United Nations  

E/2001/29    

E/CN.17/2001/19    

                  

  Economic and Social Council


Commission on Sustainable Development

Report on the Ninth session

5 May 2000 and 16-27 April 2001

 

Economic and Social Council
Official Records, 2001
Supplement No. 9

Note:  Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures

Contents

Chapter

 

 

Page

   I.     Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention 

1

A.  Draft decision recommended by the Commission for adoption by the Council   

1

Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its ninth session              

1

B.         Matters brought to the attention of the Council

1

                                   Decision 9/1
                                   Energy for sustainable development

1

                                   Decision 9/2
                                   Protection of the atmosphere..................................................

15

                                   Decision 9/3
                                   Transport................................................................

19

                                   Decision 9/4
                                   Information for decision-making and participation..................................

24

                                   Decision 9/5
                                   International cooperation for an enabling environment                              

27

                                   Decision 9/6
      Draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for         Sustainable Development of the Department of Economic and Social    Affairs.......................

31

                                   Decision 9/7
      Documents considered by the Commission at its ninth session 

31

II.     Chairman’s summary of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable energy and transport.......

33

 III.     Chairman’s summary of the high-level segment 

45

IV.     Sectoral theme: energy..........................................................

55

 V.     Sectoral theme: atmosphere.......................................................

57

 VI.     Economic sector/major group: transport..............................................

58

VII.     Cross-sectoral theme: information for decision-making and participation  

60

VIII.     Cross-sectoral theme: international cooperation for an enabling environment   

61

IX.     High-level meeting.............................................................

62

 X.     Other matters.................................................................

65

 XI.     Provisional agenda for the tenth session of the Commission                              

66

 XII.     Adoption of the report of the Commission on its ninth session 

XIII.     Organizational and other matters...................................................

68

A.        Opening and duration of the session

68

B.         Election of officers.........................................................

68

C.         Agenda and organization of work..............................................

68

D.         Attendance...............................................................

70

E.          Documentation

70

        Annexes

 

                      I.     Attendance...................................................................

71

                    II.     List of documents before the Commission at its ninth session  

78



Chapter I

                 Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention 

             A.    Draft decision recommended by the Commission for adoption by the Council

1.        The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft decision:

                            Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its ninth session

           The Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its ninth session. 

             B.    Matters brought to the attention of the Council

2.        The attention of the Council is drawn to the following decisions adopted by the Commission: 

 Decision 9/1

 Energy for sustainable development

 

                   A.     General considerations 

1.        Energy is central to achieving the goals of sustainable development.

2.        The magnitude and scale of energy needs facing the world today in relation to sustainable development can be gauged by the fact that nearly one third of the global population of six billion, mostly living in developing countries, continue to lack access to energy and transportation services. Wide disparities in the levels of energy consumption within and between developed and developing countries exist. Current patterns of energy production, distribution and utilization are unsustainable.

3.        The challenge ahead will require adequate, predictable, new and additional financial resources, in accordance with chapter 33 of Agenda 21,[1] and paragraphs 76 to 87 of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21,[2] technology transfer and, where appropriate, political will, as well as commitment to innovative ways of applying energy efficient, environmentally sound, and cost-effective technologies and systems to all sectors of the economy. Energy resources are plentiful, and environmentally sound technological options exist and should be made available and facilitated by developed countries to developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition with a view to making energy for sustainable development a reality. Ensuring adequate and affordable access to energy for present and future generations, in an environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable way, will require considerable efforts and substantial investments, including from the private sector. Attention will also need to be given to promoting an enabling environment.

4.        In order to make energy systems more supportive of sustainable development objectives, contributions from all stakeholders, as well as increased investments, will be needed. Change will not be driven by resource constraints for a very long time to come. Energy for sustainable development can be achieved by providing universal access to a cost-effective mix of energy resources compatible with different needs and requirements of various countries and regions. This should include giving a greater share of the energy mix to renewable energies, improving energy efficiency and greater reliance on advanced energy technologies, including fossil fuel technologies. Policies relating to energy for sustainable development intended to promote these objectives will address many of the issues of economic and social development as well as facilitate the responsible management of environmental resources.

5.        In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradations, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The choice and implementation of policies to improve the ways to achieve energy for sustainable development basically rest with Governments. However, financial resources play a key role in their implementation. For developing countries, official development assistance (ODA) is a main source of external funding, and substantial new and additional funding for sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required. A participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders could facilitate progress. Given that energy is an area with strong interdependencies among countries, international cooperation should be promoted in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The way in which energy issues are addressed in a country depends on the national energy situation and needs. Therefore, a range of options and strategies becomes necessary to address the issues involved. Accordingly, a number of options and strategies that could effect a change in the way energy is dealt with are delineated subsequently. The choice of any specific option would obviously depend on the domestic situation.

6.        The Commission underlines the importance of principle 16 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development[3] in the context of energy policies, taking fully into account the economic, social and environmental conditions of all countries, in particular of developing countries. 

                   B.     Issues and options 

7.        Governments, as well as relevant regional and international organizations and other relevant stakeholders, are invited to consider the issues and options set out below when dealing with energy, taking into account national and regional specificities and circumstances, bearing in mind the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

8.        Foremost in the developing countries’ priorities is the eradication of poverty for the furtherance of sustainable development. Efforts should therefore be made to ensure that energy policies are supportive to developing countries’ efforts to eradicate poverty, with financial assistance, as appropriate. Nevertheless, environmental standards should not be applied in ways that would hinder these efforts.

9.        Governments may seek assistance, as appropriate, from relevant regional and international organizations in the formulation and implementation of their domestic energy policies. The international community should support national efforts by promoting capacity-building, technology transfer, investments and other forms of financial resources for developing countries.

10.      Governments, continuing to have responsibility to develop and apply energy policies to achieve sustainable development, are invited to consider the following options, as appropriate:

           (a)      Combining, as appropriate, the increased use of renewable energy sources, more efficient use of energy, greater reliance on advanced energy technologies, including advanced fossil fuel technologies, and the sustainable use of traditional energy resources, which could meet the growing needs for energy services in the longer term to achieve sustainable development;

           (b)      Integrating energy considerations in socio-economic programmes, especially in policy-making of major energy-consuming sectors, such as the public sector, transport, industry, agriculture, urban planning and construction;

           (c)      Establishing an appropriate enabling environment conducive to attracting investments and supportive of the objectives of sustainable development and to ensuring public participation;

           (d)      Developing appropriate energy services, particularly in rural areas, through the application of the most cost-effective, socially acceptable and environmentally friendly technologies, the deployment of specific energy service delivery structures and the development of renewable energy resources, including biomass;

           (e)      Supporting efforts to improve the functioning of energy markets with respect to both supply and demand, with the aim of achieving greater stability and predictability and to ensure consumer access to energy services;

           (f)       Establish domestic programmes for energy efficiency, including, as appropriate, by accelerating the deployment of energy efficiency technologies, with the necessary support of the international community;

           (g)      Supporting increased use of renewable energies both in grid-connected and decentralized systems;

           (h)      Optimizing the efficient use of fossil fuels through the increased development and use of advanced fossil fuel technologies;

           (i)       Enhancing international cooperation in order to assist countries, in particular developing countries, in their efforts to achieve energy for sustainable development;

           (j)       All countries should strive to promote sustainable consumption patterns; developed countries should take the lead in achieving sustainable consumption patterns; developing countries should seek to achieve sustainable consumption patterns in their development process, guaranteeing the provision of basic needs for the poor;

           (k)      Encouraging public-private partnerships with a view to advancing energy for sustainable development;

           (l)       Facilitating the dissemination of information on environmentally sound technologies and processes to increase awareness of these options and enhance public participation, as appropriate, in decision-making surrounding the provision of these energy services for sustainable development;

           (m)     Strengthening the role of major groups, including women, inter alia, through participation in decision-making, as appropriate;

           (n)      Supporting energy conservation programmes in all economic sectors;

           (o)      Strengthening existing national and local institutions that develop, implement and operate national programmes on energy for sustainable development;

           (p)      Supporting research, development and demonstration for the above-mentioned activities towards energy for sustainable development, including on transport systems; and enhancing regional and international cooperation in the research and development in these areas. 

                   C.     Key issues 

11.      Concerning the key issues of energy identified at the first session of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development, the Commission recommends the options and strategies set out below for each key issue. To ensure effective implementation of such key issues, the means of such implementation, namely adequate and predictable new and additional financial resources in accordance with chapter 33 of Agenda 21 and paragraphs 76 to 87 of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, as well as the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building, are fundamental. 

                   1.     Accessibility of energy

 

                            Challenges 

12.      Access to energy is crucial to economic and social development and the eradication of poverty. Improving accessibility of energy implies finding ways and means by which energy services can be delivered reliably, affordably and in an economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound manner. 

                            Recommendations 

13.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Establish or strengthen national and regional arrangements for promoting energy accessibility within the country;

           (b)      Improve access to modern biomass technologies and fuel wood sources and supplies and commercializing biomass operations, including the use of agricultural residues, where such practices are sustainable;

           (c)      Support the transition to the use of liquid and gaseous fossil fuels, where considered more environmentally sound, socially acceptable and cost-effective;

           (d)      Develop locally available energy resources for greater energy diversification, where considered more environmentally sound, socially acceptable and cost-effective, with increasing use of renewable energy resources;

           (e)      Support electricity services based on grid extension and/or decentralized energy technologies, particularly in isolated areas, as appropriate;

           (f)       Strengthen national and regional research and development institutions/centres on energy for sustainable development, including renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, advanced energy technologies, including advanced fossil fuel technologies, and sustainable use of traditional energy resources;

           (g)      Promote an environment which enables the public sector, the private sector and, as appropriate, energy cooperatives, including through public-private partnerships, to engage in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity at affordable rates and in the transfer of technology;

           (h)      Develop renewable energy, especially in rural areas, through community-based development methods;

           (i)       Enhance developing countries’ access to environmentally sound and economically viable technologies relating to energy for sustainable development;

           (j)       Support equal access for women to sustainable and affordable energy technologies through needs assessments, energy planning and policy formulation at the local and national levels. 

                   2.     Energy efficiency

 

                            Challenges 

14.      Energy efficiency can be a win-win solution both for developed and developing countries, but currently energy efficiency has not reached its potential. Barriers to optimizing the energy efficiency potential involve lack of access to technology, capacity-building and financial resources, as well as market related and institutional issues. 

                            Recommendations 

15.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Strengthen public awareness programmes to mobilize all stakeholders;

           (b)      Promote an enabling environment for encouraging energy service companies for research and investments in energy efficiency;

           (c)      Provide incentives for energy conservation in all sectors, taking into account domestic priorities;

           (d)      Develop, as appropriate, at the country and regional level, energy efficiency programmes and policy options;

           (e)      Strengthen capacity-building, including education and training, ranging from energy planning to technical engineering, to improve the performance of energy and materials use;

           (f)       Accelerate development and deployment of energy efficiency technologies;

           (g)      Integrate, as appropriate, energy efficiency considerations into the planning, operation and maintenance of long-lived energy consuming infrastructures, notably transport, urban lay-out, industry, agriculture and tourism;

           (h)      Increase the efficiency of technologies used in the production and consumption of energy;

           (i)       Facilitate a movement towards more efficient utilization of energy through equipment manufacturing support programmes, with international cooperation;

           (j)       Encourage the transfer of energy efficiency technologies, in particular to developing countries, on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed;

           (k)      Strengthen, as appropriate, existing institutions that develop and operate energy efficiency programmes;

           (l)       Strengthen, as appropriate, existing institutions that compile and disseminate information on energy efficiency programmes and technologies;

           (m)     Develop and implement measures that make energy efficiency technologies more affordable. 

                   3.     Renewable energy

 

                            Challenges 

16.      The main challenge lies both for developed and developing countries in the development, utilization and dissemination of renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, ocean, wave, geothermal, biomass and hydro power, on a scale wide enough to significantly contribute to energy for sustainable development. Despite some progress in promoting renewable energy applications in recent years, inter alia, through the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005, numerous constraints and barriers including costs continue to exist.

                      Recommendations 

17.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Develop and implement appropriate national, regional and international policies and measures to create an enabling environment for the development, utilization and distribution of renewable energy sources;

           (b)      Develop domestic programmes to increase the contribution of renewable energies to total energy consumption;

           (c)      Encourage the role of the private sector in the development and utilization of renewable energy technologies, through the provision of appropriate incentives and regulation;

           (d)      Strengthen research, development, demonstration and institutional capacities in the field of renewable energy utilization, as well as the transfer of environmentally sound and advanced technologies;

           (e)      Promote the utilization of renewable natural resources, such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro (including mini-hydro), and ocean (wave, tidal, and thermal energy conversion) to meet part of the energy needs for sustainable development;

           (f)       Strengthen information networks, compilation and dissemination systems and public awareness programmes on renewable energy sources and technologies;

           (g)      Develop and use indigenous sources of renewable energy, where appropriate;

           (h)      Develop and implement measures to make renewable energy technologies more affordable;

           (i)       Strengthen financial support to developing countries for the promotion of renewable energy.

 

                   4.     Advanced fossil fuel technologies 

 

                            Challenges 

18.      Given that fossil fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the energy mix in the decades to come, the deployment and use of advanced and cleaner fossil fuel technologies should be increased. More efforts should go into supporting the further development and dissemination of those technologies.

                             Recommendations 

19.      Governments, taking into account national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Develop and apply more efficient fossil-fuel fired power plants, buildings, appliances and transportation, including cleaner coal and oil technologies;

           (b)      Increase the use of cleaner fossil fuels to improve efficiency in energy production, distribution and use, where appropriate;

           (c)      Research, develop and transfer technologies for transforming solid fuels to liquid or gaseous fuels;

           (d)      Enhance research, development, demonstration and transfer of advanced fossil fuel technologies leading to lower emissions;

           (e)      Promote research and, where suitable, applications of carbon capture and storage technologies;

           (f)       Promote cooperation with industries in a voluntary programme framework for cleaner fossil fuel technology deployment;

           (g)      Develop and implement measures to make advanced fossil fuel technologies more accessible and affordable.

 

                   5.     Nuclear energy technologies 

 

                            Challenges 

20.      Nuclear power currently accounts for 16 per cent of the world’s electricity generation. However, nuclear energy is associated with a number of concerns, in particular regarding nuclear safety, spent fuel, waste management, transboundary consequences and decommissioning. The choice of nuclear energy rests with countries. Some countries have been using nuclear energy technologies safely and see no inordinate concern in using and developing additional technology for properly managing and controlling spent fuel and other nuclear materials, and some of these countries consider that the use of nuclear energy should be increased. From their perspective, nuclear power is a sustainable energy source with both economical and environmental advantages. In their view, the removal of the option of nuclear power would remove an important element of flexibility and diversity in energy supply. For those countries that choose nuclear energy, the challenge lies in ensuring environmentally sound, socially acceptable and cost-effective solutions and in addressing nuclear safety and spent fuel and waste management as well as public concerns on these issues. Many countries seek the promotion of international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Some other countries have decided to phase out nuclear energy from their energy supply mix. Other countries, including several developed countries as well as small island developing States, do not use nuclear energy and do not consider nuclear energy as an appropriate or acceptable source of energy. Many of these countries are of the view that nuclear energy is not compatible with the objectives of sustainable development, and that risks related to safety, waste management and transport and stranded costs remain unsolved. Some are also of the opinion that the use of nuclear energy in general should be phased out as soon as practically possible.

                            Recommendations 

21.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Support their national efforts, including research, and international cooperation as an effective tool in addressing the issues of nuclear safety and spent fuel and waste management;

           (b)      Strengthen independent national regulatory agencies and promote international cooperation in nuclear safety;

           (c)      Promote a high level of nuclear safety;

           (d)      Improve the transparency of nuclear safety-related decisions, inter alia, through public participation, where appropriate;

           (e)      Promote public education and participation as well as capacity-building of human resources, in the areas of nuclear energy and waste management;

           (f)       Further develop technological solutions for long-lived radioactive waste;

           (g)      Address the safety of their nuclear energy installations, as deemed appropriate, after assessment by national regulatory authorities, including consideration of the option of phasing out and closing, as appropriate, such installations;

           (h)      Recalling paragraph 8 of the Governing Council of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution GC (44)/RES/17 and taking into account the very serious potential for environment and human health impacts of radioactive wastes, make efforts to examine and further improve measures and internationally agreed regulations regarding safety, while stressing the importance of having effective liability mechanisms in place, relevant to international maritime transportation and other transboundary movement of radioactive material, radioactive waste and spent fuel, including, inter alia, arrangements for prior notification and consultations done in accordance with relevant international instruments.

 

                   6.     Rural energy

  

                            Challenges 

22.      To implement the goal accepted by the international community to halve the proportion of people living on less than US$ 1 per day by 2015, access to affordable energy services is a prerequisite. Efforts at finding the most appropriate solution to the energy problems of rural areas are hampered by the enormity of the problem, the limited availability of resources and lack of appropriate technologies, the high investment cost and connection fees and insufficient attention to rural development in general. An effective strategy to address the energy needs of rural populations can be to promote the climbing of the energy ladder. This implies both improving ways of using biomass as well as moving from simple biomass fuels to the most convenient efficient form of energy appropriate to the task at hand, usually liquid or gaseous fuels for cooking and heating and electricity for most other uses. 

