A Call for Action on the Environment
A
Call
for
Action
on
the
Environment
Speaker:
Param
Maragatham
UN
MGCY
Contributors:1
Alvin
Leong
Pace
Center
for
Environmental
Legal
Studies
Patrick
Paul
Walsh
ICSU,
UCD
and
SDSN,
New
York
Aashish
Khullar
UN
MGCY-‐
CYI
Grove
Harris
Temple
of
Understanding
Svenja
Rauch
Geneva
University
Jouni
Nissinen
Kepa
Finland/
European
Environmental
Bureau
Donovan
Guttieres
UN
MGCY-‐
EWB,
Boston
U
Verónica
Robledo
WWF
Darko
Manakovski
Univ.
of
Gothenburg,
Chalmers
Univ
of
Techn
and
SDSN,
Sweden
Thank
you,
Mr.
Co-‐Facilitators,
Excellencies
and
Distinguished
Delegates.
We
offer
three
points
in
the
follow
up
and
review
section:
1.
Science-‐Policy
Interface:
Environmental
and
development
challenges
must
have
an
effective
science-‐policy
interface.
We
suggest
inserting
“evidence
based”
or
“scientifically
rigorous”
regarding
reviews
and
“the
scientific
and
technological
community”
in
Paragraph
61.
Paragraph
70
should
highlight
the
role
of
the
scientific
and
technological
community
in
the
HLPF’s
work.
Scientific
research
is
largely
funded
by
governments
and
should
address
vital
global
challenges,
and
while
technology
can
be
a
game-‐changer,
it
must
serve
People
and
Planet
and
not
only
Prosperity.
The
Scientific
and
Technological
Community2
is
fully
committed
in
this
regard.
2.
Thematic
Reviews
in
the
Environmental
Dimension:
Thematic
reviews
are
critical
in
the
environmental
dimension.3
The
follow
up
and
review
section
is
“siloed”
by
its
separation
into
national,
regional
and
global
subsections.
Cross
cutting
issues
can
be
lost
in
silos.
We
suggest
strengthening
Paragraph
67
by
inserting:
“We
recognize
that
many
environmental
challenges
are
cross-‐cutting
and
transboundary
in
nature,
which
highlights
the
importance
of
thematic
reviews
in
the
environmental
dimension.
We
commit
to
undertake
regular
follow-‐up
and
review
of
environmental
themes
across
national,
regional
and
global
levels,
consistent
with
the
other
provisions
of
this
chapter.”
3.
Planetary
Boundaries:
We
support
certain
Member
States,
including
Belgium
and
Finland,
in
calling
for
recognition
of
“planetary
boundaries”.
We
have
specific
language
suggestions
to
Paragraphs
35,
43,
and
65
in
our
written
submission.
Natural
resources
underpin
our
economic
and
1
Being
listed
as
a
contributor
does
not
indicate
that
the
person
or
the
organization
endorses
this
statement,
in
whole
or
in
any
part.
2
The
scientific
and
technological
community
has
the
capacity
to
appreciate
the
inherent
complexity
of
the
process
for
implementing
the
SDGs.
Given
the
dynamic
and
complex
relationships
among
stakeholders,
clear
roles
for
the
science
and
technology
community
should
be
established
in
order
to
achieve
better
understanding
of
how
science
and
technology
can
contribute
to
the
harmonization
of
policy
frameworks
and
strategies
vis-‐à-‐vis
the
goals
and
targets.
3
Thematic
reviews
should
also
include
a
focus
on
interlinkages
within
and
across
goals
and
targets,
assist
in
identifying
challenges
and
bottlenecks,
and
mobilize
action
to
address
them.
social
progress
and
our
lives.
We
suggest
adding
a
component
of
“Natural
Resource
Governance
and
Accountability”
as
subsection
(g)
in
Paragraph
57.
This
would
account
for
the
natural
resource
usage
and
depletion
patterns
of
countries
and
corporate
actors.
Follow
up
and
review
must
consider
humanity’s
ecological
footprint
and
impact
on
Nature!
