rio_statement

monday 24 september 2001

foei statement to the unece regional ministerial meeting for the world summit on sustainable development
24-25 september 2001

FoEI is the globe's largest environmental Network with 66 member groups in all parts of the world. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Since Rio unsustainable development has continued and there has been a dramatic failure to implement the (already insufficient) commitments made. Governments have promised to address the reasons for this failure before Johannesburg. FoEI is appalled that action on the real causes, such as neoliberal economic globalisation and the excessive influence of corporations on policy have not been taken.

FoEI is calling for the following matters to be on the agenda at Johannesburg:

1 Corporate Accountability. Launch of a negotiation process for a Global convention on corporate accountability. Regulation to make corporations respect and answer to all those that they affect - especially local communities, but also employees and customers.

2 Environmental Rights. Launch of a negotiation process for a Global convention on environmental rights. Enforceable legal rights to a clean and healthy environment and to safe and environmentally sustainable livelihoods. Equitable and sustainable access to resources has to be guaranteed.

3 Ecological Debt. Resource consumption reduction targets for over-consuming countries. At Rio developed countries acknowledged the pressures they place on the global environment. Now it is time to repay this historical and continuing ecological debt to the less developed world.

4 Trade Justice. A comprehensive review of the international trading system to ensure it works to social and environmental objectives. Establishment of the principle that multi-lateral environmental and social agreements override trade rules. Reform is needed that supports local and regional economies, community businesses and promotes equity, fairness and justice.

5 Environmental Governance. A new approach to global environmental action that secures resources, ensures compliance and implementation and provides for effective dispute settlement and the highest standards of participation.

Form should follow function. Proposals for institutional reform must be based on an analysis of the main functions (a) global institution(s) should perform for sustainable development. FOEI wants to see the following matters affirmed at Johannesburg:

• The urgent need to tackle climate change globally. As a first step the Kyoto Protocol must be ratified in 2002.
• The crucial role of the precautionary principle.
• The special considerations needed in sensitive ecosystems such as the Arctic.
• The UN target for overseas development aid of 0.7% of GDP.
• Compliance and effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and commitments to protect forests.

FoEI calls on Heads of States to immediately declare their intention to attend the Summit.

Drafted by Matt Phillips and Daniel Mittler on behalf of FoEI.