Mr. Chairman,
Allow me to draw your attention to the impact of unsustainable lifestyles. Today's
diet patterns are changing rapidly and the demand for unsustainable products is
increasing. This change has a severe impact on our natural resources and
health.
The promotion of sustainable consumption is one of the priorities on our national
agenda. In this context, we have to especially acknowledge the worldwide
increasing production and consumption of animal proteins. We therefore will hold
an intensive dialogue in The Netherlands with all relevant stakeholders about this
issue. The aim of our national dialogue is to find innovative and transitional ways
to solve the problems related to the production and consumption of animal
proteins. Consumers need to be well informed about the impact of their
consumption patterns on natural resources.
However, given the global scale of the problems and the recent developments
regarding food availability and the rising food prices, the change in diet patterns
and the production and consumption of animal proteins should also be put on the
international agenda.
Another important issue in the discussion about sustainable consumption is
sustainable public procurement, which means that public purchasers take
environmental and other sustainability factors into account in their decisions
about the purchase of goods and services.
Since 1999, the Netherlands' government has been actively encouraging the
procurement of sustainable goods and services. If procurement officers consider
both social and environmental criteria during the procurement process, it creates
significantly higher demand for sustainable products and services.
The Netherlands Government aims to set a good example to both citizens and
industry. We therefore strive to include sustainabi/ity criteria in a number of
contracts between our local and national agencies and businesses. In this way
the government functions as a launching consumer and stimulates also
sustainable entrepreneurship in the private sector.
Sustainable procurement programs are not only necessary in states but also
needed in this "house"; the United Nations.
The Netherlands therefore proposes to make sustainable procurement, including
the formulation of indicators, an essential part of the UN programme SUN. This
could also include the training of staff members in sustainable procurement.
Thank you Mr Chairman.
