UNEP
The past two weeks? discussions have shown a commitment to the five themes of the current implementation cycle, and we have continuously heard delegates stressing the potential contribution of the five areas of transport, chemicals, mining, waste and sustainable consumption and production to poverty eradication and social development. However, they have also highlighted the numerous challenges that all countries, whether developing or developed, face in making the most of this potential.
Transport:
The growth of the transport sector is higher than any other, and emissions from transport are set to double or triple in the near future. However, policies and technologies do exist, today, to prevent this. There is a need for a comprehensive approach, avoiding transport where possible, shifting to more efficient and cleaner modes, and cleaning the existing modes. None of these three axes alone will be able to achieve the reductions needed ? an integrated approach comprised of all three must be applied.
By maximising interventions in these three areas, it is possible to reduce GHG emissions from the transport sector, even with a tripling of vehicle numbers. We could reduce CO2 emissions by 2 gigatonnes every year from 2025 onwards.
A decision for CSD 19 could cover the four main areas for action highlighted by delegations during the past two weeks ? cleaner fuels and vehicles; fuel efficiency; the promotion of non-motorised modes of transport; and developing sustainable, affordable and reliable public transportation systems, for example through the development of Bus Rapid Transit systems.
As has been highlighted, transport is crucial for sustainable development, in particular climate-friendly mobility systems with adequate regulations, necessary financial resources and priority for public transport. In this context, UNEP was pleased to hear its Partnership on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles mentioned as an effective partnership in the field. Results can be achieved when we pool together our resources and bring concerned partners to work for a common goal. We would therefore hope to see further initiatives along these lines and suggest strengthening ongoing cooperation and the scaling up of initiatives such as these.
Mining:
Along the same lines, we have repeatedly heard how effective partnerships and collaborative efforts have made real achievements, through the sharing of expertise, experience and resources. In this regard, in order to convert the mining sector into a support for development, and no longer just an enclave, the feasibility of launching a ?Global Initiative for Sustainable Mining? should be considered, with the involvement of the relevant UN agencies, in partnership with key industry, public institutions and major groups. The overall purpose of such an initiative would be to:
i. Facilitate policy dialogue between stakeholders
ii. Assist the development of sustainable mining regimes
iii. Promote the development of product standards
iv. Encourage increased and efficient reuse and recycling of metals and mineral products.
Waste:
I am pleased to see that, during this CSD session, the issue of waste has been recognized not only for its adverse impacts on the environment and human health, but also for its potential value as a resource through reuse and recycling. However, we need to further develop partnerships in order to mobilise the information, technical expertise and financial resources required to implement waste management systems.
With this aim, UNEP recently launched a Global Platform on Waste Management, which will be a coalition of international agencies, governments, the private sector and various fora, including inter-governmental, public-private, and nongovernmental institutions. The GPW will be open-ended and will address many of the issues raised at the CSD, such as integrated waste management and the management of specific waste streams such as e-waste, and allow for the exchange of experiences and practices/policies. It will also provide technical and financial support to implement national and local action plans on integrated solid waste management.
For CSD-19, UNEP expects that that the intersessional work will clearly target the question on how the 3Rs or integrated waste management approach can actually be incorporated into national or local waste management polices and systems. UNEP is ready to provide necessary support to the proposed intersessional activities, including the intersessional workshop announced to be held in January 2011 in Japan.
Chemicals:
UNEP is pleased with the broad support given to developing synergies between the three chemicals MEAs, and we are looking to further strengthen and deepen this cooperation. SAICM has received significant support during this CSD session and is being recognised as a vital multi-stakeholder partnership for addressing chemicals management. There is a need to further strengthen and develop this work of governments, the private sector and NGOs.
Another issue we consider of key importance is the mainstreaming of chemicals management into national development plans. In addition to having positive effects on human health and the environment, the mainstreaming of chemicals management also helps secure funding for national management systems. Emerging issues such as e-waste, nano-materials, chemicals in products and lead in paint all deserve attention and we would expect this to be enhanced through a CSD decision.
