Our

TsakHiaPlanet Elbegdorj TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN RACHEL KYTE Tale of two Rios HRH Princess Lalla HasnaA Building a green society Simon Upton Beyond GDP

Rio+20 Where the World Stands Now The magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme — s epte mb e r 2012 The magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme Our Planet, the magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

PO Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254 20) 762 1234 Fax: (254 20) 762 3927 e-mail: [email protected]

To view current and past issues of this publication online, please visit www.unep.org/ourplanet

ISSN 1013 - 7394

Director of Publication: Nick Nuttall Editor: Geoffrey Lean Coordinator: Jonathan Clayton Distribution and Marketing Manager: Mohamed Atani Design: Amina Darani Layout: William Orlale Produced by: UNEP Division of Communication and Public Information Printed by: Progress Press Distributed by: SMI Books

The contents of this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or the editors, nor are they an official record. The designations employed and the presentation do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, territory or city or its authority or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

* All dollar ($) amounts refer to US dollars.

UNEP promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. This report is printed on paper from sustainable forests including recycled fibre. The paper is chlorine free and the inks vegetable-based. Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP’s carbon footprint. PAGE 6 TSAKHIA ELBEGDORJ: Time waits for no man Immediate action is needed to rectify the unfair distribution of wealth and move to a smart, green economy.

PAGE 8 HRH PRINCESS LALLA HASNAA: Building a green society Education and awareness are key factors in the transition to a green economy.

PAGE 10 JEREMY RIFKIN: The Third Industrial Revolution A New Economic Vision for a Sustainable World.

PAGE 14 RACHEL KYTE: Tale of two Rios Informal processes around the summit showed that the world will not wait for international agreement before taking much-needed action.

PAGE 16 SIMON UPTON: Beyond GDP Measuring well-being and progress towards green growth.

PAGE 22 FRANCES BEINECKE: Energy pulse Citizen energy and concrete action provide the way forward from Rio+20.

PAGE 24 ASHOK KHOSLA: Two deadly diseases ‘Affluenza’ and ‘povertitis’ are destroying societies, economies and the environment and fundamental changes of priorities are needed.

PAGE 26 FABIO BARBOSA: Doing it right The long, but necessary, journey to sustainability in the financial service industry.

PAGE 30 RANJANA KUMARI: Green but too male Women are being excluded from the green economy, and they must be given the same opportunity as men to participate in it.

also

books pagE 4 UNEP at work PAGE 20

reflections PAGe 5 People PAGe 28

UNEP at work paGE 18 INNOVATION paGE 32

www/numbers PAGE 19 star PAGE 34 books www.unep.org/publications

The Fifth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5)

In 1995, in support of UNEPs unique mandate within the UN system to keep under review the world environmental situation, (GA resolution 2997 of December 1972), the UNEP Governing Council requested a new, comprehensive report on the state of the world environment. The tool that UNEP employs to do this is the Global Environment Outlook or GEO. GEO is a process of conducting a global integrated environmental assessment that delivers the best available scientific findings to policy makers so that they can make informed decisions. In this way, the assessment bridges the science and policy realms. GEO is also a product. Using integrated environmental assessment (IEA) methodology, UNEP has produced a series of GEO reports which have analyzed environmental state and trends at the global and regional levels, described plausible outlooks for various time frames and formulated policy options. Each GEO report builds on the assessment findings of its predecessor and also draws from lessons learned on process.

Fresh Water for the future: A synopsis of UNEP activities in water

In brief, the publication gives a snapshot of the significant contribution that UNEP and its partners have made around the world in protecting our limited fresh water resources for the improvement of livelihoods, focusing on the ecosystems approaches in line with its mandate. Case studies range from on-ground intervention to normative work at national, regional and global level. The cases presented here illustrate UNEPs work at the global, regional, national, catchment and sub-catchment levels. No effort has been made to depict regional balance of the cases presented.

Sustainable Consumption and Production for Poverty Alleviation

This paper explores the type and quality of linkages between the objective of achieving sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns, and those of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. The paper constructs a theoretical framework based on the analysis of development specialists, as well as scenarios and empirical data which show how natural resources and the environment underpin development efforts. A number of case studies in key economic sectors — including energy, agriculture, waste management and urban development — are provided to validate this theoretical framework. These case studies identify, and where possible quantify, the combination of economic, social and environmental gains secured by shifting towards SCP patterns. The relationship between indicators of development and SCP is also explored, highlighting important overlaps and complementarities between them. The paper’s conclusions highlight the economic and social gains for developing countries from the shift to SCP, which also sustains natures productive ecosystems.

Global Environment Outlook 5 for Local Government: solving global problems locally

GEO-5, the latest in the GEO series, released in June 2012, provides an assessment of the state and trends of the global environment in relation to internationally agreed goals; evaluates the gaps and barriers in their implementation; and provides policy options that have the potential to speed-up realization of these goals.

Blue Carbon - First Level Exploration of Blue Carbon in the Arabian Peninsula

Healthy natural coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, saltwater marshlands and seagrass meadows provide a vast array of important co-benefits to coastal communities around the world, including throughout the Arabian Peninsula. These benefits include ecosystem services such as a rich cultural heritage; the protection of shorelines from storms; erosion or sea-level rise; food from fisheries; maintenance of water quality; and landscape beauty for recreation and ecotourism. In a Blue Carbon context these ecosystems also store and sequester potentially vast amounts of carbon in sediments and biomass.

4 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands reflections

Another decision — to work towards a new global indicator of wealth that goes beyond GDP’s narrowness — requests the UN Statistical Commission to work with other UN bodies, including UNEP, to identify new approaches for measuring progress. Its work will draw on a range of assessments and pilot projects ongoing across the globe.

Several countries — including Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India and the United Kingdom — have carried out national assessments of the value of their ‘natural assets’ — or are doing so — drawing on work done globally by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, hosted by UNEP. And Achim Steiner Inclusive Wealth — based on the World Bank’s Adjusted Net Saving indicator — is developing a more inclusive indicator of UN Under-Secretary-General and national wealth, covering not only produced capital, human Executive Director, UNEP capital, and natural capital, but also critical ecosystems.

Rio+20 also encouraged governments to push forward This year’s UN General Assembly, starting in September, on requiring companies to report their environmental, takes on special significance for UNEP — and for the social and governance footprints: this builds on the work urgency of accelerating sustainable development — as of the UNEP Finance Initiative and the Global Reporting member states begin to act on the decisions of June’s Initiative-co-founded by UNEP. Rio+20 summit, contained in the Future We Want. Meanwhile, the World Congress on Justice, Governance, A key area of focus will be defining and establishing and Law for Environmental Sustainability — hosted by the a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Brazilian Supreme Court and UNEP in partnership with a can bring developed and developing nations into a number of international organizations — committed to use new era of cooperative action. UN Secretary-General international and national laws to advance sustainability, Ban ki-Moon recently announced the Sustainable human and environmental rights and implementation of Development Solutions Network — a new independent environmental treaties. global network of research centres, universities and technical institutions — to provide ideas and solutions. Strengthening and upgrading the environment programme This will support a High-Level Panel, which will report of the UN, including its financial resources, will also be an important upcoming issue — not least for those nations next year on the post-2015 development agenda. backing a transition towards an inclusive Green Economy as Other potentially positive outcomes of Rio+20 include an important pathway to a sustainable century. a ten-year framework on sustainable consumption Rio+20 also agreed that UNEP should have universal and production covering fields from tourism to ‘agri- membership and a more active role at the regional and food’ (including food waste and losses) and sustainable national level; and that it should build on its science-policy procurement. interface — including through its flagship Global Environment Outlook process — and on mechanisms to better engage Across the OECD group of countries, public procurement civil society ranging from farmers and women to indigenous totals over US $4,700 billion annually, close to 20 per cent of peoples, business, scientists and local authorities. GDP. In developing countries the proportion can be slightly higher. In India, for example, government procurement is The outcome of Rio+20 fell short of many expectations: in worth about US $300 billion and is expected to grow by the light of scientific realities, people’s day-to-day struggle more than 10 per cent annually. simply to survive, the analysis of where development is heading for seven billion people, and the inordinate During Rio+20 over 30 governments and institutions opportunity that exists for a different trajectory. — including Brazil, Denmark, Switzerland and UNEP — announced a new global International Sustainable Public However, if nations, companies, cities and communities can Procurement Initiative (SPPI), aimed at scaling-up the level move forward on the positive elements of the Summit’s of public spending on goods and services that maximize outcome at the General Assembly this may assist in realizing environmental and social benefits. one day the Future We Want.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 5 changes of the past several several past of the changes environmental drastic the that me remind constantly They breeders. livestock nomadic traditional with few of is one the countries Ours inMongolia. realities emerging from examples specific Let cite me of countries. economic and development policies the on and earnings and income livelihoods, day-to-day people’s on impacts direct with realities now established are change climate and warming Global emissions. gas greenhouse increased to have led activities human and Industrialization changing. is drastically earth lifebefore on never as that —and seven billion than now more to and six, to then grown five, had to family human big our day that one we realized chores, our to attending and lives our Living 6 for no waits waits

