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Sustainability

Sustainability. Robert Stephens Multi-State Working Group UN Environment Program. Sustainability in the EU.

july
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Sustainability

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  1. Sustainability Robert Stephens Multi-State Working Group UN Environment Program

  2. Sustainability in the EU • Sustainable Development can be defined simply as a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It is a vision of progress that links economic development, protection of the environment and social justice, and its values are recognised by democratic governments and political movements the world over. Sustainable Development is about:

  3. Balanced and equitable economic development High levels of employment, social cohesion and inclusiveness A high level of environmental protection and responsible use of natural resources Coherent policy making in an open, transparent and accountable political system Effective international co-operation to promote sustainable development globally

  4. Australia • Put simply, ESD means using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained and quality of life for both present and future generations is increased. It requires changes in the nature of production and consumption so that they can better satisfy human needs while using fewer raw materials and producing less waste. The key to ESD is integrating environment and development considerations in decision-making.

  5. Key Issues for SD Strategies • Focus on quality of life • A responsible approach to managing resources • Coherence in policy making • Concrete priority areas

  6. Analysis of NSDS* • Turning ambitions into actions: unclear as to whether strategies have changed policy priority, and the way priorities are set. (Not changed the system) Not, in many cases integrated into the budget process * EC 2004

  7. Analysis of NSDS* • Policy coherence: Fail to establish important interlinkages, Often a “mixed bag” of individual actions When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe. John Muir, 1901 • Particularity and separability are infirmities of the mind, not characteristics of the universe* Dee Hock, 1999 * EC 2004

  8. Analysis of NSDS* • Focus and Prioritsation: the strategies are too often too all embracing and lack prioritization so that countries run the risk of running into difficulties in their implementation (Described as PR rather than implementation tools) * EC 2004

  9. Common Challenges • Get the process right – inclusive procedures, leadership • Crate a sense of ownership • Institutional collaboration • Find a coherent vision and a long term path • Prioritization and clear practical policies • Financial implications • Match vision with action

  10. Opportunities for Progress • Exchange of good practice – learn from experience – key success factors and challenges • Identify synergies between stakeholders and the public • Tools for dealing with conflicting objectives • Efficient and effective measures of progress and adjust strategy • Cooperation between national and sub-national efforts • Education and learning programs

  11. Best Practices Network for Sustainable Development (BPN) United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE - Paris)

  12. BPN Mission and Purpose • Facilitate the adoption and implementation of successful sustainable development policy and practice at the local, regional, and national level in both the public and private sector

  13. BPN Objective • Build knowledge about successful practices in the public and private sectors that will promote the adoption of such practice and inform policy development.

  14. BPN Approach • Create a vital network of experts and practitioners engaged in the implementation of SD policies and practices that engage through dialogue on issues of consequence to the members

  15. BPN Products • The sharing and distribution of knowledge that represents value to those responsible for SD in some context • The creation of new knowledge of value • Knowledge to be realized through working papers, web presence, and network relationships

  16. BPN Organizational Principles • Vital and Dynamic with low organizational weight • Member driven, managed, and supported • Issue focused • Practice not policy, network of doers • Multi-sector, developed and developing countries

  17. BPN - Who • Who • US, Australia, New Zealand, Bavaria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Netherlands, France, California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Colorado (Canada, Ontario, Alberta, BC, China, South Africa, Accession Country, South American Country) • EC, EEA, OECD, (UNEP) • Rio Tinto, BMW, Genentech, CalPERS, FTSE (Toyota, HP, ATT, Bank of America) • MSWG, ICLIE, Sierra Club, (Conservation International, WRI) • Harvard, UC Berkeley, Waikato

  18. Sustainability “coming together is a beginning, keeping together is a process, working together is a success” Henry Ford

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