Capacity building and training in risk assessment and management are important elements of proper chemicals management and UNEP would like to see these areas being strengthened. The means to do this include better funding and strengthened implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan on Capacity building and technology support. With the new legally binding instrument for mercury to be negotiated by 2013, another MEA is being developed, consolidating and strengthening the chemicals management
framework. However, there is still a need to look ahead and identify which remaining issues and challenges need to be addressed in the medium term.
The CSD process provides an opportunity to consider the wider international governance structure for sound management of chemicals beyond the lifetime of the Strategic Approach. This includes the possibility to develop a global structure for implementing global policy actions on chemicals of concern and to promote a proactive approach to the management of chemicals in order to avoid potential effects on human health and environment.
Sustainable Consumption and Production and the 10 Year Framework of Programmes.
We have been most impressed by your wide recognition of the value of the policies, management practices, capacity building activities and mechanisms supporting the shift to SCP that the Marrakech Process has generated, with the support of regions, countries and major groups. I have also been struck by the diversity and number of such initiatives beyond the Marrakech Process, and the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach in designing and driving these initiatives. While we face huge challenges in decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth and on eradicating poverty, it is clear that many of the SCP solutions have been developed in the Marrakech Process and elsewhere. These simply need to be scaled up and replicated.
However, we do still need focused consideration of how the most relevant and effective of all those initiatives can be integrated into a 10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP. In particular, what are the specific programmes that Governments and Major Groups need in order to support their efforts to shift to SCP? As suggested in the background document prepared for this session (CSD18/2010/BP4), these programmes, based on regional priorities, could be organized along a life cycle approach. They could encompass better product design, cleaner production, programmes on sustainable consumption including education, waste management and resource recovery. Alternatively, or as a complement, these programmes could have a sectoral focus on, for example, building and construction, agriculture, sustainable tourism and industrial production. These programmes could include specific goals, policy tools, means of implementation, lead actors as well as measures of success.
UNEP stands ready to support whatever transparent and inclusive process this session takes to ensure that a robust and effective 10 YFP will be ready for delivery at CSD 19.
We have been pleased to hear a number of UNEP?s activities recognized by delegates during the past two weeks - that we have been able to support countries in their efforts to allow these sectors to contribute positively to the economy and society, while reducing their impact on the environment. Whatever the developments between now and CSD 19, and whatever the outcomes that come out of this cycle, be assured that UNEP will be there to offer its support.
Transport:
The growth of the transport sector is higher than any other, and emissions from transport are set to double or triple in the near future. However, policies and technologies do exist, today, to prevent this. There is a need for a comprehensive approach, avoiding transport where possible, shifting to more efficient and cleaner modes, and cleaning the existing modes. None of these three axes alone will be able to achieve the reductions needed ? an integrated approach comprised of all three must be applied.
By maximising interventions in these three areas, it is possible to reduce GHG emissions from the transport sector, even with a tripling of vehicle numbers. We could reduce CO2 emissions by 2 gigatonnes every year from 2025 onwards.
A decision for CSD 19 could cover the four main areas for action highlighted by delegations during the past two weeks ? cleaner fuels and vehicles; fuel efficiency; the promotion of non-motorised modes of transport; and developing sustainable, affordable and reliable public transportation systems, for example through the development of Bus Rapid Transit systems.
As has been highlighted, transport is crucial for sustainable development, in particular climate-friendly mobility systems with adequate regulations, necessary financial resources and priority for public transport. In this context, UNEP was pleased to hear its Partnership on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles mentioned as an effective partnership in the field. Results can be achieved when we pool together our resources and bring concerned partners to work for a common goal. We would therefore hope to see further initiatives along these lines and suggest strengthening ongoing cooperation and the scaling up of initiatives such as these.
Mining:
Along the same lines, we have repeatedly heard how effective partnerships and collaborative efforts have made real achievements, through the sharing of expertise, experience and resources. In this regard, in order to convert the mining sector into a support for development, and no longer just an enclave, the feasibility of launching a ?Global Initiative for Sustainable Mining? should be considered, with the involvement of the relevant UN agencies, in partnership with key industry, public institutions and major groups. The overall purpose of such an initiative would be to:
i. Facilitate policy dialogue between stakeholders
ii. Assist the development of sustainable mining regimes
iii. Promote the development of product standards
iv. Encourage increased and efficient reuse and recycling of metals and mineral products.