OUR PLANET Time Time man man RIO+20 - Where the World Stands climate change” but exacerbated by by exacerbated but change” climate is it is “yes, answer The factors? contributing other the are What ourselves? we find inwhich of affairs state the to contribute that warming global and change climate only it Is pollution. soil and water air, of massive mines villages and towns cities, those making areas, settled and inurban now resides humankind of all half than More aworldwide global, phenomenon. become has This occupations. risky of less insearch centrers urban to move of young people Thousands millennia. back dates of which origin way the their of life, pursue to for them challenging more and more it making are decades UNEP ChampionoftheEarth President ofMongoliaand2012 Tsakhia Elbegdorj lion’s share of their budgets. lion’s budgets. of share their upthe take —which facilities cleaning supply, and refining water criminality, management, waste pollution, air transport, public jams, —traffic too Yet headaches have their cities areas. urban and cities the to flight for the reason primary the greater. is are This incomes higher of chances sothe and is higher pay because simply but luxuries, like they urban because cities the to rush not really do People low. extremely —is valued needs for human vital food, produces worker —who agricultural of an oflabour labour. The low valuation and of resources distribution unfair

© Shutterstock Many cities are under severe colossal amounts of energy, clean the world. Is that a healthy pressure from such accumulated water, food. If we do not change development? Of course not. It problems. The huge costs and our lifestyles now, what will happen reflects both our and humankind’s expenditures needed to support a to the rates of emissions, of food mistaken policies. We, the city inflate its cost of living. Since and water consumption when politicians and decision-makers, costs are high, salaries have to keep humanity starts consuming two, have to rectify this immediately. up with their pace of growth. three or four times as much? Our road map for future action has Compared with an agricultural What should we do now? What to be based on accurate research, worker, producing vital food, a actions do we have to take? Will studies, methodologies and facts: city dweller’s real productivity we sit idle, counting our problems, it must be founded upon science, is low. What, for instance, is the leaving the issue knowledge and sound real productivity of a young man to the future? If we “The more the global and objective policies. distributing commercial leaflets in a believe the time has population grows — to city street? Nothing but distributing come to change to Anything in life papers, which, at most, are briefly ensure humankind’s 10, 20, 30 billion — the is measured. We glanced at by strangers and end up sustainable need to develop an in trash bins. Yet can this be seen as development, let us more people will want to index of sustainable a responsible and needed job in an speak up openly use, the more luxury and development, which era of fiercely competitive consumer and take bold and would take into economics? Surely, yes. Careful courageous action. comfort will be sought. account education, life analysis reveals the leaflet to be a One solution is Why, after all, would expectancy, per-capita product of the creative business obviously renewable clean water, food, community designed to encourage energy. Mongolia future generations not energy, per-capita artificial demand and consumption has committed want to live as affluently internet access — and perpetuating consumerism. herself to developing an indicator for fair it, and our first as their predecessors?” distribution of wealth, A survey revealed that 30 per cent 50 Mwt private best calculated by of the food in the fridges of homes independent wind power station comparing GDP per capita with the in developed countries is wasted. In is being built. We will also explore population’ s average real income. developing countries, by contrast, opportunities to develop Gobitech Obviously, our scholars would millions of children are starving. If and Asia Super Grid renewable further develop all this, but these you browse through old photos, you energy mega-projects. are the indicators of the essential won’t see many obese people. In physiological and development needs the past, luxury trends and fashions These will synergize regional political of a human being. — too much comfort — were not and economic cooperation and as prevalent as today. The race to have huge benefits for sustainable We must take bold and aggressive comfort and luxury might eventually development and environmental steps immediately to rectify the lead to a situation where obesity conservation by securing reliable unfair distribution of wealth, to poses a real threat to humankind. energy supplies, and reducing introduce a realistic valuation of greenhouse gas emissions. The the productivity of the agricultural This will worsen if we do not emerging realities in Mongolia workforce and to move from act today. The more the global are a microcosm and reflection comfort-centred consumerism population grows — to 10, 20, of what is happening globally. to a green and smart economy. 30 billion — the more people will Though the country’s 1.56 million Equally compelling is the exigency want to use, the more luxury and square kilometers of land ranks it of reversing the population flow comfort will be sought. Why, after as the 18th largest, its 2.75 million to urban and settled areas. If we all, would future generations not people makes it 118th in population do not consciously restrict our want to live as affluently as their size. Forty six per cent of our feigned consumption and correct predecessors? But will our earth population resides in our capital city, our policy mistakes, we might soon — our home — be able to carry Ulaanbaatar, which takes up only 0.3 find ourselves trapped in the evils that burden? To meet that gigantic per cent of our total territory. of inaction. The time for us to act demand, humankind would need It is most the polluted city in together has come.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 7 © Shutterstock Building a green society

taking place, so as to promote economic and social development based on sustainable production and HRH Princess Lalla HasnaA consumption patterns. President, Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection Building on all that has been achieved — and pressing ahead towards developing a green economy and sustainable Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, embarked on an ambitious economic development — will require the the Kingdom of Morocco has and social development policy, aware support and mobilization of the that achieving sustained economic fully supported the objectives entire society. The transition to a growth must be accompanied and principles of sustainable green economy needs not just development. Reflecting its by a proactive environmental technical, regulatory or financial keen interest, His Majesty King protection policy to ensure that instruments, but a fundamental Mohammed VI, then Crown Prince, the requirements of sustainable shift in the way we think and act: took part in both that summit and development are met. this means investing in human and Rio+5 in New York in 1997, and Major efforts have been made social capital. Only across-the- then participated, as Head of on environmental legislation board education and awareness State, at the 2002 Johannesburg and institutional development. can bring significant-enough World Summit on Sustainable Mainstreaming environmental issues changes to lead to sustainable Development. Morocco has at all levels of public policy is gradually lifestyles and consumption and

8 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands and schools have been at the heart of its action. The aim is to enhance awareness and capacity building in order to rise to the challenge of sustainable development.

From the outset, we have promoted partnerships with government agencies and economic operators while mobilizing local associations, building on their energy and creativity. We have ensured that public and private stakeholders concerned with sustainable development are represented on the Foundation’s governing bodies and participate in designing and implementing programmes.

Ten years ago we decided to implement internationally renowned environmental education programmes in Morocco. The Young Reporters for the Environment programme — this year celebrating its 10th anniversary and production patterns. So there “Building on all that has implemented through a successful has to be a transition to a green been achieved — and partnership with the Ministry of society, as well as to a green Education — aims to educate young economy. Green societies are fully pressing ahead towards people and enable them to acquire educated communities. Education developing a green skills and attitudes that support for sustainable development plays eco-citizenship. a fundamental role. Tomorrow’s economy and sustainable societies will be shaped by the skills development — will It encourages them to produce and knowledge acquired today. written reports or photos on require the support and selected environment preservation Thus education and awareness mobilization of the and sustainable development topics. are prerequisites for a successful The best entries are selected by a transition to a green economy that entire society.” national jury and receive awards. The is solidarity-based, inclusive and programme’s international dimension respectful of natural ecosystems. Environmental Protection has been also enables young Moroccans to Both government agencies and fully committed to these principles. It compete for the international award, civil society organizations have has made environmental education interact with young people from crucial roles in creating the right and sustainable development key other countries on global issues, and conditions for this. objectives of its policy and action open up to the world. strategy. Investing in education Since its inception in 2001, the and promoting awareness among Year after year — thanks to Mohammed VI Foundation for young people has been its motto, the mobilization of the entire

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 9 parallel, the Foundation developed developed Foundation the parallel, In unemployment. tackle to and jobs for green young people prepare to training vocational and teaching — including programmes educational and growth of green objectives market labor the between connection a establish to developed be to need mechanisms New, effective more patterns. production and consumption unsustainable changing while environment shifting a to adapt to them enabling and jobs by green offered opportunities the seize to young people preparing to key is also Education development. human and peace for welfare, acatalyst consumption making to contributes it sustainability, and of equity principles the on Based development. sustainable for of education heart at the is consumption Responsible economy. agreen to for atransition required conditions of the and patterns consumption and of production discussion —enabled press the and sectors, private and public the from makers decision- young people, together 2012.in April event —bringing The consumption sustainable on forum ayouth held Foundation — the debates forpreparatory Rio+20 of the part as —and anniversary tenth programme’s the For awards. for international successfully competed photos: have many also and reports written 3,500 about with competitions inten participated have students school high 20,000 Nearly quality. and quantity in both grown has programme successful inthe —participation partners our and community education 10

