Proposals by SustainUS Agents of Change: Rio+20 Delegation

Rio+20 Inputs: The Future We Want

May 29, 2012

As youth, we will live in a world shaped by the outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit. With this in mind, weve drafted a number of policy suggestions based on the most recent zero draft document put forth by the Co-Chairs on May nd 22 . We call on Member States to adopt these proposals without delay.

Water
Reaction: The proposed text does a good job stating the importance of water as a human right. We welcome the proposed goal of achieving universal access to water and sanitation, and those related to global water efficiency. We also welcome the proposals to implement transboundary agreements. One concern is the lack of recognition towards the water-energy-food security nexus that poses a significant barrier to sustainable development. Text Recommendations: States should approve the text thats suggested by the Co-Chairs. Paragraphs 2 and 3 can be streamlined to use space more efficiently. The goals recommended by the European Union should be incorporated into the final text. Amended Water 2: We recognize that water is at the core of sustainable development as it is closely linked to a number of [global and cross sectoral challenges including: poverty and hunger eradication, gender equality and womens empowerment, public health, the water-energy-food security nexus, human security, rural development, as well as for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.] In this regard, we reaffirm the commitments made in the JPOI and the Millennium Declaration regarding the development of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Water Efficiency Plans, ensuring sustainable water use through integrated water resource management and increased resource efficiency.

Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Reaction: We have serious concerns about the direction of the text on fossil fuel subsidies. The Co-Chairs text seems to be a combination of the weakest proposals to dates. There are no targets, timetables, or a clear process for moving this issue forward post-Rio. The overall sentiment is good, but the text doesnt commit countries to do anything. Text Recommendations: States should include a timetable for the complete phase out of fossil fuel subsidies. Protections should be put in place to ensure energy access for poor and vulnerable groups. G20 countries need to show leadership on this issue, having agreed to act in 2009. New Energy 6: We commit to the full public disclosure, rationalisation, and phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies by 2015. Phase outs should by accompanied with targeted measures to protect poor and vulnerable groups. We recognize the need for economically advanced economies to act first and recommend all G20 countries phase out fossil fuel subsidies within the next budgetary cycle. All revenues saved from the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies should be redirected to clean technology development and renewable energy deployment.

Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Reaction: The proposed text does a good job addressing the importance of sexual and reproductive rights. The focus on a human rights based approach to sexual and reproductive health is a welcome addition. We are also encouraged by the support for sex-disaggregated data and population projection data in planning and analyzing policies. In particular, we support the commitment of ensuring universal access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable modern methods of family planning, an ambitious goal. Text Recommendations: Retain in full: Gender 1, 4, and 5. Health 5, 7, and 9. Reaffirm CEDAW as an important UN agreement relevant to womens sexual and reproductive rights.

Amended Health 8: We remain committed to the full implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, the key actions for further implementation of the Programme of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, [and the provisions outlined in CEDAW] and intend to pay special attention to gender equality and womens empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health.

Peace and Armed Conflict

Reaction: The text on peace and armed conflict is strikingly vague and disconnected from concrete, action-oriented commitments. Peace and armed conflict are not ancillary issues, despite what their limited presence in the Chairs text might suggest. These issues are of fundamental importance and urgency to sustainable development and require bold commitments. As the Rio Declaration reminds us, Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. How, then, can the Rio+20 negotiations proceed with so little attention to peace or armed conflict? Text Recommendations: The words peace and nonviolence should be included in the following: Common Vision 1; SDG 3, 5, 9. References to countries affected by armed conflict should be included in: Renewing Commitments 27; Chemicals 3, 8; Capacity 4. A commitment to preventing the illicit exploitation of and violent conflict over mineral resources should by included in Mining 2. We would like to see a return of paragraph 87 non from the April/May intersessional text. New Paragraph (87 non): We stress the need to address the relation between security, development and environment. Armed conflicts and fragility remain a major impediment to sustainable development in many parts of the world. Natural resource scarcity and climate change may further exacerbate tensions and pose risks for international peace and security. At the same time, shared natural resources, including transboundary waters and hazards should also be seen as potential pathways for enhanced cooperation, dialogue and confidence building.

Measuring and Assessing Prosperity

Reaction: Methods of measuring sustainable development need further development. The text remains unclear as to what these new indicators might look like. Overall we applaud the effort to look beyond GDP. Text Recommendations: The text should establish a clear process forward, including the importance of interdisciplinary participation in the development of indicators. Amended SDG 9: We recognize the limitations of GDP as a measure of well-being and sustainable development. As a complement to GDP, we resolve to further [assess the feasibility of current interdisciplinary social science based methods] of measuring sustainable development, peace, natural resource wellness, and social well-being, including the identification of appropriate indicators for measuring progress. We further recognize the need to test and refine these methods [within the next five years] so as to be able to [implement them] in our national decision making systems to better inform policy decisions. In this regard, we recognize the need for appropriate technical support to developing countries to develop the capacity and information to undertake these efforts. We request the Secretary-General to coordinate the further development of such methods with [an interdisciplinary group of experts, particularly scientists and academic scholars,] and all other relevant organisations, having regard to the UN system of economic and environmental accounts.

SustainUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of young people advancing sustainable development and youth empowerment in the United States. Through proactive education, research, and advocacy at the policy-making and grassroots levels, we are building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. For more information, please contact: Matt Maiorana, SustainUS Policy Coordinator matt.maiorana@sustainus.org