Rio+20

Rio+20 - "The Future We Want":

On the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the United Nations will be holding a conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janerio on 20-22 June 2012.

This is the big international political event for 2012. What will it mean for the NGO sector? That question splits into three phases – before, during and after. Twenty years ago NGOs in New Zealand were actively engaged prior to the original Rio conference on sustainable development. We will keep you posted via the website and newsletter with developments and opportunities to engage. There is relatively little time to get involved and shape NGO or government agendas.

A NZ NGO Platform has been established with representatives from CID, ANGOA, UNANZ, ECO, IUCN, youth (via UNICEF), and CHEC (Commonwealth Human Ecology Council). Rio+20 Website

Attend Rio+20:

Call for expressions of interest Rio+20 civil society organisation nominees:

NZ NGO Rio+20 Platform -- We remain hopeful the Government will invite representatives from the Development, Conservation/Environment and Youth sectors of civil society to join the New Zealand Delegation to the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012.

We have agreed on the procedure and criteria of the NZ NGO Rio+20 Platform to select and nominate civil society organisation representatives from these sectors for a NZ Government Delegation, and that we should start our process as soon as possible. We need to allow our nominees time to be prepared for such a call if it is to come from the Government.

Further information on The NZ NGO Rio+20 Platform Government Delegation Selection process and criteria for selection see here.

Related Documents:

15 May 2012 --

'Sustainable Developmental Roots' Background Information on Rio+20: How the Past 30+ Years Have Shaped Today

"Introduction: In order to truly understand the upcoming Rio+20 Conference of June 2012, a holistic background on the historic events throughout the world which have led towards today is provided here. As preparation for the Rio+20 Conference, this information will serve as a brief background framework for the evolution of ideas around sustainable development from 1968-2012. Key highlights to look to include: the World Conservation Strategy (1980), followed by the first Rio Earth Summit (1992), and Rio+10 (2002) subsequent United Nations Conference. Collectively these show the many historical events that have modeled and shaped the current conversations on sustainable development.

Essential Historical Timeline:

1968 - Conference on Ecological Aspects of International Development, in Washington, DC

--> Recognized as the first real international meeting on environmental problems specifically, recognizing their growing importance and global nature.

1968 – United Nations Biosphere Conference, in Paris

--> Organized by UNESCO, the 'Biosphere Conference', was actively attended by the United Nations, FAO, and WHO. It serves as the starting point for the international use of the term ‘biosphere’."

Read Full Report Here

27 February 2012 --

Briefing Paper: Alternatives to GDP: For New Zealand Submission to the Rio+20 Zero Draft

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the internationally accepted measure of economic growth and a surrogate indicator of 'progress', yet as the primary, internationally recognised, measure of a country' economic performance GDP is inherently flawed. Societies have become increasing aware of the limitations of economic growth, rising inequalities, the finite nature of the planet's resources, and the importance of the social indicators of human well-being. However, GDP remains the measure most used by governments, as an index to quantify a country's economic success, but fails to consider substantive issues relating to sustainability. Now is the time, in conjunction with the Rio+20 Conference, for the New Zealand Government to commit to an ongoing, active and inclusive exploration of alternative measures...

13 February 2012 --

A Safe and Just Space for Humanity: Can we live within the doughnut?

Rio+20 Discussion Paper: A framework for conceptualising sustainable development. Oxfam's paper presents a visual framework – shaped like a doughnut – which brings the concept of planetary boundaries together with the complementary concept of social boundaries, creating a safe and just space between the two, in which humanity can thrive.

Green Economy:The likely focus for Rio+20 is on “Green Economy”. Just what that might mean varies widely between people and countries. So if it is to become a useful concept a better understanding of what we all mean by “green economy” is a practical palace to start. This very useful paper (12 pages) summarises a lot of thinking by governments and other players as part of the Rio+20 preparation. Figure 1 warrants careful study and raises interesting questions. For example, is strong support by governments for sustainable development and economic growth compatible with an apparent lack of concern for environmental limits?

Oceans : Pew Foundation has provided a useful summary of the issues relating to oceans if nations are to stop overfishing and despoiling the world’s dominant ecosystems. Pacific countries may well make improving ocean management a feature of their initiatives at Rio+20.