Background Release

COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT HEADQUARTERS, 16 - 27 APRIL;

FOCUS:  ENERGY, ATMOSPHERE, TRANSPORT, INFORMATION, COOPERATION

The ninth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development will meet at Headquarters from 16 to 27 April, with a focus on the issues of:  energy; atmosphere; transport; information for decision-making and participation; and international cooperation for an enabling environment.

Established in 1993 as a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission is charged with monitoring the implementation of Agenda 21, the action programme adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (Rio de Janeiro, 1992).  Meeting annually at Headquarters, it ensures the follow-up to UNCED and enhances international cooperation for the integration of environment and development issues. 

The General Assembly, in undertaking the five-year review of the implementation of Agenda 21 during its nineteenth special session in 1997, recommended measures aimed at reshaping human activities to minimize environmental damage and ensure sustainability in the development process.  It also adopted a five-year programme of work for the Commission, which focuses on specific themes each year and highlights particular economic sectors in the context of relevant chapters of Agenda 21.

This year, energy and atmosphere are considered the major themes, and transport the economic sector.  The cross-sectoral themes are information for decision-making and participation, and international cooperation for an enabling environment.  The Commission's two-week programme of work includes general debate and interactive thematic dialogues.  Such dialogues have been recognized as a unique way to involve major groups in assessing progress in particular areas, building consensus on possible future actions and generating new partnerships for sustainable development.  Dialogues will be held in this session on such topics as:  achieving equitable access to sustainable energy; sustainable choices for producing, distributing and consuming energy; public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable energy for transport; and sustainable transport planning:  choices and models for human settlement designs and vehicle alternatives.

The high-level segment, from 18 to 20 April, will bring together government officials and policy-makers from around the world to address the substantive issues before the Commission and provide political impetus to the implementation of decisions.

Energy

One of the main questions before the Commission as it focuses on energy and sustainability is whether the world economies can improve energy efficiency and diversify and expand energy production, while maintaining growth and prosperity.  Although energy plays a key role in economic and social development, current patterns of production and use also carry negative implications.  The quick growth of energy consumption is closely related to the rise in industrial production, population growth and environmental preservation.  It also raises the question of conventional and alternative means of energy production. 

The Commission will have before it a report of the Secretary-General on energy and sustainable development (document E/CN.17/ESD/2001/2) and the report of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development (document E/CN.17/2001/15), which met from 26 February to 2 March 2001.  The reports spell out the main challenges before the international community and the options for action to promote new and sustainable use of energy.  The participants of the dialogue sessions will also have before them discussion papers contributed by all major groups of stakeholders (documents E/CN.17/2001/6/Adds.1-5).

The key issues relating to energy and development, according to both the Secretary-General’s and Group of Experts’ reports, include: accessibility of energy; energy efficiency; renewable energy; advanced fossil fuel technologies; nuclear energy; rural energy; and energy and transportation.  In relation to each of those issues, the Expert Group emphasized that the international community should devote particular attention to the overarching questions of technology transfer, capacity-building, mobilization of financial resources and international and regional cooperation.

The Secretary-General, in a brief overview of world energy consumption trends, states that currently oil and natural gas products continue to be the world's primary energy source, accounting for almost 40.6 per cent of the total.  Coal ranks second (25 per cent), and dry natural gas third (about 24 per cent).  Electric power generated from nuclear, hydro and other renewable sources (including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal) accounts for about 10 per cent.  A substantial growth of commercial energy demand was recorded for all regions from 1970 to 1999, with the exception of the non-Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Europe region.  However, nearly 2 billion people, mostly in rural areas of developing countries, still do not have access to commercial energy.  To achieve the goal of poverty eradication, their needs have to be urgently addressed.

The Secretary-General goes on to say that, as a basic element of the effort to combat poverty and develop economic activity, action is needed to ensure equitable access to energy, which implies finding ways to deliver energy services reliably, affordably and in an environmentally sound manner.  The problem is also conditioned by security of supply and demand, as well as market stability.  The availability of future supplies of oil and natural gas continues to preoccupy countries heavily dependent on imports.  The world's dependency on oil from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is projected to rise to

50 per cent by 2010. 

It is estimated that investments amounting to some $100 billion to

$300 billion per year for the next 20 years will be required to meet the current energy shortfall in developing countries, the report states.  An even greater capital will be needed for those countries to adapt new and more efficient energy technologies.  For that reason, emphasis should be placed on mobilizing much needed investments for sustainable energy development in developing countries.  Because of negative effects on the environment and health, governments also need to develop environmentally optimal energy solutions and improve energy efficiency.