Waste:
I am pleased to see that, during this CSD session, the issue of waste has been recognized not only for its adverse impacts on the environment and human health, but also for its potential value as a resource through reuse and recycling. However, we need to further develop partnerships in order to mobilise the information, technical expertise and financial resources required to implement waste management systems.
With this aim, UNEP recently launched a Global Platform on Waste Management, which will be a coalition of international agencies, governments, the private sector and various fora, including inter-governmental, public-private, and nongovernmental institutions. The GPW will be open-ended and will address many of the issues raised at the CSD, such as integrated waste management and the management of specific waste streams such as e-waste, and allow for the exchange of experiences and practices/policies. It will also provide technical and financial support to implement national and local action plans on integrated solid waste management.
For CSD-19, UNEP expects that that the intersessional work will clearly target the question on how the 3Rs or integrated waste management approach can actually be incorporated into national or local waste management polices and systems. UNEP is ready to provide necessary support to the proposed intersessional activities, including the intersessional workshop announced to be held in January 2011 in Japan.
Chemicals:
UNEP is pleased with the broad support given to developing synergies between the three chemicals MEAs, and we are looking to further strengthen and deepen this cooperation. SAICM has received significant support during this CSD session and is being recognised as a vital multi-stakeholder partnership for addressing chemicals management. There is a need to further strengthen and develop this work of governments, the private sector and NGOs.
Another issue we consider of key importance is the mainstreaming of chemicals management into national development plans. In addition to having positive effects on human health and the environment, the mainstreaming of chemicals management also helps secure funding for national management systems. Emerging issues such as e-waste, nano-materials, chemicals in products and lead in paint all deserve attention and we would expect this to be enhanced through a CSD decision.
Capacity building and training in risk assessment and management are important elements of proper chemicals management and UNEP would like to see these areas being strengthened. The means to do this include better funding and strengthened implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan on Capacity building and technology support. With the new legally binding instrument for mercury to be negotiated by 2013, another MEA is being developed, consolidating and strengthening the chemicals management
framework. However, there is still a need to look ahead and identify which remaining issues and challenges need to be addressed in the medium term.
The CSD process provides an opportunity to consider the wider international governance structure for sound management of chemicals beyond the lifetime of the Strategic Approach. This includes the possibility to develop a global structure for implementing global policy actions on chemicals of concern and to promote a proactive approach to the management of chemicals in order to avoid potential effects on human health and environment.
Sustainable Consumption and Production and the 10 Year Framework of Programmes.
We have been most impressed by your wide recognition of the value of the policies, management practices, capacity building activities and mechanisms supporting the shift to SCP that the Marrakech Process has generated, with the support of regions, countries and major groups. I have also been struck by the diversity and number of such initiatives beyond the Marrakech Process, and the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach in designing and driving these initiatives. While we face huge challenges in decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth and on eradicating poverty, it is clear that many of the SCP solutions have been developed in the Marrakech Process and elsewhere. These simply need to be scaled up and replicated.
However, we do still need focused consideration of how the most relevant and effective of all those initiatives can be integrated into a 10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP. In particular, what are the specific programmes that Governments and Major Groups need in order to support their efforts to shift to SCP? As suggested in the background document prepared for this session (CSD18/2010/BP4), these programmes, based on regional priorities, could be organized along a life cycle approach. They could encompass better product design, cleaner production, programmes on sustainable consumption including education, waste management and resource recovery. Alternatively, or as a complement, these programmes could have a sectoral focus on, for example, building and construction, agriculture, sustainable tourism and industrial production. These programmes could include specific goals, policy tools, means of implementation, lead actors as well as measures of success.
UNEP stands ready to support whatever transparent and inclusive process this session takes to ensure that a robust and effective 10 YFP will be ready for delivery at CSD 19.
We have been pleased to hear a number of UNEP?s activities recognized by delegates during the past two weeks - that we have been able to support countries in their efforts to allow these sectors to contribute positively to the economy and society, while reducing their impact on the environment. Whatever the developments between now and CSD 19, and whatever the outcomes that come out of this cycle, be assured that UNEP will be there to offer its support.
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