Implementing Sustainable Consumption and Production Policies

Implementing Sustainable Consumption and Production Policies

North-South, South-South and East-West Partnerships

Informal expert meetingParis, France6-7 May 2002

Meeting Report

ImplementingSustainable

Consumption andProduction Policies

North-South, South-South and East-West Partnerships

Informal expert meeting, Paris, France, 6-7 May 2002

Meeting Report

Acknowledgements

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Acknowledgements

The meeting was organised by the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP) and ConsumersInternational, in liaison with the United NationsDepartment of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), supported by the European Union andsponsored by the governments of Denmark,Finland, Norway and Sweden.

This report was written by Bas de Leeuw (UNEP),with support from Line Andersen (ConsumerCouncil of Norway), Anna Fielder (ConsumersInternational Office for Developed and TransitionEconomies), Nessie Golakai (ConsumersInternational Regional Office for Africa), BjarnePedersen (Consumers International Office forDeveloped and Transition Economies) and AnneSolgaard (UNEP).

The draft report was reviewed by the chairs of themeeting, Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (Interface Inc. &Green Mountain Energy, USA) and Allan Asher(Consumers Association, UK) as well as by HelenAgren (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency),Pernille Soerensen (Danish Environmental

Protection Agency) and Marjo Nummelin (Ministryof Environment, Finland). Summaries and quoteshave not been reviewed by the various speakersand participants. Please note that the contents ofthis report do not necessarily express or reflect theviews of UNEP, Consumers International or theparticipating governments and organizations.

The drafting team would like to thank all speakersand participants of the meeting who have providedcontents, curiosity, clear language, commitment andwillingness to work together.

We also would like to thank Solange Montillaud,Susan Kikwe, Edith Neufang (all UNEP DTIEoffice, Paris) and Lise Bisson (MKI Travel, Canada)for providing the logistical support and hospitality,enabling all participants to come to and participatein the meeting.

Edited by Becky Vincent

Designed and produced by Steve Paveley

© UNEP and Consumers International, May 2002

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1. Introduction 4

2. Chair’s summary 5

3. Meeting report 6

– Session I: Promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns: towards a global work programme 7

– Session II: National and regional implementation of UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection 10

– Session III: On the road to Bali and Johannesburg 13– Session IV: Building a global work programme on implementing

sustainable consumption and production policies 16– Session V: Key messages to WSSD 17

Appendix 1: Agenda of the meeting 20

Appendix 2:List of participants 24

Appendix 3:Background material 29

Appendix 4:About UNEP DTIE 37

Appendix 5:About Consumers International 38

Contents

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Introduction

One of the key challenges to be achieved in thecoming decade – and overriding goals forpromoting sustainable consumption andproduction patterns – is de-coupling economicgrowth and environmental and social impacts.Industrialized countries have a specialresponsibility to promote, facilitate and achievethis target. However, the gains of consuming andproducing more efficiently (delivering quality oflife with fewer natural resources and causingless pollution) will also be beneficial foreradicating poverty and creating businessopportunities for developing countries. This iswhy industrialized countries should also activelypromote the concept for developing countriesand countries with economies in transition andput in place a capacity building programme,designed to raise awareness, inform and traindecision-makers in governments and (small andmedium sized) companies.

Interest among governments – industrialized,developing, economies in transition – in the subject ishigh. Changing consumption and production patternsis one of the priority areas of discussions in thepreparatory process for the World Summit onSustainable Development (WSSD), to be held inJohannesburg, August 26 – September 4, 2002. At thethird preparatory meeting (PrepCom III), held in NewYork, March 25 – April 5, 2002, the European Unionpresented proposals for a ten-year work programme.The United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and Consumers International (CI) presentedpreliminary results of a world-wide survey among allgovernments on the status of implementation of theUN Guidelines on Consumer Protection, sectionSustainable Consumption (as adopted by the GeneralAssembly in 1999, decision 54/449). A series ofregional roundtables and workshops, organized byUNEP in Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific andEurope, has shown increasing interest as well.

Eco-efficient practices to achieve a better quality of lifefor all, foremost those most in need, should inprinciple be a non-controversial issue (as this is

especially relevant in countries with scarce resources).However, lack of knowledge sometimes leads to ahesitant or slow uptake of the required policies.

This is why UNEP and CI – in liaison with the UnitedNations Department of Economic and Social Affairs(UN DESA) and supported by the European Union –organized an informal expert workshop on“Implementing Sustainable Consumption andProduction Policies”, in Paris, France, on May 6 - 7,2002. The governments of Sweden, Denmark, Finlandand Norway sponsored the meeting. Among the 70participants from 44 countries were governmentalrepresentatives from 33 countries: Argentina, Austria,Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana,Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Kazakhstan,Malawi, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Poland, Senegal,Slovak Republic, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan,Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom,Uruguay and Yugoslavia.

The main workshop objectives were to:• mobilize support for an international ten-year work

programme to strengthen the implementation ofsustainable consumption and production policiesand identify elements of such a work programme;

• create necessary conditions for developingcountries and countries with economies intransition to join the efforts and identify elementsfor a capacity-building programme.

This report presents the chair’s summary, which waspresented to the participants and re-drafted to taketheir comments into account.

The participants of the meeting have worked togetherintensively, in an open and constructive atmosphere.They have expressed their hope that the “spirit ofParis” – which in part may be reflected by this report– will enrich the discussions at PrepComIV, to be heldin Bali, Indonesia, from May 25 to June 7, and willcontribute to the emergence of a strong and commonpolitical will at the World Summit on SustainableDevelopment to take action.

Introduction

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World leaders gathering in the World Summit onSustainable Development in Johannesburg haveto express a strong political will to strengthenthe implementation of sustainable consumptionand production policies, to be formulated andimplemented in an open and transparent way –involving all countries and all stakeholders.

Key message:

Sustainable consumption and production is needed to:

• improve quality of life, particularly for those inneed, and provide the basic needs for all,including access to food, shelter, health andeducation services;

• de-couple economic growth from environmentaldegradation to secure development whilemaintaining the carrying capacity of eco-systems.

Five main points for action :

1. Launch a ten-year work programme onimplementing sustainable consumption andproduction patterns, including targets andindicators. Monitor the implementation of thework programme, including both intergovern-mental commitments and partnership initiatives;

2. Improve understanding and implementation of an integrated approach of sustainableconsumption and cleaner production, based on life cycle thinking, and including capacitybuilding and technology co-operation. In thisrespect implement the recommendations ofUNEP’s 7th International High-level Seminar onCleaner Production, held in Prague, April, 2002;

3. Improve governance and collaboration at alllevels. At the international level better co-operation between international organizations. At regional, national and local levels betterimplementation of the UN Guidelines forConsumer Protection (by 2004), capacity building,new partnerships, transparency, cohesion inpolicy making and attention to corruption;

4. Strengthen international initiatives to get theprices right by internalisation of environmentaland social costs and by elimination ofunsustainable subsidies;

5. Step up information and awareness campaignsdirected to consumers and public worldwide:targeted, specific and tailored.