                            Recommendations 

23.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Strengthen and, where appropriate, establish policies on energy for rural development, including, as appropriate, regulatory systems to promote access to energy in rural areas;

           (b)      Develop, where necessary, specific and targeted energy service delivery structures adapted to rural needs;

           (c)      Promote local energy enterprises as employment opportunities, enhance local private entrepreneurs and develop local dealers to sell/maintain equipment building on local retail networks and relationships;

           (d)      Take into consideration the health and safety concerns of women and children in rural energy programmes;

           (e)      Promote research and development of the rural energy situation in support of the achievement of international development priorities, particularly poverty eradication;

           (f)       Promote a sustainable use of biomass and, as appropriate, other renewable energies through improvement of current patterns of use, such as management of resources, more efficient use of fuelwood and new or improved products and technologies;

           (g)      Establish financial arrangements to make rural energy services affordable to the poor;

           (h)      Support local groups and/or non-governmental organizations in the promotion and delivery of newly developed environmentally sound technologies, including solar cooker technology;

           (i)       Develop and utilize indigenous energy sources and infrastructures for various local uses and promote rural community participation, including local Agenda 21 groups, with the support of the international community, in developing and utilizing renewable energy technologies to meet their daily energy needs to find simple and local solutions;

           (j)       Promote capacity-building in local societies and remove barriers in the implementation of policies for renewable energy development in rural areas;

           (k)      Promote efforts to address the disproportionate burdens experienced by women in rural areas, including carrying loads of fuelwood over long distances and suffering adverse health effects from prolonged exposure to open fires.

                    7.     Energy and transport 

                             Challenges

24.      The transport sector is a major energy consuming sector and the sector for which energy consumption is projected to grow at the highest rate. The challenge is to promote an integrated approach to developing transport systems for sustainable development. 

                            Recommendations 

25.      Governments, taking into account their national circumstances, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Manage transportation demand;

           (b)      Implement better transportation practices, including planning, in both urban and rural contexts, particularly towards public transportation systems and rail or water based freight transport;

           (c)      Increase fuel efficiency for different transportation modes;

           (d)      Promote the use of cleaner fuels and transport equipment and assist with the implementation of the recommendations of the General Assembly at its nineteenth special session on the progressive phasing out of the use of lead in gasoline, inter alia, by making available information, technical assistance, capacity-building and funding to developing countries, including the time-bound transfer of technology;

           (e)      Integrate transport policy in other sustainable development policies.

 

                   D.     Overarching issues 

 

                   1.     Research and development 

26.      The enhancement of research and development at the national, regional and international levels of advanced and cleaner fossil fuel technologies, more efficient energy technologies and renewable energy technologies is important for achieving energy for sustainable development for all. Governments are encouraged to develop policies and incentives and to act as a catalyst to foster private sector investment in this field. Increased energy research should also come from public and private investments or through joint public and private partnerships and/or through international and regional cooperation. 

                   2.     Capacity-building 

27.      Lack of local capacity is a major obstacle to the expansion of energy services in the developing world. It is important that institutions, infrastructures and human resources in developing countries be strengthened and that technological leadership in developing countries as well as in countries with economies in transition, with special efforts for least developed countries and small island developing States, be enhanced through international public and private cooperation that supports sustainable development objectives. Developed countries, development banks, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other relevant agencies, including the regional commissions and bilateral development agencies, should focus on capacity-building in development cooperation. A substantially replenished Global Environment Facility (GEF) would, among other things, continue to provide support, within its mandate, for capacity-building and technology transfer to developing countries to advance energy for sustainable development. International financial institutions should, through their lending policies, support capacity-building and technology transfer as well as efforts to identify local needs. 

                   3.     Technology transfer 

28.      In order to promote energy for sustainable development there is a need for favourable access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to developing countries, through supportive measures that promote technology cooperation and that should enable the transfer of necessary technological know-how and the building up of economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and further development of transferred technology. Technology cooperation involves joint efforts by enterprises and Governments, both suppliers of technology and its recipients. Therefore, such cooperation entails an iterative process, involving government, the private sector and research and development facilities, to ensure the best possible results from transfer of technology. Successful long-term partnerships in technology cooperation necessarily require continuing systematic training and capacity-building at all levels over an extended period of time. 

                   4.     Information-sharing and dissemination 

29.      Information- and knowledge-sharing on technologies and policies facilitate efforts to achieve energy for sustainable development. Relevant information could direct decision makers to suitable policy and energy supply options. Very often, the lack of such information and knowledge precludes countries from adopting new approaches in energy planning and technology applications. Internet-based information could assist such an exchange of information. Developing countries require the assistance of developed countries in the area of information technology. 

                   5.     Mobilization of financial resources 

30.      Financial resources and mechanisms play a key role in the implementation of Agenda 21. In general, the financing for the implementation of Agenda 21 will come from a country’s own public and private sectors. For developing countries, ODA is an important source of external funding and new and additional funding for sustainable development and energy for sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required. Hence all financial commitments of Agenda 21, particularly those contained in its chapter 33 and the provisions with regard to new and additional resources that are both adequate and predictable need to be urgently fulfilled. Renewed efforts are essential to ensure that all sources of funding contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental protection in the context of sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21. Many Governments have initiated reforms aimed at improving regulatory frameworks and institutional set-ups in order to attract private sector funding. Specific policies have been introduced to induce the flow of investment capital for energy technology for sustainable development. While more sustainable technologies often have lower operating costs than competing solutions, they sometimes require greater initial investments. Particular attention should therefore be paid to the difficulties of financing these essential infrastructure investments in developing countries. Financing from GEF, within its mandate, could also be considered in this context. 

                   6.     Making markets work effectively for sustainable development 

31.      Policies to reduce market distortions would promote energy systems compatible with sustainable development through the use of improved market signals and by removing market distortions, including restructuring taxation and phasing out of harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts. Such policies should take fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries, with the aim of minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development. Governments are encouraged to improve the functioning of national energy markets in such a way that they support sustainable development, overcome market barriers and improve accessibility, taking fully into account that such policies should be decided by each country, and that its own characteristics and capabilities and different levels of development should be considered, especially as reflected in national sustainable development strategies, where they exist. 

                   7.     Multi-stakeholder approach and public participation 

32.      Energy solutions that are compatible with sustainable development require the participation of all stakeholders and the involvement of the public at large. The capacity of community-based organizations and institutions, including women’s groups, to facilitate participatory approaches to energy for sustainable development should be strengthened, taking into account principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development with full recognition of principles 5, 7 and 11.

                   E.     Regional cooperation 

33.      The Commission notes with appreciation the efforts made at the regional level and by interest groups to discuss the key issues and formulate regional positions and programmes of action to promote energy for sustainable development. It welcomes the statements that have resulted from these deliberations, recognizing that they provide valuable inputs to the work of the Commission. Moreover, it encourages the Governments in these regional deliberations to actively promote the implementation of the resulting programmes of action. In particular, the Commission recognized the value of regional cooperation in achieving economies of scale in energy services for sustainable development.

34.      From these statements, the Commission recommends implementation of the following regional and subregional endeavours that may require subregional, regional, and international support:

           (a)      Strengthening national and regional energy institutions or arrangements for enhancing regional and international cooperation on energy for sustainable development, in particular to assist developing countries in their domestic efforts to provide modern energy services to all sections of their populations by:

           (i)       Conducting in depth studies to promote sustainable development in the energy sector in the region, including the social, economic and environmental situation of the region and energy alternatives that support sustainable development;

           (ii)      Promoting training and exchange of experience and regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced fossil-fuel technologies and lessons learned;

           (iii)     Strengthening regional networks of centres of excellence for the exchange of information and experience in the research, development and application of energy efficiency technologies, advanced fossil fuel and renewable energy;

           (iv)     Strengthening and, where appropriate, establishing regional information and dissemination capabilities to provide information to the energy service industry on market opportunities and energy infrastructure and information to consumers on the benefits of energy efficiency measures;

           (b)      Promoting, at the regional level, rural electrification projects, including, renewable energy technologies, and supporting local efforts to provide energy supplies to their basic infrastructures, as well as integrating energy policies into overall rural development strategies, with emphasis on income-generation, taking into account national circumstances;

           (c)      Strengthening and facilitating, as appropriate, regional cooperation arrangements for promoting cross-border energy trade, including the interconnection of electricity grids and oil and natural gas pipelines;

           (d)      Strengthening and, where appropriate, facilitating dialogue forums among regional, national and international producers and consumers of energy; and to that effect, the Commission complements the work of existing international energy forums;

           (e)      Promoting, where appropriate, cooperation among the concerned countries of the region and with the support of the international organizations to improve development and production of hydro-carbon fields through integrated cost reduction, enhanced operational efficiency, and application of advanced and more environmentally sound technology;

           (f)       Fostering regional cooperation when undertaking research, development and demonstration of energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced fossil fuel technologies;

           (g)      Encouraging regional cooperation for capacity-building, including South-South cooperation.

 

                    F.     International cooperation 

35.      The Commission recognizes the critical role that international cooperation, including regional cooperation, can play in assisting countries, particularly developing countries, in their efforts to achieve the goals of sustainable development. In particular, international cooperation can be very effective in capacity-building, education, technology transfer, information-sharing, research and development, and the mobilization of resources, including financial resources, taking into account the above-mentioned key issues and energy sources.

36.      The Commission recommends, in particular, international cooperation in the following areas:

           1.        Take concrete measures to maximize existing and to explore ways to increase financial resources and create innovative financing solutions to support energy for sustainable development, including through debt relief and, where possible, debt cancellation, facilitating foreign investment, action to reverse the downward trend in ODA, and strive to fulfil the commitments undertaken to reach the accepted United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product (GNP) as soon as possible, the incorporation of energy for sustainable development considerations in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation programmes and in development cooperation programme activities of the international financial institutions and general lending policies, including through addressing the development of energy policy in national poverty eradication policies, where they exist. In this context, consideration should also be given to how, inter alia, ODA can be used to leverage private funds for the development of energy solutions that are compatible with sustainable development, bearing in mind that for developing countries ODA is a main source of external funding.

           2.        Continuing the dialogue on issues relating to energy for sustainable development within the World Summit on Sustainable Development process, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 55/199.

           3.        Promoting international public-private partnership cooperation programmes for promoting affordable, energy efficient and advanced fossil fuel and renewable energy technologies.

           4.        Promote networking between centres of excellence on energy for sustainable development by linking competent centres on energy technologies for sustainable development that could support and promote efforts at capacity-building and technology transfer activities, as well as serve as information clearing houses.

           5.        Making available grants and loans to developing countries on favourable terms that would permit sharing the cost of the development of energy infrastructure, including rural and remote energy infrastructure, with relevant international lending institutions and private sector investments.

           6.        Exploring the scope of the use of existing international mechanisms for financing infrastructure development to identify risks and ensure they are managed on a transparent basis, with an effective equitable partnership between investors and host countries, since developing countries do not have institutional structures that are adequately prepared to deal with the scale of commercial risks associated with major energy investments.

           7.        Supporting the international endeavours to promote equal access and opportunities for women in relation to energy, including credit facilities and involvement in energy policy decision-making processes.

 

  Decision 9/2

  Protection of the atmosphere

 

    General considerations 

1.        The Commission reiterates the continuing relevance and importance of all the principles agreed in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, in particular the principle that, in view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in principle 7 of the Declaration, and emphasize that:

           (a)      Financial resources and mechanisms play a key role in the implementation of Agenda 21. In general, the financing for the implementation of Agenda 21 will come from a country’s own public and private sectors. For developing countries, official development assistance is a main source of external funding, and substantial new and additional funding for sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required. Hence, all financial commitments of Agenda 21, particularly those contained in chapter 33, and the provisions with regard to new and additional resources that are both adequate and predictable, need to be urgently fulfilled. Renewed efforts are essential to ensure that all sources of funding contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental protection in the context of sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21;

           (b)      There is a need for favourable access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to developing countries, through supportive measures that promote technology cooperation and that should enable transfer of necessary technological know-how as well as building up of economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and further development of transferred technology. Technology cooperation involves joint efforts by enterprises and Governments, both suppliers of technology and its recipients. Therefore, such cooperation entails an iterative process, involving government, the private sector and research and development facilities, to ensure the best possible results from transfer of technology. Successful long-term partnerships in technology cooperation necessarily require continuing systematic training and capacity-building at all levels over an extended period of time.

2.        Decisions concerning atmosphere should reflect the fact that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.

3.        The Commission emphasizes that the Earth’s atmosphere must be considered, with the oceans and the land surface, as one of the three basic interacting domains that comprise the global life-support system, and that sustainable development is inextricably linked with the impact that variations in the state of the atmosphere itself can have on human activity, ecosystems and natural disasters. It also notes that human activities and natural disasters contribute to the build-up of atmospheric substances, which has implications for climate change and climate variability, for the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and for air pollution, in particular transboundary, urban and indoor air pollution.

4.        Air pollution has negative impacts on human health, socio-economic development, ecosystems and cultural heritage. Many countries face major challenges in managing the impact of pollution, especially in big cities. Since air pollutants may cause negative environmental impacts, in some cases thousands of kilometres from the source, besides national efforts to reduce pollution there is need for appropriate regional and international cooperation.

5.        The developed countries have the greatest share in historical accumulation of atmospheric pollutants. The Commission points out that addressing atmospheric issues involves dealing with many issues and problems, which could involve, inter alia, sustainability of patterns of consumption and production, equity, increasing population, rapid growth of urbanization, migration to expanding urban areas, lack of financial and technological resources and the interdependency of energy, transport and atmosphere. In this regard, the Commission reiterates the importance of provision of support by the international community.

 

                            International cooperation 

6.        Emphasizing the need to provide assistance to developing countries as well as to countries with economies in transition, the Commission recommends that the international community cooperate in order to:

           (a)      Assist in capacity-building, research, education and training, and institutional strengthening in preventing and combating air pollution, including through human resource development;

           (b)      Assist in improving the compilation, evaluation and analysis of data on the state of the atmosphere and air pollution and knowledge of developments in policy-making and planning at the national, regional and international levels, and promote the use of appropriate information technology to facilitate access to and sharing of information;

           (c)      Assist with the development and introduction of cleaner fuels and air pollution abatement technologies, particularly in developing countries, and the sharing of practices and experiences, as appropriate;

           (d)      Promote the transfer of technologies on favourable terms, including concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, for cleaner operating vehicles, traffic management, cleaner fuels, including advanced fossil fuels, and alternative fuels, including renewable fuels, inter alia, through the involvement of the private sector;

           (e)      Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, particularly in developed countries;

           (f)       Encourage adequate financing for, inter alia, the promotion and facilitation of the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries;

           (g)      Promote the identification of financial, technological and institutional barriers and constraints that all countries, in particular developing countries, are facing in combating air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, with a view to addressing and removing them;

           (h)      Encourage the continuing close collaboration of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Habitat and other relevant international organizations with Governments in order to assist them to develop strategies to combat indoor air pollution.

7.        Noting the importance of several international legal instruments for global cooperation to protect the atmosphere, the Commission decides to:

           (a)      Encourage further cooperation of relevant international bodies and the promotion of synergies in the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,[4] the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),[5] the Convention on Biological Diversity[6] and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, especially in Africa;[7]

           (b)      Note the ongoing negotiation under UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol;

           (c)      Note that land degradation and desertification contribute to air pollution, and vice-versa, and note the importance of mobilizing adequate financial resources for the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification, and urge all Parties to the Convention to carry out their respective obligations;

           (d)      Encourage countries, to the extent that they have not yet done so, to consider ratifying or acceding to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments as soon as possible;

           (e)      Encourage all Parties to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments to achieve and maintain compliance with their associated obligations, in particular the adequate and timely replenishment to the multilateral fund under the Montreal Protocol;

           (f)       Encourage and support the efforts of Parties to the Montreal Protocol to further examine ways of promoting the use of environmentally sound alternatives to ozone-depleting substances that are cost-effective and affordable, and in particular facilitate provision of these alternatives for their use in developing countries;

           (g)      Support the efforts of the parties to the Montreal Protocol to consider the issue of ozone-depleting substances not yet covered by international regulations;

           (h)      Encourage all countries to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the future Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at the earliest possible occasion;

           (i)       Encourage the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to consider supporting the increased involvement of academics and experts of developing countries in its work, including in the preparation of its reports and the incorporation of developing country scientific and socio-economic literature therein.

8.        With respect to monitoring of the Earth’s atmosphere, the Commission emphasizes the importance of:

           (a)      Strengthening the systematic observation of the Earth’s atmosphere by the improvement of ground-based monitoring stations, increased use of satellites, and appropriate integration of these observations to produce high-quality data that could be disseminated for the use of all countries, in particular developing countries;

           (b)      Encouraging the continuation of the work of the critical ground-based measurement programme for total column ozone coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) over the remainder of the decade in order to determine the potential net effects of ozone depletion;

           (c)      Supporting, as appropriate, international monitoring programmes, such as the Global Climate Observing System;

           (d)      Encouraging relevant international organizations, especially the United Nations specialized agencies, to jointly plan and implement a strategy for integrated global observations to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere.

 

                            Regional cooperation 

9.        The Commission encourages cooperation on atmosphere-related issues, including technological, financial and technical assistance, taking into account each region’s specific needs and characteristics, aimed at:

           (a)      Supporting, as appropriate, regional agreements for improved air quality and control of transboundary air pollution;

           (b)      Improving various methods to quantify and assess air pollution;

           (c)      Enhancing capacity-building, institutional strengthening and involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the work for improved air quality, taking into consideration the special circumstances and needs of small island developing States.

 

                            Recommendations at the national level 

10.      At the national level, Governments, taking into account their respective national priorities and circumstances, are encouraged, with the support of the international community, to consider, as appropriate:

           (a)      Improving data compilation and monitoring of air quality;

           (b)      Publicizing the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop guidelines for air quality and working towards their application;

           (c)      Further developing and implementing air quality strategies which include air pollution control and air quality management;

           (d)      Identifying, assessing and addressing the adverse effects of air pollution on human health, socio-economic development, ecosystems and cultural heritage;

           (e)      Improving policies that reduce environmental health hazards, including through plans and strategies to prevent, mitigate and respond to diseases resulting from indoor and outdoor air pollution, giving special attention to the health of women and children;

           (f)       Increasing public participation of and access of all persons, including major groups, to information on how to reduce health risks caused by air pollution and ozone depletion;

           (g)      Encouraging the coordination of national activities on atmospheric issues;

           (h)      Promoting and giving incentives to the dissemination of best available and affordable techniques to improve air quality;

           (i)       Enhancing capacity-building, institutional strengthening and involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the work for improved air quality.

