Canada
NOTES FOR THEMATIC DISCUSSION AT CSD 14 (2006)
Addressing energy, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change in
an integrated manner, focussing on inter-linkages and cross-cutting themes.?
Conference Room 4, Friday May 5, 2006
Mr. Chairman:
The Canadian delegation would like to associate itself with those colleagues who understand that
an integrated approach is the best way to address cross-cutting issues such as capacity building,
poverty alleviation and managing the natural resource base for economic and social development.
Moving on one sector without due consideration of its impact on the others in fact inhibits
implementation of our international commitments and hobbles the forward momentum of
sustainable development.
Balanced and Integrative approaches are needed:
The international community has consistently called for an integrated approach as is evident in
Agenda 21 and in the JPOI. Canada is working with partners to apply our collective resources to
this challenge. For example the G8, when it met in 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland, joining with
the leaders of major emerging economies in calling for an integrated approach. Collectively
they tasked the World Bank to develop an investment framework for clean energy and
development. In its report, the Bank reminds us that if action is not taken now, the costs and
demands for development assistance and disaster relief in the future will be much higher.
Canada shares this concern as well.
One such place where constructive action was taken was at the Montreal Climate Change
Conference. Here, 180 countries agreed to participate in a Dialogue on Long- Term Cooperative
Action. This Dialogue, - which begins next week - is structured to move beyond viewing climate
change as only an environmental issue and instead focusses on an integrated approach to
addressing four key themes: advancing development in a sustainable manner; realizing the full
potential of technologies; addressing action on adaptation; and realizing the full potential of
market-based opportunities.
Different Levels of Capacity Exist At The Local and Regional Levels:
An integrated approach to these inter- linked sectors is one thing; having the tools to move
forward is another. As already noted, Canada is active in catalysing the resources of the
international community. We also act regionally.
Canada strongly believes that there is a continued need to support the development and
application of effective mechanisms for public dialogue and stakeholder engagement. Increased
citizen engagement - at the regional and local levels - is a means to ensure that government
policies and industry engagement in resource development have the confidence of the people
they will affect.
For example, through our international development agency, CIDA, Canada is part of the Latin
America Energy, Environment and Population (EAP) Program. This program was developed in
response to the challenges of developing an oil industry compatible with the objectives of
sustainable development in countries sharing the Amazon basin. Canada?s involvement focusses
on the regulation component of development With Canadian support, guideline and reference
documentation have been developed on establishing and maintaining relationships with
indigenous people, public participation in the environmental assessment process, prevention and
settlement of disputes, and management indicators to evaluate the process.
World Urban Forum:
Communities are on the front line of sustainable development, and their many challenges in
practising an integrated approach warrant the attention of the international community writ large.
In this regard, Canada will host the upcoming World Urban Forum in Vancouver, British
Columbia from June 19-23. Sponsored every two years by UN-HABITAT, Canada is honored to
host this important event. For the first time in human history, nearly 50% of the world?s
population now lives in cities and this, of course, presents many challenges, including
importantly in the areas of our thematic cluster. Participants will share ideas, inter alia, for
action to reduce energy consumption of cities and minimize their contribution to air pollution
and global warming while ensuring they remain vibrant contributors to economic development
and poverty alleviation.
Join us next month in the beautiful city of Vancouver on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and
share your knowledge, learn from others, and expand your network. Information on the World
Urban Forum is available at our booth in the Partnership Fair area.
Addressing energy, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change in
an integrated manner, focussing on inter-linkages and cross-cutting themes.?
Conference Room 4, Friday May 5, 2006
Mr. Chairman:
The Canadian delegation would like to associate itself with those colleagues who understand that
an integrated approach is the best way to address cross-cutting issues such as capacity building,
poverty alleviation and managing the natural resource base for economic and social development.
Moving on one sector without due consideration of its impact on the others in fact inhibits
implementation of our international commitments and hobbles the forward momentum of
sustainable development.
Balanced and Integrative approaches are needed:
The international community has consistently called for an integrated approach as is evident in
Agenda 21 and in the JPOI. Canada is working with partners to apply our collective resources to
this challenge. For example the G8, when it met in 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland, joining with
the leaders of major emerging economies in calling for an integrated approach. Collectively
they tasked the World Bank to develop an investment framework for clean energy and
development. In its report, the Bank reminds us that if action is not taken now, the costs and
demands for development assistance and disaster relief in the future will be much higher.
Canada shares this concern as well.
One such place where constructive action was taken was at the Montreal Climate Change
Conference. Here, 180 countries agreed to participate in a Dialogue on Long- Term Cooperative
Action. This Dialogue, - which begins next week - is structured to move beyond viewing climate
change as only an environmental issue and instead focusses on an integrated approach to
addressing four key themes: advancing development in a sustainable manner; realizing the full
potential of technologies; addressing action on adaptation; and realizing the full potential of
market-based opportunities.
Different Levels of Capacity Exist At The Local and Regional Levels:
An integrated approach to these inter- linked sectors is one thing; having the tools to move
forward is another. As already noted, Canada is active in catalysing the resources of the
international community. We also act regionally.
Canada strongly believes that there is a continued need to support the development and
application of effective mechanisms for public dialogue and stakeholder engagement. Increased
citizen engagement - at the regional and local levels - is a means to ensure that government
policies and industry engagement in resource development have the confidence of the people
they will affect.
For example, through our international development agency, CIDA, Canada is part of the Latin
America Energy, Environment and Population (EAP) Program. This program was developed in
response to the challenges of developing an oil industry compatible with the objectives of
sustainable development in countries sharing the Amazon basin. Canada?s involvement focusses
on the regulation component of development With Canadian support, guideline and reference
documentation have been developed on establishing and maintaining relationships with
indigenous people, public participation in the environmental assessment process, prevention and
settlement of disputes, and management indicators to evaluate the process.
World Urban Forum:
Communities are on the front line of sustainable development, and their many challenges in
practising an integrated approach warrant the attention of the international community writ large.
In this regard, Canada will host the upcoming World Urban Forum in Vancouver, British
Columbia from June 19-23. Sponsored every two years by UN-HABITAT, Canada is honored to
host this important event. For the first time in human history, nearly 50% of the world?s
population now lives in cities and this, of course, presents many challenges, including
importantly in the areas of our thematic cluster. Participants will share ideas, inter alia, for
action to reduce energy consumption of cities and minimize their contribution to air pollution
and global warming while ensuring they remain vibrant contributors to economic development
and poverty alleviation.
Join us next month in the beautiful city of Vancouver on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and
share your knowledge, learn from others, and expand your network. Information on the World
Urban Forum is available at our booth in the Partnership Fair area.
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