Commission on Sustainable Development

Fifteenth Session

4^th & 5^th Meetings (AM & PM)

INTERLINKED ISSUES OF ENERGY, POLLUTION, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE

AT HEART OF ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, UN COMMISSION TOLD

Holding parallel meetings on long-term energy solutions and the interlinked issues of climate change, industrial development and air pollution, delegates to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development today discussed a wide range of measures aimed at bringing modern energy services to the poor, dealing with urban sprawl, reducing energy waste and cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that drive global warming.

The Commission’s fifteenth annual session, which runs through 11 May, takes place at a time of mounting concern over global dependence on environmentally destructive fossil fuels, and the speed and magnitude of climate change and its likely economic, social and environmental impacts.  Opening the session yesterday, Commission Chair Abdullah Bin Hamad al-Attiyah, who is also Qatar’s Energy Minister, urged delegations to identify policy options that offered win-win solutions -- actions and measures aimed at boosting economic and social development, while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

In four separate meetings today, Government delegates and representatives of civil society groups highlighted the links between industrial development, energy, climate change and air pollution, citing that all were issues at the very heart of ensuring long-term sustainable development, in particular for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Many said that tackling the issues effectively called for a mix of interrelated policies that addressed, among other things, renewable energy requirements, automotive efficiency norms, industrial emissions regulations, and responsible management of forest, soil and water resources.  They also called for polices that addressed the unique needs of small island developing States and least developed countries.

During the Commission’s discussions on possible policies and measures to address air and atmospheric pollution, speakers vividly described how acid rain, sandstorms and even volcanic eruptions were affecting human and environmental health in their countries.  Representatives from the developing world said that particularly urgent measures were needed to address indoor air pollution from traditional biomass cooking and heating, as well as “ambient air pollution”, resulting from forest fires, nitrogen and sulphur oxide from volcanoes, and other hazards that severely affected the respiratory health of women and children.

Stressing that perhaps the most formidable task for developing countries was generating adequate financial resources to tackle air pollution and securing access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, those speakers  called for enhanced international cooperation to help developing countries implement national plans and strategies through, among other ways, addressing financial, technological and institutional barriers that developing countries faced in combating air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas.

In the debate on energy for sustainable development, speakers stressed that every effort must be made to achieve global energy security through increased reliance on renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy saving measures, supported by effective policies and increased capacity-building, technology transfer and financing.  Many representatives of Caribbean and Pacific small island developing States drew attention to their special vulnerabilities and the fact that they were often threatened by climate change and rising sea-levels.

Industrial development, it was agreed by delegations, was crucial for eradicating poverty and promoting sustained economic growth and sustainable development.  Representatives recognized the importance of the private sector in poverty reduction and human development.  For the private sector to flourish, Governments must create an enabling environment that supported competitive markets, removed obstacles to investment and promoted socially and environmentally responsible business practices, as well as fought corruption.  It was important to put pressure on industries to reduce their negative environmental impacts, and on Governments to promote full implementation of the “polluter pays” principle.

During the lively discussion on climate change, several delegations highlighted that the Rio Declaration, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol had established the fundamental principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” when implementing programmes to tackle climate change and environmental degradation.  Those speakers said that, given their historical and current contributions to climate change, developed countries should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing additional financing and accelerating the transfer of climate-friendly, appropriate and cost-effective technologies to developing countries.

Others focused on policy recommendations that could curtail greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and lessen the harm of climate change (adaptation).  Several representatives also called on the Commission to encourage parties to agree on an effective post-2012 strategy to address climate change under the Climate Change Convention, with one representative stressing that such a decision must be reached in time to prevent a gap between the Kyoto Protocol’s first and second implementation periods.  Such negotiations should, therefore, be launched at the climate change talks to be held in Bali at the end of the year.

In all four sessions, speakers representing small island developing States made moving pleas for urgent assistance, saying that their countries were perhaps the best barometer of the success or failure of the international community’s policies to address air pollution, global warming and renewable energy sources.