 

 Decision 9/3

 Transport 

 

 General considerations 

1.        The Commission reiterates the continuing relevance and importance of all the principles agreed in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, in particular the principle that, in view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in principle 7, and emphasizes that:

           (a)      Financial resources and mechanisms play a key role in the implementation of Agenda 21. In general, the financing for the implementation of Agenda 21 will come from a country’s own public and private sectors. For developing countries, official development assistance is a main source of external funding, and substantial new and additional funding for sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required. Hence, all financial commitments of Agenda 21, particularly those contained in chapter 33, and the provisions with regard to new and additional resources that are both adequate and predictable need to be urgently fulfilled. Renewed efforts are essential to ensure that all sources of funding contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental protection in the context of sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21;

           (b)      There is a need for favourable access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to developing countries, through supportive measures that promote technology cooperation and that should enable transfer of necessary technological know-how as well as building up of economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and further development of transferred technology. Technology cooperation involves joint efforts by enterprises and Governments, both suppliers of technology and its recipients. Therefore, such cooperation entails an iterative process, involving government, the private sector and research and development facilities, to ensure the best possible results from transfer of technology. Successful long-term partnerships in technology cooperation necessarily require continuing systematic training and capacity-building at all levels over an extended period of time.

2.        Decisions concerning transport issues should reflect the fact that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.

3.        To contribute to sustainable development, transport should, inter alia, be affordable, safe and ensure mobility, should provide access to all sectors of society on an equitable basis, and should be efficient and environmentally sound.

4.        The challenges of policy-making in the transport sector are complex and multidimensional. Transport-related activities affect economic growth, social development and the environment in many diverse ways. They pose particular problems in the context of urbanization and a separate set of challenges in rural and remote areas, including in mountainous areas. Land, maritime and aviation transport present different issues for resolution but also need to be considered. The social dimensions of transport include affordability and the impact on, inter alia, community health and safety of transport services, infrastructure, gender and age aspects, employment and labour conditions and providing for those with special needs.

5.        There are many facets to the impact on the environment of transport-related activities and infrastructure. Accidents, noise and air pollution are adverse impacts associated with the transport sector. Emissions from vehicles and other modes of transport are harmful to human health and the environment. The demand for transport services is significant and likely to rise. Transport systems affect human settlements in various ways, including urban conditions and land use.

6.        A further challenge facing policy makers is the wide variety of stakeholders whose input is relevant in formulating policies and whose assistance is often essential in implementing them effectively. Within and between Governments, coordination and consultation are essential in moving towards sustainable development. Dialogue with major groups is encouraged.

7.        Lack of access to transport significantly impacts women’s health and limits their having access to markets and other income-generating activities. Transport should be made available and accessible to women in order to facilitate social and economic progress.

8.        The Commission notes that there is a strong need for adequate and efficient, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transport systems, especially in developing countries, where accessibility and affordability are important for the eradication of poverty, improving access to social services and access to employment opportunities. Prospects for achieving sustainable development depend on taking transport into account in urban and rural planning, public infrastructure decisions, and policies and measures to eradicate poverty and promote gender equality.

9.        The Commission emphasizes that progress towards achieving sustainable development can be facilitated by technical innovations, and encourages research, development and the transfer of cleaner technologies.

10.      Aware of the risk to human health, safety and the environment from transboundary movements of hazardous substances, States should act in a manner consistent with their respective obligations under relevant international instruments. 

           International cooperation 

11.      The Commission emphasizes the importance of international cooperation within the framework of Agenda 21 in ensuring that transport is considered within the general framework of sustainable development. Recognizing that achieving sustainable development will be strengthened by international cooperation and actions specific to national circumstances and emphasizing the need to and the importance of providing assistance to developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition in order to achieve sustainable development, the Commission recommends that the international community cooperate to:

           (a)      Facilitate the transfer of cleaner technologies, promotion of energy efficiency and improvement of transport systems for passengers and goods, particularly mass transit, using all relevant financial institutions and mechanisms, and taking fully into account paragraph 1 (a) above;

           (b)      Encourage international financial institutions and other donors to make transport for sustainable development a priority;

           (c)      Assist capacity-building, including through human resource development and institutional strengthening, as well as through programmes for developing countries based on training programmes to expand technical and planning skills;

           (d)      Support partnerships between public and private sectors to promote investment in the transport sector that will facilitate the introduction of environmentally sound technologies and infrastructure consistent with sustainable development goals based on national priorities and tailored to the needs of both women and men;

           (e)      Assist the development of endogenous capacity for both development and utilization of environmentally sound technologies;

           (f)       Improve the compilation, assessment and analysis of transport-related information in policy-making and planning at the national, regional and international levels, and encourage the use of the latest technologies to facilitate the sharing of information and databases;

           (g)      Promote efforts to raise public awareness on transport for sustainable development;

           (h)      Promote transport policies aimed at improving the safety of transport services;

           (i)       Promote projects for the construction, modernization and maintenance of public transport and communication infrastructure in rural and remote mountainous areas;

           (j)       Assist with the implementation of the recommendations of the General Assembly at its nineteenth special session on the progressive phasing out of the use of lead in gasoline[8] and consider reducing the levels of sulphur and benzene in fuel as well as particulates in vehicle exhaust by making available information, technical assistance, capacity-building, and funding to developing countries, including time-bound transfer of technology;

           (k)      Encourage the use and technology transfer of cleaner fuels;

           (l)       Promote further international cooperation between Governments, business, research organizations and NGOs to share knowledge of developments in policy-making, planning and technology, and help ensure that the potential benefits of such developments are made widely available.

12.      The Commission encourages international organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as well as Governments, in fostering transport systems that are affordable and do improve safety and reduce pollution and other negative impacts on the environment.

13.      The Commission encourages member States of the International Maritime Organization to consider ratifying annex VI to the Marpol International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

14.      The Commission also advocates closer cooperation and coordination among existing organizations involved in transport activities with the goal of enhancing complementarity and minimizing duplication. 

                            Regional cooperation 

15.      The Commission encourages regional cooperation through the better utilization of the regional commissions, existing regional development banks and existing regional organizations and mechanisms, by:

           (a)      Considering the exchange of successful experience and the sharing and collection of data as possible areas of cooperation at the regional level, both between and within regions;

           (b)      Examining the possibility of strengthening existing transboundary agreements for reducing pollution and its implications for health and environment, in accordance with the needs and characteristics of each region;

           (c)      Financing transport projects that contribute to sustainable development, as appropriate, at the regional level;

           (d)      Emphasizing the potential of a coordinated approach to integrated land-use planning and infrastructure planning within regions for influencing travel demand and for promoting more sustainable transport patterns.

                            Recommendations at the national level 

16.      In integrating economic, social and environmental objectives, it is important that a broad package of policy instruments, including regulation, economic instruments, internalization of environmental cost in market prices, environmental and social impact analysis and information, be worked out in the light of country specific conditions to ensure that approaches are effective and cost-efficient, taking fully into account the economic, social and environmental conditions of all countries, in particular developing countries.

17.      At the national level, Governments, taking into account their respective national priorities and circumstances, are encouraged, with the support of the international community, to consider, as appropriate:

           (a)      Promoting sustainability by integrating economic, social and environmental considerations in decision-making in the transport sector;

           (b)      Developing transportation systems which are responsive to development needs and, where affordable, reduce negative environmental impacts, including through measures to rationalize traffic flows and road structures, to manage transportation demand and facilitate the flow of and access to goods;

           (c)      Taking further steps to reduce noise from transport and make use of better vehicle technology, inspection and maintenance schemes for vehicles and cleaner conventional fuels, as well as the development and promotion of alternative fuels;

           (d)      Encouraging the involvement of the private sector in improvements in efficiency and emission control of each mode of vehicle, including the design of cleaner vehicles;

           (e)      Promoting capacity-building and appropriate use of information technology, including efforts to improve local institutional capacity and coordination on transport issues and issues that have an impact on transport;

           (f)       Facilitating, wherever possible, an environment conducive to research, development and technological innovation in the transport sector;

           (g)      Promoting links between different modes of transport with a view to making more efficient use of existing infrastructure and increasing use of more efficient modes of transportation including intermodal transport systems;

           (h)      Promoting access to efficient, safe, affordable and environmentally sound public transport systems, including for rural, remote, urban and inter-urban transport services;

           (i)       Undertaking further measures aimed at promoting road safety;

           (j)       Maintaining and promoting access to affordable transport systems, and examining the potential for increasing reliance on low-cost, readily available modes of transport, including safe non-motorized transport;

           (k)      Taking an integrated approach to policy-making on affordable transport services and systems which recognize the potential that integrated land use and infrastructure planning, public transport and goods delivery networks and road planning have as tools for managing demand for transport services and creating more environmentally sound patterns;

           (l)       Promoting gender-sensitive planning and planning for the aged and disabled for transport services and systems, and increasing participatory, inclusive transport planning approaches which address social needs;

           (m)     Promoting public participation in transport decision-making involving all stakeholders and access to information, inter alia, to enable consumers to make informed choices;

           (n)      Encouraging the planning for and provision of safe infrastructure for cycling transport.

 

Decision 9/4

Information for decision-making and participation

 

                            Introduction 

1.        The availability and uses of information are issues that cut across all chapters of Agenda 21 and its implementation. Countries in all regions of the world have made substantial efforts to improve the quality, coherence and cost-effectiveness of data and information-gathering in the years since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). In this context, it is essential to increase investment in human beings, recognize the value of diverse views and appreciate the power of stakeholder participation if countries wish to take advantage of the opportunities that the new knowledge economy presents. A more effective role for an independent, objective media in support of sustainable development is to be promoted. However, there remain significant gaps in the availability and uses of information in many countries. Those developing countries suffering from inadequate infrastructure and information systems and those parts of the population too poor to tap into new information sources are being left behind. Developing countries, in particular, need technology transfer and capacity-building, and will require adequate, predictable, new and additional financial resources, in accordance with chapter 33 of Agenda 21, and paragraphs 76 to 87 of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, to modernize or establish their information systems. 

                            Guidance to the multilateral system 

2.        The Commission, recognizing that enhancing information for decision-making in order to achieve sustainable development will require international cooperation and actions compatible with national priorities and circumstances, and seeking to provide assistance to developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition to achieve sustainable development: 

                            Improvements in functioning, coherence and coordination 

           (a)      Encourages international organizations, including international convention secretariats, to rationalize their requests for information with respect to voluntary national reports so as to avoid duplication and unnecessary burden on countries, particularly developing countries. The international organizations should build on existing efforts to improve the compatibility of data-collection methodologies. The purpose of the data requests should be clearly specified, and there should be a demand driven shift from available information to needed information;

           (b)      Calls for strengthening access by developing countries to information on sustainable development and measures to ensure that the commercialization of information does not become a barrier to developing countries in this regard;

           (c)      Encourages greater access to Internet information for persons with disabilities;

           (d)      Urges strengthened cooperation and coordination among global observing systems and research programmes for integrated global observations, taking into account the need for sharing, among all countries, of valuable data, such as ground-based observation data and satellite remote-sensing data;

           (e)      Encourages countries and relevant international organizations to develop information systems, which make the sharing of valuable data possible, including the active exchange of Earth observation data;

           (f)       Calls for promoting the development and wider use by developing countries of innovative technologies, such as global mapping, geographical information systems, video transmission technology and Internet technology for the dissemination and use of satellite data. 

                            Training and capacity-building 

           (g)      Encourages countries, particularly developed countries, with the cooperation of relevant international organizations, as appropriate, to:

           (i)       Assist in training and capacity-building, particularly in developing countries, which will help promote wider use of information and communication technologies, including satellite data, and their application;

           (ii)      Assist Governments of developing countries to develop the needed technological infrastructure for sustainable development through, inter alia, transfer of technology, including transfer of necessary hardware and software, and implementation of capacity-building programmes to this effect;

           (iii)     Assist in strengthening national information systems and statistical agencies to ensure that efforts in data collection and analysis are efficient and effective and able to meet a range of decision-making requirements;

           (h)      Calls for assisting countries, particularly developing countries, in their national efforts to achieve accurate, long-term, consistent and reliable data and use of satellite and remote-sensing technologies for data collection and further improvement of ground-based observations. 

                            Approaches to indicators of sustainable development 

3.        The Commission, recognizing that any indicators developed under its work programme on indicators of sustainable development are intended only for use by countries at the national level on a voluntary basis, suited to country-specific conditions, and shall not lead to any type of conditionalities, including financial, technical and commercial:

           (a)      Reiterates the need for the Commission to keep under review the full range of indicators with full participation and ownership of Member States of the United Nations, with a view to avoiding duplication, as well as ensuring the transparency, consistency and reliability of these indicators;

           (b)      Emphasizes, in accordance with Council resolution 2000/27, that the indicators used by the United Nations Secretariat in the context of the coordinated and integrated follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits should be developed with the full participation of all countries and approved by the relevant intergovernmental bodies;

           (c)      Notes the important role that national Governments of the 22 testing countries played in developing its work programme on experimental indicators of sustainable development, and in this context notes the usefulness of the above-mentioned exercise and requests that further work on these and other indicators be undertaken, in accordance with Council resolution 2000/27;

           (d)      Encourages the further work on these and other indicators for the purpose of sustainable development in line with national conditions and priorities in defining and implementing national goals and priorities for sustainable development, including integration of gender aspects, and encourages the involvement of all national stakeholders, as appropriate;

           (e)      Stresses the need to further develop indicators on means of implementation to evaluate progress towards conference goals in creating an enabling environment for development;

           (f)       Urges developed countries and international organizations to assist developing countries, as appropriate, in establishing the basic capacities for the development of national indicators of sustainable development through, inter alia, financial support, capacity-building, technical assistance and twinning arrangements;

           (g)      Recalls the invitation of the Council to the Statistical Commission to serve as the intergovernmental focal point for the review of the indicators used by the United Nations system for the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits at all levels, and the methodologies employed in formulating them, including in the context of the elaboration of the common country assessment, and to make recommendations with a view to facilitating future consideration by the Council.

                             Recommendations for activities at the national level 

4.        At the national level, Governments, taking into account their priorities and respective national circumstances, with the support of the international community, as appropriate, are encouraged to consider to:

           (a)      Take measures to ensure access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making and access to judicial and administrative proceedings in environmental matters in order to further principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, taking into full account principles 5, 7, and 11 of the Declaration;

           (b)      Collect and provide access to relevant information for decision-making for sustainable development, including gender-disaggregated data, incorporating indigenous and traditional knowledge into information bases for decision-making, as appropriate;

           (c)      Establish guidelines to help distinguish between specialized information that can be effectively commercialized from information that should be freely available to the public;

           (d)      Develop strategies to improve access by all segments of society to information and communication technologies, including the Internet to increase public awareness about sustainable development;

           (e)      Incorporate data and findings from research and monitoring activities into the decision-making process;

           (f)       Incorporate sustainable development performance information produced by major groups, including the private sector, in relevant decision-making processes;

           (g)      Promote, with private sector participation, measures to give developing countries access to information essential for sustainable development;

           (h)      Foster sustainable development in cooperation with international organizations, by encouraging and providing needed technological infrastructure, in particular to developing countries, and implementing capacity-building programmes that reach out to all sectors of society;

           (i)       Develop strategic partnerships with non-governmental organizations and the private sector to stimulate innovative data-generation, collection and analysis methods;

           (j)       Encourage the application of traditional and community knowledge to sustainable resource and community management.

 

Decision 9/5

International cooperation for an enabling environment

 

                            General considerations 

1.        A dynamic and enabling international economic environment supportive of international cooperation, particularly in the fields of finance, technology transfer, debt, trade and environmental and social issues, is needed in the pursuit of sustainable development. An enabling domestic environment is also important for sustainable development. Success in meeting these objectives depends, inter alia, on good governance within each country. It also depends on good governance at the international level and on transparency in the financial, monetary and trading systems. This requires a commitment to an open, equitable, rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory multilateral trading and financial system. The Commission reiterates the continuing relevance and importance of all the principles agreed in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the principle that, in view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in principle 7.

2.        There is a need to ensure a balance among economic development, social development and environmental protection since these are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.

3.        The process of globalization is one of the elements of the international economic environment and presents opportunities as well as challenges and risks for sustainable development. Globalization has, in principle, the potential to benefit all of the world’s people. However, the recent period of rapid globalization has seen an increase in inequality among countries and to some extent within countries. This is due primarily to the fact that the benefits of globalization have not been shared in an equitable manner. Answers must be found to the question of how to advance economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, particularly in developing countries, and to spread the benefits of globalization equitably. Expanding international trade and productive investment, and the accompanying technology transfer, while protecting the environment, as well as strengthened partnerships between developed and developing countries and between the State and major groups, in particular the private sector, can contribute to sustainable development. The international community and Governments have a key role in taking steps to help ensure that globalization supports sustainable development.

4.        The integrated and coordinated follow-up of all major United Nations conferences and summits, together with the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the international development targets relevant to sustainable development, are of importance. 

                            International cooperation 

5.        Financial resources and mechanisms play a key role in the implementation of Agenda 21. In general, the financing for the implementation of Agenda 21 will come from a country’s own public and private sectors. For developing countries, ODA is a main source of external funding, and substantial new and additional funding for sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required. Hence all financial commitments of Agenda 21, particularly those contained in chapter 33, and the provisions with regard to new and additional resources that are both adequate and predictable need to be urgently fulfilled. Renewed efforts are essential to ensure that all sources of funding contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental protection in the context of sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21.

6.        There is a need for favourable access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to developing countries, through supportive measures that promote technology cooperation and enable transfer of the necessary technological know-how, as well as building up economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and further development of transferred technology. Technology cooperation involves joint efforts by enterprises and governments, including both suppliers and recipients of technology. Such cooperation therefore entails an iterative process involving government, the private sector, and research and development facilities in order to ensure the best possible results from transfer of technology. Successful long-term partnerships in technology cooperation necessarily require continuing systematic training and capacity-building at all levels over an extended period of time.

