Ireland
Thank you Mr Chairman. I want to associate myself at the outset
with the statement made by Commissioner Potocnik on behalf of
the European Union.
We are going through a remarkable and transformational phase in
human history. The problems of population growth, depletion of
natural resources and still rising poverty levels in many parts of the
world serve to underline the sheer scale of the challenge that still
confronts us. Finding viable, workable solutions to address the vast
problems facing humanity must be our priority.
While the global economic crisis has no precedent for many of us,
it, nevertheless, offers an unprecedented opportunity to chart a
new course to a more sustainable future.
Mr. Chairman, we know one thing for sure - a return to a business
as usual approach is not an option. Instead, we need to devise a
coherent set of tools and strategies that will put us on the road not
just to economic recovery, but to a more sustainable future. In this
context, I very much welcome and support the focus on developing
the green economy. A greener approach based on smart
technologies, with a focus on innovation and joined up thinking has
to be the way forward, as we face a future of ever depleting natural
resources.
A ?cradle to grave? approach based on efficient, sustainable use of
natural resources, finding efficient ways of reducing and
eliminating toxic processes through all stages of production, and
efficient management and recovery of resources at end of life,
must be embraced with renewed vigour and priority. This is the
opportunity to at long last decouple economic growth from
resource and energy use. We know that there are limits to growth
and we certainly know there are limits to unsustainable growth.
Ireland is fully committed to the development of the green
economy and we have developed an integrated policy approach in
this area. We believe that this approach, supported by a focus on
research and development, will play a key role in our efforts to
reposition our economy on a low carbon trajectory. I would echo
the sentiments in the Secretary General?s report on the vital role
that a ?green new deal? can play in achieving tangible progress in
advancing the sustainable development agenda. This will have a
positive effect in reducing negative environmental impacts and in
providing real hope for vulnerable communities.
Waste management offers many of these benefits if operated on
an environmentally sound basis, but we have heard here what
happens in the absence of effective controls. A more resource
efficient approach to dealing with waste will create jobs, drive
innovation, and reduce pollution and threats to human health.
Given the major challenge we face on climate change, it is crucial
that we reduce the carbon intensity of our economies. The
transition to more efficient transport systems is one area with
considerable potential for progress and the Irish Government has
recognised this, and the links to spatial planning and energy
efficiency, in our sustainable transport vision for 2020.
We have a shared global responsibility in identifying and pursuing
the opportunities that can arise from considering this thematic
cluster of CSD as an interlinked unit. All too often, economic
priorities have taken precedence over environmental
considerations. We must move away from seeing these as
competing issues, and concentrate on the benefits that each must
bring to our future sustainable development.
A striking feature of the regional discussions was the emphasis
placed, particularly by African countries, on food security.
Sustainable development is central to the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals, in particular the fight against
poverty and hunger. Despite budgetary constraints, Ireland has
committed to spending 20% of all Overseas Development Aid on
reducing hunger by 2012 and is firmly on track to achieve this
target. We look forward to a successful conclusion to the High
Level Event on the MDGs in September.
Mr. Chairman
This has been a valuable review and we have heard many
interesting contributions which will feed into the policy formulation
for CSD 19. Achieving CSD objectives continues to pose a huge
challenge and will require collaboration from actors across a range
of sectors. Ireland looks forward to actively participating in this
process.
Thank you
with the statement made by Commissioner Potocnik on behalf of
the European Union.
We are going through a remarkable and transformational phase in
human history. The problems of population growth, depletion of
natural resources and still rising poverty levels in many parts of the
world serve to underline the sheer scale of the challenge that still
confronts us. Finding viable, workable solutions to address the vast
problems facing humanity must be our priority.
While the global economic crisis has no precedent for many of us,
it, nevertheless, offers an unprecedented opportunity to chart a
new course to a more sustainable future.
Mr. Chairman, we know one thing for sure - a return to a business
as usual approach is not an option. Instead, we need to devise a
coherent set of tools and strategies that will put us on the road not
just to economic recovery, but to a more sustainable future. In this
context, I very much welcome and support the focus on developing
the green economy. A greener approach based on smart
technologies, with a focus on innovation and joined up thinking has
to be the way forward, as we face a future of ever depleting natural
resources.
A ?cradle to grave? approach based on efficient, sustainable use of
natural resources, finding efficient ways of reducing and
eliminating toxic processes through all stages of production, and
efficient management and recovery of resources at end of life,
must be embraced with renewed vigour and priority. This is the
opportunity to at long last decouple economic growth from
resource and energy use. We know that there are limits to growth
and we certainly know there are limits to unsustainable growth.
Ireland is fully committed to the development of the green
economy and we have developed an integrated policy approach in
this area. We believe that this approach, supported by a focus on
research and development, will play a key role in our efforts to
reposition our economy on a low carbon trajectory. I would echo
the sentiments in the Secretary General?s report on the vital role
that a ?green new deal? can play in achieving tangible progress in
advancing the sustainable development agenda. This will have a
positive effect in reducing negative environmental impacts and in
providing real hope for vulnerable communities.
Waste management offers many of these benefits if operated on
an environmentally sound basis, but we have heard here what
happens in the absence of effective controls. A more resource
efficient approach to dealing with waste will create jobs, drive
innovation, and reduce pollution and threats to human health.
Given the major challenge we face on climate change, it is crucial
that we reduce the carbon intensity of our economies. The
transition to more efficient transport systems is one area with
considerable potential for progress and the Irish Government has
recognised this, and the links to spatial planning and energy
efficiency, in our sustainable transport vision for 2020.
We have a shared global responsibility in identifying and pursuing
the opportunities that can arise from considering this thematic
cluster of CSD as an interlinked unit. All too often, economic
priorities have taken precedence over environmental
considerations. We must move away from seeing these as
competing issues, and concentrate on the benefits that each must
bring to our future sustainable development.
A striking feature of the regional discussions was the emphasis
placed, particularly by African countries, on food security.
Sustainable development is central to the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals, in particular the fight against
poverty and hunger. Despite budgetary constraints, Ireland has
committed to spending 20% of all Overseas Development Aid on
reducing hunger by 2012 and is firmly on track to achieve this
target. We look forward to a successful conclusion to the High
Level Event on the MDGs in September.
Mr. Chairman
This has been a valuable review and we have heard many
interesting contributions which will feed into the policy formulation
for CSD 19. Achieving CSD objectives continues to pose a huge
challenge and will require collaboration from actors across a range
of sectors. Ireland looks forward to actively participating in this
process.
Thank you
Stakeholders