Member
States
should
commit
to
the
implementation
of
the
full
set
of
17
Sustainable
Development
Goals
and
169
targets
as
an
integrated,
holistic
agenda
and
avoid
“cherry-‐picking”.
Indicators
should
be
developed
that
link
environmental
trends
to
economic
and
social
dimensions.
The
extraordinary
Kenyan
Wangari
Maathai4
once
said:
“All
of
us
have
a
God
in
us,
and
that
God
is
the
spirit
that
unites
all
life,
everything
that
is
on
this
planet.”
Let
us
keep
this
spirit
alive.
Thank
you.
4
Wangari
Maathai
–
environmentalist,
feminist,
politician,
professor,
rabble-‐rouser,
human
rights
advocate
–
was
the
first
African
woman
to
win
the
Nobel
Peace
Prize.
N.Y.
Times,
Sept.
26,
2011.
Annex
Paragraph
61:
We
also
encourage
member
states
to
conduct
regular
[EVIDENCE
BASED/SCIENTIFICALLY
RIGOROUS]
reviews
of
progress
at
the
national
and
sub-‐national
levels.
Such
reviews
can
benefit
from
contributions
by
civil
society,
THE
SCIENTIFIC
AND
TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY,
the
private
sector
and
other
actors
in
line
with
national
circumstances,
policies
and
priorities.
National
parliaments
as
well
as
other
institutions
can
also
support
these
processes.
Paragraph
70:
The
HLPF
will
support
participation
in
follow
up
and
review
processes
by
the
major
groups,
THE
SCIENTIFIC
AND
TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY,
private
sector
and
other
stakeholders
in
line
with
Resolution
67/290.
We
encourage
these
actors
to
report
on
their
contribution
to
the
implementation
of
this
Agenda.
Paragraph
35:
We
recognize
the
central
role
that
science,
technology
and
innovation
play
in
enabling
the
international
community
to
respond
to
sustainable
development
challenges.
We
recognize
the
power
of
communications
technologies,
technical
cooperation
and
capacity-‐building
for
sustainable
development.
We
commit
to
strengthen
the
role
of
the
science-‐policy
interface
in
environmental
governance.
[ADD-‐
such
as
the
preparation
of
regular
assessments
and
digests
of
the
science
around
such
concepts
as
“planetary
boundaries”,
“tipping
points”
and
“environmental
thresholds”
in
the
context
of
sustainable
development.]
Paragraph
43:
Indicators
are
being
developed
to
assist
this
work.
Quality
disaggregated
data
will
be
needed
to
help
with
the
measurement
of
progress
beyond
GDP
and
to
ensure
that
no
one
is
left
behind.
[ADD-‐
and
that
we
respect
planetary
boundaries/thresholds/limits].
We
agree
to
intensify
our
efforts
to
strengthen
statistical
capacities
in
developing
countries,
particularly
least
developed
countries,
landlocked
developing
countries,
small
island
developing
states
and
other
countries
in
special
situations.
Paragraph
65:
Follow-‐up
and
review
at
the
HLPF
will
be
informed
by
an
annual
SDG
Progress
Report
to
be
prepared
by
the
Secretary
General
in
cooperation
with
the
UN
System,
based
on
the
global
indicator
framework
and
data
produced
by
national
statistical
systems.
The
HLPF
will
also
be
informed
by
the
Global
Sustainable
Development
Report,
which
shall
strengthen
the
science-‐policy
interface
[ADD-‐
such
as
the
preparation
of
regular
assessments
and
digests
of
the
science
around
such
concepts
as
“planetary
boundaries”,
“tipping
points”
and
“environmental
thresholds”
in
the
context
of
sustainable
development.]
and
could
provide
a
strong
evidence-‐based
instrument
to
support
policymakers
in
promoting
poverty
eradication
and
sustainable
development
“In
the
course
of
history,
there
comes
a
time
when
humanity
is
called
to
shift
to
a
new
level
of
consciousness,
to
reach
a
higher
moral
ground.
A
time
when
we
have
to
shed
our
fear
and
give
hope
to
each
other.
That
time
is
now.”