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands

© Shutterstock our partners —participation “Year after year —thanks to the mobilization of the entire in the successful programme has grown in both quantity and quality. Nearly 20,000 3,500 written reports written 3,500 and education community and and community education competed successfully for competitions with about about with competitions have participated in ten photos: many have also international awards.” international high school students — based on early involvement of involvement early on — based approach Our of Education. Ministry the with partnership a strategic of part as schools all to extended is being it in2006, experiment pilot a as Launched progress. measuring and areas inspecific practices good adopting conservation, of environmental project shared a —around teachers and parents —students, community school entire the by mobilizing schools inprimary education environmental of foundations lay the to aims This system. education of the parcel and part becomes education environmental that ensure to program Eco-Schools the © Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection 11 Now d Stands World the RIO+20 - Where - RIO+20 of governanceof managing for sustainable development issues. The National Charter the for Environment and Sustainable Development, called His by for Majesty the King, the is right means to mobilize the resources. nation’s A social project based on a broad consultation process, it will be implemented through adopting a framework that law guides the activities all of the social stakeholders. It aims to integrate fullythe three pillars of economic, social and environmental development, thus effectively putting the Kingdom Morocco of on a path towards sustainable development. intendThis we to how is work together and achieve progress for all. The actors the are of aware stakes involved, and the path is clearly laid out. Genuine change is happening, and stakeholders are acting, innovating and showing the need to We encourage andway. bolster these positive trends. OUR PLANET

Businesses and civil society must also be involved and socially and environmentally responsible. Sustainable development can only be achieved mobilizing by all stakeholders and using the full range available of instruments: institutional, regulatory, economic, financial, social, partnerships, and private voluntary initiatives. Partnership between public and civil society organizations provides the groundwork form a new for regulatory authorities to is provide leadership and an set example others.for Public investment and management public of services must incorporate sustainability. It trophies awards to coastal communities — and their partner companies or associations — that the qualityimprove their of beaches. This public-private partnership has led to strong local awareness of the economic, environmental and social issues relating to coastal areas and has enabled several beaches to fly the Blue Flag quality label. Management environmental of issues and sustainable development fits into a long-term perspective. The role government of policy and The Clean Beaches program, a decade based is old now, on this model. It aims and to improve preserve beach quality and educate the public and local stakeholders, with financialsupport from corporate citizens. stakeholders in efforts and sharing resources — has proved to be valuable in the complex field of sustainable development, where participation and partnership are to success.key History’s great economic revolutions occur when new communication technologies converge with new energy systems. New energy revolutions make possible more © Shutterstock expansive and integrated trade. Jeremy Rifkin Accompanying communication President and founder of the revolutions manage the new complex Foundation on Economic Trends commercial activities made possible by the new energy flows. In the 19th century, cheap steam powered print technology and the introduction of public schools gave rise to a print-literate work force with the communication skills to manage the increased flow of commercial activity made possible by coal and steam power technology, ushering in the First Industrial Revolution. In the 20th century, centralized electricity communication — the telephone, and later radio and television — became the medium to manage a more complex and dispersed oil, auto, and suburban era, and the mass consumer culture of the Second Industrial Revolution.

As I describe in my book The Third Industrial Revolution, How Lateral Power is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World, internet technology and renewable energies are now about The Third to merge to create a powerful new infrastructure for a Third Industrial Revolution that will change the world in the 21st century. In the Industrial coming era, hundreds of millions of people will produce their own green energy in their homes, offices, and factories and share it with each other in an “energy Internet”, just Revolution as we now generate and share information online. The creation The Second Industrial Revolution, powered by oil and other fossil fuels, of a renewable energy regime is spiraling into a dangerous endgame: the prices of energy and food are — loaded by buildings, partially climbing, unemployment remains high, consumer and government debt are stored in the form of hydrogen, soaring, and the recovery is slowing. Worse, climate change from fossil-fuel- distributed via an energy Internet, based industrial activity is threatening the viability of life on Earth. Facing the and connected to plug-in zero- prospect of a second collapse of the global economy, humanity is desperate emission transport — establishes for a new economic vision and sustainable economic development plan. a five-pillar infrastructure that will Finding it requires understanding the technological forces that precipitate the spawn thousands of businesses profound transformations in society. and millions of sustainable jobs.

12 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands The entire system is interactive, source in the world. out of poverty is having reliable and integrated, and seamless. When Nor did the newspapers take affordable green electricity. All other these five pillars come together, seriously the distributed power of the economic development is impossible they make up an indivisible blogosphere; now many publications in its absence. Universal access technological platform that can are either going out of business to electricity is the indispensable transform every country. or transferring starting point for much of their “Democratising improving the lives of Nations will need to invest in activities online. the poorest populations renewable energy technology on a The implications energy will bring of the world. massive scale; convert millions of of people sharing with it a fundamental buildings into green micro-power distributed Because renewable plants; embed hydrogen and other energy in an open reordering of human energy — solar, wind, storage technology throughout the commons are even relationships, geothermal, hydro and infrastructure; lay down a green more far-reaching. biomass — is widely electricity Internet; and transform To appreciate how impacting the very distributed, a Third the automobile from the internal disruptive is the Industrial Revolution is combustion engine to electric Third Industrial way we conduct likely to take off quickly plug-in and fuel cell propulsion. Revolution to the business, govern in the developing world. existing way we Although a lack of The remaking of each nation’s organize economic society, educate our infrastructure is often infrastructure and the retooling life, consider children, and engage viewed as impeding of industries is going to require the far-reaching development, we are massive retraining of workers on changes that have in civic life.” actually finding that a scale matching the vocational taken place in many developing and professional training at the just the past 23 nations can potentially onset of the First and Second years through the Internet revolution. “leapfrog” into a Third Industrial Industrial Revolutions. The new Democratizing information and Revolution because they are not high-tech workforce of the Third communication has altered the saddled with an aging electricity Industrial Revolution will need to very nature of global commerce grid. By building a new, distributed be skilled in renewable energy and social relations as significantly electricity system from scratch, technologies, green construction, as the print revolution in the early rather than continuing to patch up IT and embedded computing, modern era. Imagine the impact an old and outworn grid, developing nanotechnology, sustainable that democratizing energy across countries significantly reduce the chemistry, fuel-cell development, all of society is likely to have when time and expense in transitioning digital power grid management, managed by Internet technology. into a new energy era. And the hybrid electric and hydrogen- The Third Industrial Revolution distributed nature of the Third powered transport and hundreds of changes the very concept of Industrial Revolution infrastructure other technical fields. power relationships in society. allows risk to be more widely The traditional notion of centralized, diffused, with localities and regions Democratizing energy will bring top-down power, is giving way pooling resources to establish local with it a fundamental reordering to lateral power, with far grid networks, and then connecting of human relationships, impacting reaching consequences. with other nodes. This is the very the very way we conduct business, essence of lateral power. govern society, educate our children, The Third Industrial Revolution and engage in civic life. The music build-out is particularly relevant The Third Industrial Revolution companies didn’t understand for the poorer countries in the offers the hope that we can arrive at distributed power until millions of developing world. Forty per cent of a sustainable post-carbon era young people began sharing music the human race stills lives on two by mid-century. We have the online, and corporate revenues dollars a day or less, in dire poverty. science, the technology, and the tumbled in less than a decade. Most of these people have no game plan to make it happen. Encyclopedia Britannica did not electricity, without which they remain The question is whether we will appreciate the distributed and “powerless”, literally and figuratively. recognize the economic possibilities collaborative power that made The single most important factor in that lie ahead and muster the will to Wikipedia the leading reference raising hundreds of millions of people get there in time.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 13 Rachel Kyte Vice President of Sustainable Development, the World Bank Tale of Two Rios

When we look back — in 20 years’ abounding in countless events at the time — on the 2012 UN Conference Rio Convention Centre and across on Sustainable Development, will we the city. There was leadership from see it as when we started to account every walk of life, sector of society for natural wealth, marking the shift and continent — and it wasn’t waiting towards inclusive green growth? for permission or blessing from the multilateral process. The World Bank Group went to Rio with firm evidence that this is the There were then, two Rios: The pathway to sustainable development first was the formal process with — affordable in lower income 193 countries struggling to find countries and feasible for all. With the necessary consensus to move hundred parliamentarians from 70 the conference agreeing text on a forward on enormously important countries gathered for the first-ever green economy it would seem the issues, many already “legislated”. World Legislators Summit, to agree international community agrees. Most dispiriting was the way in a new mechanism for scrutinizing which, once again, the sound and monitoring governments on What drove us was considering what economic, social and rights issues delivering their Rio agreements. ministers of finance, development, surrounding women’s reproductive planning agriculture, water, fisheries and sexual health were ducked in Similarly, CEOs from major — as well as the environment — an age where access to modern companies invested time and ideas should do differently the Monday contraception and the ability of at the Corporate Sustainability morning after Rio. What, similarly, women to control their own bodies Forum and other business events: should CEOs and COOs, not just the will be fundamental to population real financial commitment showed VPs for sustainability, do differently? dynamics and to the well-being of how far the world has come in What about mayors and municipal growing numbers of people. We 20 years with the business case for leaders? And us? Each has a role proved once again that we can cut sustainability now hard baked into and we have our plan. off our nose to spite our face and the DNA of competitiveness across that we struggle to find direction and all sectors of the economy. Despite the almost universally urgency in global consensus. hostile press, I left Rio with a sense And mayors showed they are of determination. This was not Then there was the second Rio — moving ahead, including on green based on the words in the outcome informal processes that brought building, mass transit, removing text, or the process around it, but together tens of thousands of methane from landfills, and on the practical, no nonsense, people at hundreds of official designing future livability. All across hard choices and opportunities side and unofficial events. Three Rio, people gravitated to ideas