7.        The Commission emphasizes the importance of international cooperation within the framework of Agenda 21 for promoting an enabling environment for sustainable development. Recognizing that achieving sustainable development will require international cooperation and specific actions based on national and regional circumstances, including assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, the Commission encourages the international community to:

           (a)      Reaffirm that the United Nations has a central role in promoting international cooperation for sustainable development and in promoting policy coherence on global development issues, including in the context of globalization and interdependence;

           (b)      Support developing countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development in accordance with their priorities and national programmes and/or strategies for sustainable development;

           (c)      Take necessary action to reverse the downward trend in ODA and strive to fulfil the commitments undertaken to reach the accepted United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of GNP as soon as possible;

           (d)      Improve the coordination of ODA, based on recipient country needs, priorities and strategies;

           (e)      Improve the catalytic role of ODA;

           (f)       Support efforts to further reform and improve the multilateral financial institutions, including through improved mechanisms for enhanced and effective participation by developing countries and greater transparency in decision-making;

           (g)      Support the efforts of developing countries to put in place effective financial regulatory systems so that capital and investment flows help maintain financial stability and reduce the risks of excessive international financial volatility in order to achieve sustainable development objectives;

           (h)      Improve and streamline the functioning of the Global Environment Facility, as a mechanism for financing global environmental aspects of sustainable development, to make it more responsive to the needs and concerns of developing countries, and looks forward to a substantial third replenishment of its financial resources;

           (i)       Support the full implementation of the enhanced heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, and in this regard underline the need for the heavily indebted poor countries to take the policy measures necessary to become eligible for the initiative;

           (j)       Find lasting solutions to the debt problems of heavily indebted low and middle-income developing countries and other heavily indebted middle-income countries which have difficulties in meeting their debt service obligations, including by using, as appropriate, available mechanisms for debt relief such as the Paris Club and other relevant forums;

           (k)      Assist developing countries seeking integration into the world trading system, notably through the World Trade Organization (WTO), including through assistance in developing the institutional capacity and human resources to participate meaningfully and effectively in multilateral trade negotiations and to implement the agreements reached;

           (l)       Improve market access for products from developing countries and ensure the effective application of all provisions of the Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations[9] and address implementation issues seriously, in particular by making operational and ensuring full implementation of the previously agreed special and differential provisions of the Final Act of the Uruguay Round;

           (m)     Pursue continued trade liberalization, including through the elimination of trade distorting policies, protectionist practices and non-tariff barriers to trade as a means to, inter alia, improve market access in sectors of export interest to developing countries;

           (n)      Ensure that trade, environment and development policies are mutually supportive so as to achieve sustainable development. In so doing, policies and measures with a potential trade impact should not be used for protectionist purposes, taking into full account the development needs of developing countries;

           (o)      Encourage investment in developing countries, including through insurance mechanisms and financial instruments to reduce risk premiums with the aim of contributing to sustainable development;

           (p)      Develop mechanisms for mobilizing new and additional financial resources, including innovative financial instruments, public-private partnerships and public-public partnerships;

           (q)      Assist developing countries to have access to environmentally sound technologies and ensure that international assistance for technology transfer is based on national and local needs, pursuant to sustainable development objectives;

           (r)       Assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in capacity-building to support technology development and transfer, institutional strengthening and human resource development, including for development planning, investments, financial regulation and infrastructure development, and in capacity-building for the mobilization and allocation of domestic and external financial resources in order to contribute to sustainable development;

           (s)      Support regional and subregional cooperation, including South-South cooperation, in promoting sustainable development;

           (t)       Support developing countries in the development and implementation of national sustainable development programmes and/or strategies in order to fulfil the goals of Agenda 21, including through the transfer of environmentally sound technologies on favourable terms, including concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed. 

                            Recommendations at the national level 

8.        At the national level, Governments, taking into account their national circumstances and priorities and with the support of the international community, as appropriate, are encouraged to:

           (a)      Create an enabling domestic environment for sustainable development through, inter alia, an equitable and predictable legal framework, capacity-building, including institutional capacity-building, and the implementation of appropriate macroeconomic, social and environmental policies and transparent, effective, participatory and accountable governance, conducive to sustainable development and responsive to the needs of the people, so that domestic and international resources may be effectively mobilized and used for sustainable development;

           (b)      Formulate and implement national sustainable development programmes and/or strategies, through a national consultative process, as a useful tool in promoting an enabling environment, building on sectoral plans and policies;

           (c)      Improve opportunities for the private sector, NGOs and other major groups to contribute to sustainable development, economic planning and poverty eradication, including through the formulation and implementation of national sustainable development programmes and/or strategies;

           (d)      Develop and implement policies, programmes and incentives that integrate economic development, social development and environmental protection.

 

    Decision 9/6

    Draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for Sustainable

   Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs 

           The Commission on Sustainable Development takes note of the draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.[10] 

Decision 9/7

Documents considered by the Commission at its ninth session 

           At its 13th meeting, on 27 April 2001, the Commission took note of the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Secretary-General on protection of the atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/2);

           (b)      Report of the Secretary-General on transport (E/CN/17/2001/3);

           (c)      Report of the Secretary-General on information for decision-making and participation (E/CN.17/2001/4);

           (d)      Addendum: Commission on Sustainable Development work programme on indicators of sustainable development (E/CN.17/2001/4/Add.1);

           (e)      Report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation for an enabling environment for sustainable development (E/CN.17/2001/5);

           (f)       Note by the Secretary-General on multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable energy and transport (E/CN.17/2001/6);

           (g)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by business/industry (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.1);

           (h)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by the scientific and technological communities (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.2);

           (i)       Addendum: discussion paper contributed by workers and trade unions (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.3);

           (j)       Addendum: discussion paper contributed by local authorities (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.4);

           (k)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by non-governmental organizations (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.5);

           (l)       Report of the Secretary-General on sustainable production, distribution and use of energy: trends in national implementation (E/CN.17/2001/12 and Corr.1);

           (m)     Report of the Secretary-General on national reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/14);

           (n)      Report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/15);

           (o)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/16);

           (p)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (E/CN.17/2001/17);

           (q)      Report of the Secretary-General entitled “Energy and sustainable development: options and strategies for action on key issues” (E/CN.17/ESD/2001/2);

           (r)       Note by the Secretariat on the draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (E/CN.17/2001/L.1);

           (s)      Note by the Secretariat on the main issues for consideration at the high-level meeting (E/CN.17/2001/CRP.2);

           (t)       Note by the Secretariat on the World Summit on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/CRP.3).


Chapter II

                 Chairman’s summary of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable energy and transport

 

             A.    Introduction 

1.        At its ninth session, the Commission on Sustainable Development continued its unique tradition of including a multi-stakeholder dialogue, as part of its official proceedings. The multi-stakeholder dialogue segment on energy and transport, held from 16 to 18 April 2001, involved representatives of business and industry, workers and trade unions, local authorities, scientific and technological communities, and non-governmental organizations. It was noted that this dialogue would inform the subsequent discussions of the Commission both in the high-level segment and in the remainder of the Commission’s work on sustainable energy and transport.

2.        The energy and transport dialogue segment followed the format previously agreed by the Bureau of the Commission.[11] Lead organizations, invited by the Commission on Sustainable Development secretariat, consulted with their constituencies to prepare “dialogue starter” papers and to organize the participation of their delegations in the dialogue segment. The lead organizations for the energy and transport dialogue segment included the International Chamber of Commerce, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Energy Council for business and industry; International Council for Science and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources-World Conservation Union (IUCN) for scientific and technological communities; International Confederation of Free Trade Unions/Trade Union Advisory Committee to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for workers and trade unions; International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives for local authorities; and, NGO Caucus for Climate Change and Energy, and the NGO Caucus for Sustainable Transport for non-governmental organizations.

3.        The segment focused on four themes: (a) achieving equitable access to sustainable energy; (b) sustainable choices for producing, distributing and consuming energy; (c) public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable energy for transport; and (d) sustainable transport planning: choices and models for human settlements designs and vehicle alternatives. The first hour of each session started with short presentations by the stakeholder groups followed by reactions by two Governments, with the remainder of the time allocated for the interactive dialogue. The summary below is not a verbatim record but seeks to reflect the issues raised, areas that would benefit from further dialogue and elaboration, and specific initiatives proposed by the participants. 

             B.    Achieving equitable access to sustainable energy 

4.        Business and industry emphasized equitable access to commercial energy services to break the cycle of poverty and improve health and environmental conditions. They outlined concepts of access, noting the need to avoid subsidies that favoured suppliers and those who could afford to pay; availability, in terms of security of service; and acceptability, to address social and environmental goals. They also supported a diversity of choices in transportation and energy services, noting that one person’s subsidy is another’s incentive.

5.        Scientists emphasized energy services and contrasted energy use in the North and the South, noting that developed world energy access was defined by the spread of markets, that large populations living in rural areas in developing countries were largely dependent on biomass fuels, and that fossil fuel consumption in developed countries had implications for developing-country prices. They highlighted the need to modernize fuel technologies, decentralize energy systems, reduce costs and increase research, development and early deployment in markets.

6.        Workers and trade unions stressed the social dimensions of sustainable development in relation to energy use and access, highlighting health and safety, reporting mechanisms, security and participation in decision-making, especially by women. They also highlighted the interaction with and social impact of energy access policies on employment.

7.        Local authorities said more investment in clean and renewable energy was needed. They highlighted the crucial role of local authorities in handling energy problems at the local level in developing decentralized energy systems, collaborating with national Governments, and establishing various efficiency and design initiatives to improve energy access at the local level.

8.        Non-governmental organizations defined sustainable energy as having minimum impacts on social and environmental health. They noted that fossil fuels were unsustainable, nuclear waste was the most long-lasting toxic substance on earth, and that large-scale hydropower was unsustainable given its negative social impacts. Non-governmental organizations criticized government expenditures on subsidies, tax exemptions and reductions, preferential loans and tariffs as unsustainable practices in the energy sector.

9.        With an awareness of the need to harmonize the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development, general discussion revolved around issues of subsidies, social dimensions of access to sustainable energy, participation by under-represented segments of society in decision-making, social impacts of poverty and public-private ownership issues.

10.      Regarding subsidies, one developing country noted that the issue of subsidies affected social development, and proposed reducing subsidies instead of eliminating them. Another noted that in developing countries subsidies were useful to improve access of the poor to energy. Non-governmental organizations and local authorities advocated the removal of subsidies from government budgets to level the playing field and called for restrictions on new subsidies. Non-governmental organizations supported subsidies for renewables. Business highlighted positive social externalities of modern energy services. Trade unions emphasized that subsidies for renewables could lead to job creation in some areas but loss of jobs in others, thus raising the issue of a just transition. A number of speakers emphasized the need to shift subsidies away from fossil fuels and towards renewables and decentralized systems to assist the poor and under-represented.

11.      On social dimensions of access, most participants supported the need for participatory approaches in decision-making and agreed that capacity-building on all levels was key to equitable access to energy. Local authorities supported decentralized energy, and non-governmental organizations noted that decentralized energy is a more affordable alternative in remote rural areas which can stimulate small-scale business enterprises. Trade unions supported utilizing strategies within market economies but opposed market societies. Business and industry advocated market mechanisms and use of all energy options to meet future challenges. Non-governmental organizations said that countries should rethink their development paradigms to pursue energy development in a more sustainable way. A developing country said that energy markets could be feasibly created at affordable prices. Scientists and business agreed that a good decision-making process was key to getting prices right and valuing life-cycle costs, and business highlighted progress in social and environmental assessments.

12.      Most agreed that donors play a vital role in the development process by providing capacity-building, and underscored the involvement of relevant stakeholders in designing and implementing energy capacities in developing countries. Business and industry stressed their role as primary developers of technology. Non-governmental organizations and trade unions stressed empowerment of women and involvement of indigenous people in decision-making processes. Scientists supported lifestyle changes to reduce consumption, noted a need for national Governments to strengthen cooperation across sectors, and, with business, advocated interdisciplinary approaches. A number of participants highlighted social impacts of poverty, noting that unsustainable production resulted in exacerbation of social conditions.

13.      On public versus private ownership of energy systems, trade unions noted that privatization made access more difficult, increased costs, and displaced jobs. They referred to the political and economic confusion in integrating deregulated energy markets into the overall economy in some areas, and called for continued public sector role in energy access. Scientists said that a services approach could address access without compromising lifestyle choices.

14.      Among the specific proposals to be considered by Governments, various stakeholders suggested the following:

           (a)      Support decentralized energy production, local and institutional capacity-building, and rational energy pricing;

           (b)      Eliminate subsidies for fossil fuels, create subsidies for renewables, launch national workshops to help phase out subsidies and promote equitable development of renewable energy sources;

           (c)      Establish a moratorium on fossil fuel exploration and large-scale dam construction;

           (d)      Continue market reforms, keep all energy options open, reduce political risk of energy investments and ensure payment for energy services, and promote efficiency;

           (e)      Provide reliable energy supplies to growing urban areas and reliable decentralized energy supplies for rural development and poverty alleviation;

           (f)       Increase developed-country support for energy research, development and demonstrations (RD&D) in general and especially in developing countries; and replicate successful local projects on a larger scale;

           (g)      Increase participation in decision-making processes, including in areas related to social and employment security;

           (h)      Recognize the important role of the public sector in achieving equitable access; and use public funds to reduce energy demand through sustainable infrastructure;

           (i)       Increase support by agencies and donor countries for clean, sustainable and decentralized energy.

 

             C.    Sustainable choices for producing, distributing and consuming energy 

15.      Stakeholders exchanged views on an array of choices for energy sources, and discussed social and economic costs related to production, consumption and distribution. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, wave, biomass, fuel cells and hydrogen were supported by all, and most called for increased research and development (R&D). Scientists stressed opportunities for leapfrogging over old technologies but noted the need for further research on fuel cells and carbon sequestration as well as shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Scientists also highlighted nuclear energy.

16.      Many stakeholders called for cancelling subsidies given to unsustainable energy sources. Some supported subsidies for sustainable alternatives to help level the playing field. Business and industry emphasized the integration of various energy options. Non-governmental organizations noted appropriate uses of renewables in rural areas; stressed the role of Governments in involving stakeholders, funding small-scale investments and setting targets and timetables for phasing in use; and supported cooperation and education for new markets and energy paradigms for the future. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with non-governmental organizations, highlighted the role of agriculture, including organic farming, in both sustainable consumption and production of energy sources.

17.      It was recognized by most that fossil fuel consumption would persist as a primary energy source. Trade unions described the concept of a just transition from existing to emerging jobs, industries and institutions to ensure stability of employment and community. Local authorities noted that demand for renewable sources had lessened demand for fossil fuels. Scientists noted technology development for cleaner fuels. Natural gas was cited by business as a reliable and clean energy source for the twenty-first century, especially in developing countries, owing to improved production and transport. Non-governmental organizations stated that fossil fuels were unsustainable, and called for a moratorium on oil exploration.

18.      Large-scale hydropower from large dams was agreed to be largely unsustainable owing to its negative environmental and social impacts, although scientists supported hydropower at existing dams and encouraged “run of the river” hydropower. Non-governmental organizations called for a moratorium on the construction of large-scale dams, and criticized coal as unsustainable and a threat to human health and the environment. Businesses agreed that coal use should cease in households, but stated that until alternative sources were in place, energy needs must be met with available resources.

19.      Nuclear power generated debate over whether it could be a sustainable form of energy. Non-governmental organizations, trade unions, local authorities and a number of developing countries, including a representative of small island developing States, opposed use of nuclear energy and encouraged policies to support other energy sources. Non-governmental organizations presented the Chair with a petition endorsed by more than 800 organizations stating that use of nuclear power went against the spirit of Agenda 21. Scientists highlighted nuclear energy’s lack of air pollution, but stressed the need for lower costs in developing countries. Business and industry said that in considering all energy options, nuclear energy, despite waste disposal concerns, could deliver large-scale power with low impacts, and provide constant and reliable supply. Both science and business stressed the need for public acceptance and further research on safe waste disposal.

20.      In discussing sustainable choices and success criteria, business and industry stressed the need to overcome energy poverty. A number of developing countries underscored lack of funds to support sustainable energy use. Scientists observed that countries did not have to choose between sustainable energy policies and their education, health-care and employment needs, stating that policies in these areas could be complementary. Local authorities highlighted the role of community leaders and the need for support at the national level. Non-governmental organizations noted a need to apply standards on sustainable energy.

21.      Scientists stated that the question was how to realize international mix of energy sources when each stakeholder had its own ideas and beliefs about optimal solutions. They agreed with business that sustainable development must not exclude energy sources, and advocated use of experts from relevant disciplines to support and inform participatory decision-making processes. All agreed that stakeholder inclusion, cooperation and education were essential. Local authorities emphasized public-private partnerships and standards to guide market forces in energy deregulation.

22.      In defining concepts of efficiency, local authorities stressed that it was technologically and economically feasible to increase efficiency and meet all needs without increasing energy production. Non-governmental organizations advocated conservation and efficiency at all levels and in all sectors, using supply-side measures and renewable energy as a vehicle for sustainable development. A developed country responded that attention to demand-side energy services would be necessary to achieve continuous improvements, which were dependent on cooperation and government action towards appropriate urban planning as well as prices, and noted that development would be based on private sector investment. Scientists highlighted the need for early investments in new technologies for cost buy-downs and performance improvements.