Proposals for next steps:

1. The World Summit on Sustainable Developmentshould recommend that UNEP’s GoverningCouncil, at its next session, examine a proposalfor a ten-year work programme with goals andtargets and guidance on the organization of thework, with progress of implementation of theprogramme to be regularly presented to the CSD.

2. Governments and the private sector shouldinitiate pilot projects for new production andconsumption models based on local cultures.

Chair’s summary

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The meeting was chaired by Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (Director, Interface Inc. & GreenMountain Energy, USA) and Mr. Allan Asher(Director, Campaigns and Communication,Consumers Association, UK).

In the opening session visions were expressed onhow Implementing Sustainable Consumption andProduction Policies can be strengthened ascontribution to the Johannesburg process.

Mr. Per Bakken, Deputy Director, UNEP, Divisionof Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE),welcomed the participants on behalf of UNEP andstated that it is time to strengthen theimplementation of the policies, and time that allcountries join the efforts, based on the principle ofcommon but differentiated responsibilities.

“Poverty, as our Executive Director, Klaus Toepfer,once has said, is the most dangerous toxic element that threatens our planet, as it is a major cause ofenvironmental degradation. We have to eradicatepoverty. It is ‘environment for development’ that binds us together.” (Per Bakken, UNEP)

The work so far has been mainly focused onimproving efficiency in the production phase, saidMr. Bakken. The gains, unfortunately, have beenmore than offset by increasing consumption levelsand thus we need to tackle both issuessimultaneously. He identified a strong need to reachout to those who are still unfamiliar with the issues.Green procurement, a firm declaration ofgovernments that they will consume socially andenvironmentally responsibly, could be one of thekey sectors to focus on. According to Mr. Bakken,the industrialized world has a special responsibilityto take action and should also assist developingcountries and countries with economies in transitionin joining the efforts. He referred to UNEP’s Cleaner

Production programme, which held its seventhinternational high-level seminar on CleanerProduction (CP7) in Prague, and added that,“producing cleaner products is one thing, sellingthem and mobilizing support from the public forimplementing policies is another”. That is whyUNEP is increasingly integrating its production andconsumption work, as two sides of the same“sustainability coin”. He expected concreteoutcomes of this meeting and stated that manywords have already been written down. In UNEP’sview, the world does not need many newdocuments. The world needs action.

Ms. Anna Fielder, Director, Office for Developedand Transition Economies, Consumers International,welcomed the participants on behalf of herorganization. She warned that increasing andirresponsible consumption is putting a strain on theenvironment by causing pollution, destroying theecosystem and undermining lifestyles.

“The effect of the development model that the ‘North’follows, and the ‘South’ emulates, is potentiallydeadly.” (Anna Fielder, Consumers International)

It is essential that governments everywhere committhemselves to an extensive and time-bound actionprogramme, that the business sector follows thesame path and that consumers learn to managetheir consumption patterns in a responsible andequitable manner. Frameworks for such policies,said Ms. Fielder, already exist – in the form ofAgenda 21 and the UN Guidelines for ConsumerProtection. We now need the will to implementthem. Consumers International has many years’history of collaborating with the UN, activelysupporting and promoting the implementation ofthe Guidelines. We were therefore happy to embark,last year, on a successful partnership with UNEP inorder to investigate the extent of the awareness and

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implementation of the sustainable consumptionsection. Our global outreach, representing theinterests of billions of global consumers, adds valueto UNEP’s voice as the world’s global environmentauthority. According to Ms. Fielder not much hasbeen done since Rio to address the degradation ofthe global environment. The economies of thedeveloped countries in particular have movedfurther away from sustainability since 1992. Littleprogress has been made in reforming taxes andsubsidies to make them support the right goals.Governments should engage in an overallimplementation framework programme to belaunched at the WSSD. The programme shouldinclude clear commitments to implement the UNGuidelines, de-coupling and the phase-out of envi-ronmentally and socially harmful subsidies.Furthermore, any progress requires the activeinvolvement of civil society. Such an involvement isonly effective if civil society can participate indecision-making supported by the right toinformation and justice. Governments shouldsupport and address this in all of their decisions.

Ms. Viveka Bohn, Ambassador JohannesburgSecretariat, Sweden, welcomed the participants onbehalf of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland,Norway and Sweden). She expressed her gratitudeto UNEP and CI for their efforts to organize themeeting. The idea to arrange this meeting was onlydiscussed four weeks ago, at the 3rd preparatorymeeting for the WSSD in New York. She saw astrong need to advance implementation ofsustainable production and consumption policies. Aclear mandate and direction for further action bygovernments, business, civil society andinternational institutions, needs to be given by theWSSD in Johannesburg. Actions are needed toaddress the challenges to make the supply anddemand of goods and services more sustainable. Itis also painfully obvious that global sustainabledevelopment cannot be achieved without dealingwith the widening gaps between the rich and poor,both between and within countries. Meeting thebasic needs of the poor must be a priority. De-couple economic growth from environmentaldegradation is essential if we are to achieve the goalof protecting our natural resources to secure aprosperous life for future generations.

According to the Human Development Report 1,7billion people lack access to clean drinking waterand 90% of urban sewage in the developing worldis discarded into rivers, lakes and coastal waters

without treatment. The cost of doing somethingabout these problems are calculated: water andsanitation for all would cost 1,1% of the militaryexpenditure. Providing basic education for allwould cost 0,7% of the US $ 800 billion that isannually spent on military expenditures. Adding1,9% would get basic health and nutrition for all.

“Military expenditure shows signs of increasing again.At the same time, in the shade of September 11th, it isobvious that we cannot protect our citizens withmilitary force. We need to come to the root of thecauses of conflicts” (Viveka Bohn, Sweden)

Ms. Bohn pleaded for developing product-orientedenvironmental policies, which are needed to preventand reduce the negative impact on human healthand the environment and to achieve efficient use ofnatural resources throughout the life-cycles ofproducts. These policies are intended to giveconsumers a fair chance to act in an environmental-ly conscious way. Consumers should have access torelevant and credible information. The role ofdifferent consumer groups, such as young peopleand women, as well as their cultural background,needs to be taken into account. Environmental costscaused by products should be reflected in the price.She hoped that the workshop would take us a stepcloser to agreement on a mandate to develop aglobal work programme with time-bound goals,measures and indicators for measuring results.

“We need to roll up our sleeves. We live in aninterdependent world towards an interdependent future.Many words have already been written down. We nowneed the ‘spirit of Paris’ to make it happen” (DianneDillon-Ridgley, chair)

Session I:

Promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns: towards a global work plan

De-coupling economic growth and environmentaland social impacts are to be achieved by concreteand time-bound activities involving sustainableconsumption and cleaner production, assisted bymonitoring and feedback. Developed countries havea special responsibility to take action and shouldalso assist developing countries and countries witheconomies in transition in joining the efforts andgrasping the opportunities arising from consumers’increasing awareness of sustainability. This first

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session of the meeting explored these keyapproaches and concepts.