The lack of adequate and reliable supplies of electric power is a major constraint on many developing countries, says the report.  Possible actions to address the problem include involving the private sector or energy cooperatives in the generation and distribution of energy and promotion of regional storage facilities.  It is also important to promote the benefits of energy-efficient technologies and practices and stimulate interest in them by providing fiscal and financial incentives.  Adoption of mandatory standards and development of advanced fuel technologies and alternative sources of energy can be pursued at the national and regional levels.

Although nuclear power has accounted for most of the reduction in the carbon intensity per unit of delivered energy, there is a stalemate on that issue in many regions of the world, the report states.  Associated with nuclear power are a number of problems that are perceived as serious economic and safety risks by the general public.  Among the concerns are safe operation of reactors and spent fuel and waste management.  Possible solutions are:  the adoption of new designs; conducting studies for safe waste disposal; development of international instruments and mechanisms for non-proliferation of fissile material; and enforcement of safe standards and safeguards. 

While the main responsibility for sustainable energy policies rests with governments, an integrated participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders could facilitate progress, says the Secretary-General.  As energy is an area with strong interdependencies among countries, international agreement is essential for developing shared goals of action and the framework for regional and international cooperation.  Taking into account the diversity that exists in country situations, it is also necessary to strengthen existing mechanisms and the roles of multilateral organizations for regional and international cooperation.

According to the report, the options for increased global cooperation to promote energy for sustainable development include:  enlarging the World Solar Programme; establishing a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-type mechanism for energy development; holding annual global meetings on financing energy for sustainable development; promoting clean energy utilization; establishing revolving funds and financing arrangements; launching initiatives to improve access to cleaner fuels by the least developed countries; establishing consultative and information networks; launching training initiatives for capacity-building; and launching market transformation initiatives.

Atmosphere

To be considered in concert with energy and transport, protection of the Earth's atmosphere is a multidimensional endeavour involving various sectors of economic activity.  Many of the issues discussed in Agenda 21 are also addressed in several international and regional instruments, including the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as amended, and the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Agenda 21 notes, however, that activities in pursuit of the objectives of the chapter should be coordinated with legitimate priority needs of developing countries for the achievement of sustained economic growth and the eradication of poverty.  Particular attention is given to the main programme areas, which include:  improving the scientific basis for addressing uncertainties; preventing stratospheric ozone depletion; transboundary atmospheric pollution; and promoting sustainable development with particular reference to energy development and efficiency; transportation; industrial development; and terrestrial and marine resource development and land use.

The documents on this issue include the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of the atmosphere (document E/CN.17/2001/2) and the report of the Intersessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (document E/CN.17/2001/16).

In his report, the Secretary-General states that significant progress has been achieved in improving the scientific basis for decision-making with regard to greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances.  Based on mathematical representations of physics and dynamics of the climate system, the models of climate change are becoming increasingly realistic.  However, the increases in the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and several other greenhouse gases continue to give cause for widespread concern.  Due to human activities, the concentration of carbon dioxide has now risen to over 360 parts per million, from a pre-industrial level of about 270 parts per million.  Among other issues to be addressed by the Commission are the questions of acid deposition, regional pollution from industrialization and forest fires, radioactive releases and urban air pollution.

According to the report, by July 2000 176 countries had ratified the Vienna Convention, and 175 countries the Montreal Protocol.  The abundance of ozone-depleting compounds in the lower atmosphere peaked in 1994 and is now slowly declining, as are chlorine concentrations.  The concentrations of bromine are increasing, however.  One measure of the success of the Montreal Protocol is that it has resulted in a decrease in the amount of ozone-depleting substances expected to be found in the stratosphere in 2050 to 20 per cent of the value expected without the Protocol. 

Due to actions by a number of countries and agreements on a regional level, some control of transboundary air pollution and its impact has been achieved.  To improve urban air quality, the World Health Organization (WHO) issues worldwide air-quality guidelines, which are based on health studies.  An increasing number of governments in the developing world are adopting such standards at the national level.