For instance, Papua New Guinea’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, said that 90 per cent of island populations lived in rural areas and did not have access to modern energy for cooking, heating and lighting. They used biomass, such as firewood, that had serious heath-related consequences.  She noted that there were many successful projects in other areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, where “clean” cooking stoves were being used to reduce indoor air pollution.  She called on the international community to help small islands replicate some of those initiatives.

The Commission will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 2 May, to hear those representatives of major groups unable to address today’s meetings, and to discuss interlinkages and cross-cutting issues, including means of implementation, contained in the Chairman’s draft negotiating text.

Air Pollution/Atmosphere

As the Commission opened its discussions on possible measures to bolster national- and international-level policymaking to address air and atmospheric pollution, speakers vividly described how smog, acid rain, sandstorms and even volcanic eruptions were affecting human and environmental health in their countries.  They generally agreed that industrialization in the North, as well as in some large developing countries, the worldwide auto boom and exploding urban populations in the South, were some of the main factors contributing to air pollution, and, ominously, to ozone depletion, desertification, sea-level rise and global warming.

The representative of Pakistan, who spoke on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said that air pollution had serious negative effects on human health, socio-economic development, ecosystems and cultural heritage.  She stressed that, in the developing world, particularly urgent measures were needed to address indoor air pollution from traditional biomass cooking and heating, as well as “ambient air pollution”, resulting from forest fires, nitrogen and sulphur oxide from volcanoes, and other hazards that severely affected the respiratory health of children and infants in many “G-77” countries.

Stressing that perhaps the most formidable task for developing countries was generating adequate financial resources to tackle air pollution and securing access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, she called for enhanced international cooperation to help developing countries implement national plans and strategies through, among other ways, addressing financial, technological and institutional barriers that developing countries faced in combating air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas.  As for global level action, she reiterated support for policy options such as establishing, monitoring and enforcing global air quality standards, fuel switching -- from biomass and coal to liquid petroleum, biogas or electricity, and promoting sustainable production patterns, with developed countries in the lead.

Germany’s representative, who spoke on behalf of the European Union, called for comprehensive and integrated policy options and recommendations that addressed the environmental, economic and social consequences of air pollution.  Among other things, she called for the promotion of international governance in the area and, in that regard, enhancing interaction and cooperation between relevant international and regional actors, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).  She also called for national strategies for sustainable urban planning, with special focus on the links between sustainable transport systems, industrial plants and waste disposal facilities.

The representative of Papua New Guinea, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, highlighted the unique circumstances faced by the group of countries she represented, chiefly, that 90 per cent of small island populations lived in rural areas and did not have access to modern energy for cooking, heating and lighting.  They used biomass, such as firewood, that had serious heath-related consequences.  She noted that there were many successful projects in other areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, where “clean” cooking stoves were being used to reduce indoor air pollution.  She called on the international community to help small islands replicate some of those initiatives.

When the major groups took the floor, a representative of business and industry said that more than half the world’s population was dependent on bio-fuel and, sadly, such usage, tangled as it was with complex issues such as cultural heritage and grinding poverty, was only expected to rise.  Therefore, she called on the international community to not only promote the use of clean fuels and cooking implements, but also to create enabling conditions that supported the implementation of sustainable integrated energy, environment and transport policies.  A representative of farmers urged Member States, as well as her fellow civil society and private sector actors, to take better advantage of the expertise that farmers could provide, particularly since so many had lived in rural areas and could judge things such as crop loss and deforestation due to air pollution.

Wrapping up the discussion, Vice-Chairman Alain Eduard Traore ( Burkina Faso) said that, throughout the morning, delegations had stressed that any agreed policy options and measures should be consistent with the specific conditions and resources of countries concerned.  He said that speakers had also stressed that the transfer of affordable, efficient and environmentally sound technologies on favourable terms was required to help developing countries deal with air pollution.  Delegations had also called for the enhancement of capacity-building, institutional strengthening and involvement of all relevant stakeholders in efforts to improve air quality.

Energy for Sustainable Development

Statements on behalf of the two major negotiating groups set the tone for this morning’s debate on policy options and possible actions contained in the Chairman’s draft negotiating document on energy for sustainable development, in which some 35 speakers participated.

Speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, Pakistan’s representative, noting that increasing growth and subsequent increasing energy demand was putting strains on the existing resources of developing countries, stressed the need for adequate, predictable and additional financial resources, technology transfer and political will, as well as commitment to innovative ways of applying energy efficient, environmentally sound, cost-effective and socially acceptable technologies.  Even though fossil fuels would continue to play a dominant role in the energy mix, there was a need to diversify energy supply and include renewable energy technologies.  Access to energy was crucial to economic and social development and poverty eradication.  Assisting developing countries was essential, and regional cooperation should be encouraged.

Germany’s representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that every effort must be made to achieve global energy security through increased reliance on renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy saving measures, supported by effective policies and increased capacity-building, technology transfer and financing.  The current session’s outcome should include time-bound targets, at the national and regional levels, and commitments to increase energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy.  There should also be an action-oriented compilation of national and regional goals and commitments.  He then proposed a number of measures to improve access to energy, enhance energy security through renewable energy and energy efficiency, and reduce the negative environmental and social impacts of energy use.

Other speakers also put forth proposals for action to be included in the draft outcome document.  One speaker, however, noted that the international community already had developed an impressive blueprint on energy over the past 15 years, particularly in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the outcome of the Commission’s ninth session.  “Frankly, looking back on the 54 pages of past-negotiated text, we collectively did a pretty good job”, to which “precious little” could be added, he said.

Energy was an essential element of sustainable development, and improved access to energy was an integral part of poverty alleviation and sustainable development, as well as in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, speakers stressed.  They called for a greater share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix and for better energy efficiency.  In that regard, many speakers called for the transfer of technology to developing countries and an end to trade and non-trade barriers that prevented such transfer.  They also called for regional, as well as South-South and North-South cooperation, in action-oriented partnerships.  Concerns were expressed that the Chair’s text did not strongly enough reflect the need for gender mainstreaming in energy policy formulation, planning, budgeting and decision-making.

The types of alternative and renewable energy sources welcomed this morning included geothermal, hydropower and energy generated by the sun, wind and tidal movements.  Although many representatives objected to nuclear energy, as the risk of accidents and the disposal of spent fuel outweighed any possible benefit, some speakers pointed out that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) gave States the right to benefit from peaceful uses of nuclear power.  That energy source should not be “demonized” but be seen in the right and scientific perspective.

Among this morning’s speakers were many representatives of Caribbean and Pacific small island developing States, who drew attention to their special vulnerabilities and the fact that they were often threatened by climate change and rising sea-levels.  The lack of a section dedicated to small island developing States in the Chairman’s draft negotiating document was, therefore, of particular concern.  Those States could develop alternative and clean energy by using solar energy, wind and tidal energy, but introduction and costs were a major barrier.  They urged that a global renewable energy transfer fund be established.  Moreover, they were of the view that references to carbon capture and storage should be removed from the outcome document, as that technology was still in its infancy.

Some oil- and natural gas-producing countries warned that fossil fuels would be a dominant part of the energy mix in the decades to come.  They noted that carbon capture and storage was necessary, and was a proven technology that was ready for implementation and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 45 per cent by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Industrial Development

Over 25 speakers, from among Member States and major groups, participated in this afternoon’s discussion on the policy options and possible actions related to industrial development, contained in the Chairman’s draft negotiating document.

Sustained industrial development was crucial for eradicating poverty, promoting sustained economic growth and sustainable development, stated Pakistan’s representative, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China.  Although developing countries had made some important achievements in pursuit of sustainable industrial development, they were still faced with the formidable tasks of developing their economies, eradicating poverty and protecting the environment.  Among the constraints were lack of access to energy, poor basic infrastructure and industrial pollution.  Global market access continued to be hindered by tariff and non-tariff barriers.  The Commission should encourage cooperation on industrial development issues, including technological, financial and technical assistance.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Germany’s representative said that industrial development could be an engine for achieving the Millennium Development Goals if it is based on the principles of sustainability and good governance.  Integrating the economic, environmental and social dimensions in production processes was a key challenge, and creating employment and improving resource efficiency was essential.  Encouraging technological innovation and decoupling economic growth from resource use had offered opportunities for cost reduction, increased competitiveness and employment creation.  Among the items he suggested for inclusion in the Chair’s document were promoting resource efficiency and sustainable production and consumption patterns, as well as conditions for sustainable industrial development.

