Rio 20: World leaders urged to take action, before it is too late

Increased progress is needed on the issue of sustainable development, before it is too late. This was the call UN chief Ban Ki-Moon made to world leaders when he formally opened the Rio+20 Earth Summit yesterday.

The UN Secretary General said that, since the summit began in the Brazilian city twenty years ago, progress had been far too slow, and that now was the time for the 100 plus world leaders and ministers before him to translate their words into action. 

“We are now in sight of a historic agreement - the world is waiting to see if words will translate into action, as we know they must,” said Ban.

Earlier this week, member state negotiators agreed on a pre-text to be formally approved by world leaders that will put society on a more sustainable path.
The document has since been condemned by environmental campaigners, charities, NGOs and delegates for being too vague and watered down. Critics have pointed to the absence of targets, financing and commitments put forward by Brazil in its The Future We Want document as merely a means of appeasing the leaders prior to their arrival.

Although the document has yet to be given the approval by world leaders, there has been little evidence to suggest that any changes will be made.

“We have reached the best possible equilibrium at this point; I think we have a very good outcome,” said Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota.

“We consider that the spirit of Rio has been kept alive after 20 years,” he added.

However, the European Union does not share Antonio’s enthusiasm. Denmark, the current holder’s of the EU presidency, for example, has voiced concern at the lack of ambition of the agreement.

Speaking to the BBC, Ida Auken, the Danish Environment Minister, said that she felt there was every chance that the document would not be signed off.

“The EU would have liked to see a much more concrete and ambitious outcome, so in that respect I'm not happy with it,” said Auken.

“However we managed to get the green economy on the agenda and so I think we have a strong foundation for this vision that can drive civil society and the private sector to work in the same direction, to understand that environment and the social side must be integrated into the heart of the economy.”

While the Americans, in the shape of lead negotiator Todd Stern, seem convinced that the agreement is not only “a good step forward” but seemingly done. “I believe this document is done,” said Stern, adding there is no “no plan or intention to let the document open up.”

Environmentalists meanwhile are said to be largely disappointed with the majority of the agreement as it simply reaffirms commitments that respective nations have subsequently agreed to.

 

Image 01: Cintia Barenho | Flickr

Image 02: radames.leon | Flickr

Image 03: Greenweek | Flickr