Mr. Karsten Skov, Deputy Director General, DanishEnvironmental Protection Agency, presented – onbehalf of the European Union – a proposal for a tenyear work programme on implementing sustainableconsumption and production policies. The EU haslaunched the idea of initiating such a programme tosecure and promote further work on the issue andto ensure progress in policy-making, concreteinitiatives and partnerships as an outcome of the WSSD.

He observed that, ten years after Rio, significantresults in the area of sustainable consumption andproduction were lacking. In the industrializedworld there has been progress in certain sectors interms of energy efficiency and the introduction ofCleaner Production methods. There are, however,areas with alarming trends such as climate change,chemicals in the environment, loss of biodiversityand the increase in transportation and wastevolumes. In the developing world difficulties inmeeting the basic needs still remain, and thetransfer of cleaner technologies has not been assignificant as expected. After Rio, UNEP has been afocal point for initiating a large number ofprogrammes and projects. The work of the OECDon sustainable development included a programmeon sustainable consumption. However, a new focusis needed and is underway. Projections andscenarios in a 2020-year perspective suggest that anumber of critical issues need urgent attention. Theobjective of de-coupling has been put forward as thekey challenge for sustainable consumption andproduction patterns and the European Union isproposing to have de-coupling as an overridinggoal for the work programme.

“There is not a single country to be found that isagainst growth. Everyone wants growth. So thegrowth has to be de-coupled from environmentaldegradation” (Karsten Skov, Denmark)

De-coupling, as Mr. Skov explained, implies the ideaof separating economic growth from an increase inenvironmental pressure and an increase in the use of resources. It is based on the fundamentalassumption that we need to re-think the relationshipbetween the economy and the environment. So farefficiency gains have been outweighed by anincrease in total volumes of production andconsumption. It is within this perspective that the

targets of factor 4 and factor 10 should beconsidered. It has been suggested that achieving thefactor 4/factor 10 targets would imply that duringthe next 50 years the environmental pressure fromeach produced unit should be reduced by 5%annually. The process has already started with thecommitments made at the 2001 joint OECDMinisterial Council Meeting. According to Mr. Skov,de-coupling is a relevant challenge for all countries,since the economic costs of environmentaldegradation have been estimated at 4-8% of GDPannually in many developing countries.

De-coupling will imply a move from the cleanerproduction perspective to a broader approachfocusing on influencing macroeconomic trendsthrough sustainable innovation policies and throughcapacity-building and partnerships. Environmentallybenign goods and services are increasinglyrecognized and rewarded on the marketplace byconsumers. Consumer awareness therefore has to bestimulated and supported on a continuous basis.

He suggested a number of basic elements for theglobal work programme. The work programmeshould:

• be based on existing international processes,programmes and initiatives;

• contribute to the achievement of the MillenniumGoals and reverse the current trends in loss ofnatural resources at the global and national levelsby 2015, and promote more equitable access tonatural resources and consumption to meet thebasic needs of all;

• identify targets, measures and indicators to gaugeprogress at the global, regional and national leveland for relevant sectors such as energy, agriculture,transport and industry;

• focus on key areas such as material flows,including chemicals;

• establish a framework for North-South, South-South and East-West partnerships.

Social and institutional innovation is necessary, saidMr. Skov. We need changes of behaviour and anincreased use of economic instruments. We needhigh levels of protection for our environment andnature, improved information for consumers andimproved involvement of business.

Next steps would be to formulate a global workprogramme on implementing sustainableconsumption and production policies. This is,

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said Mr. Skov, a task for UNEP and the OECD, inco-operation with financial institutions, consumerorganizations, business and government representa-tives. Such a draft programme is the basis forestablishing sufficient funding for the programme.At Johannesburg world leaders need to reconfirmtheir commitment. At the UNEP Governing Councilin 2003 a first draft of the programme could bepresented.

In the discussion the question was raisedconcerning which underlying assumption thedistinction between developed and developingcountries was based. It was concluded that in thisrespect one could say that all countries aredeveloping. Or, like Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, putit “maybe we should talk about developed andover-developed countries”. Furthermore,participants wanted to reflect on the question ofwho the main driving actors for such a workprogramme should be: governments, business orcivil society.

Mr. Ken Ruffing, Acting Director, EnvironmentDirectorate, OECD, gave an overview of the work on household consumption, focusing on trends and policies in OECD countries. De-couplingenvironmental pressures from economic growth isone of the five priorities of the OECD EnvironmentalStrategy. A recent report explored 31 de-couplingindicators over the period 1980-1998 and revealedthat the phenomenon was widespread (relative de-coupling) or quite common (absolute de-coupling).Further de-coupling is possible. At the economy-wide level, de-coupling can be decomposed intoscale, structural and technology effects.

“Changes in consumption patterns can reduce theburden which otherwise must follow on technology-oriented policies aiming at changing production,process and disposal methods. Both governments,through green public purchasing and households canhelp to achieve this” (Ken Ruffing, OECD).

Mr. Ruffing predicted that environmental pressuresfrom consumption will intensify to 2020 and that inareas such as household energy use, travel andwaste generation, material and efficiency gains have been outweighed by the absolute increase in the volume of goods and services that areconsumed and discarded. He presented five generalpolicy guidelines to promote sustainableconsumption:

• provide consumers with a consistent set ofsignals (prices and information);

• use packages of instruments;• ensure integrated, cross-sector policies;• use an integrated approach that addresses

environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of products or services (priority to upstreamintervention which can reduce the burden onconsumers);

• promote and support voluntary initiatives byprivate sector and civil society.

Mr. Diego Masera, Industry Officer, UNEP RegionalOffice for Latin America and the Caribbean, gave anoverview of sustainable consumption activities inhis region, which as he stated is the most unequalsociety in the world. The highest 20% segment ofincome group earns 19 times as much as the lowest20%. He stressed the importance of sustainableproduct development, based on life cycle thinkingand reflecting local cultures and values. Anawareness-raising workshop on SustainableConsumption held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November2001, has spurred a number of activities, including:

• a regional network of experts on SustainableConsumption;

• activities targeted at young people (MTVcampaign in Brazil, UNEP/UNESCOquestionnaire on consumption and lifestyles);

• eco-design activities in Mexico;• education campaign in Cuba;• a short broadcast on sustainable consumption on

CNN, who has agreed to do this for free.

“Some of our activities, promoting sustainableconsumption in the region, are supported bycompanies, who make their money with promotingunsustainable consumption” Diego Masera, (UNEP)

Mr. Christian Loewe, Federal EnvironmentalAgency, Germany, highlighted the fact thatsustainable development plays an important role insociety and scientific discourse, but less in publicdebate and market communication. At thehousehold level sustainable development plays aminor role in day-to-day decision-making andcommunication. Driving forces for more attentionwould include the development of environmentallysound products and the inclusion of “culture” as adimension to sustainability. Progress could be madein four areas: integrated product policy (IPP),consumer protection, education and local Agenda21. As essential elements of a global work


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programme he mentioned dissemination-strategies,stakeholder dialogues and coherent policyframeworks, complimented by capacity buildingand the institutionalization of global networking.