Delegates recognized the importance of the private sector in poverty reduction and human development.  For the private sector to flourish, Governments must create an enabling environment that supported competitive markets, remove obstacles to investment and promote socially and environmentally responsible business practices, as well as fight corruption.  Speakers stressed that one key component of industrial development was boosting industrial energy efficiency and that small- and medium-size enterprises, particularly those focusing on energy, were critical to both industrial development and energy access in the developing world.  However, those enterprises needed major resource boosts.  Policy options needed to overcome factors that impeded the adoption of cleaner production and consumption patterns.

Speakers urged that the outcome document focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, but stressed that countries had the right to determine their own industrial development strategies.  The need for social responsibility on the part of businesses and industries was also underlined, including awareness of human rights and the rights of workers.  Speakers urged developed countries to take the lead in changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.  The importance of the sustainable management of natural resources was also underscored.

Many speakers mentioned that access to regional and international markets for industrial products from developing countries needed to be enhanced, including through addressing the issue of tariff and non-tariff barriers.   Free trade agreements should include environmental protection clauses, it was stated.  There was also a need for the transfer of clean and environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.  Developing countries also needed assistance in the establishment of infrastructure for transport and telecommunication.  As in the case of the other issues before the Commission, the importance of regional and international cooperation, including South-South cooperation, as well as of private-public partnerships, was underlined.

Some participants expressed satisfaction that the Chair’s draft text reflected the connections between women’s livelihoods and industrial development, including employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women, reducing the negative social impacts of industrial restructuring, and enhanced access to credit

for women.  It was important to put pressure on industries to reduce their negative environmental impacts, and on Governments to promote full implementation of the “polluter pays” principle.  Speakers underlined that education was key to the implementation of sustainable development policies.

Climate Change

The Commission’s afternoon discussion on climate change featured a presentation by Bagher Assadi ( Iran) of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  He told the Commission that the panel, whose next meeting would be held from 7 to 18 May in Bonn, worked hard to ensure that the international community did not lose sight of the ultimate aim of the Convention.  Despite widely diverging views, the Subsidiary Body’s discussions were always constructive and of a practical nature, and could complement the Commission’s work, particularly as the Commission sought to consider political guidance and policy options, targeted to the needs of specific countries.

When delegations addressed the Commission, South Africa’s representative was among those from the developing world who highlighted that the Rio Declaration, the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol had established the fundamental principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” when implementing programmes to tackle climate change and environmental degradation.  Given their historical and current contributions to climate change, developed countries should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing additional financing and accelerating the transfer of climate-friendly, appropriate and cost-effective technologies to developing countries.

Canada’s representative said that with the fifth anniversary of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development fast-approaching, the Commission had a unique role to play in identifying the links between sustainable development and climate change.  To that end, the Commission should encourage parties to agree on an effective post-2012 strategy to address climate change under the Convention.  It should also encourage the promotion of renewable energy sources and clean energy technologies, she added.   Germany’s representative, who spoke on behalf of the European Union, also stressed the urgent need for a post-2012 agreement and said that such a decision must be reached in time to prevent a gap between the Kyoto Protocol’s first and second implementation periods.  Such negotiations should, therefore, be launched at the upcoming climate change talks to be held in Bali at the end of the year.

The representative of the Federated States of Micronesia said that combating carbon emissions was necessary but not sufficient.  Small island States needed to adapt more rapidly to the effects of climate change, which were already being felt in those islands and which would certainly become more severe in the future.  Therefore, the international community must provide new and additional resources to assist small islands in identifying, prioritizing and implementing their adaptation actions and strategies.

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For information media • not an official record