23.      Proposals made by various stakeholder groups included the following:

           (a)      Promote energy efficiency through government programmes and policies, set national standards for cleaner energy production, and use regulations to further develop sustainable energy use;

           (b)      Phase out subsidies for unsustainable energy sources and eliminate regulatory impediments to renewables;

           (c)      Increase R&D for carbon sequestration, fuel cells, and safe disposal of nuclear waste;

           (d)      Prioritize investments to reduce energy demand and increase efficiency through creation of regional groups;

           (e)      Encourage national Governments and donors to support efforts of local governments through standards and incentives to produce more efficient cities;

           (f)       Support development of renewable sources, especially in rural areas, with a goal of providing 10 per cent of total energy from wind power by 2020;

           (g)      Urge ratification of the Kyoto Protocol[12] to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change before Johannesburg 2002;

           (h)      Develop and test new approaches to internalizing environmental and social costs and use life-cycle costing;

           (i)       Give local authorities support to generate projects and invest in energy demand reduction measures, and support local Agenda 21 initiatives for implementation of sustainable energy policy and programmes;

           (j)       Develop and support a United Nations web site database, facilitated by the Commission, for information-sharing on sustainable energy sources, and consider statistics for public company energy performance reporting;

           (k)      Establish an international forum for stakeholders within which they could discuss policy with input from the scientific community across disciplines;

           (l)       Create a transition fund and ensure that intellectual property rights do not affect sustainable energy technology transfers;

           (m)     Support the establishment of an international sustainable energy agency to assist countries in identifying and phasing out harmful subsidies and integrating full-cost accounting in energy policy programmes, as well as redirect funding to conservation, efficiency and sustainable sources of energy;

           (n)      Promote the cooperation of OECD, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU) for research into the employment implications of climate change. 

             D.    Public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable energy
for transport
 

24.      Business stated that efficient transport systems were essential for maintaining economic growth but acknowledged potential problems on energy security and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, noting a need for collective action through dialogue among Governments, business and society. They highlighted worldwide partnerships towards finding solutions to mobility while ensuring global sustainability, noting that change would take time.

25.      Scientists agreed that mobility was necessary but required large amounts of natural resources and contributed to adverse impacts on health and environment. They identified an urgent need to rethink and understand the potential impacts of different mobility modes in the context of their social impacts. Attracting new transport systems and reversing the current trends will be a slow process requiring simultaneous technological and lifestyle changes.

26.      Trade unions observed that transport today was a huge service industry responding more to the needs of the global supply chains in transferring goods at lowest possible cost and less to the needs of communities. Global economy transportation systems increasingly involve multiple ownership and operators based in multiple countries, making it difficult to identify responsible parties when accidents occur. They stated that competition in the global market undermined effective management of transportation systems.

27.      Local authorities indicated technological improvements were necessary for a better fuel economy. However, there is also need to change consumption patterns in which purchasing power at the local level may help leverage broader partnership across the world and among stakeholders. They noted that many successful cases of local authority programmes had been documented and were shared with Governments and other stakeholders.

28.      Technological improvements alone will not be sufficient to achieve sustainable transportation; there is need to reduce private auto use and support public transportation. The reduction of the fast-growing emissions from the aviation sector presents a particular challenge. There is also need for innovation to improve the non-motorized vehicle industry through collaboration between private and public sector agents, and non-governmental organizations pledged assistance through raising awareness and educating communities.

29.      A developing country emphasized the need for improving access of remote communities to development, requiring partnerships revolving around cooperation through investment, improvements in technological capacity, increased sustainability of resource use and public-private partnerships. A developed country agreed that economic growth was necessary to reduce poverty and that achieving this goal required mobility to improving the livelihoods of people and encourage greater self-reliance. In this effort, private investments in new technologies could provide financing and clean technologies for the least developed countries, with ODA playing a catalytic role, and that the public sector could assist by setting economic incentives.

30.      Stakeholders agreed that mobility was a prerequisite of sustainable development. Discussion focused on choices in modes of transport, technological and behavioural changes, choice of fuels, and the role of public versus private transport.

31.      Non-governmental organizations observed the growing use of cars and encouraged policies to support sustainable transport modes such as walking and cycling that would also involve citizen participation in decision-making. Trade unions noted that transport to the workplace accounted for a great amount of energy consumption. Local authorities acknowledged that public policies have been poor in terms of supporting walking and cycling in cities, and that loss of this form of transportation affected economies and quality of life, but that efforts to change this were being made in many places through partnerships with various stakeholder groups.

32.      Scientists emphasized the effective role of regulations in increasing interest in fuel efficiency and related innovations. Local authorities agreed that regulations had an important role but also underscored the importance of instilling community responsibility and behavioural change. Non-governmental organizations called for targeted action through regulations making it more difficult for industry to pollute, and to produce unsafe and unclean vehicles. Trade unions emphasized effective enforcement of existing regulations.

33.      Stakeholders debated technological solutions to mobility. Business argued that sustainable mobility was as much about human behaviour as it was about technology. Trade unions cautioned that some innovations only led to increased or altered use of energy. Non-governmental organizations called for technology research on sustainable modes and emphasized the need to promote non-motorized transport.

34.      Numerous transportation modes were discussed. Local authorities agreed with non-governmental organizations that creating bicycle routes provide incentives for cycle use. Trade unions said that the rail sector had the greatest potential for sustainability, and advocated use of rail lines over trucks for surface transport of goods. Business reminded participants that public transport needed large-scale electricity production which could not be met using renewable power. A developing country indicated that cleaner public transport systems were often unaffordable for low-income populations.

35.      Business noted that cars were often seen as problems in developed countries and as solutions in the developing world. Non-governmental organizations observed the growing number of highway projects and the privatization of transport systems, and highlighted links between withdrawal of the State from housing and development sectors and unsustainable patterns of travel. Scientists argued that increased use of autos and unsustainable land use practices were promoting urban sprawl.

36.      Participants also reviewed various fuel needs and options in transport systems. Scientists said options such as fuel cells and clean combustion needed to become competitive in order to play a significant role in the transition to sustainable transport. New fuels need to be developed in tandem with consistent policy frameworks on land-use planning. Business highlighted the positive impact of public-private partnerships in oil management programmes for recycling and recovery of used oil as a way to increase efficiency.

37.      On markets, trade unions advocated reducing transport by making trade and shipping markets more efficient and producing at local levels. Scientists said that costing externalities might increase prices for the poor, but that not valuing these externalities would amount to subsidizing which would affect the poor even more severely.

38.      On fuels, business advocated use of natural gas and liquid petroleum as transition pathways to a hydrogen phase, but noted that hydrogen use would require more changes over time to become cost-competitive. Scientists supported research and deployment of dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, hydrogen and other clean fuels derived from fossil energy sources.

39.      Proposals made by various stakeholder groups included the following:

           (a)      Support research to improve understanding and assessment of transport policies and their social consequences; employ full life-cycle assessments of transport systems;

           (b)      Promote partnerships to achieve higher worker safety and environmental standards;

           (c)      Develop more effective strategies to reduce private motor vehicle use; and remove subsidies to unsustainable modes of transport;

           (d)      Establish and enforce global minimum standards to eliminate leaded fuels, reduce noise, and increase both vehicle and road safety, particularly for vulnerable road-users;

           (e)      Establish a clean technology fund to provide preferential and affordable rates for transport alternatives;

           (f)       Set international standards for production of clean vehicles and consider creating an International Organization Standardization (ISO)-like system for vehicle emissions;

           (g)      Get prices right, count externalities, remove transport subsidies, and assist the poor directly rather than by distorting the marketplace;

           (h)      Enable participation in sustainable transport decision-making to ensure that international funding institutes and Governments do not fund infrastructures without prior environmental and social assessments;

           (i)       Encourage partnerships, and changes in consumer behaviour as well as actions by individual companies to enable change towards sustainable mobility;

           (j)       Strengthen and support the international regulatory bodies such as ICAO and IMO. 

              E.    Sustainable transport planning: choices and models for human settlements designs and vehicle alternatives 

40.      Many stakeholders articulated similar concerns regarding sustainable transport planning, with little disagreement over basic issues. Increasing demand for personal automobiles in both developed and developing countries was cited as a primary cause of adverse impacts on society: unsafe traffic levels, political conflict, macroeconomic instability, poor environmental and health conditions, climate change, and social fragmentation. Economy, ecology and social cohesion are interdependent, and must be integrated into transport planning. Participants generally agreed that sustainable transport solutions should be integrated into land-use planning and involve collaboration among all groups at all levels.

41.      The importance of integrated land-use planning was highlighted with regard to urban development, especially in limiting urban sprawl, creating sustainable communities, and incorporating transport solutions from the side of demand management. Local authorities advocated more regional land-use planning and noted that existing urban areas could optimize density without crowding. A developed country agreed that development of clean transportation and potential for land-use planning nationally and regionally should be explored more thoroughly. Scientists stressed that integrated land-use planning should incorporate life-cycle costs, establish effective pricing mechanisms and zoning regulations to discourage private auto use, create safe passageways for non-motorized transport, and promote public transport. Trade unions observed that offering choices based on needs of communities had received great response and incentives should be offered.

42.      Trade unions noted severe social and economic problems owing to corruption and unfair access to transport services, particularly in areas affected by war. They highlighted the potential link between the need to improve access to global public and the implementation of the United Nations Global Compact. Non-governmental organizations noted democracy at local levels as an enabler of decentralized action on transportation planning. Scientists noted barriers to sustainable planning such as poor policies and pricing, as well as political and jurisdictional recalcitrance. They said that planning strategies should involve lifestyle changes as well as technological innovation. Trade unions noted that once public transport users were lost to private vehicles, it was hard for them to return to public transportation. Trade unions, non-governmental organizations and a number of developed countries agreed that women comprised key groups of society, yet were often poorest and dependent on public transport. Scientists added that planning must recognize changing demography, identifying ageing citizens as a new social problem.

43.      Business and industry highlighted the cost-raising effect of bottlenecks and waiting times for shipping by truck. Trade unions noted that workers in the trucking industry must often drive hazardously long hours to recover resulting lost time. Non-governmental organizations and local authorities observed that planning had centred on road construction, with the faulty assumption that more roads led to increased economic growth. Trade unions expressed concerns over road and vehicle safety and noted the spread of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) through road transport in Africa. Most stakeholders agreed that shipping by rail or sea was more sustainable and efficient than road transport. Scientists stressed the need to achieve a more sustainable distribution among and links between transport modes.

44.      Non-governmental organizations said that the ultimate end of transportation should be to improve livelihoods, and noted lack of research and integration of community needs into conventional planning. Local authorities emphasized that while they were in a unique position to influence transport planning, their efforts were often thwarted by national policies and private investments in autos. They described solutions for reclaiming existing infrastructure, developing regional planning, and implementing “smart-growth” principles. Scientists noted that rural-urban migration led to higher demand for transportation resources, and advocated telecommuting and remote education. Non-governmental organizations emphasized access to goods and services through non-motorized and public transport. Scientists supported non-motorized vehicles, establishing zoning regulations to discourage car use, and creating education programmes to increase sustainable use. Trade unions encouraged workplace-based programmes to develop alternatives to travel-to-work patterns.

45.      Developed countries highlighted OECD guidelines for sustainable transport, including development of a long-term vision integrating all stakeholders and developing common responsibilities. They outlined examples of government policies to develop tax incentives for low-emission vehicles, develop better infrastructure in cities, ban certain fuels, integrate demand policies for public transport, and assist in conversion from trucking to rail and sea shipping.

46.      Non-governmental organizations and business confirmed readiness to assist in implementation and in inclusion of stakeholder participation in planning. Non-governmental organizations suggested that the United Nations could develop norms and regulations for sustainable transport, provide technical assistance, and assist in setting international standards. They stressed the role of UNDP in city planning projects and cautioned against exporting outdated planning methods to developing countries. Local authorities said that land-use policies should be in the hands of local authorities and communities. Scientists highlighted the value of creating an effective institutional and jurisdictional basis for regional, transit-oriented urban growth planning.

47.      Scientists emphasized advantages in integrating technologies and creating decentralized forms of energy production at the grass-roots level to provide transportation, noting that the rural poor constituted a market for sustainable development alternatives. Non-governmental organizations emphasized that transport planning should support locally developed technologies. Business said that adopting a transparent approach to fuel standards in partnership with Governments should entail public participation to ensure continuous improvement. Trade unions stressed tools for changing production and consumption patterns. Business underscored the need for innovation in technology and best practices, incentives that were key to implementation, infrastructure maintenance and investment, and integration of all stakeholders.

48.      Recommendations made by various stakeholders included the following:

           (a)      Increase collaboration among all stakeholders to find viable solutions for less polluting and safe transport;

           (b)      Shift away from trucking to shipping by waterways and rail, coordinate with carriers for better routes, remove restrictions for ports, and eliminate flags of convenience;

           (c)      Pay special attention to women’s special transport needs and ensure participation of women in decision-making;

           (d)      Integrate transport planning into broader civil and land-use planning to reduce traffic, incorporate life-cycle costs, encourage multi-modalism, create safe passageways for non-motorized transport, promote public transport, use intelligent information systems and promote sustainable societies, improving their quality of life;

           (e)      Increase international and national support for local leadership initiatives;

           (f)       Consider the unsustainable nature of private motorized vehicles and require the public sector to ensure the provision of equitable public transport and non-motorized transport when applying structural adjustment programmes;

           (g)      Internalize true costs of vehicle use to create economic parity for other transport modes;

           (h)      Ensure adequate public control over local transport sectors to maintain safe and equitable service;

           (i)       Increase local control over implementation of land-use policies and investments;

           (j)       Include local knowledge in planning processes;

           (k)      Increase government research on transportation policies;

           (l)       Create pilot programmes in rural and urban areas to slow the rate of rural-urban migration;

           (m)     Develop partnership solutions for sustainable rural transport alternatives;

           (n)      Develop people-centred transport planning guidelines and design manuals.

 

Chapter III

Chairman’s summary of the high-level segment

 

             A.    General 

1.        The high-level meeting of the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development gave special attention to the following main issues:

        Energy for sustainable development;

        Atmosphere;

        Transport;

        Information for decision-making and participation;

        International cooperation for an enabling environment;

        Preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

2.        The high-level meeting attracted a large number of ministers from several different ministries, and all participated actively in the discussions and the informal meetings held in the mornings prior to the formal meeting. There were also a large number of other representatives of national Governments, United Nations organizations and other international organizations and representatives of major groups, who made substantive contributions to the meeting.

3.        The high-level meeting followed a dynamic and participatory process that involved setting time limits for prepared statements in order to preserve approximately half the time for interactive dialogue sessions. 

             B.    Special Panel On Financing Energy and Transportation for Sustainable Development 

4.        The high-level segment opened with the Special Panel on Financing Energy and Transportation for Sustainable Development. The Special Panel, chaired by the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, included the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda, the Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic, the Governor of Jakarta, Indonesia, a Vice-President of the World Bank, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Managing Director of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, the Chairman of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies and the Director for the Americas of Scania Buses and Coaches. The panel addressed such issues as the financing opportunities available from financial institutions, new mechanisms for and/or alternatives to direct financing, the barriers that government officials encounter in seeking needed financing, the type of financial assistance considered most helpful by these officials, the financing arrangements offered by industries and the innovative arrangements they were now considering.

5.        With regard to energy, the presentations and discussions highlighted a number of important issues, such as decentralized rural energy, including both off-grid and local mini-grid systems, expanding the contribution of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and energy and infrastructure for poverty alleviation. Financing is critical for energy systems because of high up-front investment costs. The Chairman of the GEF challenged other potential financing partners to join with the GEF in financing solar panel technology for rural villages as a means to address both the energy and the digital divide since such solar energy technologies could provide the electricity needed for village or rural information centres. The Director of the Grameen Bank called for funding further research to lower the cost of solar and wind technologies so that they could be more accessible to rural women through microfinancing.

6.        In the area of transport, the discussions emphasized issues such as funding for developing transport infrastructure as well as maintenance mechanisms, poverty eradication strategies, rural transport and urban transport issues, transport related pollution and means to reduce it, efficient and fair pricing systems, the need to finance commercially non-viable but socially essential large-scale mass transportation systems and better integration of land-use and transport policy.

7.        For both energy and transport, the Special Panel drew attention to the essential role of funding from both the private and public sectors. This includes microlevel funding that promotes income-generation as opposed to traditional social welfare subsidization and the synergies to be gained by integrating energy and transport with information and communication technologies (ICT) to facilitate the active participation of rural communities in the globalization process. 

             C.    Energy for sustainable development 

8.        Ministers affirmed the critical role of energy in sustainable development given its impact on a whole range of economic, social and environmental issues. In the period since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development there has been significant change in the energy sector, primarily owing to institutional restructuring and shifts in strategic priorities resulting from climate change issues. However, the main challenge continues to be the provision of energy services to over 2 billion people in developing countries currently without access to such services. In this context, some proposed that the World Summit on Sustainable Development should adopt a target of cutting by half by 2015 the proportion of people without access to clean fuels and electricity.

9.        The main goal of energy for sustainable development should be poverty eradication. International efforts to achieve this goal should be guided by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Given the wide diversity of country conditions, energy resources, knowledge and experience, many speakers felt that the ninth session of the Commission should not be prescriptive with regard to energy policies and technologies. It was generally agreed that countries should be free to choose from a menu of different options for energy policies, taking into account their special conditions, needs and national priorities for sustainable development.

10.      Access to energy is crucial to economic and social development, and alleviation of poverty. It was felt that lack of access to energy is the main cause of poverty. Since 75 per cent of all poor people live in rural areas, one of the main challenges is rural electrification. Improving access of the rural poor to modern energy services has the potential to improve standards of living and health, and to create new jobs and business opportunities. Decentralized generation and distribution of electricity constitute an alternative approach to the provision of electricity through large-scale traditional grids. The challenge lies in building the capacities of local communities, and in creating a market for renewable and small-scale energy systems through access to credit and financing, particularly microfinancing.

11.      It was estimated that US$ 100 billion-300 billion would be required annually over the next 20 years to build adequate infrastructure to meet the energy needs of developing countries. Since the private sector is now the primary source of funding for energy supply expansion, Governments should establish an appropriate enabling environment to facilitate private investment.

