2012: A Year of Opportunities

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

3. From Rio to Jeju 2011 – RCFs; UNGA High Level on drylands: IPBES plenary 2012 Timing: 2013 - CITES COP 2014 - World Parks Congress 4-6 June 6-15 September February March June October December UNEP GC World Water Forum Ramsar COP 11 Congress Rio 2012 CBD COP11 UNFCCC COP18

4. IUCN’s mission • to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. Theme 2 - Possible role for IUCN in the governance discussion • Message from IUCN: • « People at the centre of sustainable development governance» • Empowering civil society as a means to mainstream environment into development planning and making institutions relevant at all levels, from local to global

14. Theme 2: IUCN draft position (under consultation) • Horizontal Coherence: integrating pillars/sectors/areas of human development Global level: enhance coordination within the UN bodies National level: inter-ministerial arrangements • Vertical Integration: making global organizations relevant to local action  Adopt a bottom up approach, decentralize to respond to local needs • Placing civil society at the centre of decision making: improve participatory governance and empowerment of people + Right-based approach + Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration

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

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

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

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