14 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands © Shutterstock

the “Summit of the Seas”. The Bank- “The tale of two Rios shows supported Global Partnership for Oceans attracted new energy and how countries, companies, new members — now totalling 105 — and created a sense of urgency civil society organizations, around action to restore them to health and productivity, and on the the scientific community and need for sustainable aquaculture.

cities will act together where Expanding energy access — while increasing support for renewable they see interests aligned” energy and energy efficiency in developing countries — also fueled come. Events on the issue filled debates. Over 100 commitments the Rio Convention Centre, as were made by countries, private government, parliamentary and civil sector and civil society in support society groups alike highlighted of the UN’s Sustainable Energy the importance of moving beyond for All initiative. The World Bank GDP. Indeed the new energy and Group announced plans to double emphasis around this issue may be leveraging of its energy lending, Rio +20’s most important outcome. emphasizing low-carbon energy, from $8 billion to $16 billion. Now that we have a UN agreed framework in place for natural The overwhelming feeling was that capital, informed by 20 years of we cannot wait for international intellectual analysis, the pressure for agreements to do what must be practical action is palpable. There is done. The tale of two Rios shows an extraordinary opportunity for the how countries, companies, civil World Bank Group to help countries society organizations, the scientific take practical steps towards community and cities will act together and approaches that promised improved decision making based where they see interests aligned. action. The private sector and city on understanding the true value of coalitions stressed that this is not natural capital and to help dovetail International agreements help us about managing the downside, national private sector initiatives. move at the needed speed and but about opportunities for future scale. But, with or without them markets, future products, future It and its growing number of we must get on with what we employees, future investors, and all partners will provide support to know will benefit the poor and forms of competitiveness linked to help build capacity in countries that the environment. Sustainable sustainability as shared values. want natural capital accounting to development is everyone’s business. help them chart their next phase Our job at the World Bank Group The analysis behind the World of growth. We have many further is to show, with our clients, how Bank’s report Inclusive Green requests from countries to support change can happen. Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable capacity building for evidence- Development framed many of the based decision making. Our Our plan for Monday morning conference debates and helped Monday morning natural capital includes action on capacity building facilitate a new focus on natural plan is well advanced. for natural capital accounting, action capital accounting — a fundamental on supporting healthy oceans, action component of inclusive green Rio+20 also revealed strong support on sustainable cities, action on the growth. Sixty-two countries, over for other initiatives and approaches efficiency of economic plans and 90 companies, and 17 civil society that can be game changers for removing bad subsidies, action on organizations supported the Bank sustainable development. There sustainable energy and action on Group’s-facilitated 50:50 campaign, were so many debates about short-lived climate pollutants. testifying — like many others — protecting the oceans and managing that it is an idea whose time has them sustainably that some called it What’s yours?

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 15 © Shutterstock

Beyond GDP

Simon Upton Environment Director, OECD

World leaders and policy makers On the occasion of the are increasingly aware of the need organization’s 50th Anniversary, to explore ways of measuring we launched the Better Life human well-being beyond GDP Index, which lets citizens establish (Gross Domestic Product) if their own measure of well-being © Shutterstock progress towards sustainable by ranking the key factors that development is to be assessed. contribute to it in member countries, Indeed the Rio+20 conference’s like education, housing, income, outcome document recognised environmental quality and health “the need for broader measures We are also working with national of progress to complement GDP statistical offices to improve the in order to better inform policy way we measure economic activity decisions” and requested the UN and growth through the system of and other relevant organizations to national accounts, such as by better build on existing initiatives. accounting for household income and for those natural assets for For almost a decade the OECD which markets exist. has been leading the international discuss better ways to measure and reflection on the measurement of foster societies’ progress. Much Indicators to monitor progress well-being and progress. Its World of our focus is on exploring what towards green growth are at the Forum on “Statistics, Knowledge and matters most for people’s lives now core of the project. It cannot be Policy” regularly gathers decision and in the future, and on bringing captured by a single measure, and policy makers, social leaders, related indicators to the attention of so what is needed is a set of statisticians and academics to citizens and policy makers. indicators that can be used as

16 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands markers on the path to greening of losing a clear message — both are often not comparable across growth and to indicate new for policy makers and the public countries and difficult to combine economic opportunities. at large. The OECD has therefore due to differences in classifications, launched a process designed to terminology or timeliness. At the OECD we have therefore identify a few headline indicators developed a measurement that track central elements of green Environmental data particularly framework and a set of 25 indicators growth and complement main lag behind. If we are serious about to monitor progress towards green economic indicators. Those under achieving inclusive green growth, growth and these will support the consideration include: we need to rethink how we analyze OECD’s policy analysis and country our economies, we have to make studies. The indicators complement CO2 productivity (production and sure that all important elements conventional GDP measures by demand-based); Non-energy get measured and are made assessing countries’ progress in material productivity (production and statistically and economically visible, moving towards a low-carbon and demand-based); and we need harmonized tools to resource-efficient economy. They Multifactor assess progress in look into the economy’s productivity productivity adjusted “The indicators all countries and and into how consumption patterns for environmental indicators based of affluent countries affect global services; complement on internationally public goods, such as our climate, A natural resource conventional GDP comparable data. through the imports they generate. use index; This is a collective Land cover changes; measures by assessing challenge for the They explore such questions as: Population exposure next decade after Is economic growth becoming to fine particles. countries’ progress in Rio+20 and for greener? Is there a risk of future the post-2015 shocks to growth due to the Meanwhile work moving towards development agenda. deterioration of natural resources continues to a low-carbon The OECD and environmental quality? Is identify a headline continues to work greening the economy opening up indicator for green and resource efficient with countries new sources of growth? And do growth economic and international people benefit from greener growth? opportunities. economy.” partners — such The set of indicators — the first of The OECD green as UNEP, UNIDO, its kind at the international level, is growth measurement framework other UN agencies, the World Bank, structured around following themes: and proposed indicators can and the European Commission The economy’s environmental and easily be tailored to national — to advance the green growth resource productivity — to indicate circumstances, policy priorities measurement agenda. It seeks to fill whether it is becoming greener and and statistical capacities. Several gaps, capture the contribution that to capture aspects of production countries have already applied them natural resources and ecosystems and consumption which are rarely (Czech Republic, Korea, Mexico, the make to growth, make environmental quantified in conventional economic Netherlands), while others are in and economic data more coherent, models and accounting frameworks. the process of doing so (Colombia, and converge around common core The economy’s natural asset Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, indicators for the green economy. base — to indicate the risks to Paraguay, Kyrgyzstan). Work is also growth from a declining natural planned in Peru, East Asia and the Placing these measurement efforts asset base. The environmental Mediterranean region. in the framework of the System quality of life — to indicate how of Environmental — Economic environmental conditions affect To support the indicator set, we Accounting that was recently people’s well-being. have brought together relevant adopted as an international economic and environmental data statistical standard to parallel the Economic opportunities and and established a green growth System of National Accounts, policy responses — to indicate database. Apart from providing will maximize consistency and the effectiveness of policies data on what we know, this has international comparability. And in delivering green growth and also revealed important gaps in October the 4th OECD World describe the responses needed to in information in such areas as Forum, organized jointly with the secure business and employment biodiversity, industrial performance, Government of India, will provide opportunities. A broad range of and the stocks and flows of natural another important contribution to indicators, however, carries the risk assets. Even where data exist, they this subject.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 17 UNEP at work © Shutterstock Greening GDP Here Fulai Sheng, a researcher in UNEP’s Economics and Trade Branch, explains UNEP’s role in the drawing up of a broader GDP

A key outcome of RIO+20 was the decision to the Challenges draw up a new global indicator of wealth that goes beyond GDP’s narrowness (See Beyond GDP In the broader measurement of GDP now by Simon Upton on page 18). UNEP, working closely proposed and in line with UNEP’s mandate, UNEP with other UN bodies, is closely involved in would like to see ALL major environmental, that process. natural resources, and ecosystem indicators included. However, this is a difficult and long Background process. The international effort to have broader measurement has been going on for at least two UNEP, together with UN Statistical Division decades. It has taken that much time for the (UNSD), is currently discussing and planning SEEA to be adopted. the country-level implementation of the System Similarly, the World Bank’s Adjusted Net Savings of Environmental-Economic Accounts (SEEA), approach has also been around for about 20 which was adopted in February 2012 as an years. This looks at net changes to total capital international statistical standard. stock, including produced capital like trucks, natural capital like forests, and human capital The SEEA provides the means by which one to see if a country is accumulating or losing can measure changes to the environment and capital stock. natural resources in both physical and financial terms (where possible and appropriate) as There are also several other major initiatives a result of national economic activities. The such as the HDI. The key issue is not the lack results can be compared with GDP. of standards and methodology; the issue is

18 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands numbers the reluctance to use these broader measurements in policymaking as well 1 as the problem of data availability/ collection/statistical capacity. These 10% /3 issues are not likely to be resolved of rich countries’ of the food produced in anytime soon. greenhouse gas the world for human emissions come consumption every year — the Solutions from growing approximately 1.3 billion food that is never tonnes — gets lost or wasted, Greater attention needs to be paid to the eaten — FAO according to — FAO policy relevance of/policy interest in the alternative measurements as well as the practical imperative to boost statistical capacity in many developing countries. As far as indicators are concerned, from 40 million the perspective of the green economy tonnes of food wasted by US households, retailers approach, greater emphasis needs to be and food services each year would be enough placed on the environmental goods and to satisfy the hunger of nearly one billion services sectors. malnourished people in the world — FAO