12.      While it was widely recognized that private sector investment must be promoted, it was also acknowledged that there was often a discrepancy between social needs and private investment priorities. There was also discussion of a range of market-based measures, such as the polluter pays principle, that could be employed to finance sustainable energy development. One speaker proposed that in order to capture all the issues related to financing of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to discuss market-based approaches involving public/private sector partnerships, a special segment on “green investment” should be included in the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

13.      The potential for gains in energy efficiency ranges from 25-45 per cent over the next 20 years. Governments should therefore promote investment in new energy-efficient technologies to replace outdated equipment and adopt a broad range of energy demand management measures. Energy efficiency improvements can also reduce the need for investments in new electricity-generation capacity. Other energy efficiency measures could include promotion of market-based instruments, removal of harmful energy subsidies, adoption of energy efficiency standards for appliances and provision of fiscal and financial incentives. Building technical capacity, establishing cleaner production centres, promoting technology transfer, and developing clearing houses for exchange of information and identification of business opportunities were also mentioned.

14.      Another key to sustainable energy use is the wide-scale development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. It was noted that wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower currently represent only about 2 per cent of world energy consumption. The commercial-scale development of renewable energy by some developed and developing countries with significant lending by multilateral development banks can provide new impetus to these largely emission-free energy sources. Many countries indicated they are setting targets for renewable energy portfolios in their energy supply mix.

15.      Several speakers noted that the key to greater replication of renewable energy technologies included policies to facilitate technology transfer, innovative financing and credit schemes, and providing the right market signals for private sector investment. There was broad consensus that renewable energy systems were most appropriate for decentralized rural electrification and should be promoted as a means of encouraging economic development in rural areas and increasing social equity.

16.      Lack of access, or uneven access to energy within a country raises problems of social equity, particularly with regard to the role of women. There are burdens on women owing to collection of fuels in rural areas, owing to lack of refrigeration of foods and medicine, and owing to increased time required for cooking with traditional fuels. Indigenous people throughout the world also face inequities regarding control of energy resources and access to energy services, even in land areas over which they have nominal control.

17.      Nuclear power raises a number of safety concerns including the management and handling of spent fuel and other waste products that are perceived as serious risks by many countries and many groups within society. While some experts, organizations and countries believed that no energy option should be foreclosed and support further research on issues of nuclear safety, many participants expressed strong opposition to any further development and deployment of nuclear technology. 

             D.    Atmosphere 

18.      Problems related to atmospheric pollution that must be addressed include increasing urbanization and the link between economic growth, energy use and unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. Many delegates highlighted the importance of transferring environmentally sound, and locally adapted, technologies to developing countries as an effective tool for abatement of air pollution and atmospheric emissions. The need for promotion of capacity-building, training and public awareness, with more emphasis on adaptive measures, was also noted.

19.      People living in poverty, including women, the young and the elderly, were seen as most vulnerable to air pollution, with its detrimental health effects, owing to inefficient traditional energy use. Measures must be taken, therefore, to improve assistance to developing countries for capacity-building in preventing and combating air pollution and promoting the transfer and use of cleaner technologies and fuels.

20.      Transboundary air pollution was cited as an issue of particular importance when considering the protection of the atmosphere. Because pollution does not respect national boundaries, transboundary air pollution has to be addressed on a regional and global scale through enhanced and appropriate mechanisms of regional and international cooperation. It was hoped that the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) would, when implemented, also contribute to the elimination of air pollution from some of the most toxic substances. Countries were urged to become parties to the Convention to speed global progress in tackling this challenge. The commitment of funds for capacity-building in developing countries and countries with economies in transition to help eliminate POPs would be essential.

21.      Regional cooperation among north-east Asian countries has been established to collectively prepare and implement measures to cope with transboundary air pollution. At a recent meeting of the parties, consensus was reached on several activities that addressed a broad array of regional environmental issues, particularly ecosystem restoration, environmental education and the yellow sand phenomenon. The yellow sand problem is no longer an issue confined to north-east Asia, but one that needs to be addressed globally.

22.      Nearly every delegation expressed their strong belief that the Kyoto Protocol should remain the basis for global cooperation on climate change despite some expressions of disappointment about the lack of final agreement during the initial meeting of the sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at The Hague in November 2000, and subsequent developments. The strong hope was expressed that the resumed sixth session of the Conference of the Parties in July 2001 would result in a satisfactory outcome with an affirmation of commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and common consensus on the way forward for all nations.

23.      Increased climate variability studies were recommended by some participants along with the need to develop a comprehensive global programme for natural disaster reduction with emphasis on international cooperation to strengthen prevention and early warning capabilities. It was also suggested that capacity-building, technology transfer and adaptation measures, addressing ways of reducing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and market mechanisms that engaged the private sector were critically important in assisting and supporting developing countries to address climate change.

24.      The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which seeks to preserve natural resources in Central America, has been launched. Given its ample forest and vegetation cover, the region is a potential carbon sink, which can help to stabilize global climate. In a similar vein, the boreal forests of the Russian Federation were estimated to absorb 200 million tons annually of carbon from the atmosphere.

25.      For small island developing States, a matter of utmost concern is the consumption of fossil fuels and related global warming. Their energy consumption and emissions of atmospheric pollutants were minuscule by global standards; however, the adverse risk to those countries stemming from global warming was vastly disproportionate. Although they considered the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be inadequate in its ambitions and level of emission reduction targets when measured against the scientific evidence, the Protocol was a first vital step towards reducing such emissions. Several small island developing States have ratified the Protocol.

26.      In addition to climate change, continuing depletion of the ozone layer was cited as an issue of ongoing concern due to the results of a recent scientific study indicating an unprecedented increase in the size of the hole in the ozone layer in the southern hemisphere. Thus, it was urged to increase the resources of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol to assist efforts of developing countries in reducing their use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 

              E.    Transport 

27.      Many countries noted that transport and mobility played a positive and essential role in society. Improving transport systems to promote sustainable development, including improving accessibility, can foster economic and social development, assist the integration of developing countries into the world economy and contribute to the eradication of poverty. Meeting the transport needs of the poor in both urban and rural areas is vital to the eradication of poverty. It was further noted that globalization required modern and efficient transport systems and those countries with inadequate systems might be unable to compete effectively in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and/or marketing their products.

28.      Rapid urban growth poses a serious challenge for many countries, especially developing countries, including how to meet the ever-increasing demand for transport and satisfy social and economic goals with minimal adverse effects on the environment. In developing countries, this is exacerbated by problems of limited capacity and an inadequate technological base.

29.      Effective land-use planning can achieve a number of sustainable development goals in the transport sector including poverty alleviation and emissions reduction, and land-use planning should be linked with transport planning. Special attention to transport requirements of women should be included in land and transport planning, along with those of disadvantaged persons and those with special needs. Openness and transparency with regard to long-term transport planning were cited as crucial for consensus-building and for involving all stakeholders in the planning process.

30.      Some countries stressed that transport was an important and growing end-user of energy and a cause of air pollution with significant, negative impacts on human health and the environment. Areas with fragile ecosystems, such as mountainous areas, are particularly vulnerable. Solutions to transport problems should focus on accessibility and efficiency compatible with the protection of human health and ecosystems.

31.      Though some countries have made progress in eliminating lead from gasoline, lead still poses a serious health concern in many countries.

32.      Several countries raised the potential hazards of transporting nuclear wastes across international boundaries and called for compliance with relevant international agreements.

33.      In some developed countries, there has been a reported decoupling of transport and economic growth as a result of energy efficiency measures and the enforcement of fuel and emission standards. But the automobile and other internal combustion vehicles remain a significant source of pollution and congestion in most countries, both developed and developing, despite such improvements in efficiency. In many developed countries, transport by private vehicle continues to supplant public transport even in high-density urban areas. It was noted that cycling and walking can be important modes of transport in such areas, but that adequate infrastructure must be present.

34.      Many countries pointed to the need for greater efforts in transferring technology, provision of financial resources and capacity-building in promoting transport systems to achieve sustainable development goals. International and regional financial institutions were encouraged to increase lending for the transport sector so as to promote sustainable development. Some countries also noted that possible measures included environmental assessment and standards and guidelines applied to the transport sector. One country highlighted its experience in financing infrastructure development with tax-supported municipal bonds as well as private/public partnerships and loan guarantees as possible solutions to financial resource problems in other countries.

35.      Some countries noted that advances in technologies held promise for the transport sector in the long term. Also, the importance of the scientific community was cited, and the involvement of developing countries’ scientific communities in research and development activities should be supported and encouraged. The role of the private sector was noted as a source of management, financial and technical expertise, as well as for its role in providing transport services and arranging for financing. 

 

              F.    Information for decision-making and participation 

36.      Several countries emphasized that sustainable development required the participation of all segments of society with full and open access to information on environment and sustainable development issues. The new knowledge economies offer the potential for more effective, wider and faster collection and dissemination of information to all segments of society. There is need for continued work with the private sector to promote disclosure and dissemination of commercialized information, as appropriate. Moreover, ensuring an enabling environment for an independent objective media is necessary. Information for decision-making must be scientifically based and include all stakeholders and major groups. Capacity-building efforts are needed to assist countries in overcoming the “digital divide” and in assessing and utilizing sustainable development information provided by international organizations. Means should be explored to establish a “comprehensive environmental information database” which could be available to developing countries. In particular, United Nations agencies should improve the disclosure and dissemination of information on energy developments for small island developing States, including information on potential investors through the Small Island Developing States Information Network (SIDSNET).

37.      A number of countries expressed appreciation for the Commission’s valuable work programme on indicators of sustainable development and some countries expressed the willingness and intent to continue work on such indicators with emphasis on links to national priorities and goals, recognizing that such applications were entirely voluntary in nature and that such indicators were not to be used to justify any type of conditionality. Other countries noted that in presenting their wording to the negotiating partners, they had shown maximum flexibility and hoped to see this wording agreed upon in subsequent negotiations. 

             G.    International cooperation for an enabling environment 

38.      Many participants recognized the importance of a domestic enabling environment based on sound macroeconomic policies and good governance, but stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation in support of developing countries. A number of developed-country representatives expressed their countries’ commitments to development cooperation, including meeting the ODA target of 0.7 per cent of GNP. An improvement in coordination of ODA to ensure an integrated approach to sustainable development was stressed as being important. In this regard, the integrated and coordinated follow-up to the series of United Nations global conferences and summits of the 1990s was highlighted.

39.      The central role of the GEF in providing new and additional resources for global environmental concerns was noted. Some representatives stressed the importance of commitments for substantial replenishment of the GEF. One representative supported a proposal for the GEF to become the financial mechanism for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. A number of representatives urged international financial organizations, including regional and subregional development banks, to continue financial support for the efforts being made by developing countries towards sustainable development. The importance of the private sector in providing financial investment for sustainable development was also noted.

40.      The need to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the benefits of globalization, particularly among developing countries, was emphasized. This called for non-discriminatory, open, fair and equitable multilateral financial, monetary and trading systems with full and effective participation of developing countries in international norm-setting and rule-making processes. It was noted that environmental measures and standards could serve as hidden barriers to international trade in products exported by developing countries. However, several delegates mentioned the importance of developing, implementing and enforcing environmental regulations, practices and legal provisions in relation to trade. The importance of making trade and environment mutually supportive was generally reaffirmed. Attention was called to the need for finding a solution to the external debt problem of developing countries. Their special needs for the transfer of technology on favourable terms and capacity-building were also highlighted.

41.      It was acknowledged that expanding international trade and investment, as well as strengthened partnerships between State and non-State actors, in particular the private sector, would contribute to sustainable development. Towards this end, it was considered that Governments and donors should integrate environmental and social concerns into economic policies. Some representatives recognized the importance of national sustainable development strategies in this regard. It was noted that a number of international organizations, including the World Bank and UNDP, were working to make sustainable development an integral part of their overall programme strategy.

42.      In addition to international cooperation, regional cooperation and collaboration were noted as part of an effective strategy for promoting sustainable development, particularly among small island developing States. 

             H.    Preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in 2002 

43.      Ministers and other participants welcomed the opportunity to address the preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and emphasized the successful conclusion of the work of the Commission at its current session as a critical milestone on the journey to Johannesburg. The decisions and recommendations to be adopted by the Commission will substantially contribute to the preparatory process and will send constructive messages.

44.      Delegates pointed out that the Summit represented an important political opportunity for renewing the global commitment to sustainable development in all its social, economic and environmental dimensions and for strengthening the partnership between developed and developing countries based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It also provides an important opportunity for tackling with a clear sense of urgency the emerging global challenges since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, such as globalization and the worsening of poverty in many countries.

45.      A number of ministers and other participants spoke about the impact of globalization on sustainable development. Some thought that globalization should be a key or even overriding theme of the Summit, but others were equally convinced that, while globalization was important, the main focus of the Summit should be sustainable development. Nevertheless, if globalization is to be a key topic, then the private sector should play an especially prominent role in 2002 preparations because of its expertise in this area. It would also be important to identify those aspects of globalization that are having the most impact on sustainable development and that need to be tackled by the international community. There is urgent need to manage the process of globalization in ways that benefit sustainable development.

46.      Strategic issues such as health, poverty reduction, environmental linkages and ecosystem carrying capacity, women’s empowerment, human development, trade and investment were all reiterated as being important themes for consideration during the Summit. Some felt that the United Nations Millennium Declaration (see General Assembly resolution 55/2) provided a good foundation of basic principles to support the Summit. It was also mentioned that the success of the Summit would be linked to the outcome of the high-level international intergovernmental event on financing for development, the successful launching of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations later in 2001, the outcome of the meeting on the replenishment of the GEF and the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

47.      There seemed to be fairly broad consensus that the review and assessment of progress in the implementation of the Rio commitments over the last 10 years should provide the starting point for the consideration of new or emergent themes. It was stressed that in reviewing the implementation of Agenda 21, the stocktaking and assessment should be thorough so as to identify shortcomings and constraints, and to develop concrete measures to remedy the situation. At the same time, the Summit should be forward-looking, with practical goals, and should set clear targets. Some ministers called for the Summit to achieve concrete results with “a global new deal”, inter alia, in the crucial areas of trade and financing for sustainable development, technology transfer, capacity-building and access to markets. It should focus on implementation and the means of implementation with specific recommendations and measures for action on these long-standing issues. The need for operationalizing sustainable development in all its dimensions and sharpening the focus on the operational delivery of Agenda 21 was frequently mentioned.

48.      In the final analysis, a key test of the results and outcome of the Summit would be seen in the adoption of measurable and achievable goals, in the way agreed commitments were operationalized and the extent to which financing was mobilized in support of the agreed goals.

49.      A number of delegates emphasized the need for more strenuous efforts to achieve full integration of economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development and expressed hope that the Summit would send the strong message to the world that only through the integrated approach embodied in sustainable development could we achieve economic growth with improved air and water quality, better land management, and more sustainable production and consumption patterns.

50.      Several ministers, however, mentioned the need to better communicate to the public, and even to public officials, the meaning of sustainable development. One public opinion poll carried out recently in a member country showed very little public understanding of what sustainable development meant. There is a strong need to revitalize the spirit of Rio and communicate a message of hope and belief in the future. In this context, several ministers stressed the urgency of developing a communications and media strategy that would focus on what sustainable development means for people at the very basic level of their everyday lives. Unless we can effectively communicate what the Summit is about in terms that people can understand, no great interest will be generated and the Summit will result in a formalistic exercise.

51.      It was recognized that achieving sustainable development could not be the responsibility of Governments alone or of one ministry within government; it would require a “whole of government” approach. Most ministers agreed that participation and partnerships were essential for the success of the Summit. Building partnerships between the North and the South, between business and government and between government and civil society groups was seen as crucial. Ministers highlighted the importance of strengthening the effective involvement and participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, in the entire preparatory process and in the Summit itself. It was emphasized that many civil society groups in developing countries would need financial assistance to participate effectively in the preparatory process and an appeal was made to donor Governments to be generous in this regard.

52.      Delegates reported on the national preparatory processes under way. It was recognized that the national review had already provided a further impetus to the commitment to sustainable development at all levels and would yield important insights and lessons on national and local implementation of Agenda 21. In addition, intensive work is under way to prepare regional sustainable development strategies.

53.      Delegates also assured the Commission of the readiness of their Governments to make utmost efforts in undertaking the preparatory work for the Summit.

Chapter IV

                 Sectoral theme: energy 

1.        The Commission considered item 3 of its agenda at its 2nd and 13th meetings, on 16 and 27 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Note by the Secretary-General on the multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable energy and transport (E/CN.17/2001/6);

           (b)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by business/industry (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.1);

           (c)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by the scientific and technological communities (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.2);

           (d)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by workers and trade unions (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.3);

           (e)      Addendum: discussion paper contributed by local authorities (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.4);

           (f)       Addendum: discussion paper contributed by the non-governmental organizations (E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.5);

           (g)      Report of the Secretary-General on sustainable production, distribution and use of energy: trends in national implementation (E/CN.17/2001/12 and Corr.1);

           (h)      Report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/15);

           (i)       Note verbale dated 3 April 2001 from the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (E/CN.17/2001/18);

           (j)       Report of the Secretary-General entitled “Energy and sustainable development: options and strategies for action on key issues” (E/CN.17/ESD/2001/2);

           (k)      Letter dated 16 January 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (E/CN.17/2001/7);

           (l)       Letter dated 17 January 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (E/CN.17/2001/8);

           (m)     Letter dated 2 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations and Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States addressed to the Secretary-General (E/CN.17/2001/11).

2.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with items 4, 5, 6 and 7, and heard presentations by David Stuart (Australia), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere; Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment; and Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) and Mohammad Reza Salamat (Islamic Republic of Iran), Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development. 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

                            Energy 

3.        At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision entitled “Energy for sustainable development”, submitted by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Alison Drayton (Guyana), on the basis of informal consultations.

4.        At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson reported on the outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.

5.        Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/1).

6.        At the same meeting, the Commission took note of documents E/CN.17/2001/12 and Corr.1 and E/CN.17/2001/15.

Chapter V

                 Sectoral theme: atmosphere 

1.        The Commission considered item 4 of its agenda at its 2nd and 13th meetings, on 16 and 27 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Secretary-General on the protection of the atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/2);

           (b)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/16).

2.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with items 3, 5, 6 and 7, and heard presentations by David Stuart (Australia), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere; Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment; and Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) and Mohammad Reza Salamat (Islamic Republic of Iran), Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development. 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

                            Atmosphere 

3.        At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision entitled “Protection of the atmosphere”, submitted by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, David Stuart (Australia), on the basis of informal consultations.