A common theme in the discussions, as Mr. RalphChapman (New Zealand) observed, is the need for aculture of change. Apart from “getting the pricesright” there should also be strategies formulatedand implemented to influence, mobilize and makeuse of the “social” consciousness of consumers.There needs to be a cultural change. Furthermore, asMr. Jeffrey Barber (Integrative Strategies Forum,USA) said, rather than changing consumptionpatterns worldwide, there will in many cases be aneed to preserve existing, sustainable patterns,which are threatened with disappearance under theinfluence of the global media. The media shouldapply corporate social responsibility programmesjust as so many other businesses have done.

Session II:

National and regional implementation ofUN Guidelines for Consumer Protectionand integrated product policies

In this session the UNEP/CI status report on theimplementation of the UN Guidelines waspresented, followed by national and regional casestudies. What has been done so far and what arepriorities for an integrated implementation ofsustainable consumption and cleaner production policies.

Mr. Bas de Leeuw, Co-ordinator, SustainableConsumption Programme, UNEP, and Mr. BjarnePedersen, Senior Policy Officer, ConsumersInternational, presented the upcoming publication“Tracking Progress: Implementing SustainableConsumption Policies”, which is the report of a jointUNEP/CI survey on the status of theimplementation of the UN Guidelines on ConsumerProtection, sustainable consumption section, asadopted by the General Assembly in 1999.

UNEP’s sustainable consumption work is aimed atinfluencing production and consumption patterns inorder to create “space for consumption” for all, asMr. de Leeuw said. Examining underlying drivingfactors for consumption enables the identification ofobstacles and opportunities for change. Thesefindings are used by UNEP to help business improveproducts and services, to assist governments in

modernizing infrastructure and policy frameworksand to empower consumer groups and other non-governmental organizations to raise awareness andpromote dialogue and the reflection of consumersabout the relationship between their (material)consumption and quality of life.

“Results are highly needed, since only a change of ourcurrent production and consumption patterns willenable the world’s community to create the space forconsumption for those most in need. Everybody aconsumer, that is the challenge for the years to come”(Bas de Leeuw, UNEP)

The guidelines offer governments guidance on amix of policies (regulation, economic instrumentsand social instruments), research on consumerbehaviour, life-cycle design of products andservices, environmental testing, green procurementand indicators to measure progress towardssustainable consumption at all levels. In partnershipwith Consumers International a questionnaire wassent to all governments, followed up by face-to faceinterviews. More than 51 governments – half ofthese were developing countries and countries witheconomies in transition – responded and eightnational case studies were collected (Australia,Brazil, People’s Republic of China, Chile, Germany,Japan, Mauritius and Senegal).

As Bjarne Pedersen continued, ConsumersInternational represents consumer groups andagencies all over the world, with a membership ofover 250 organizations in 115 countries. The surveyresults included that 38% of all governments hadnot even been aware of the existence of theguidelines until the questionnaire was received.Government responses however indicated a stronginterest and willingness to learn more about theways to implement them. The majority (80%) of theresponding governments stated that the guidelinesare useful for policy-making, with only a minorityrequesting modifications. Only 52% however hadmonitored the national implementation of theguidelines themselves. He quoted a response of theSlovak Republic who stated, “we just want to saythat we like the co-operation between UNEP and CIand would be happy if it could focus on concretecases and studies. We would like to be a part ofthese activities”. Mr. Pedersen also presented thesurvey results on research, product testing,regulatory mechanisms, economic instruments,recycling, product policies, green procurement andmeasuring progress.

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“Half full or half empty? Almost 50% of theresponding governments have so far not specificallymeasured progress towards sustainable consumption.”(Bjarne Pedersen, Consumers International)

Mr. de Leeuw called it a sign of hope thatgovernments, in developed and developingcountries and economies in transition, are interestedand willing to implement. He found it encouragingthat so many government officials are asking forinformation, training, good examples and advice,and he explained the UNEP/CI proposedpartnership project to meet these needs through athree-year capacity-building programme. At presentthe survey is already a success, because it hasincreased awareness about the existence to a highdegree, and it has furthermore brought governmentofficials and consumer groups to work together.Recommendations in keywords include:

• raising awareness is essential;• there is no need to modify;• monitoring efforts must be upgraded;• sustainable consumption information campaigns

must be expanded;• all countries need support.

Mr. de Leeuw quoted the government of Haiti, whohas responded: “We sincerely hope that UNEP willbe able to support the Ministry of Environment toreinforce its capacities in the field of sustainableconsumption. We also hope that executives of theMinistry will be able to take part in future activitiesincluding possible training courses and otheractivities relating to the promotion of sustainableconsumption.”

The report will be launched at PrepComIV, Bali,June 3rd, 2002.

Mr. Bethmahe Ruchira Lasanthi Perera, Ministry ofEnvironment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka,presented national experiences in implementingsustainable consumption and production policies.There have been significant policy developmentstowards Cleaner Production and SustainableConsumption within the last decade. Examplesinclude pollution management, identifying disposalsites, pollution prevention at the source, polluterpays principle and stakeholder interaction.

“Due to a lack of access to pollution relatedinformation, potential dangers of current consumptionpatterns across the entire society are not well known.

This is an area which requires the immediate attentionof policy makers and donor agencies” (BethmaheRuchira Lasanthi Perera, Sri Lanka)

A Sri Lanka National Cleaner Production Centre hasbeen established, with the Ministry of IndustrialDevelopment being the implementing agency. AnOrganic Product Promotion Programme is set up topromote environmental conservation througheconomic development and poverty alleviation. Inthe long term it is expected to change consumptionpatterns and create a market for organic products.Planned activities include developing organiccertification standards, establishing organicproducts export villages, developing model organicfarms, training programmes for farmers andinspectors and awareness programmes for civilsociety groups. The efforts of NGOs have alsoprovided, according Mr. Perera, some degree ofsatisfactory results. Sri Lanka has numerousprogrammes and initiatives in place to monitorimplementation, such as industrial pollutionreduction programmes, energy management andenergy audit programmes. Some success has beenachieved; the availability of information is the mostproblematic area. Capacity building activities arehighly necessary.

The Polish approach to environmental policy, saidMr. Jacek Jaskiewicz (Adviser to the Minister ofEnvironment, Poland), includes the problems ofsustainable consumption and production. Hepresented the “National Strategy for SustainableDevelopment – Poland 2025”, which includessustainable development as leading principle andholds measures to implement the precautionaryprinciple, an integrating of environmental policyinto sectoral policies and equal access to the naturalenvironment.

“We want a limitation of the consumption pressure onthe environment” (Jacek Jaskiewicz, Poland)

Practical steps that Poland is setting includedeveloping an implementation plan, harmonizingPolish environmental laws with the EU, developinga system of voluntary initiatives, establishing aNational Cleaner Production Centre, developingeducation programmes and a number of new acts(for example on packaging regulations).