-‐-‐
Wangari
Maathai
Call
for
Action
on
the
Environment
Speaker:
Param
Maragatham
UN
MGCY
Contributors:1
Alvin
Leong
Pace
Center
for
Environmental
Legal
Studies
Patrick
Paul
Walsh
ICSU,
UCD
and
SDSN,
New
York
Aashish
Khullar
UN
MGCY-‐
CYI
Grove
Harris
Temple
of
Understanding
Svenja
Rauch
Geneva
University
Jouni
Nissinen
Kepa
Finland/
European
Environmental
Bureau
Donovan
Guttieres
UN
MGCY-‐
EWB,
Boston
U
Verónica
Robledo
WWF
Darko
Manakovski
Univ.
of
Gothenburg,
Chalmers
Univ
of
Techn
and
SDSN,
Sweden
Thank
you,
Mr.
Co-‐Facilitators,
Excellencies
and
Distinguished
Delegates.
We
offer
three
points
in
the
follow
up
and
review
section:
1.
Science-‐Policy
Interface:
Environmental
and
development
challenges
must
have
an
effective
science-‐policy
interface.
We
suggest
inserting
“evidence
based”
or
“scientifically
rigorous”
regarding
reviews
and
“the
scientific
and
technological
community”
in
Paragraph
61.
Paragraph
70
should
highlight
the
role
of
the
scientific
and
technological
community
in
the
HLPF’s
work.
Scientific
research
is
largely
funded
by
governments
and
should
address
vital
global
challenges,
and
while
technology
can
be
a
game-‐changer,
it
must
serve
People
and
Planet
and
not
only
Prosperity.
The
Scientific
and
Technological
Community2
is
fully
committed
in
this
regard.
2.
Thematic
Reviews
in
the
Environmental
Dimension:
Thematic
reviews
are
critical
in
the
environmental
dimension.3
The
follow
up
and
review
section
is
“siloed”
by
its
separation
into
national,
regional
and
global
subsections.
Cross
cutting
issues
can
be
lost
in
silos.
We
suggest
strengthening
Paragraph
67
by
inserting:
“We
recognize
that
many
environmental
challenges
are
cross-‐cutting
and
transboundary
in
nature,
which
highlights
the
importance
of
thematic
reviews
in
the
environmental
dimension.
We
commit
to
undertake
regular
follow-‐up
and
review
of
environmental
themes
across
national,
regional
and
global
levels,
consistent
with
the
other
provisions
of
this
chapter.”
3.
Planetary
Boundaries:
We
support
certain
Member
States,
including
Belgium
and
Finland,
in
calling
for
recognition
of
“planetary
boundaries”.
We
have
specific
language
suggestions
to
Paragraphs
35,
43,
and
65
in
our
written
submission.
Natural
resources
underpin
our
economic
and
1
Being
listed
as
a
contributor
does
not
indicate
that
the
person
or
the
organization
endorses
this
statement,
in
whole
or
in
any
part.
2
The
scientific
and
technological
community
has
the
capacity
to
appreciate
the
inherent
complexity
of
the
process
for
implementing
the
SDGs.
Given
the
dynamic
and
complex
relationships
among
stakeholders,
clear
roles
for
the
science
and
technology
community
should
be
established
in
order
to
achieve
better
understanding
of
how
science
and
technology
can
contribute
to
the
harmonization
of
policy
frameworks
and
strategies
vis-‐à-‐vis
the
goals
and
targets.
3
Thematic
reviews
should
also
include
a
focus
on
interlinkages
within
and
across
goals
and
targets,
assist
in
identifying
challenges
and
bottlenecks,
and
mobilize
action
to
address
them.
social
progress
and
our
lives.
We
suggest
adding
a
component
of
“Natural
Resource
Governance
and
Accountability”
as
subsection
(g)
in
Paragraph
57.
This
would
account
for
the
natural
resource
usage
and
depletion
patterns
of
countries
and
corporate
actors.
Follow
up
and
review
must
consider
humanity’s
ecological
footprint
and
impact
on
Nature!