4.        At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson reported on the outcome of final consultations on the draft decision and made reference to a statement delivered by the representative of Japan at the fifth meeting of Drafting Group III on 27 April (see chap. XII, sect. C, para. 12).

5.        Also at the 13th meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/2).

 

Chapter VI

                 Economic sector/major group: transport 

1.        The Commission considered item 5 of its agenda at its 2nd, 5th, 6th and 13th meetings, on 17, 18 and 27 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Secretary-General on transport (E/CN.17/2001/3);

           (b)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/16);

           (c)      Letter dated 14 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (E/CN.17/2001/13);

           (d)      Statement submitted by the International Federation on Ageing, a non-governmental organization in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (E/CN.17/2001/NGO/1).

2.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with items 3, 4, 6 and 7, and heard presentations by David Stuart (Australia), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere; Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment; and Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) and Mohammad Reza Salamat (Islamic Republic of Iran), Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development. 

                            Topic: “Public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable energy for transport” 

3.        At its 5th meeting, on 17 April, the Commission heard presentations by representatives from business and industry, scientists, trade unions, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.

4.        At the same meeting, the representatives of Pakistan and Sweden made statements in response to the stakeholders’ presentations.

5.        At the same meeting, the representative of Brazil made a statement.

6.        At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of business and industry, non-governmental organizations, scientists, trade unions and local authorities. 

                            Topic: “Sustainable transport planning: choices and models for human settlements designs and vehicle alternatives” 

7.        At its 6th meeting, on 18 April, the Commission heard presentations by representatives from business and industry, scientists, trade unions, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.

8.        At the same meeting, representatives from Poland and Japan made statements in response to the stakeholders’ presentations.

9.        At the same meeting, the observer for Sweden made a statement.

10.      At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of local authorities, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, scientists and business and industry. 

 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

11.      At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision entitled “Transport”, submitted by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, David Stuart (Australia), on the basis of informal consultations.

12.      At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson reported on the outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.

13.      Also at the 13th meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/3).


Chapter VII

                 Cross-sectoral theme: information for decision-making and participation 

1.        The Commission considered item 6 of its agenda at its 2nd and 13th meetings, on 16 and 27 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Secretary-General on information for decision-making and participation (E/CN.17/2001/4);

           (b)      Addendum: Commission on Sustainable Development work programme on indicators of sustainable development (E/CN.17/2001/4/Add.1);

           (c)      Report of the Secretary-General on national reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/14);

           (d)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (E/CN.17/2001/17).

2.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with items 3, 4, 5 and 7, and heard presentations by David Stuart (Australia), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere; Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment; and Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) and Mohammad Reza Salamat (Islamic Republic of Iran), Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development. 

 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

                            Information for decision-making and participation 

3.        At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision entitled “Information for decision-making and participation”, submitted by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Alison Drayton (Guyana), on the basis of informal consultations.

4.        At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson reported on the outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.

5.        Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/4).


Chapter VIII

                 Cross-sectoral theme: international cooperation for an enabling environment 

1.        The Commission considered item 7 of its agenda at its 2nd and 13th meetings, on 16 and 27 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation for an enabling environment for sustainable development (E/CN.17/2001/5);

           (b)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (E/CN.17/2001/17).

2.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with items 3, 4, 5 and 6, and heard presentations by David Stuart (Australia), Co-Chairperson of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere; Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan), Co-Chairperson of the Inter‑sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment; and Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) and Mohammad Reza Salamat (Islamic Republic of Iran), Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development.

 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

                            International cooperation for an enabling environment

3.        At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision entitled “Information for decision-making and participation”, submitted by the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Alison Drayton (Guyana), on the basis of informal consultations.

4.        At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson reported on the outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.

5.        Also at the 13th meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/5).

Chapter IX

                 High-level meeting 

1.        The Commission considered item 8 of its agenda at its 7th to 11th meetings, on 18 to 20 April 2001. It had before it the following documents:

           (a)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/16);

           (b)      Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (E/CN.17/2001/17);

           (c)      Note by the Secretariat on the main issues for consideration at the high-level meeting (E/CN.17/2001/CRP.2);

           (d)      Note by the Secretariat on the World Summit on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/CRP.3). 

 

                     Special Panel on Financing Energy and Transportation for Sustainable Development 

2.        At the 7th meeting, on 18 April 2001, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs acted as Moderator.

3.        Also at the same meeting, presentations were made by Ian Johnson, Vice-President of the World Bank; Mohammed El-Ashry, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility; Mohammed Yunus, Managing Director of the Grameen Bank; Sutiyoso, Governor of Jakarta, Indonesia; Syda Bbumba, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda; Milos Kuzvart, Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic; Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies of the United Kingdom; and Rolf Hederg, Regional Director, Americas, Scania Buses and Coaches of Sweden.

4.        At the same meeting, the Commission engaged in an interactive dialogue and the representatives of China, Brazil, Tunisia, Mauritius and the United States made interventions, as well as the observers for Antigua and Barbuda, and Austria.

5.        At the same meeting, the observer for the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia also made a statement.

6.        At its 8th meeting, on 19 April, the Commission heard presentations by the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, the President of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

7.        At the same meeting, statements were made by the Islamic Republic of Iran (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China), the Minister of the Environment of Sweden (on behalf of the European Union and also on behalf of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta), the Minister for the Environment of Austria, the Permanent Representative of Chile (on behalf of the Rio Group), the Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, the Minister of the Environment of Finland, the Minister, Department of Public Enterprise of Ireland, the Minister for Environment and Forests of India, the Under-Secretary of Planning and Environmental Policy of Mexico, the Minister for Environment and Energy of Denmark, the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the Minister of Land Management and the Environment of Algeria.

8.        At its 9th meeting, on 19 April, the Commission engaged in an interactive dialogue and the representatives of Belgium, Japan, Poland and the United States made interventions, as well as the observers for Iceland, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Finland.

9.        At the same meeting, statements were made by the observers for the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Labour Organization.

10.      At the same meeting, statements were also made by the representatives of the Youth Caucus, the business community, trade unions, the scientific community and the NGO Caucus on Energy and Climate Change.

11.      Also at the 9th meeting, statements were made by the Permanent Representative of Samoa (on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States), the Ambassador of the United States, the Federal Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, the Minister for Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South Africa, the Minister of the Secretariat of State for Economy of Switzerland, the Minister of Environment of Poland, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus, the Ambassador of Japan, the Minister of Environment of Canada, the Permanent Representative of Mongolia, the Permanent Representative of Guatemala, the Minister for Works and Energy of Kiribati (on behalf of the Pacific Island Forum), the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, the Minister of the Environment of Egypt, the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to UNEP in Nairobi, the Minister of Environment of Norway, the Permanent Representative of Nauru, the Deputy Permanent Representative of China, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, the Minister of Energy of New Zealand, the Minister of International Cooperation for Environment and Development of Monaco, the Permanent Representative of Belarus, the Minister of Environment of Spain, the Minister of Forestry and Environment of Sri Lanka, the Vice-Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Forest Development of Bolivia, the Permanent Representative of Brazil, the Minister of Environment of Mauritius, the Permanent Representative of Barbados (on behalf of the Caribbean Community), the Minister for Environment of Côte d’Ivoire and the Vice-Minister of Environmental Affairs of Mozambique.

12.      At its 10th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission heard statements from the representatives of Thailand, the Republic of Korea, the United States, the Czech Republic and Mexico, as well as the observers for Morocco and Finland.

13.      At the same meeting, the Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development made a statement.

14.      At the same meeting, the Chairman of the Fourth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification made a statement.

15.      At the same meeting, the representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the World Circle of the Consensus also made statements.

16.      At its 11th meeting, on 20 April, statements were made by the Minister of Energy of Angola, the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of Slovenia, the Minister for Energy of Kenya, the Vice-Minister of Economy of Lithuania, the Vice-Minister of Transport of Cuba, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning of Croatia, the Deputy Director-General and Coordinator of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development, the Minister of Environment of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Minister of the Environment of Italy, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso, the Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning of France, the Minister of Environment of Nigeria, the Director-General of the National Agency for Renewable Energy of Tunisia, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology of Ghana, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Secretary-General of the Department of Environment of Morocco, the Permanent Representative of Nepal, the Permanent Representative of Iraq, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, the Permanent Representative of Peru, the Permanent Representative of Benin and the Permanent Representative of Venezuela.

17.      At the same meeting, the Chairman summarized the discussion. 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

18.      At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, the Commission was informed that there were no draft proposals submitted under this agenda item.

19.      Also at the same meeting, the Commission took note of documents E/CN.17/2001/CRP.2 and CRP.3.

Chapter X

                 Other matters 

1.        The Commission considered item 9 of its agenda at its 13th meeting, on 27 April 2001. It had before it a note by the Secretariat on the draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for Sustainable Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (E/CN.17/2001/L.1). 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

2.        At its 13th meeting, on 27 April, statements were made by the representatives of Egypt and Nigeria.

3.        At the same meeting, the Commission took note of document E/CN.17/2001/L.1 (see chap. I, sect. B, decision 9/6).

Chapter XI

                 Provisional agenda for the tenth session of the Commission 

1.        The Commission considered item 10 of its agenda at its 13th meeting, on 27 April 2001.

 

                     Action taken by the Commission 

2.        At the same meeting, the Commission was informed that bearing in mind the provisions of General Assembly resolution 55/199, there would be no proposals submitted under this agenda item.

Chapter XII

                 Adoption of the report of the Commission on its ninth session 

1.        At the 13th meeting, on 27 April 2001, the Rapporteur introduced the draft report of the Commission on its ninth session (E/CN.17/2001/L.2).

2.        At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft report, as orally corrected, and entrusted the Rapporteur with its completion.

Chapter XIII

                 Organizational and other matters

 

             A.    Opening and duration of the session 

1.        The Commission on Sustainable Development held its ninth session from 16 to 27 April 2001, in accordance with Economic and Social Council decision 1999/280. The Commission held 13 meetings (1st to 13th) and a number of informal meetings.

2.        At the 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Chairman, Bedrich Moldan (Czech Republic) opened the session and made an opening statement.

3.        At the same meeting, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat made an introductory statement. 

 

             B.    Election of officers 

4.        At its 1st meeting, on 5 May 2000, the Commission elected the following members of the Bureau by acclamation:

Chairperson:
           Bedrich Moldan (Czech Republic)

Vice-Chairpersons:
           David Stuart (Australia)
           Alison Drayton (Guyana)
           Matia Kiwanuka (Uganda)

5.        At the 2nd meeting, on 16 April, Madina B. Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan) was elected Vice-Chairperson by acclamation and, in addition to serving as Vice-Chairperson, was also elected to serve as Rapporteur.

6.        At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission elected Margarida Rosa Da Silva Izata (Angola) Vice-Chairperson by acclamation, as endorsed by the African States, to replace the post vacated by Matia Kiwanuka (Uganda). 

             C.    Agenda and organization of work 

7.        At its 2nd meeting, on 16 April, the Commission adopted its provisional agenda, contained in document E/CN.17/2001/1, and approved its organization of work. The agenda was as follows:

           1.        Election of officers.

           2.        Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.

           3.        Sectoral theme: energy.

           4.        Sectoral theme: atmosphere.

           5.        Economic sector/major group: transport.

           6.        Cross-sectoral theme: information for decision-making and particip

           7.        Cross-sectoral theme: international cooperation for an enabling environment.

           8.        High-level meeting.

           9.        Other matters.

           10.      Provisional agenda for the tenth session of the Commission.

           11.      Adoption of the report of the Commission on its ninth session.

8.        At the same meeting, the Commission agreed to establish three drafting groups, to be chaired as follows: Drafting Group I, by Alison Drayton (Guyana); Drafting Group II, by Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan); and Drafting Group III, by David Stuart (Australia).

9.        Drafting Group I held five meetings, from 23 to 27 April 2001, and a number of informal meetings. It had before it the report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/2001/15).

10.      Drafting Group II held five meetings, from 23 to 27 April 2001, and a number of informal meetings. It had before it the report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (E/CN.17/2001/17).

11.      Drafting Group III held five meetings, from 23 to 27 April 2001, and a number of informal meetings. It had before it the report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (E/CN.17/2001/16).

12.      At the 5th meeting of Drafting Group III, on 27 April, the representative of Japan made the following statement: 

                                       “Statement by the delegation of Japan following the consideration of the decision in Drafting Group III 

                     “My delegation fully realizes the wisdom of the determination of the Commission on Sustainable Development not to pre-empt work and consideration of issues currently under way in other competent bodies and forums. At the same time, my delegation is conscious of the numerous voices that last week called for the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol by 2002. As my delegation made it clear during the high-level segment, Japan fully endorses the view that global cooperation to tackle climate change must be based on the Protocol. It firmly believes that the Kyoto Protocol is the only viable international instrument in existence to combat global warming, and that the result of 10 years of negotiations by the international community should be safeguarded. As we are approaching the close of the ninth session of the Commission, in which protection of the atmosphere is one of the key themes, my delegation would like to repeat its call for action; it is time for all of us to renew our commitment to making the lofty goal of stemming global warming a reality.” (see also chap. V, para. 4)

             D.    Attendance 

13.      The session was attended by representatives of 51 States members of the Commission on Sustainable Development. Observers for other States Members of the United Nations and for the European Community, representatives of organizations of the United Nations system and secretariats of treaty bodies, as well as observers for intergovernmental and other organizations, also attended. The list of participants is contained in annex I. 

              E.    Documentation 

14.      The list of documents before the Commission at its ninth session is contained in annex II.

Annex I 

                 Attendance 

                     Members 

Algeria:                              Cherif Rahmani, Abdallah Baali, Rachid Ouali, Ali Redjel, Ferhat Ounnar

Angola:                               Luis Filipe da Silva, Francisco Talino, Margarida Izata, Carlos Santos, Roque Sequeira

Australia:                            Robert Hill, Atticus Fleming, Howard Bamsey, Mark Hyman, Robert Alderson, Shayleen Thompson, Jean Chesson, Chris Bell, Magdy Youseff, Martin Thomas, Guy O’Brien

Belarus:                             Sergei Ling, Uladzimir Vantesevich, Alexkei Raiman, Andrei Popov

Belgium:                              Olivier Deleuze, Andre Adam, Nadine Gouzee, Mark Pallemaerts, Ines Verleye, Nancy Mahieu, Ghnther Sleeuwagen, Ulrik Lenaerts, Jean-Paul Charlier, Alain Peeters, Bernard Mazijn, Jan Desmedt, Luc De Cordier, Dirk Knapen, Remy Merckx, Josef Sioncke, Luc Bas, Jean-FranHois Maljean

Bolivia:                                Neisa Roca Hurtado, Edwin Ortiz Gandarillas, Eduardo Gallardo, Antonio TreviZo, Carlos Aguirre

Brazil:                                  Gelson Fonseca, Jr., Maria Luiza Robeiro Viotti, Antonio Sergio Lima Braga, Eduardo Sales Novaes, Barbara Tavora-Jainchill, Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes, Neil Giovanni Paiva Benevides, Carlos Alberto Rolim Zarattini, Allemander Jesus Pereira Filho, Assuero Doca Veronex, Marcelo Drhgg Barreto Vianna

Cameroon:                         Martin Belinga Eboutou, Felix Mbayu

China:                                 Shen Guofang, Wang Zhijia, Zhang Xiaoan, Yi Xianliang, Huang Jing, Bai Yongjie, Chen Zhenlin, Cai Lijie, Wang Ling, Fang Mei           

Colombia:                           Juan Mayr Maldonado, Alfonso Valdivieso, Andrea Alban, Jimena Nieto, Mauricio Baquero

C^te d’Ivoire:                     Gilbert Blue-Laine, Boubacar Diarra, Nassere Kaba, Eddy Alexandre Simon

Cuba:                                  Francisco Reyes, Bruno Roderiguez Parilla, Rafael Dausa Cespedes, Fabio Fajardo Moros, Francisco Reyes Prats, Orlando Rey Santos, Mercedes Mustelier Vidal, Alfredo Jam Mas\, Hilda Ortiz Garcia, Teresita Borges Hernandez, Ileidis L<zara Valiente Diaz, Maria Caridad Balaguer Labrada

Czech Republic:                Milos Kuñvart, Martina Motlova, Vladimir Galuska, Jan K<ra, BedÍich Moldan, Pavol Sepel’<k, JiÍi Bendl, Marta Jelinkova, Iveta Konakovska, Jana Simonov<  

                    Democratic People’s         
                    Republic of Korea:             Kim Chang Guk, Rim Song Chol

                   Democratic Republic
                   of the Congo:

Denmark:                         Svend Auken, Anita Bay Bundegaard, Torben Mailand Christensen, Dan Nielsen, Jrrgen Bryer, Ruben Madsen, Peter Gebert, Thure Christiansen, Thomas Bo Pedersen, RenJ Karottki, Per Nylrjkke, Jrrgen Abildgaard, Henrik Hedeman Olsen, Thomas Becker, Thobjrrn Fangel, Jrrgen Bjelskov, Eva Jensen, Veit Koester, Steen Gade, Annette Samuelsen, Astrid Ladefoged, Albert Welinder, Michael Kvetny, Inger Marie Bruun-Vierr, Hans-Pavia Rosing, Pia Larsen, Martin Glerup, Erik Mortensen, Vibeke Peschardt, Helga Moos, Jrrn Jespersen, Bodil Thrane, Jan Rasmussen

France:                             Dominique Voynet, Philippe Zeller, Michel Mousel, Genevieve Besse, Raymond Cointe, Vincent Jacques Le Seigneur, Marc Giacomini, Philippe Delacroix, Genevieve Verbrugge, Rayomond Quereilhac, Mindhi Tang, Daniel Brun, Annick Mathis, Bernard Devin, Daniel Le Gargasson, Laurence Vuillaume