Changes to the natural environment, natural resources, and ecosystem may be measured in economic terms through monetary valuation. 90% 3 billion For example, when the environment is drop in the amount of lead people still cook and polluted, it involves a cost — people get levels in blood worldwide heat their homes sick and lose their ability to earn a living. and saves 1.2 million lives using solid fuels in When a natural resource is depleted, it annually through the phase open fires and leaky involves a cost — as a result of fishery out of lead in gasoline — FAO stoves — WHO stocks collapsing, people in the fishing business lose their jobs and people in coastal areas are deprived of a major Rio+20 and sustainable source of nutrition. www Development: useful links When an ecosystem service is destroyed, This page contains links to websites to help you research issues related to Sustainable Development. Our Planet magazine does not, however, endorse the viewpoints of any of it involves a cost — as mangroves are the groups to which we link, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information removed for creating shrimp farms, the posted on these sites. Rather, we hope to provide you with a broad range of opinions and perspectives. flood control function of mangroves disappears and the world knows only UNEP and the Green Economy Sustainable Energy Finance too well the cost of floods in terms of Initiative Initiative (SEFI) loss of life and properties. www.unep.org/greeneconomy/ www.sefi.unep.org/ UNEP’s green Economy Initiative SEfI provides financiers with the tools, provides a range of advisory services to support and global network needed The money value of these more than 20 governments around the to conceive and manage investments environmental/natural resources/ world. Underpinning all dimensions in the complex and rapidly changing of the green Economy Initiative is a marketplace for clean energy ecosystem costs can be estimated focus on robust economic research and technologies. through established methodologies policy analysis. UN Environment Programme described in the SEEA, in order to World Business Council for 40th Anniversary strengthen the case for environmental Sustainable Development www.unep.org/40thAnniversary/ protection and natural resource www.wbcsd.org/about.aspx In celebration of UNEP’s 40 years, the The wBcSD is a cEO-led organization website marks key events, negotiations conservation, and in some cases, of forward- thinking companies and experiences that have taken to penalize the culprits for the that galvanizes the global business place and includes photos of the times. community to create a sustainable environmental destruction they have future for business, society and the caused as in the case of a major oil spill. environment.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 19 UNEP at work © Jannet Ellis

the cultural heritage of the Camaracs Ngaibe Bugle, Guna de Wargandi and Embera Wounaan Battling indigenous groups. While the Chucunaque River basin is one of the country’s largest, it also runs through some of Panama’s poorest regions, the effects making it extremely vulnerable to climate change, especially its impacts: drought and flooding.

Moreover, the impacts of climate change are of climate happening more frequently and with greater intensity. Indeed, in 2010 the 150,000 people living around Darién were struggling to survive change floods that washed away houses and animals and contaminated the drinking water.

The flooding also forced the closure — for the the Problem first time in 21 years — of the Panama Canal.

The beauty of the Darién landscape of eastern Panama and its people is unparalleled. The the Solution province, fed by the mighty Chucunaque River, is lush with vegetation and renowned for its great While the December 2010 disaster was biological and cultural diversity as well as an devastating, it could have been worse. An abundance of water. early warning system using weather satellite- transmissions, rain gauges, limnimetric scales Although the province has experienced and a radio communication system had been set considerable deforestation, it nevertheless is up in 2009 by a UN Joint Programme operating home to some of the most important rainforests under the Millennium Development Goals of Central America and continues to nurture Achievement Fund (MDG-F). Entitled Incorporation

20 OUR PLANET 40RIO+20 years - Wh ofere wed the World Stands can now be informed ahead of time on the cresting of the Chucunaque “… In remote areas like Darién, River. radio communication is still the Indeed, in remote areas like Darién, best source of information and the radio communication is still the best source of information and UN Joint Programme has made the UN Joint Programme has made most use of it. As a result, in the most use of it. As a result, in the 2010 flooding there was a smooth 2010 flooding there was a smooth evacuation and no loss of lives.

evacuation and no loss of lives” A communication strategy was developed to encourage local participation and dialogue on climate change. In addition, information was simplified and translated into the three indigenous languages to of Measures for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate increase the diffusion of the messages in all water Change, the UN Joint Programme introduced the basins. Moreover, rather than imposing a strictly early warning system as well as a climate change “scientific” communication of climate change, the © Montserrat Valeiras monitoring system with the latest meteorological Joint Programme sought to interweave this thinking technology around the Chucunaque River basin, all with the more traditional paradigms found in the of which helped to limit the impacts of the flooding indigenous communities. on the local population. Support What UNEP did? The Environment and Climate Change Joint As the convener of the Environment and Climate Programmes under the MDG-F are taking place in Change window under the MDG-F, the UN 17 countries around the world. Set up in December Environment Programme (UNEP) is the technical 2006 as an international cooperation mechanism to advisory on environmental issues in the UN Joint help countries reach the Millennium Development Programme in Panama that incorporates the Goals, the MDG-F is completely funded by the expertise of UNDP, FAO, and PAHO/WHO. The Joint Spanish Government. Programme also worked with national counterparts of four Panamanian institutions to set up a climate For more information on the MDG-F, please see: change information system. The collaborative effort www.mdgfund.org also led to the installation of radio equipment in key places often hit by flooding. Thanks to the radio For more information on JP Panama, please see: communication system, endangered communities www.unep.org/drc

Lessons Learned

The Joint Programme had to consider a number of aspects from the outset. The basin areas of the river are not only remote, but access to some of them is very limited. Moreover, Panama has several indigenous communities living in these areas, so in implementing the Joint Programme, respect for traditional knowledge was carefully considered.

www.unep.org/drc

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Wh OURere PLANET the Worl 40 dyears Stan dofs Nwedow 21 © Shutterstock And it inspired a new generation of Frances Beinecke committed young leaders to remind President of the Natural us that their future is most at risk if Resources Defense Council we fail to confront the Earth’s most pressing challenges.

These pivotal shifts did not occur overnight. Instead, they grew out of participants’ careful preparation. NRDC, for instance, launched a Race-to-Rio campaign in June 2011 with a call for a different kind of summit. We agree with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that time is running out to address climate change, food security, and other looming crises. As UNEP documented in its GEO5 report, the world has achieved just 4 of 90 globally adopted environmental and sustainability goals. We must stop talking and start acting. To mobilize leaders to act, NRDC urged countries, corporations, and communities to come to Rio with specific plans for how they will tackle problems now — not in some distant future.

The push toward action seemed to permeate the summit. In Rio, presidents, prime ministers, mayors, CEOs and other leaders made hundreds of commitments with an estimated value of more than half a Energy trillion dollars. Microsoft, for instance, announced it would create a carbon fee on internal operations in more than 100 nations. pulse Femsa, a massive soft-drink bottler in Latin America, said it would get The most exciting aspect of the Rio+20 Earth Summit 85 per cent of its energy in Mexico from renewable sources. A group of was the energy pulsing through the 50,000 people there development banks pledged to give who shared a concern about protecting the planet. Their $175 billion to support public transit passion, dedication, and actions turned it into much and bike lanes instead of highway more than another internationally negotiated “outcome construction in the world’s biggest document”, making it an historic turning point in which urban centers — an initiative that will leaders from government, business, and civil society combat climate change and reduce demonstrated that deeds ­— rather than lofty promises — toxic air pollution that causes cancer are the key to building a more sustainable future. and heart disease.