Ms. Jo Kumala Dewi, International EnvironmentalAnalysis Department, Indonesia, said that Indonesiawas aware of the Guidelines – because it had

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ensure both a high level of environmental protectionand a strong data technology expertise. He stressedthe importance of integrated product policies (IPP),based on the life-cycle approach and marketorientation.

“The main responsibility for the improvement ofexisting products and the development of newproducts lies with the companies manufacturingproducts. Society can support this development bymeans of innovation policy” (Antero Honkasalo,Finland).

Mr. Honkasalo furthermore gave an overview ofFinland’s activities on regulations (includingextended producer responsibility), eco-labelling(Nordic Swan and EU environmental label), producttesting and product information. The FinnishConsumer Agency has a website for consumers andthe Ministry of Environment has internet-pagestargeted at citizens and consumers who wish tomake environmentally responsible choices. Finlandhas initiated the foundation of a product panel fortextiles, in which participants (from industry, trade,government and research) try to find ways topromote environmentally responsible productionand consumption of textiles and clothes.

Mr. Stefan Larenas, Consumers International,Regional Office for Latin America, Chile, providedan update on the sustainable consumption activitiesin Latin America and the Caribbean, such as thedissemination of a toolkit, education programme,eco-labelling schemes, product claims and thetraining of consumer organizations in Cuba, Brazil,Uruguay and Argentina. He stressed that theGuidelines have been very helpful in creating thenecessary frameworks for action and should beimplemented more widely in order to increasesupport for achieving the goals of sustainableconsumption. Concrete indicators and monitoringare needed.

“When we started we believed that we were in ‘no-man’s-land’, because only a few people knew aboutthe UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. Now weneed a framework for going forward” (Stefan Larenas,Consumers International)

Mr. Larenas also presented, on behalf of Ms.Alejandra Arratia Martinez, Chilean NationalConsumer Service, the case-study of Chile, whichhas revealed a lack of co-ordination and informationbetween the different agencies. Furthermore, there

received the information from UNEP – andconsiders these very useful for policy-making.However, it needs further planning and action tofully implement them. The guidelines do not needto be modified, but additional clauses might beconsidered, related to the role of mass media and tothe goal of preserving existing traditional life-styles.Like in other developing countries, sustainableconsumption and production is less socialized thanin developed countries. This is due to the ignoranceof the less educated and the low level of income ofthe population, which necessitates the governmentor other parties being more focused on improvingthe economic welfare of society, rather than copingwith sustainable development issues. Among thesections of the Guidelines Indonesia has started toimplement are economic instruments, informationcampaigns, re-use and recycling schemes and asustainable forest certification programme.Traditional markets, disappearing due tosupermarkets, have much better conditions for such recycling practices.

“We have to find ways to promote and facilitate theexistence of traditional life-styles that could supportsustainable consumption and production patterns” (Jo Kumala Dewi, Indonesia).

An eco-labelling scheme has been started as well.The implementation of Cleaner Production practicesbegan in 1995. Almost all companies at least knowabout the programme and some big companies havestarted to implement. Indonesia is interested ingreen procurement (waste separation, goodgovernance), but faces difficulties in findingsuppliers and information. For the future there is aneed to raise awareness, improve co-operation withconsumer groups and the private sector, promotetraditional life-styles and strengthen partnerships.

Mr. Antero Honkasalo, Director, EnvironmentalProtection Trade & Industry, Finland, highlightedthe role of the information society. One of the keyareas of its Environmental Cluster ResearchProgramme is sustainable development and theinformation society. The subjects covered are life-styles and cultural changes, consumption patternsand consumer networking. The Finnish informationand communication industry has supported theapproach. The interface between their products andFinnish society is considered important, especiallythe relationship between people’s way of life,consumer habits and information and technologyproducts. A national innovation system should

13


is no instrument for an internalization of theenvironment cost regarding consumption. The mainthing that is needed is training and advise on howto involve civil society. Chile considers it importantto implement each of the Guidelines according tothe specific possibilities of each country.

“More high-level coverage of SustainableConsumption and the UN Guidelines is needed.”(Alejandra Arratia Martinez, Chile)

Ms. Afifa Raihana, President of “Striving TowardsEnvironmental Protection”, Bangladesh, commentedon UNEP’s statement that “poverty is the most toxicelement” by saying that poverty has some brightsides as well. Developed countries now seem tostrive back to where we, developing countries, are.The “throw-away” society does not exist inBangladesh. And in Bangladesh virtually everythingcan be repaired.

“We do not throw anything away. In Bangladesheverything is recycled. We cannot think of buyingsomething and throw it out. Even refrigerators areused as boxes when they don’t run anymore. Indeveloped countries every apple is wrapped in plastic.In Bangladesh we do not have the money nor thetechnology to do that.” (Afifa Raihana, Bangladesh)

Ms. Raihana, who is involved in UNEP’s YouthAdvisory Council, stated that many young peopleseem to think that everything is well-managed indeveloped countries, but that she felt that they havemore to learn from youth in developing countriesthan vice versa. She mentioned the need to alsofocus on corruption and the ways consumptionpatterns are influenced by bad governance, as wellas on the effects of war and the post-war build upphase. She called for attention to the actual follow-up of multilateral agreements, protocols and treatiesafter their signature. Poor people do not need moresignatures. They need good governance. ForPrepComIV she recommended a short, simple andpractical paper.

The discussion focused on the relationship betweensustainable consumption and production policiesand trade policies. Global trade rules are notconducive with sustainable development. Ms.Jeanette Ndhiovu (South Africa) highlighted thenew partnership initiative for Africa (NEPAD),promoting good governance and fightingcorruption. Africa is putting something on the tablefor the world – clean air and bio-diversity – and is

seeking partnerships. She criticized transnationalcompanies who do not practice what they preachwhen they operate in developing countries.

The need to efficiently influence the process in Baliand Johannesburg to strengthen a manageableimplementation of sustainable consumption andproduction patterns was stressed by Mr. AmenaYauvoli (Fiji). He was pleased with the examples ofeconomic and regulatory instruments as mentionedby Poland and Finland and expressed a need tomaybe “borrow their models”.

Allan Asher, chair of this session, summarized thediscussion by observing that much of what has beensaid is similar to what other forums have done aswell. However, the chemistry of this meeting isbringing new dimensions together, which mighttake the debate further. The meeting shouldemphasize existing agreements and urge theirexecution, particularly the UN Guidelines, whichwere unanimously accepted by the GeneralAssembly in 1999.

“Let us be looking at existing documents and existingcommitments, rather than inventing new language.Just do it, chaps!” (Allan Asher, chair).

Session III:

On the road to Bali and Johannesburg

This session provided an overview of the currentstatus of discussions on the intergovernmentalprocess (“type I” outcomes of WSSD) and thepartnership projects (“type II”), sustainableconsumption and production elements in thePrepCom chairman’s paper and agenda for Bali and Johannesburg. Priorities, focus areas andinformation needs were discussed as well asnetworking and national coalition prospects.