Germany:                           Jhrgen Trittin, Uschi Eid, Dieter Kastrup, Martin Lutz, Andreas Gallas, Frank Markus Mann, Stephan Contius, Manfred Konukiewitz, Kurt-Dieter Grill, Reinhard Krapp, Franz-Josef Schafhausen, Karsten Sach, Antonio Pflhger, Dagmar Berbalk, Michael Schoeren, Kristina Steenbock, Peter Christmann, Susanne Lottermoser, Wolfgang Mhller, Uwe Taeger, Hanno Spitzer, Steffen Heizmann, Angelika Shlzen, Jessica Suplie, Ute Baumg@rtel, Birgit Schwenk, Gordo Jain, Axel Fredric, Bernhard B`sl, Rita Kellner-Stoll, Christine W`rlen, Thomas Bergau, Thomas Tennhardt, Gerard Timm, Helmut R`scheisen, Jhrgen Maier, Deike Peters, Daniel Mittler, Klaus Mittelbach, Thomas Becker, Birgit Engelhard, Kurt Fleckenstein, Armin Rockholz, Bernd Heins, Werner Schneider, Holger Bartels, Barbara Praetorius, Burkhard Holder, Dorothee Reinmhller, Ole Langniss

Greece:                            Elias Gounaris, Christina Spyraki, Alexios-Marios Lyberopoulos, Andreas Cambitisis, Christos Demetropoulos, Andreas Papandreou, Eftichios Sartzeitakis, Michael Modinos, Maria Papapanagiotou

Guatemala:                       Gert Rosenthal, Silvia Corado

                            Guyana:                    Navin Chandarpal, Alison Drayton, George Talbot

                            Hungary:                    N<ndor Vass, Tibor Farago, S<ndor M\zes

                   Iran (Islamic                       Bagher Asadi, Yosef Hojjat, Mohammad Reza Salamat, Republic of)                                                                             Seyed Mohsen Esperi, Hossein Moeini Meibodi,           Saeid Zahedi

Italy:                            Willer Bordon, Sergio Vento, Carlo Calia, Pier Benedetto Francese, Corrado Clini, Francesco La Camera, Guglielmo Ardizzone, Giovanni Brauzzi, Gianfranco Incarnato, Vivian Valente, Francesco Fallucchi, Fabio Cassese, Valeria Rizzo, Giuliana Gasparrini, Antonio Strambaci Scarcia, Antonia Andaloro, Mara Angeloni, Riccardo Valentini, Maria Dalla Costa, Gloria Visconti, Roberto Binatti, Angela Neri, Paolo Angelini, Paola Geronzi, Giulietta Calistri, Antonio Navarra, Sergio Castellari, Alessandro Morici, Massimo Cozzone, Giovannino Di Palma, Domenico Gaudioso, Raffaela Merlini

Japan:                         Yoriko Kawaguchi, Yukio Satoh, Kasuo Asakai, Hidehiro Konno, Kiyotaka Akasaka, Hironori Hamanaka, Umetaro Nagao, Kazuhiko Takemoto, Koichiro Seki, Hidetoshi Ukita, Ken Okaniwa, Fumio Oawi, Masamichi Saigo, Soichiro Seki, Yasuo Takahashi, Naomasa Murakoshi, Jun Arima, Hiroshi Satoda, Kazuaki Hoshino, Masatoshi Sato, Kenji Kamigawara, Takashi Mori, Naoya Aoto, Koji Shimada, Hiroshi Ono, Kazuhiro Ishikawa, Kazuhiko Kokubu, Toshiyuki Matsui, Naoko Seki, Kuniko Uchida

Kazakhstan:                Madina B. Jarbussynova, Murat Kh. Mussatayev, Bakhyt Yessekina

                     Lebanon:                     Selim Tadmoury, Houssam Diab, Ibrahim Assaf

Madagascar:               M. Alphonse, Jean Delacroix Bakoniarivo, Tovondriaka Andriamanganiaina Rakotobe, Paul Arsene, Lydia Randianarivony

                            Mali:                    Moctar Ouane, Issouf Maiga

Mauritania:                  Mahfoud Ould Deddach, Djibril Mame Ly, Ahmed Salem Ould Ahmed, Ahmed Sabr El Ahmed

Mauritius:                    R. A. Bhagwan, Anund Priyay Neewor, S. Seebaluck, M. I. Latona, B. Gokool, K. Jingree, V. Cheetoo, B. Bhuckory

Mexico:                      Francisco Szekely, Roberta Lajous, Roberta Ojeda, Alberto Ignacio Glender, Odon de Buen, Ramiro MagaZa, Francisca Elizabeth Mendez, Maria Patricia Arendar, Sebastian Escalante, Luz Maria Gonzalez, Jose Ramon Lorenzo, Arturo Ponce

Mozambique:              Francisco Mabjaia, Carlos dos Santos, Nuno Tomas, Fernando Juli~o

Netherlands:                Jan Pronk, Pieter Verbeek, Bram van Ojik, Yvo de Boer, Vincent van Bergen, Teresa Fogelberg, Wierish Ramsoekh, Herman Sips, Ralph Brieskorn, Daniel Pietermaat, Gerard Snel, Dieke Buijs, Alexandra Valkenburg, Frank Janssen, Elize de Kock, Jone Bos, Jan ten Hoopen, Dale Anne Bourjaily, Herman Verheij, Patricia Collette, Merel Bierkens, Frank Mulder, Alexander Weissink

New Zealand:             Pete Hodgson, Don Mackay, David Payton, Nik Kiddle, Mark Ramsden, Grant Robertson, Rob Ogilvie, Murray Ward, Warren Player, Graeme Campbell

                    Nicaragua:                   Eduardo J. Sevilla Somoza, Luis A. Molina Cuadra

Pakistan:                     Shamshad Ahmad, Masood Khalid, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Imran Ahmad Siddiqui

Paraguay:                   Jorge Lara Castro, Luis Gonzalez

Peru:                          Jorge Valdez, Marco Balarezo, Raul Salazar, Ruben Espinoza            

Philippines:                 Enrique Manalo, Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, J. Antonio Leviste, Alan Adena Tan, Claro S. Cristobal, Miguel R. Bautista, Felizardo K. Virtucio, Anthony Mandap, Francisco Concepcion, Glen Corpin, Mayo Grace Caoili, Ma. Cristina DM Carambas, Ariel Castro, Ernesto Gonzales, Vicente G. Lava

Poland:                      Antoni Tokarczuk, Bernard Blaszczyk, Janusz Radziejowski, Janusz Stanczyk, Dorota Jakuta, Wojciech Ponikiewski, Czeslaw Wieckowski, Ewa Flis, Leszek Banaszak, Jerzy Kleniewski, Artur Klopotowski, Jacek Mizak, Isabela Kurdusiewicz, Josef Gorny, Andrzej Kassenberg, Leszek Mokrzycki

Portugal:                     Pedro Silva Pereira, Francisco Seixas da Costa, Nuno Brito, Jo~o Pedro Fins-do-Lago, Isabel Mertens, Jose BonHa Victorio, Antonio GonHalves Henriques, Vanessa Gomes

Republic of Korea:      Kim Myung-ja, Lee Ho-jin, Kim Chong-chun, Choi Seok-young, Zeon Nam-jin, Yoon Seung-joon, Yoon Jong-soo, Lee Kyung-chul, Oh Hyun-joo, Jeong Eun-hae, Jeong Young-dae, Kwak ll-chun, Han Wha-jin, Song Yang-hoon, Kim Jae-ok, Kim Kwee-soon, Jeong Jeong-hwa, Jung Yong-gwan, Seo Ssang-gyo

Russian Federation:     M. M. Tsikanov, Y. N. Isakov, V. I. Zaghakov, B. F. Reutov, P. V. Chechihin, D. I. Maximychev, S. F. Bulgachenko, A. M. Amirkhanov, A. A. Averchenkov, K. V. Trofiruov

Spain:                         Jaume Matas, Inocencio F. Arias, Jose Mari Olano, Jose Luis Rosello, Javier Rubio de Urquia, Amparo Rambla, Rocio Marquez, Carlos PeZa, Victoria Rivera, Manuel Varela, Pablo Vazquez, Manuel Gomez-Acebo, Montserrat Fernandez, Carmen Sanchez, Soledad Perlado, Juan Leon, Luis Hilario, Francisca Rivero, Carlos Jimenez, Angel Ventura, Carlos Garcia

Sri Lanka:                   Mahinda Wijesekara, John de Saram, Thosapala Hewage, B. M. S. Batagoda, Ranjith Uyangoda, M. R. K. Lenagala

Sudan:                        Elfatih Erwa, Abdul Aziz Marhoum, Mubarak Rahmtalla

Thailand:                     Saksit Tridech, Asda Jayanama, Wanee Sampthantharak, Jarupong Boon-long, Surin Vivajsirin, Apirath Vienravi, Sonthi Vannasaeng, Boonrod Sajjakulnukij, Suvat Poopatanapong, Patama Damronghol, Siriporn Sailasuta   

                    The former                    Marjan Dodovski, Naste Calovski, Nikola Panov, Ljupco
                    Yugoslav Republic        Avranovski, Donka Gligorova, Nikola Cerepoalkovski,
                     of Macedonia:              Violeta Keckarovska, Goran Stevcevski, Yasko Grkov,
                                                       Harita Pandovska, Kaja
Òukova, Jane Talevski

                   Tunisia:                         Noureddine Mejoub, Mohamed Ezzeddine Khalfallah,
                                                       Mohamed Fadhel Ayari

                  Uganda:

                  United Kingdom of          
                 Great Britain and               
                  Northern Ireland:          John Prescott, Michael Meacher, Stewart Eldon, Mark
                                                      Runacres, Ian Symons, John Cavagan, Peter Unwin, Deborah
                                                     Harries, Joan Hammell, Davinder Lail, Kevan McClair, Pete
                                                     Betts, John Ashton, Fiona Tranter, Scott Ghagan, Andrew
                                                     Randall, Stephen Lowe, Michael Massey, Frances Harper,
                                                    Nick Mabey, Andrew Burchell, Sheila McCabe, Richard
                                                    Dewdney, Derek Osborn

               United States of                
               America:                        Kenneth C. Brill, Jonathan Margolis, Mark G. Hambley,
                                                   Griffin Thompson, Franklin Moore, James Stephen Adams,
                                                   Adela Backiel, Ko Barret, David Berry, Thomas Brennan,
                                                  Scott Danaher, John Davison, Janet M. Gorn, Lisa Hanle,
                                                  John Kavanagh, Melissa Kehoe, Duncan Marsh, John
                                                 Matuszak, Patrick Mendis, Alfreda Meyers, Camille
                                                 Mittelholtz, Marina Morgenegg, Daniel Rochberg, Arthur
                                                 Rypinski, Cynthia Saddy, Claudia Serwer, David Van
                                                 Hoogstraten, Evan Bloom, Robert K. Dixon, Linda Moodie,
                                                 Avis Robinson, John Stamos, John Beale, Daniel Fantozzi,
                                                 Linda Lawson, Daniel Magraw, Dianne Dillion-Ridgley,
                                                 Augusta Orr Morrison, Robert Shinn, Claudia Strauss

                      States Members of the United Nations represented by observers

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Fiji, Finland, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbawe

 

                     Entities represented by observers 

European Community

                     Non-member States maintaining permanent observer status 

Holy See, Switzerland

                     Entity maintaining permanent observer mission to the United Nations

Palestine

                     Regional commissions 

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission on Western Asia

                     Specialized agencies and related organizations 

International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Health Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency

                     Secretariats of treaty bodies 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Secretariat of the Basel Conventions

                     Intergovernmental organizations 

Caribbean Community, Commonwealth Secretariat, International Organization of la Francophonie, Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, League of Arab States, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Organization of African Unity, Organization of the Islamic Conference, South Pacific Forum, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

                     Intergovernmental organizations 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

                     United Nations 

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme

                     Non-governmental organizations 

International Chamber of Commerce, International Council of Environmental Law, International Federation on Ageing (representing the following: American Association of Retired Persons, All India Women’s Association, Armenian International Women’s Association, Communication Coordinating Committee, Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants, Global Action on Aging, International Council of Jewish Women, International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Pan-African Movement, Service Peace and Justice in Latin America, The Links, Inc., and World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women), Indigenous Peoples Caucus, World Circle of the Consensus, Environnement et développement du tiers monde

Annex II 

                 List of documents before the Commission at its ninth session 

Document symbol

Item

Title or description

 

 

 

E/CN.17/2001/1

2

Provisional agenda

E/CN.17/2001/2

4

Report of the Secretary-General on protection of the atmosphere

E/CN.17/2001/3

5

Report of the Secretary-General on transport

E/CN.17/2001/4

6

Report of the Secretary-General on information for decision-making and participation

E/CN.17/2001/4/Add.1

6

Addendum: Commission on Sustainable Development work programme on indicators of sustainable development

E/CN.17/2001/5

7

Report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation for an enabling environment for sustainable development

E/CN.17/2001/6

5

Note by the Secretary-General on the multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable energy and transport

E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.1

5

Addendum: discussion paper contributed by business/industry

E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.2

5

Addendum: discussion paper contributed by the scientific and technological communities

E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.3

5

Addendum: discussion paper contributed by workers and trade unions

E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.4

5

Addendum: discussion paper contributed by local authorities

E/CN.17/2001/6/Add.5

5

Addendum: discussion paper contributed by the non-governmental organizations

E/CN.17/2001/7

3

Letter dated 16 January 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/8

6

Letter dated 17 January 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/9

3

Letter dated 31 January 2001 from the ChargJ d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations and Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum Countries represented at the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/10 and Corr.1

3

Letter dated 29 January 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/11

3

Letter dated 2 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations and Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/12 and Corr.1

3

Report of the Secretary-General on sustainable production, distribution and use of energy: trends in national implementation

E/CN.17/2001/13

5

Letter dated 12 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/14

6

Report of the Secretary-General on national reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/2001/15

3

Report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/2001/16

4, 5

 

Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere

E/CN.17/2001/17

6, 7

Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment

E/CN.17/2001/18

3

Note verbale dated 3 April 2001 from the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/2001/L.1

9

Note by the Secretariat on the draft programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 for the Division for Sustainable Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs

E/CN/17/2001/L.2

11

Draft report

E/CN.17/2001/CRP.1

3

Note by the Secretariat on the International Energy Agency statement on sustainable development

E/CN.17/2001/CRP.2

8

Note by the Secretariat on the main issues for consideration at the high-level meeting

E/CN.17/2001/CRP.3

8

Note by the Secretariat on the World Summit on Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/ESD/2001/2

3

Report of the Secretary-General entitled “Energy and sustainable development: options and strategies for action on key issues”

E/CN.17/2001/BP/1

 

Report of an international expert meeting on information for decision-making and participation

E/CN.17/2001/BP/2

 

Report on the aggregation of indicators for sustainable development

E/CN.17/2001/BP/3

 

Indicators of sustainable development: framework and methodologies

E/CN.17/2001/BP/4

 

Energy and sustainable development: case studies

E/CN.17/2001/BP/5

 

Protection of the atmosphere — addressing the uncertainties: improving the scientific basis for decision-making studies

E/CN.17/2001/BP/6

 

Protection of the atmosphere — impacts of climate change and variability: assessment and adaptation

E/CN.17/2001/BP/7

 

The role of urban transport in sustainable human settlements development

E/CN.17/2001/BP/8

 

Transport and sustainable development in the ESCWA region

E/CN.17/2001/BP/9

 

Aviation and sustainable development

E/CN.17/2001/BP/10

 

Tendencias y politicas referente a los sistemas de transporte de las ciudades de América Latina, y las implicancias para su sostenibilidad

E/CN.17/2001/BP/11

 

Transport and sustainable development in the ECE region

E/CN.17/2001/BP/12

 

Information for decision-making: promoting environmental management accounting through government policies and programmes and advancing information for decision-making through electronic networking and corporate reporting

E/CN.17/2001/BP/13

 

List of national sustainable development contacts

E/CN.17/2001/BP/14

 

Energy and subsidy reform and sustainable development: challenges for policy makers

E/CN.17/2001/BP/15

 

The role of the transport sector in environmental protection

E/CN/17/2001/BP/16

 

List of national sustainable development contacts

E/CN.17/2001/BP/17

 

Assessment of progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national level: table of key coordination mechanisms and actions

E/CN.17/2001/BP/18

 

Ground transportation as a factor in air pollution — causes and possible solutions

E/CN.17/2001/NGO/1

 

Statement submitted by the International Federation on Ageing, a non-governmental organization in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council

 

01-37552 (E)     130701

*0137552*

 



          [1]            Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1997, vol. I, Resolutions adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), resolution 1, annex II.

          [2]            General Assembly resolution S-19/3, annex.

          [3]            Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development..., resolution 1, annex I.

          [4]            United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1522, No. 26369.

          [5]            Ibid., vol. 1771, No. 30822.

          [6]            See United Nations Environment Programme, Convention on Biological Diversity (Environmental Law and Institution Programme Activity Centre), June 1992.

          [7]            United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1954, No. 33480.

       [8] In paragraph 47 (f) of the annex to its resolution S-19/2, the General Assembly recommends accelerating the phasing out of the use of leaded gasoline as soon as possible, in pursuit of the objectives of reducing the severe health impacts of human exposure to lead. In this regard, technological and economic assistance should continue to be provided to developing countries in order to enable them to make such a transition.

 

       [9] See Legal Instruments Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994 (GATT secretariat publication, Sales No. GATT/1994-7).

     [10] See E/CN.17/2001/L.1.

         [11]            The dialogue segment topics at the Commission on Sustainable Development are drawn from the multi-year programme of work, grouped under the heading of “economic sector/major groups”. These topics then become the focus of a twofold process including (a) an intergovernmental debate, based on the report of the Secretary-General and coordinated by the Commission secretariat in close collaboration with relevant United Nations agencies and (b) a multi-stakeholder dialogue, based on the “dialogue starter” papers prepared by the major groups involved in the dialogue in collaboration with the Commission secretariat.

         [12]            FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.3, annex.

 

 

ISSN 1020-3559