The extent to which recently observed changes in climate can be attributed to human activities is still being debated, the report states.  The controversy is complicated by the fact that climate varies naturally from year to year.  It has been argued, however, that climate change could lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, which could lead to disasters.  For that reason, it is necessary to draw greater attention to adaptive capacity and vulnerabilities of populations, natural systems and regions.  To address those concerns, it is necessary to consider such overarching issues as capacity-building, education and training, raising public awareness and development of infrastructures, which are fundamental to coping with climate change and variability. 

Transport

Transport is mentioned in several chapters of Agenda 21, including those on atmosphere and human settlements.  Over the next 20 years, transportation is expected to be the major driving force behind a growing world demand for energy.  It is the largest end-user of energy in developed countries and the fastest growing one in most developing countries.  Current patterns of transportation are not sustainable and might compound both environmental and health problems.

There is, therefore, a need for action, ranging from the promotion of integrated transport policies and plans, the accelerated phase-out of leaded gasoline, the promotion of voluntary guidelines and the development of partnerships at the national level or strengthening transport infrastructure and developing innovative mass transport schemes.

On this subject, the Commission has before it the Secretary-General's report (document E/CN.17/2001/3) and the report of the Intersessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Transport and Atmosphere (document E/CN/17/2001/16), which, after surveying previous initiatives in the area of transport and sustainable development, describe the sector and its sustainability problem, and offer recommendations toward a solution.

The problem, as described in the Secretary-General's report, is that the ability to transport goods and services is a prerequisite for economic growth and development and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of most countries.  However, emissions from vehicles are a major environmental and health hazard.  More than 90 per cent of the fuel used in transport is petroleum-based, and its emissions contribute heavily to global levels of greenhouse gases. Transport activities, and its resulting pollution, will continue to increase as population growth, urbanization and globalization continue.  Accidents and congestion will also rise as unsustainable transport methods increase, representing increased costs to society and a negative impact on future development.  Developing countries are hampered in attempts to improve (and make sustainable) transport systems by a lack of resources and a lack of data analysis.

The report goes on to describe the environmental impact of current transport systems, at various levels. Globally, the transport sector will account for 92 per cent of carbon dioxide (the major greenhouse gas) by 2020.  Locally, a variety of pollutants damage public health, the worst being sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and lead.  In that light, the most unsustainable system of transport is the massive use of private cars and motorcycles.  Public transport is a desirable alternative, when feasible.  Since buses are likely to retain the essential share of public transport, efforts to enhance the efficiency of bus systems are important.  Rail transport is more sustainable, but comes at a heavy infrastructure cost; efforts are being made to attract private capital to it.  Bicycle transport is most energy-efficient and could be promoted, along with walking, in urban areas.

Recommendations to increase sustainability of transport systems are offered, in the report, for all levels.  At the national level, policy options include comprehensive urban planning, the incorporation of purchase cost into operating costs of private vehicles, the involvement of the private sector in appropriate transport, public environmental education, training programmes for drivers and fleet operators and the establishment of comprehensive transport data bases for use by policy makers.  In addition, specific government policies to reduce emissions could include inspection and maintenance programmes, standards and regulations, and economic incentives to promote the use of cleaner technologies.  Governments may also consider regulations to phase out leaded gasoline, as soon as possible.

At the regional level, policy options include coordinated guidelines and/or standards for emissions, regional infrastructure projects and projects related to the sea shipping and airline industries.  Cooperation in collecting and analyzing data, regional financing and other areas is also important.  At the international level, existing conventions and protocols in transport and sea shipping should be continued and strengthened, and in all areas the transfer of sustainable transport technologies should be increased. 

The report states that the international community might wish to consider other options, including financing assistance, information-sharing and capacity-building, and private/public partnerships.  It could also follow up on initiatives for specific regions, as well as initiatives to phase out leaded gasoline and elaborate a comprehensive international action programme aimed at sustainable development in the transport sector.  Information on one such programme, the Global Initiative on Transport Emissions (GITE), is annexed to the report.

Information for Decision-Making

Information for decision-making is the subject of chapter 40 of Agenda 21, which emphasizes that in sustainable development everyone is a user and provider of information considered in the broad sense.  That includes data, information, experience and knowledge.  The need for information arises at all levels, from that of senior decision-makers at the national and international levels to the grass-roots and individual levels.  Two programme areas, in particular, need to be implemented to ensure that decisions are based increasingly on sound information. These include bridging the data gap and improving information availability.

