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Ban Ki Moon’s High Level Panel on Global Sustainability recommends the Earth Charter
- By ECI Sec4 ECI Sec4
- Published 02/1/2012
- News and Events , United Nations and Global Governance , News
Also read the most recent news from Rio+20 statements about the Earth Charter.
Established in August 2010, Ban Ki Moon’s High Level Panel on Global Sustainability released its final report on Monday, January 30th. The findings and language are more ambitious than the Rio+20 Zero Draft and provide a welcome voice to the sustainability discussion. The High Level panel consists of a mix of Former and Present Heads of State, as well as scientific and economic experts.
The recommendation in the document states:
“The Panel welcomes discourse on the ethical dimensions of sustainable development at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 among all stakeholders, based on relevant experience and instruments, including the Earth Charter, to inform Governments in their efforts to shift to sustainable development.”
Another, earlier passage states:
“While government policies and technological innovation both have major roles to play in helping move the world towards a sustainable pathway, the choices that people make are also crucial and depend on broad considerations, such as political perspectives, habits and ethical values. For example, providing access to mass transit and automobiles powered by renewable energy sources is only half the battle; individuals also need to value and choose mass transit in order for society to reap its full benefits. Similarly, the global discourse is promoted through such initiatives as the Earth Charter, which fosters awareness and shared responsibility.”
The document can be downloaded, along with a summary, here.
Established in August 2010, Ban Ki Moon’s High Level Panel on Global Sustainability released its final report on Monday, January 30th. The findings and language are more ambitious than the Rio+20 Zero Draft and provide a welcome voice to the sustainability discussion. The High Level panel consists of a mix of Former and Present Heads of State, as well as scientific and economic experts.
The recommendation in the document states:
“The Panel welcomes discourse on the ethical dimensions of sustainable development at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 among all stakeholders, based on relevant experience and instruments, including the Earth Charter, to inform Governments in their efforts to shift to sustainable development.”
Another, earlier passage states:
“While government policies and technological innovation both have major roles to play in helping move the world towards a sustainable pathway, the choices that people make are also crucial and depend on broad considerations, such as political perspectives, habits and ethical values. For example, providing access to mass transit and automobiles powered by renewable energy sources is only half the battle; individuals also need to value and choose mass transit in order for society to reap its full benefits. Similarly, the global discourse is promoted through such initiatives as the Earth Charter, which fosters awareness and shared responsibility.”
The document can be downloaded, along with a summary, here.
4 Responses to "Ban Ki Moon’s High Level Panel on Global Sustainability recommends the Earth Charter"
NIJAZ DELEUT KEMO said this on
01 Mar 2012 11:58:19 PM GMT+6
"It is CULTURE that withstands shocks, not a simple MASS OF KNOWLEDGE. (...)
Knowledge is only skin-deep, as civilization is, and a little scratch brings out the old savage (CV, vol. III. p. 291) by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, and But, instead of that, we are always trying to polish up the outside. What use in polishing of the outside when THERE IS NO INSIDE?" |
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NIJAZ DELEUT said this on
31 Mar 2012 8:59:49 AM GMT+6
The Treaty on the functioning of the EU, Article 191(2)
"IT SHALL BE BASED ON THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE AND ON THE PRINCIPLES THAT PREVENTIVE ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN, THAT ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE SHOULD AS A PRIORITY BE RECTIFIED AT SOURCE AND THAT THE POLLUTER SHOULD PAY." E.g. 5 Oct 2010: "RED SLUDGE" disaster at alumina plant reservoir in Hungary sees 700,000 cubic meters of caustic mud enter the Danube - this chemical spill, the largest since the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD, 2004) was passed, is seen as the first test case as to how it will be applied. Polluter pay principle is enshrined, and serves as the basis for the ELD, 2004., based on the precautionary principle. On 9 March 2010, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on the implementation of the ELD, 2004. for the first time. The ECJ concluded that it is only necessary for a Member State to establish a weak link to causation between operators' acts and the environmental damage in order to face payment. |
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Jaana Hirsikangas said this on
02 Apr 2012 5:09:16 AM GMT+6
Very exciting! Very great indeed! Btw, this document was co-chaired by Finnish President Tarja Halonen.
I had a chance to attend a seminar at Finnish Parliament on gender equality and sustainable development in the context of Rio +20. In that seminar I managed to mention abt the Earth Charter as a vision for more sustainable future. To that President Halonen responded by saying that the Earth Charter is "an honorable document" - which was very nice because there were over 120 civil society representatives in the room! |
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Douglas said this on
02 Apr 2012 7:40:39 AM GMT+6
Yes, Jaana, President Halonen is the co-chair (I believe) on Secy Ban's High Level Panel on Sustainability. I like her.
I hope all's well with you. |
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