Finland
1
MEETING OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
MARCH 31 – APRIL 4, 2014
Statement of Finland by Ms Kirsti Aarnio, Ambassador, Post-2015
[check against delivery]
Mr. Co-chair,
This statement addresses the item “Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production”.
SCP fulfills all the characteristics to feature as an aspirational and 3-dimensional stand-alone goal for
sustainable development. But even more importantly, SCP should be incorporated into other focus areas
and potential goals, especially those related to energy, economic growth, food security, sustainable cities
and human settlements, water and health.
SCP is fundamentally about fulfilling the basic needs in a sustainable manner. The sustained provision of
materials, energy, food, water and shelter are central to ensuring that one billion people are lifted out of
absolute poverty and that wellbeing of many other is improved or maintained. This can be achieved
through a transition to a green and inclusive economy with implementation of more sustainable
consumption and production patterns. Focus areas on economic growth and sustainable consumption and
production are therefore intrinsically interlinked.
Progress in SCP contributes also to meeting the environmental objectives and targets which have been
negotiated in the context of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements and to which the international
community has already committed to. In this regard I would like to emphasize the three Rio Conventions as
well as Conventions on Chemicals and Waste.
SCP aims to do “more and better with less” by reducing resource use and pollution along the life-cycle of
goods and services. Therefore, important targets related to SCP include, among others:
- increased material-, resource- and energy-efficiency,
- implementation of corporate social and environmental responsibility,
- sustainable management of chemicals and waste,
- sustainable public procurement policies,
- reduction of food loss and waste, and
- increased share of renewable energy.
2
SCP also provides new business opportunities and creates new ways of doing things, thus boosting
innovation and development.
We agree with many other delegations, who have said that we can build our efforts on the 10-Year
Framework of Programmes on SCP, adopted in Rio+20 Conference. This opportunity is well captured in the
co-chairs’ document. Finland has already contributed financially to the 10YFP Trust Fund and encourages
the others to do the same.
Mr. Co-chair,
In Finland we face the challenge of high material consumption. That’s why nationally we need to invest in
increased resource productivity and immaterial growth, but also reduce the environmental impacts of our
everyday life. We emphasize that SCP is universally vital, engaging also the private sector and other
stakeholders, and is a prerequisite for sustainable development in all countries. But industrialized countries
can show leadership, engage in partnerships, and facilitate solutions for a transformative change. We are
ready to do our part.
Thank you.
MEETING OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
MARCH 31 – APRIL 4, 2014
Statement of Finland by Ms Kirsti Aarnio, Ambassador, Post-2015
[check against delivery]
Mr. Co-chair,
This statement addresses the item “Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production”.
SCP fulfills all the characteristics to feature as an aspirational and 3-dimensional stand-alone goal for
sustainable development. But even more importantly, SCP should be incorporated into other focus areas
and potential goals, especially those related to energy, economic growth, food security, sustainable cities
and human settlements, water and health.
SCP is fundamentally about fulfilling the basic needs in a sustainable manner. The sustained provision of
materials, energy, food, water and shelter are central to ensuring that one billion people are lifted out of
absolute poverty and that wellbeing of many other is improved or maintained. This can be achieved
through a transition to a green and inclusive economy with implementation of more sustainable
consumption and production patterns. Focus areas on economic growth and sustainable consumption and
production are therefore intrinsically interlinked.
Progress in SCP contributes also to meeting the environmental objectives and targets which have been
negotiated in the context of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements and to which the international
community has already committed to. In this regard I would like to emphasize the three Rio Conventions as
well as Conventions on Chemicals and Waste.
SCP aims to do “more and better with less” by reducing resource use and pollution along the life-cycle of
goods and services. Therefore, important targets related to SCP include, among others:
- increased material-, resource- and energy-efficiency,
- implementation of corporate social and environmental responsibility,
- sustainable management of chemicals and waste,
- sustainable public procurement policies,
- reduction of food loss and waste, and
- increased share of renewable energy.
2
SCP also provides new business opportunities and creates new ways of doing things, thus boosting
innovation and development.
We agree with many other delegations, who have said that we can build our efforts on the 10-Year
Framework of Programmes on SCP, adopted in Rio+20 Conference. This opportunity is well captured in the
co-chairs’ document. Finland has already contributed financially to the 10YFP Trust Fund and encourages
the others to do the same.
Mr. Co-chair,
In Finland we face the challenge of high material consumption. That’s why nationally we need to invest in
increased resource productivity and immaterial growth, but also reduce the environmental impacts of our
everyday life. We emphasize that SCP is universally vital, engaging also the private sector and other
stakeholders, and is a prerequisite for sustainable development in all countries. But industrialized countries
can show leadership, engage in partnerships, and facilitate solutions for a transformative change. We are
ready to do our part.
Thank you.
Stakeholders