22 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands The U.S. Government joined 400 consensus. There were only a few to tell us how to protect the oceans of the world’s largest retailers and small, encouraging steps forward, or fight climate change. We are manufacturers in pledging to rid such as the upgrading of UNEP. We already doing it, and many of the their supply chains of deforestation. were pleased with the documents’ efforts are led by young people. Fourteen nations announced focus on oceans. Governments are It was thrilling to see that a new they were joining an beginning to grasp that generation is fully engaged in the international effort to “I’m confused and despoiling them creates movement to preserve our natural phase out inefficient not just environmental systems. I was especially moved angry at the state incandescent light bulbs problems, but food by the words of Brittany Trilford, by 2016. A transition to of the world, and insecurity and a 17-year-old student from New efficient lighting could Zealand, who addressed the opening I want us to work economic challenges result in annual global as well. plenary urging world leaders to take savings of more than together now to concrete action to protect the planet. $110 billion and reduce change this. There is also a as much carbon pollution growing recognition “I stand here with fire in my heart,” as taking more than 120 We are here today to that the oceans, like she said. “I’m confused and angry million cars off the road. solve the problems the atmosphere, are at the state of the world, and I want a global resource us to work together now to change These are just some of that we have caused and that we all have this. We are here today to solve the specific commitments as a collective, to a vested interest in the problems that we have caused made in Rio. NRDC reviving them. Leaders as a collective, to ensure that we ensure that we have created a website www. agreed to reduce have a future.” cloudofcommitments.org a future.” overfishing and focus to aggregate all the key on the emerging Brittany participated on a panel with pledges with links to all the major threats of ocean acidification and me and Severn Suzuki, who — aged registries and platforms. We want marine plastic pollution. 12 — rocked the first Earth Summit to stimulate dialogue about how to 20 years ago. I was inspired to be fulfill them and to encourage citizens But it is still disappointing that with them, to hear their dedicated to hold their leaders accountable for leaders could not agree to start focus and the logic of what they their promises. negotiating a new agreement to asked of all of us: to end the paralysis conserve the high seas — the marine and start acting. Brittany reminded us The pledges listed on the website areas beyond national jurisdictions. that she spoke for three billion people are the real legacy of the Earth Yet the energy in Rio revealed that under 25. “Think of me as half of the Summit. They could translate into people aren’t waiting for a document world,” she told the crowd. the kind of tangible change — more public transport, more marine We must keep those three billion protected areas, more access young people — and their children to clean water — that improves — in mind as we go forward from people’s lives and protects our Rio+20. We must create a cleaner planet, not decades from now but © Shutterstock future today. The best outcome of in the next few years. the Earth Summit would be friendly competition in which nations and The outcome document, in contrast, cities and corporations vie to showed a disappointing lack of see who does more to become ambition. We had hoped for a clarion sustainable: who removed the most call from the world’s leaders about diesel pollution or generated the the urgency of climate change and most solar power. other global challenges. Instead we got a turgid 49-page document Such accomplishments, added up all — a testament to the challenge over the world, are what will move of negotiating a text when more the global community forward into a than 190 nations must reach more sustainable future.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 23 © Shutterstock Ashok Khosla Founder of Development Alternatives and President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature

Rio de Janeiro gave it worldwide Two deadly currency. Several summits later — each bringing together heads of state from hundreds of countries, with vast retinues of officials, diseases business leaders and NGOs in attendance — the degradation of From the 1950s, early in the UN’s on the Human Environment. Yet people’s lives and the destruction history, the international community despite its worldwide impact of nature are worse than ever. understood that it could not on mobilizing UN initiatives, achieve its mandate of ensuring government policies and civil This summer’s Rio+20 summit global peace and security without society action, the environment yet again provided an opportunity improving the human condition continued to deteriorate — and for national leaders to come and removing poverty worldwide. at an accelerating pace that together to debate pathways Several UN-sponsored “international continues today. to a better future. As usual, development decades” followed, yet they made eloquent and the numbers living in poverty and It did not take long for the profound declarations filled with hunger continued to grow — as they development and environment insights on the predicament of still do. strands to come together. By 1980, humankind and the threats to the World Conservation Strategy, our beleaguered planet’s life In 1970, the UN General Assembly, jointly published by IUCN, WWF support systems. Yet, despite recognizing that the growth of the and UNEP, launched the concept several months of preparatory world’s economy brought threats of sustainable development. The meetings, their experts and to the environment, instituted Brundtland Commission endorsed diplomats produced virtually the 1972 Stockholm Conference it and the 1992 Earth Summit in no meaningful commitments

24 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands to meet the challenges exploding with affluenza, doubly degrades education or work? We must all around us. Notwithstanding a the social and political fabric while urgently deal with human deprivation remarkable array on the sidelines inexorably destroying the economic and environmental degradation, of the summit of hope, aspirations, and ecological one. which feed on each other and are models and solutions for a linked with over consumption and sustainable future from all over Thus for ecological, economic and extreme poverty. the world, the commitments made societal reasons — not just moral by governments, corporations, ones — the close interdependence If the world economy is to get back civil society and others were puny of different segments of society on the track to a sustainable future, compared with what is needed. ultimately requires a reasonably there will have to be fundamental equitable economy at global, changes in policies and priorities. The international system seems to national and local levels. This The top ones are: be geared to delivering only the most interdependence requires that minimal of national commitments at the basic human needs of water, Putting the last first. This the national level, and thus the lowest regular nourishing food, secure principle, powerfully enunciated by common denominators for global supplies, shelter, security of Mahatma Gandhi, means that the policy or action. Given the gravity and tenure, health, personal growth, first responsibility of a society is urgency of the threats this is a very education, knowledge, participation, to give the highest priority to the serious situation. empowerment and personal security welfare of the most marginalized are ensured for all — and that and deprived of its citizens. This is of The twin problems of large-scale everyone has the same opportunities course a moral imperative, but it is human deprivation and massive for improving their lives. also a social and political necessity, environmental degradation are since pervasive poverty degrades symptoms of two synergistic Humanity is squeezed on all society and politics. diseases that have reached epidemic sides — by pressures from large- proportions around the world. scale poverty and deprivation, Parity and fairness. No nation’s Affluenza and Povertitis are terminal rapid population growth and over- future can be secure if its citizens conditions with devastating impacts consumption of fast-depleting are divided by great inequalities on human beings, society and resources. These pressures are of economic wealth or political nature. They tend to intensify each resulting in severe risks to our power. With today’s information and other’s symptoms. And while they life support systems: our climate, communication technologies, the seem to feed on each other, neither our biological diversity and the growing marginalization, alienation can survive without the other. productivity of our land, water and and violence that will result can energy resources. only undermine social stability, the Affluenza — driven by greed and prerequisite of a sustainable society. the single-minded pursuit of Many new factors are continually accumulating private economic emerging. Today’s major issues Polluter pays. Whoever damages and physical capital — ruthlessly of climate change and species the eco-system — the environmental destroys natural resources, extinction were little discussed resources on which all life systems particularly “non-renewable” ones twenty five years ago. We do not are based — must pay the costs like materials, energy, and land. Its know what new problems will crop incurred by society. These costs must spread also tears apart the social, up over the next two decades. be integrated into economic decision- institutional and political capital that While we try and find solutions making systems so that they reflect has bound people and communities for problems we know, we are the true expense of our actions. for millennia. not prepared for the surprises and sudden changes that the Precaution and minimizing The poor, out of the exigencies environment will throw at us risk. Wherever we have to choose of survival, overutilize “renewable” tomorrow. Already our planet’s between different options — resources, like soils, forests and environmental boundaries are under including technology and ways streams, making them essentially severe pressure on many different of working — we must opt for non-renewable under human time- fronts. How will the billions expected those that carry least risk to the scales. The spread of povertitis, to be living on it in future decades environment and society and ensure which seems to grow in parallel find adequate food, water, housing, that we err on the side of precaution.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 25 © Shutterstock Time to do it right

Sometimes, when analyzing a More than a management model, successful project that started sustainability is, ultimately, the best many years ago, hindsight makes way of expressing my conviction that the decisions taken seem much we can succeed by doing the right easier, obscuring the context of all things the right way. the uncertainties of that time. I say this, because it is now much more Fabio Barbosa, CEO of Abril SA, and a 2012 Sustainability is intrinsically linked common to talk about sustainability in UNEP Champion of the Earth to business strategy. It is very far the financial service industry than it from being just philanthropy, and for was when I decided to follow such an that reason I don’t like the concept approach some 15 years ago. told me: “in order to get through life, of ‘giving something back’. It is a especially business life, you have to matter of consciousness about daily I started on the journey in 1996 compromise, find the shortcuts.” I have activities. At Banco Real, for example, at Banco Real/ABN Amro (Brazil), never done that. I have always chosen we started incorporating socio- repeatedly insisting — in a good the path of transparency, of respect, to environmental aspects into credit soccer metaphor for Brazil — that guide me day-to-day. I always believed risk analysis, and this helped us to “the game is hard, but we must aim that the way you do business — not understand that if a company treats at the ball and not at the opponent´s just the results, but the way you get its employees well and maintains leg”. This caused some shock; people them — is very important. a healthy relationship with the might not express negative reactions environment, it has a higher probability in front of me, but whispered behind The Banco Real/ABN Amro in Brazil of being economically sustainable. my back that, though nice in theory, sustainability project — and the huge We also created new products and it would not achieve results. On many range of initiatives that support it — lines such as our Ethical Fund — occasions very skeptical people expresses these beliefs. a socially responsible investment

26 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands fund — ways of financing treating effluents and converting cars from petrol to natural gas, and microcredit operations. And we improved our relationship with the local community and suppliers.

