: Emerging Issues and the World Conservation Congress • What are the emerging policy issues that should also be addressed at the Rio 2012 Conference? • How can we take advantage of the fact that the 2012 World Conservation Congress will be held three months after the Rio 2012 Conference?