Member
States
should
commit
to
the
implementation
of
the
full
set
of
17
Sustainable
Development
Goals
and
169
targets
as
an
integrated,
holistic
agenda
and
avoid
“cherry-‐picking”.
Indicators
should
be
developed
that
link
environmental
trends
to
economic
and
social
dimensions.
The
extraordinary
Kenyan
Wangari
Maathai4
once
said:
“All
of
us
have
a
God
in
us,
and
that
God
is
the
spirit
that
unites
all
life,
everything
that
is
on
this
planet.”
Let
us
keep
this
spirit
alive.
Thank
you.
4
Wangari
Maathai
–
environmentalist,
feminist,
politician,
professor,
rabble-‐rouser,
human
rights
advocate
–
was
the
first
African
woman
to
win
the
Nobel
Peace
Prize.
N.Y.
Times,
Sept.
26,
2011.
Annex
Paragraph
61:
We
also
encourage
member
states
to
conduct
regular
[EVIDENCE
BASED/SCIENTIFICALLY
RIGOROUS]
reviews
of
progress
at
the
national
and
sub-‐national
levels.
Such
reviews
can
benefit
from
contributions
by
civil
society,
THE
SCIENTIFIC
AND
TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY,
the
private
sector
and
other
actors
in
line
with
national
circumstances,
policies
and
priorities.
National
parliaments
as
well
as
other
institutions
can
also
support
these
processes.
Paragraph
70:
The
HLPF
will
support
participation
in
follow
up
and
review
processes
by
the
major
groups,
THE
SCIENTIFIC
AND
TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY,
private
sector
and
other
stakeholders
in
line
with
Resolution
67/290.
We
encourage
these
actors
to
report
on
their
contribution
to
the
implementation
of
this
Agenda.
Paragraph
35:
We
recognize
the
central
role
that
science,
technology
and
innovation
play
in
enabling
the
international
community
to
respond
to
sustainable
development
challenges.
We
recognize
the
power
of
communications
technologies,
technical
cooperation
and
capacity-‐building
for
sustainable
development.
We
commit
to
strengthen
the
role
of
the
science-‐policy
interface
in
environmental
governance.
[ADD-‐
such
as
the
preparation
of
regular
assessments
and
digests
of
the
science
around
such
concepts
as
“planetary
boundaries”,
“tipping
points”
and
“environmental
thresholds”
in
the
context
of
sustainable
development.]
Paragraph
43:
Indicators
are
being
developed
to
assist
this
work.
Quality
disaggregated
data
will
be
needed
to
help
with
the
measurement
of
progress
beyond
GDP
and
to
ensure
that
no
one
is
left
behind.
[ADD-‐
and
that
we
respect
planetary
boundaries/thresholds/limits].
We
agree
to
intensify
our
efforts
to
strengthen
statistical
capacities
in
developing
countries,
particularly
least
developed
countries,
landlocked
developing
countries,
small
island
developing
states
and
other
countries
in
special
situations.
Paragraph
65:
Follow-‐up
and
review
at
the
HLPF
will
be
informed
by
an
annual
SDG
Progress
Report
to
be
prepared
by
the
Secretary
General
in
cooperation
with
the
UN
System,
based
on
the
global
indicator
framework
and
data
produced
by
national
statistical
systems.
The
HLPF
will
also
be
informed
by
the
Global
Sustainable
Development
Report,
which
shall
strengthen
the
science-‐policy
interface
[ADD-‐
such
as
the
preparation
of
regular
assessments
and
digests
of
the
science
around
such
concepts
as
“planetary
boundaries”,
“tipping
points”
and
“environmental
thresholds”
in
the
context
of
sustainable
development.]
and
could
provide
a
strong
evidence-‐based
instrument
to
support
policymakers
in
promoting
poverty
eradication
and
sustainable
development
“In
the
course
of
history,
there
comes
a
time
when
humanity
is
called
to
shift
to
a
new
level
of
consciousness,
to
reach
a
higher
moral
ground.
A
time
when
we
have
to
shed
our
fear
and
give
hope
to
each
other.
That
time
is
now.”
-‐-‐
Wangari
Maathai