Among other activities, chapter 40 calls for the development of indicators of sustainable development and strengthening existing institutions and programmes, such as the global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS) and the Global Resource Information Database (GRID), as well as the different entities within the system-wide Earthwatch.  The Commission has also sought information directly from member States to facilitate its deliberations.

On this theme, the Commission has before it two reports of the Secretary-General on Information for Decision-Making and Participation (documents E/CN.17/2001/4 and Add.1) and a report of the Intersessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (document E/CN.17/2001/17).

The Secretary-General's report covers three key issues -- bridging the data gap; improving the availability of and access to information; and new information technologies -- and sets out his recommendations on each.

On bridging the data gap, the Secretary-General recommends that the Commission recognize the important contribution of testing countries in finalizing core sustainable development indicators organized by themes and sub-themes under the Commission's work programme.  The Commission should endorse the core set of indicators as a valuable starting point for countries wishing to organize and elaborate their own national programmes for testing, developing and using national-level indicators.  He further recommends that the Commission give particular assistance to developing and transition countries wishing to develop a national indicators programme through support in the areas of technical information, advice and capacity-building.

He also recommends that the Commission urge the promotion of public participation as a tool for improving data quality and sustaining the political will needed to support a strong information infrastructure.  The role of the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other major groups, particularly women and children, should be considered more fully in national information systems.

Regarding availability of and access to information, the Secretary-General recommends that the Commission call upon governments to develop multimedia and multilingual communication strategies to promote wider public access.  Such strategies, encompassing traditional and non-formal communication tools, as well as advanced modern technologies, should operate at all levels, from local to global.

The Commission should also call upon governments to ensure that public access to information is maintained by discouraging and regulating the migration of public or publicly held information into limited-access commercial information systems, the report states.  Governments and international organizations should develop infrastructure and capacity-building programmes to reach those excluded from the information revolution -- particularly women, youth, older persons and the poor -- to ensure wider participation in the rapidly expanding information-based knowledge economy.

On new information technologies, the report recommends that the Commission call upon international organizations to cooperate in providing cost-effective access to space technology inputs for sustainable development and in helping to build the capacity of developing countries to interpret, analyze and integrate satellite-based information into operational applications.

According to a final recommendation, the Commission should request Governments, international organizations, civil society and business groups to establish partnerships for the formulation and implementation of strategies for the development and networking of Internet-based information systems, including the provision of advice, technical and other forms of assistance.  Annexed to the report is an addendum containing the Commission's work programme on indicators of sustainable development.

Enabling Environment for Sustainable Development

Interconnected with other themes of the ninth session is the subject of international cooperation to create an enabling environment for sustainable development.  Agenda 21 and the programme for its further implementation adopted in 1997, call for dynamic international cooperation, particularly in the fields of finance, technology transfer, debt and trade.  Those documents also note that as a result of globalization, external factors have become critical in determining the success or failure of developing countries in their national development efforts.

On this matter, the Commission has before it a report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation (document E/CN.17/2001/5) and a related report of the intersessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment (document E/CN.17/2001/17).

The Secretary-General's report addresses the impact of globalization on sustainable development and related policy implications.  In view of the fact that trade and finance, supported by technological advances in information and communications, are the areas where globalization manifests itself most profoundly, the report gives particular attention to those areas.  It also addresses approaches and initiatives in international cooperation to facilitate the transition to sustainable development in the context of globalization.

As globalization has created a new impetus for international policy dialogue to promote sustainable development in all countries, it is important to focus discussions in the Commission on integrated policies and strategic approaches to maximize the benefits of globalization and minimize its risks in the transition to sustainable development, the report states.  It is also important to explore feasible ways of donor coordination in development assistance and in building new partnerships for sustainable development.

Also emphasized in the report are: coordination in responding to the strategic planning demands of developing countries; promotion of regional and subregional efforts, including South-South cooperation; issues of market access; private international financial flows, including foreign direct investment; capacity-building; official development assistance; creating incentives to conserve national resources and control environmental degradation; and promoting alliances between enterprises in developed and developing countries.

Commission's Membership, Officers

The Commission consists of 53 member States elected for three-year terms.  In 2001, the membership is as follows:  Algeria, Angola, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan,

Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom and United States.

In May 2000, the Commission elected, by acclamation, Bedrich Moldan (Czech Republic) as its Chairman, and David Stuart (Australia), Alison Drayton (Guyana) and Matia Kiwanuka (Uganda) as Vice-Chairpersons.  It postponed until the beginning of the ninth session the election of one Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur.

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