When I addressed the Brazilian financial service industry, through FEBRABAN (the Brazilian Banks Federation), I talked about self- regulation, about how to improve the financial system’s dialogue with various sectors of society, now a new way to create links with about being closer to all the “Sustainability is customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders and about deepening shareholders, so all companies in all the relationship with consumer intrinsically linked to sectors have to find their own ways protection agencies, unions, and to insert it into their core business. © Shutterstock the press. business strategy. It is Making all these changes creates A strong quality financial service very far from being just new demands, new markets and system is vital for Brazil and our new business models. So we society. Since the beginning of philanthropy, and for must think and act systemically. the crisis in 2008, the financial We cannot give up the economic system has been tested several that reason I don’t like aspect, but we must integrate social times: yet in Brazil, unlike in many and environmental dimensions in all countries, banks have been part the concept of ‘giving decisions: is not a matter of either/ of the solution not of the problem. or but of both/and. Consumers In a nutshell, banks add value something back’. It is a are more aware of their rights and to society by doing three things: duties, and require the same degree protecting and remunerating of awareness and responsibility in savings; financing consumption matter of consciousness companies’ performances. In times and investments, and providing a like these, the best way to look to mechanism for payments. By doing about daily activities.” the future is through observation these things properly, they help and innovation. national development. And it is even more important to advocate and We can only evolve as a society if Companies and organizations need encourage transparency and ethics in we accept the balance between to be alert to these changes and to such a way as to align the interests of rights and obligations — and if we the new demands of an increasingly society and financial institutions, and comprehend that we cannot just keep open society. make them converge. charging governments for solutions and actions, but we must participate We live in a time of great changes, Milton Friedman once said: “The and contribute through our day-to-day with increasing access and business of business is business.” actions. Society and the world is dissemination of information, and As I understand it: “The business of made out of our attitudes. The good with increasing transparency in business is sustainable business”. perspective is that the message that relations between individuals, This has long been clear to me, each one of us, as a protagonist, is organizations and even countries. since companies need to exist spreading around. It is a new frontier, There is no longer a world of “ON” for many years in a constantly a new approach, and all citizens are and “OFF”, we are “ON” all the time. changing society. Sustainability is set to win.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 27 People

Ian Joseph Somerhalder born December 8, 1978, is an American model, actor, producer and environmental activist. Somerhalder is an avid environmentalist and has set up his own non- profit organisation, the an Somerhalder Foundation, to boost awareness about humans’ impact on the planet. In 2004, Somerhalder scored his breakthrough role when he played Boone Carlyle in the hit TV show Lost.

His passion for the environment first gained widespread media attention during the US Gulf Coast oil spill of 2010. His efforts included cleaning of oiled wildlife and taping public service announcements and YouTube videos to let the public know how they could help.

“To me and to the people that go down there, (it’s) one of the most beautiful places in the world. And I actually had to watch it destroyed. And it will be destroyed — forever. My great-grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the Gulf Coast of Louisiana the way I have.”

In May 2010, Somerhalder also filmed aY ouTube ‘call to action’ for UNEP urging viewers to pledge/take action for the environment as part of the World Environment Day Challenge between Gisele Bundchen and Don Cheadle.

Roger Payne, who was killed along with six other mountaineers in an avalanche in the Alps on 12 July, was a dedicated, life-long environmentalist and close friend of UNEP. As the former Sports and Development Director of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation and an accomplished climber, he helped spearhead a UNEP- backed expedition in the Himalayas in 2002 to collect first-hand accounts of environmental and climatic changes in the region from local people and monks.

The expedition, in support of the International Year of the Mountains and to provide a report for World Environment Day 2002, was also tasked with filming the formation of glacial lakes — newly emerging bodies of water appearing in mountain regions as a result of melting glaciers. That footage supported work by UNEP and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development based in Nepal which had recorded the emergence of over 40 such lakes and rising concern over potential hazards to communities downstream if they burst their banks — the so called glacial lake outburst floods.

The seven-strong expedition, which included Mr Payne’s wife Julie Ann-Clyma, set off from the spot where in 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay departed to conquer Mount Everest. British-born Roger and his climbers found that the original glacier that had been there in the 1950s had retreated five kilometres up the mountain.

UNEP would like to pay tribute to Roger Payne for his life and work while also extending our sincere condolences to his wife and family.

28 OUR PLANET 40RIO+20 years - Wh ofere wed the World Stands Maurício de Sousa Born in 1935, the Brazilian cartoonist/ animator/filmmaker Mauricio de Sousa has brought to life over 200 cartoon characters for kids, led by his signature group, Monica’s Gang.

Mauricio’s comics have been among the top-selling children’s titles in Brazil for many years. Monica’s Gang is a group of 6 and 7-year-olds created in 1963, each with a unique personality, who have fun doing what kids everywhere like to do. At the heart of the plots is the eternal rivalry between girls and boys to be the leader of the gang. With Monica, Jimmy Five, Maggy and Smudge the result is all kinds of funny, lively, action- filled stories.

During Rio+20, Mauricio de Sousa announced that he is working on the creation of the “Smudge Waste Plant”, which is being developed in partnership with Japanese researchers. The idea is to deploy waste treatment plants in major Brazilian cities, thus contributing to the end of the dumps in Brazil.

With the Ministry of the Environment of Brazil, Mauricio has been developing storylines that aim at raising environmental awareness among children. For Rio+20, the two institutions launched a comic book on how children and youth can contribute to the preservation of the environment, showing the benefits of recycling and also explaining what the UN Conference was all about.

Using Monica’s strength to draw attention to important messages, Mauricio has produced a large collection of “Comics for a Cause” — stories that both entertain and teach — with more than 70 million of the magazines distributed free of charge. These public service campaigns focus on topics such as health and hygiene, the dangers of smoking and drugs, clean water, safety, the environment, and also UNICEF’s Statutes of the Rights of Children and Adolescents.

http://www.turmadamonica.com.br/ingles/mauricio/autor.htm http://www.unicef.org/lac/media_10302.htm

Yao Ming the former NBA player travelled to Africa in August for the first time as a global ambassador for WildAid. A committed conservationist, his mission involves coming face-to-face with elephants and rhinos to document a growing crisis blamed partly on soaring Asian demand for rhino horn and ivory products.

“We’re trying to deliver the message back to where I live that the only way to stop poaching is to stop the buying,” the former NBA player told the UK’s The Times newspaper, as he watched a herd of elephants wade across the Ewaso Nyiro river in Kenya. “Here, next to a group of elephants, it feels like you are walking into your neighbour’s house — just we are different animals. We are humans, they are elephants. That’s how I feel.”

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) has warned that the number of elephants killed each year “is likely to run into the tens of thousands”. A report published in July 2012 said that China remained the main destination for large-scale ivory consignments. More than 24 tons of illegal ivory was seized worldwide last year, the most since a ban on the trade was introduced in 1989.

Yao is one of China’s best-known athletes, with sponsorships with several major companies. His rookie year in the NBA was the subject of a documentary film, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along with NBA analyst Ric Bucher, an autobiography titled Yao: A Life in Two Worlds.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 29 © Shutterstock

Dr Ranjana Kumari Director, Centre for Social Research, India

impacts of human activities on the natural environment. Their failure to address climate change highlights the need for new and innovative economic frameworks. Traditional economic models also reinforce social inequalities and gender bias. The exclusion of women from capitalist economies has restricted their ability to meet the needs of all members of society and limits opportunities for social and economic development.

The emerging green economy provides an opportunity to address both environmental degradation and gender discrimination within economic frameworks. It aims to develop new, environmentally sustainable economic structures that are underpinned by scientific thought, respect the limitations Green – but of the world’s natural resources, and recognize our impacts on the environment. Thus the development of the green economy has the capacity to initiate social change and too male to support and facilitate women’s economic empowerment. The threat of climate change is new policies and initiatives grows. increasing and its impacts are Developing environmentally and Yet it appears that this opportunity starting to be felt across the world. socially progressive structures also is being ignored. As the green Thus developing climate mitigation provides a space to address gender economy expands, women continue strategies and policies at local, discrimination in the environmental to be excluded and historical national and international levels is and economic spheres and in gender biases are perpetuated. becoming increasingly important. decision-making bodies. The International Trade Union Confederation has estimated that Abundant evidence that traditional Traditional economic models are 50 million green jobs will be created economic frameworks are escalating underpinned by patriarchal attitudes worldwide in the next 20 years. But environmental damage has led to and beliefs. They are also heavily at least 80 per cent of these are the emergence and expansion of reliant on natural resources in order expected to be in male dominated new, environmentally sustainable to fuel development and economic industries, such as construction, markets. New opportunities have growth. However, they do not take engineering, financial and business been opened up for people working into consideration the limited nature services, and manufacturing. within these fields as the need for of the world’s resources or the According to UN Women, women