Ms. Chikako Takase, United Nations Division forEconomic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) presentedan overview of the current status of discussions ofthe Johannesburg process. Expected outcomes of theWSSD are:

• type I: a political declaration and a programme of action;

• type II: partnership initiatives.

The PrepComII meeting held in New York, 28January – 8 February 8, 2002, has considered the

14

Meeting report

documents “Implementing Agenda 21” and “List ofIssues and Proposals for Discussion”. Furthermorethe Chairman’s Paper was presented, including“A Journey of Hope” and summaries of the SecondPreparatory Session as well as the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Segment. In PrepComIII (held in New York, 25 March – 5 April, 2002) thedelegates considered the Chairman’s Paper andnegotiated on the basis of a “Compilation Text”. A “Chairman’s Revised Text for Negotiation” –under revision at the time of the Paris workshop –could include the following elements:

• changing consumption and production patterns• energy• transport• waste• chemicals and hazardous waste

Ms. Takase highlighted the importance of threeguiding principles:

• the emphasis of the chairman’s paper must be onproducing a workable and doable program thatmust learn from the experiences of the lastdecade, Rio+10;

• we must be able to work together in areas ofcommonality that bridge the differences betweenNorth and South, East and West;

• facing a turbulent world in this current decade, in these Preparatory Meetings we must besuccessful in drawing the map for a journey ofhope to reach for the goal of a world withoutpoverty in a humane and liveable environment.

She then explained the importance of the “type II”partnerships by saying that those are partnershipsand initiatives that reflect commitments and action-oriented coalitions focused on deliverables.They would contribute in translating politicalcommitments into concrete actions and specificinitiatives to strengthen the implementation ofAgenda 21.

“Type II partnerships will not be negotiated by all, but only by those directly involved.” (Chikako Takase,UN DESA)

Ms. Takase mentioned that until now only onepartnership on sustainable consumption andproduction patterns was proposed: a capacitybuilding project by UNEP, with inputs from UNIDOand UNESCO, in partnership with Consumers

International, a small group of “most interested”governments, National Cleaner Production Centres and others. The draft proposal is to befound on the official WSSD website (www.johannesburgsummit.org).

According to Ms. Jeanette Ndhlovu, DeputyPermanent Representative of the Permanent Missionof South Africa to the UN, Johannesburg has tobecome a turning point in human development.WSSD has to be a summit of implementation. And the summit has to be followed by an“implementation decade”.

“Most of what the international community haspromised to do in Rio, has not been implemented.”(Jeanette Ndhlovu, South-Africa)

Eradication of poverty should be the overarchinggoal. The summit should focus on concrete, time-bound targets to improve access to water, energy,education, health services, technology and increasedfood safety. There should also be a focus on theenvironmental agenda, ratifying existingconventions such as the ones on desertification and the Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent. Shehighlighted the New Partnership for AfricanDevelopment (NEPAD) that will promote goodgovernance and combat corruption – essentialbuilding blocks for sustainable development in Africa.

Education, and an active private sector and civilsociety, should, according to Ms. Ndhlovu, beelements of an international campaign to fightglobal poverty, inequalities and unsustainableproduction and consumption patterns. Clear targetsand deliverables as well as monitoring mechanismsare vital for success.

Mr. Tzvetan Spassov, Youth Adviser for Europeand WSSD Youth Representative, Bulgaria,presented the activities on sustainable consumptionof UNEP’s Youth Advisory Council, a network of 12 youth leaders working closely with UNEP andsupporting the organization in enhancingenvironmental awareness of young peopleworldwide. Several meetings, training sessions, ahandbook, a joint UNEP/UNESCO research projectand a Global Youth Forum, held in Copenhagen,Denmark, 2002, were among the activities. TheGlobal Youth Vision on Sustainable Consumptionwants to empower youth to make individual life-

15


style choices to reduce consumption and resistmedia campaigns that promote excessiveconsumption. It also recognizes the consumerpower of youth and promotes the responsible use of its buying power to support the purchase of fairtrade products.

“Youth is ready to reduce its ecological footprints.”(Tzvetan Spassov, UNEP YAC)

In Bulgaria, Mr. Spassov added, there is corruption,a lack of resources and co-ordination andcommunication between institutions, and norecognition of existing documents. A BulgarianSustainable Consumption Working Group has beenestablished to mobilize the political process and todevelop and monitor the implementation of anational strategy, as part of UNEP’s outreachprogramme Sustainable Consumption Opportunitiesfor Europe (SCOPE). He said that he had personallymade sure that the Minister of Environment wasaware of the UN Guidelines for ConsumerProtection and the upcoming Bali meeting. TheBulgarian National Commission for SustainableDevelopment, created in 1996, had according Mr.Spassov, never met, but due to his lobbying will now meet for the first time in June this year.

UNEP’s SCOPE programme was further explainedby Ms. Rie Tsutsumi, UNEP, Regional Office forEurope, Geneva. The mission is to promoteopportunities for all in Europe, especially forgovernments, business and citizens in transitioncountries, from sustainable consumption through:

• creating awareness and debate;• establishing national stakeholder coalitions;• promoting regional consensus.

Opportunities for governments are reaching a moreefficient and profitable economy and more satisfiedcitizens. Industry benefits from more efficient andprofitable production (by waste minimization andreduction of production costs) and a betterrelationship with customers. Consumers will be ableto consume better products and services. Citizensand society will see nature better-protected, acleaner environment and better health. Nationalworkshops have been held in Bulgaria, Estonia andYugoslavia. Hungary, Poland, UK, and otherEuropean countries will follow.

“An important element of our work includesidentifying how existing knowledge, expertise andexperiences in the region can be used” (Rie Tsutsumi,UNEP).

Mr. Patrick Rabe, European Commission, stated thatthe Commission does not have specific sustainableconsumption and production policies in place. Heoutlined three key areas with relevant activities:

• EU labelling-schemes, including makingdeveloping countries aware and increase theirmarket access to European countries;

• EMAS (Environmental Management andAccounting System), which is additional to ISOprogrammes and requires industry to conductconsultations, report and comply with national laws;

• IPP (Integrated Product Policy). This strategyfocuses on the phases of product choice, productuse and product disposal.

He stated that there seems to be not enough political will at a high level to pursue sustainabledevelopment, therefore mobilizing support will bethe main task for the WSSD. In order to achievetangible results we should “get the prices right” and make IPP work in a global context. Mr. Rabecongratulated UNEP with the organization of theevent and recommended to also bringing in UNDP,UNIDO and ILO, in order to increase the socialelement of sustainable consumption and production.

