CZECH REPUBLIC
Check Against Delivery
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Rio+20
CZECH REPUBLIC STATEMENT
Delivered by the Honourable Tomáš Chalupa
Minister of Environment
22 June 2012
Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Dear Madam/Mr President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Twenty years ago, our delegation came to this venue – enthusiastic about the changes in our country
after 1989. At that time, enormous challenges were ahead of us. We knew that far-reaching
transformation was needed in terms of economy, social conditions and environmental protection.
Today, we can say in a symbolic way that the changes resulted not only in democratic freedoms -
which can be put into a Czech metaphor “to breathe freely” - but also in breathing much cleaner air
thanks to significant measures taken in 1990s.
However, not every development was quite positive. Perhaps, we might have got used a bit to the
thinking that everything can be regulated; that the state should intervene in more and more spheres
with its enlightened beliefs; that to live on credit is a common practice etc. The history of all
summits and conferences over the past twenty years – looking at their expectations and follow-up
actions - shows that there is a need to inject a sense of practicality, prudence and realism into our
policy decision-making.
The Rio+20 outcome document obviously reflects a mosaic of various perspectives. Everyone from
us would, certainly, write a bit different document. Nevertheless, I believe that everyone from us
can build on a number of significant elements the declaration provides as guidance for future steps.
In our opinion there any not too many of them but still they can be found there.
From the future perspective, the success of Rio+20 will be measured not only by its immediate
outcomes, but also by the follow-up actions. In this context, we believe that it is crucial to focus on
the three “C” – creativity, coherence and cooperation.
Creativity - expressed through innovations - helps to strengthen our economies. We need smart
solutions reconciling both economic and environmental dimensions while having also social
benefits. I mean especially new working opportunities for people in innovative sectors. In this
regard, the governments´ task is to set an enabling framework predictable for business and its
investments. Our ultimate goal should be gradual decoupling resource use from economic growth.
Coherence of measures - taken at national, regional, municipal and local levels – must be pursued,
if lasting solutions are to be achieved.
Cooperation, particularly at the international and transboundary level, is of vital importance, more
than ever - because of the interlinked nature of today´s world.
Let me name a few concrete examples of actions taken in our country. Economic instruments are
used to promote heating installations in buildings utilising renewable energy sources and to
encourage investment in energy savings in reconstructions and new buildings.
The implementation leads not only to CO2 emissions reductions but also brings other benefits such
as reduction of energy consumption for heating. Further benefits are new jobs (mainly in
construction sector) kept or created during the time of economic recession and also household
savings in payments for energy. Therefore there is no doubt that these measures significantly
improve quality of life of people in the Czech Republic.
In line with the Czech Republic´s Strategy for International Development Cooperation for the time
period from 2010 to 2017 , special attention in development projects is devoted to improvement of
the environment and promotion of environmentally-friendly technologies and sustainable use of
resources. The projects are aimed at achieving multiple benefits, not only one-sided effects.
Finally - on a more general note, let me recall the values we revitalized in our country more than
twenty years ago - two years before the first Rio conference. These renewed values were
democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom and also responsibility for own behaviour. All these
are values, which should be reaffirmed also at Rio+20 Conference.
Thank you for your attention.