30 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands currently only account for between on Sustainable Development achieving women’s empowerment 9 and 24 per cent of the global highlighted the insensitivity of the and sustainable development. workforce in these four industries global environmental movement Government action must also be — making it likely that men will be towards the issue of gender and taken to ensure that women have the main beneficiaries of the green it’s interconnectedness with the the same opportunities as men economy. It is clear that women achievement of environmental to participate in environmental are being excluded from the green sustainability and economic stability. planning and to benefit from the economy because job opportunities green economy. are generally not in their traditional As the Women’s Major Group fields. They are also more likely to emphasised, the Conference There is a strong need for targeted participate in informal economies outcome document, The Future training programmes for women so and unpaid work that is excluded We Want, completely ignores the that they have the knowledge and from the green economy. Women’s connection between gender and skills required to take on new green marginalization from environmental climate change. Women’s increased jobs. Initiatives are also required to discourse and climate change vulnerability to environmental break down gender stereotyping mitigation strategies also reflects degradation and the strong within the workforce and to wider patriarchal structures that contribution they could make encourage women to undertake subjugate and control them. to climate change mitigation training in non-traditional fields, and and adaptation strategies are quotas must be implemented to Excluding women from developing ensure women have the opportunity and implementing the new green “International to participate in these fields. economy reinforces these structures, Women must also be supported which are central to traditional agreements must be to take on leadership roles within economic frameworks, and restricts the environmental movement, so the capacity of the emerging developed to ensure that climate change mitigation economy to address the needs of that women’s rights and adaptation strategies take both sexes and the environment. into consideration women’s are realised and they experiences, perspectives and Women are also being marginalized are given opportunities understanding of environmental from international environmental management and degradation. dialogue and decision-making to participate in the bodies. According to the Women’s The green economy offers a unique Environment and Development green economy.” and rare opportunity to address Organisation, women accounted for climate change and to develop an only 35 per cent of all delegates also omitted. The sidelining of economic framework that is both attending the United Nations gender issues within the Rio+20 environmentally and financially Framework Convention on Climate negotiations calls into question sound. To succeed in this, however, Change in 2010. This is one of the capacity of international it must address social and economic the main bodies responsible for agreements to achieve legitimately inequalities that continue to restrict developing climate policy at an sustainable development. development and jeopardize the international level, thus women’s success of climate mitigation unequal participation in those International agreements must be strategies. A green economy that meetings demonstrates their developed to ensure that women’s fails to take into consideration the exclusion from environmental rights are realised and they are social dimension of sustainable decision-making bodies. This also given opportunities to participate development will be unable to results in the marginalization of in the green economy. The Fifth support vulnerable members of women’s ideas and perspectives as World Conference on Women society, including women and decision-making bodies continue to — proposed by UN Secretary children. Instead, it will perpetuate rely heavily on male perspectives. General Ban Ki-Moon in March traditional economic models that this year and, if approved by the give preference to profit over people. This, in turn, invariably leads to the UN General Assembly, to be held development of policy initiatives in 2015 — provides an opportunity Quite simply, it will be unable that are less effective overall, to discuss the gender dimensions to achieve sustainable social or and particularly for women. The of climate change and offers a environmental development. This is recent Rio+20 UN Conference space for developing strategies for not the future we want.

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 31 innovation

Sunpower’s Alex Trantor

For those who worry that fighting climate change means sacrificing comfort, the luxurious Turanor might be a revelation. The world’s biggest solar-powered vessel, run by Planet Solar from Switzerland, returned to the Mediterranean in May, after completing the first-ever round-the-world fueled solely by solar energy.

Recycled Pulp Fashioned into MP3 Speakers

Sharing music and videos with friends is really amazing, it would be better if the gadgets could use renewable sources such as solar- powered electric energy or follow the Go Green rules.

At the moment, the market offers Captain Eric Dumont: “Its time to realize there is a lot of pollution us eco-friendly speakers that act everywhere, and this boat is a messenger and maybe an alarm to say more like acoustic docks which stop pollution on this planet.” boost the audio source and can be charged with renewable energy. The name Turanor comes from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings saga, and means “the power of the sun”. Power is precisely what the 115 foot- long ship is intended to showcase. This summer, it’s travelling to cities in the Mediterranean like Valletta, Malta. Each stop attracts a crowd Their experience is not satisfactory, of reporters and government ministers eager to see how it works. however, and to deal with this The ship’s systems are simple at first glance. Sunshine falls on 5,800 problem, Chin Yang and Balance square feet of solar panels, made by the company Sunpower. They are Wu have developed the Pulpop the world’s most efficient panels — converting about 18 per cent of MP3 speaker. the energy into electricity, which charges two huge 6 ton lithium ion batteries in each of the hulls. [US measurements] Made from recycled material, the product works on vibration When Captain Dumont pushes the throttle forward, power is transferred technology. Amplification takes to the two electric motors, which turn special low-speed propellers. The place through the supporting 91-ton boat can travel for three days on the batteries without getting surface and the doughnut design. any charge from the sun, but there is a surprising problem with the power system. Challenging the assumption that sound cannot travel well through The surprising thing is that the production on the solars is outperforming paper, these speakers have a what was expected, and in fact there is too much generating capacity surface area large enough to allow on the roof. There is so much of it that the batteries are not even using the greatest resonance possible to all of that power being produced. The ship is a travelling experiment. travel through 360 degrees. Technicians in Switzerland monitor the boat via satellite around the Used By Permission: Jeffrey Barbee www.allianceeart clock. Data from its round-the-world trip will be used to improve the The speaker’s hollow ring is made technology, increasing its speed, for example. from pulp paper and moulded at the highest-possible temperature 32 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands and pressure. How to Detect Apps Leaking Your Data

A service called Mobilescope acts as a watchdog, alerting users when www.inhabitat.com apps copy and transmit sensitive information. One reason that smartphones and smartphone apps are so useful is that they can integrate intimately with our personal lives. But that also puts our personal data at risk.

A new service called Mobilescope hopes to change that by letting a smartphone user examine all the data that apps transfer, and alerting him when sensitive information, such as his name or e-mail address, is transferred.

“It’s a platform-agnostic interception tool that you can use on your Android, iOS, Blackberry, or Windows device,” says Ashkan Soltani, an independent privacy researcher who created Mobilescope with fellow researchers David Campbell and Aldo Cortesi.

Called the Agri-Cube, these units are touted by Daiwa as the first step in the industrialization of agriculture, to be located in and amongst the places where people live, work, and play.

More and more people desire sustainable, organic produce for their own use, and are turning to urban farming in an effort to insure the highest degree of freshness. However, some municipalities, neighborhoods, and homeowners associations have rules that effectively block such endeavors in areas under their sway. Prefab-Garden Greenhouse Add drought and pest control to the picture, and Housing Complex suddenly urban farming may seem more trouble than it is worth. Daiwa House, Japan’s largest homebuilder, has introduced a line of prefabricated hydroponic There is a growing need for local supplies of freshly vegetable factories, aimed at housing complexes, grown produce that avoids the difficulties presented hotels, and top-end restaurants. by conventional small farms and gardens. www.gizmag.com

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 33 Gary Neville

For footballer Gary Neville, sustainability really action he had his 2011 testimonial game powered does begin at home. The former Manchester by wind, and made changes to his way of life. United and England captain has long been “Like many footballers”, he says “I had my share planning to build a revolutionary zero-carbon of big, expensive cars, ironically really as I am not underground dwelling in Lancashire, Northwest a car person. The petrol bills were extortionate, England. In August he submitted his latest plans they lost their value. Enough was enough. I for the five-bedroom underground property, to then became aware of the work that Toyota was be powered by photovoltaic panels, heated with doing in hybrid cars so I gave it a go. I changed a ground source heat pump, and supplied with my car to a Prius: you can imagine the stick I recycled rainwater. received when I drove into the players’ car park, but it made sense to me. I now drive a Vauxhall “This has been the spark that has ignited my Ampera and I think, in the last three months, I desire to move to a more sustainable lifestyle”, have only had to fill it up once!” he told Our Planet. “I first became aware of the need for sustainabuilty through the development He adds: “I am at the beginning of my journey, of my home. It was during this journey that I but I am further on than I was five years ago,and realized that I wanted to do more than just build hopefully in the next further years I will be a living environment: I wanted also to reduce further on still. My experiences also started me the economic and environmental impact of the thinking how we could use sport to implement property. I am hoping to provide an optimum sustainable issues. Sport has a global audience living environment for myself and my family with reaching millions. It can influence and change high eco standards that is not only unique but a people’s attitudes, as we have seen over racism template for how homes can be built.” with the Kick It Out campaign. So what if sport stars start to install solar panels, promote Neville, who joined Manchester United at the recycling, travel to venues in different modes of age of 16 in 1991, captained the iconic club for transport. The potential is massive and can only five years, and during more than a decade as it’s raise awareness of sustainability. first-choice right back helped it to eight Premier League titles, “Stars can influence children, we all know three FA Cup wins, a FIFA that. Children grow up wanting to Club World Cup, an “I am at the emulate their favourite sporting Intercontinental Cup hero: I know I did. The Olympics and other trophies. beginning of my journey, will have bred a whole new He appeared 85 generation of children wanting times for England, but I am further on than I was to row, cycle, run, just like becoming its 8th their medal heroes of 2012. most capped player five years ago,and hopefully in However,its not just children ever. Increasingly the next further years I will be but adults too. It’s about committed to breaking the stigma that environmental further on still.” green is not cool. 34 OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands “Stars can influence children, we all know that. Children grow up wanting to emulate their favourite sporting hero: I know I did.”

I honestly think that is happening. It is a slow process, but it is happening and it is all about raising awareness.”

To help this along, Neville this year joined with green entrepreneur, Dale Vince — founder of the leading British sustainable energy firm, Ecotricity — to launch a new campaign, Sustainability in Sport (SIS), to “put environmental issues at the heart of sport”, helping sports club to improve their green performance partly by setting eco-standards for pitches and other facilities. “Sport, as an industry, must grasp the green agenda”, he says. “SIS aims to raise funds and to plough them into projects with a sustainable angle. It will also use the influence of sport to both raise awareness of

© Shutterstock sustainability and create behavioural change.”

OUR PLANET RIO+20 - Where the World Stands Now 35 www.unep.org/ourplanet

www.unep.org/40thAnniversary www.unep.org/rio20/