The discussion focused on how the meeting couldhelp the WSSD process to achieve clear and concreteoutcomes. Mr. Santiago Wins (Uruguay Mission tothe UN) suggested including the UN Guidelines forConsumer Protection in the WSSD Programme ofAction. Mr. Mame Baba Cisse (Senegal Mission tothe UN) suggested clarification of the issue of thedecision-making process of the proposed ten-yearwork programme. Who will outline the workprogramme, by when, and what will happenbetween now and Johannesburg? Mr. Ariel GustavoCarbajal (Argentina) emphasized UN Guideline 44,with recommendations on a whole range ofgovernmental policies (especially regulatory). Ms.Helen Agren (Sweden) commented by referring tothe EU proposal and added that there shouldindeed be a clear timetable. Identifying next stepsand responsibilities for the process should beachieved in Johannesburg.

Meeting report

Session IV:

Building a global work programme on implementing sustainableconsumption and production policies

Participants worked in groups to identify keyelements for ways forward in building a globalwork programme for implementing sustainableconsumption and production policies, includingcapacity building.

The first group recommended that care should betaken with difficult and technical wording (such as“de-coupling”) and proposed as an overall goal for the working programme: “Eradicate poverty by changing unsustainable consumption andproduction patterns, allowing the poor to get accessto products, services, information and technology”.In other words: “increase consumption andproduction in such a way that it does not contradict with sustainable development”.

Obstacles for achieving this goal include:

• a coherent and integrated sustainableconsumption policy approach does not exist;

• market failures (prices that do not reflectenvironmental and social costs, subsidies thatpromote unsustainable activities);

• a lack of political will;• a lack of proper international governance;• national governments do not sufficiently

implement the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection;

• a lack of technology transfer and capacity building;• a lack of partnerships;• unsustainable patterns of consumption from

the North are copied to the South;• there are different challenges for developing

countries (capacity building) and developedcountries (de-coupling).

The group proposed ten key actions:

1 improve access to technology and information;2 decrease unsustainable subsidies;3 integrate the concept of sustainable consumption

and production policies in ministries andagencies (including those for Finance andEconomic Affairs);

4 promote product testing and labelling;5 strengthen consumer organizations;6 implement the UN Guidelines for Consumer

16

Protection, section sustainable consumption. Seta clear date, for instance 2004 (which is five yearsafter the endorsement of the General AssemblyDecision);

7 promote a better understanding of integratedproduct policies, product chain responsibilityand life-cycle thinking (including promotion ofnational product panels);

8 “get the prices right”: internalise costs oninternational level;

9 link the work programme with the InternationalLabour Organization (ILO) activities onpromoting the creation of decent jobs;

10 make sure there is compliance with existingregulations.

The group recommended a joint outreach activity ofconsumer organizations, governments, companies,UN institutions and, most importantly, theparticipants of the Paris workshop themselves.

“We, ourselves, have to be the ambassadors for changefrom now to Bali and Johannesburg.” (Saskia Werners,Netherlands)

According to the first group, in Johannesburg a taskforce should be established to develop a globalwork programme. A number of concrete actionsshould be carried out as well.

The second group had identified the followingbarriers to change:

• lack of information about sustainableconsumption and production patterns, on which solid policies could be based;

• short-term planning policy making;• lack of political will;• predominant model for development supports

increased consumption;• deficit in governance (corruption etc.);• lack of cohesion in policy making and

implementation;• lack of coherent institutional structure and

coherent tools;• lack of proper focus on the demand side issues.

Resulting from these obstacles, the group thenidentified six solutions:

1 Political will: Deal with the obstacles in an openand transparent way, including all stakeholders.There is also a need for public awareness-raisingin order to get sustainable consumption and


production on the agenda in policy-makingprocesses. Build partnerships for change andapply a differentiated approach in relation todeveloping and developed countries;

2 Information: Better information dissemination isrequired – targeted, specific and based onrecognition that “one size does not fit all”.Improved implementation of the UN Guidelinesis a specific measure that would facilitate this.

3 New market: Transforming the predominantmodel for development, which implies increasedconsumption. A number of tools are available,using market forces and economic tools,including the “informal market”. Encouragedebate on different kinds of wealth. The ten-yearwork programme should deliver alternatives toand transform the current models;

4 Governance: The ten-year work programmeshould focus on the links to capacitybuilding,introduce new partnerships, promotetransparency, openness and attention tocorruption;

5 Cohesion in policy-making and implementation:The ten-year work programme should link theissues of trade and other areas with clearreference to integrated national policyframeworks;

6 Demand side issues: Sequencing and coherenceof policies is crucial to address the lack ofattention to demand side issues. Thereforeoutcomes of a ten-year work programme shouldbe clearly related to the demand side.Internalization of costs is crucial, and so isestablishing support structures for consumers toenable change. Green procurement is crucial aswell. Governments should use their consumptionpatterns to drive the demand side of the market.

In the following discussion between the two groupsit was quickly decided to merge the two sets ofactions. As some observed, many of the proposedactions are in fact already agreed to in the variousforums and Agenda 21. The main message has to bethat so far these have not been implemented andthat they should be implemented. Johannesburg,rather than coming up with new actions, shouldconcentrate on the mechanisms for implementation.As Ms. Pernille Soerensen (Denmark) added, thenew element should be the setting of goals, targetsand measuring and monitoring. A solid ten-yearwork programme, including monitoring, was seenas a crucial condition to achieve results. Oneparticipant objected to too specific a reference to the ILO and wanted to broaden the scope of that

17

proposed action to include social elements ofsustainable consumption and production, assistedby the relevant international organizations.

The meeting then discussed how to merge the twolists of actions, which resulted in the following fivemain priorities, preceded by a general statement onpolitical will and general message:

1 getting the prices right, abolish unsustainablesubsidies;

2 integrated approach of production andconsumption policies;

3 governance, co-operation internationalorganizations and implementation of UNGuidelines (by 2004);

4 information and awareness of consumers andcivil society;

5 capacity-building and training activities, for boththe North and the South, including type IIpartnerships. A first “work in progress” reportshould be delivered by 2003.

It was stated that the so-called “type II”partnerships will probably have the best chance ofachieving tangible results in the short term.Participants also stressed the importance ofreferring to existing policies, to learn fromsuccessful programmes, to include firm goals andtargets for developed countries, to focus on capacitybuilding for developing countries, to use indicatorsand to include other stakeholders, such as localgovernments and the scientific community. Pilotprogrammes on new production and consumptionmodels should be tested after which lessons learntcould be included in other forums. Furthermore, theneed was identified to establish a training andnetworking centre which could assist in the transferof ideas and new models of production andconsumption.

Session V:

Key messages to WSSD

This session provided a summary of the two-daydiscussion, and insights from the participants. Adraft chair’s summary was presented and discussed.Concrete follow-up activities were identified.

A “pre-view” of the chair’s summary wasdistributed, which called for “a strong political will”to be expressed in Johannesburg, to “strengthen theimplementation of sustainable consumption and

Meeting report

production policies in an open and transparentway”. Its key message was that poverty has to beeradicated to ensure that those most in need getaccess to products, services (including health andeducation), information and technology. The fivemain points for action were: an internationalinitiative to get the prices right by internalization ofenvironmental and social costs and eliminatingunsustainable subsidies; improving understandingand implementation of an integrated approach toproduction and consumption policies, based on life-cycle thinking; improving governance at thenational, regional and international level; steppingup information and awareness campaigns; andmonitoring the implementation of a workprogramme with targets and indicators. The nextsteps, according to the draft summary, should bethat in Johannesburg a task force is established todevelop a work programme with aims and process

steps, to be discussed at UNEP’s Governing Councilin 2003 and at a “CSD11” meeting.

In the discussion the element of “quality of life” wasadded to the key message. Furthermore, an actionpoint was added to carry out pilot projects toexperiment with new models of production andconsumption.

After the meeting, a small drafting committee con-sisting of Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (chair), Allan Asher(chair), Helen Agren (Sweden), Pernille Soerensen(Denmark), Marjo Nummelin (Finland), BjarnePedersen (Consumers International), Anna Fielder(Consumers International), Ms. Jacqueline Aloisi deLarderel (UNEP), Mr. Fritz Balkau (UNEP) and Basde Leeuw (UNEP), incorporated those commentsinto a final version of the chair’s summary, asfollows (copied in chapter 2 of this report):

18

Chair’s summary

World leaders gathering at the World Summit onSustainable Development in Johannesburg have toexpress a strong political will to strengthen theimplementation of sustainable consumption andproduction policies, to be formulated andimplemented in an open and transparent way –involving all countries and all stakeholders.

Key message:Sustainable consumption and production is needed to:• improve quality of life, particularly for those in

need, and provide the basic needs for all,including access to food, shelter, health andeducation services;

• de-couple economic growth from environmentaldegradation to secure development whilemaintaining the carrying capacity of eco-systems.

Five main points for action:1 Launch a ten-year work programme on

implementing sustainable consumption andproduction patterns, including targets andindicators. Monitor the implementation of thework programme, including both intergovern-mental commitments and partnership initiatives;

2 Improve understanding and implementation ofan integrated approach of sustainableconsumption and cleaner production, based onlife-cycle thinking, and including capacity

building and technology co-operation. In thisrespect implement the recommendations ofUNEP’s 7th International High-level Seminar onCleaner Production, held in Prague, April, 2002;

3 Improve governance and collaboration at alllevels. At the international level better co-operation between international organizations.At regional, national and local levels betterimplementation of the UN Guidelines forConsumer Protection (by 2004), capacitybuilding, new partnerships, transparency,cohesion in policy-making and attention tocorruption;

4 Strengthen international initiatives to get theprices right by internalization of environmentaland social costs and by elimination ofunsustainable subsidies;

5 Step up information and awareness campaignsdirected to consumers and public world-wide:targeted, specific and tailored.

Proposals for next steps:1. The World Summit on Sustainable Developmentshould recommend that UNEP’s GoverningCouncil, at its next session, examine a proposal fora ten-year work programme with goals and targetsand guidance on the organization of the work,with progress of implementation of theprogramme to be regularly presented to the CSD.2. Governments and the private sector shouldinitiate pilot projects for new production andconsumption models based on local cultures.


19

The chair, Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, reminded theparticipants in the closing session about the “spirit ofParis” which she had witnessed, and stressed theimportance of bringing the message to all personalnetworks.

Mr. Bas de Leeuw, UNEP, announced that the chair’spaper would be finalized before May 17th, 2002. Hementioned the various contact persons who are readyto answer queries from participants and otherinterested parties, regarding either the UN Guidelinesfor Consumer Protection survey or the ways to bringthe message of this Paris workshop to Bali andmobilize support. UNEP DTIE’s office in Paris can becontacted ([email protected]) as well as the various UNEPRegional Offices. The Consumers International officesworldwide are ready to assist as well. All participantsof the meeting will receive an e-mail version of themeeting report of this meeting before Bali. Mr deLeeuw stressed, however, that informing others aboutthe outcomes could start right after the meeting, sincethe preview of the chair’s summary was alreadydistributed and participants had already receivedbackground material.

Mr. Bjarne Pedersen, Consumers International,announced that the outcomes of the meeting will beincorporated in the planned side-event on the 3rd ofJune in Bali, launching the UNEP/CI UN Guidelinessurvey. He saw more possibilities to spread the news through the multi-stakeholder dialogue andthrough alerting the various caucuses (includingyouth, women).

Ms. Pernille Soerensen, Denmark, informed theparticipants that the Nordic countries are consideringorganizing a side-event in Bali to present theoutcomes of the meeting. A Ministerial Forum on theissue is also under consideration. She expressed hergratitude to UNEP and Consumers International fororganizing the event.

Mr. Fritz Balkau, Head, Production and ConsumptionBranch, UNEP, thanked and congratulated theparticipants on behalf of the Executive Director ofUNEP, Klaus Toepfer, and on behalf of Ms. JacquelineAloisi de Larderel, Assistant Executive Director andDirector of UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industryand Economics (DTIE). He was satisfied with theconcrete outcomes, which, as he said, the worldcommunity has been looking for over recent years.

“The results of this meeting will move us from thestages of rhetoric to action.” (Fritz Balkau, UNEP)

Registration and coffee

Opening SessionVisions on how Implementing Sustainable Consumption and Production Policies canbe strengthened as contribution to the Johannesburg process.

Introduction and Welcome: Mr. Per Bakken, Deputy Director, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics,UNEPMs. Anna Fielder, Director, Office for Developed and Transition Economies,Consumers InternationalMs. Viveka Bohn, Ambassador Johannesburg Secretariat, Sweden

Introduction of participants, organization of the work and adoption of agenda

Chairpersons:Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, Director, Interface Inc. & Green Mountain Energy, USA,and Mr. Allan Asher, Director, Campaigns and Communication, ConsumersAssociation, UK

Promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns: towards a global work planDe-coupling economic growth and environmental and social impacts are to beachieved by concrete and time-bound activities involving sustainable consumptionand cleaner production, assisted by monitoring and feedback. Developed countrieshave a special responsibility to take action and should also assist developingcountries and countries with economies in transition in joining the efforts andgrasping the opportunities, arising from increasing awareness of consumers aboutsustainability.

Chairperson:Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley

Introductory Remarks (20 minutes): Mr. Karsten Skov, Deputy Director General, Danish Environmental Protection Agency

Coffee

6 May 2002

8:30

9:30 Opening

10:30 Session 1

11:00

Appendix 1: Agenda of the meeting

20

Appendix 1:Agenda of the meeting


11:30 Session 1 ctd.

13:00

14:00 Session 2

15:30


17:30

18:00

Key note address (20 minutes):Mr. Ken Ruffing, Acting Director, Environment Directorate, OECD

Panellists (10 minutes presentations): Mr. Diego Masera, Industry Officer, UNEP Regional Office for Latin America andCaribbean, MexicoMr. Christian Loewe, Federal Environment Agency, Germany

Discussion

Lunch

National and regional implementation of UN Guidelines for ConsumerProtection and integrated product policiesPresentation of UNEP/CI status report and national and regional case studies.Report of outcomes of UNEP’s seventh High Level Seminar on Cleaner Production.What has been done so far and what are priorities for an integrated implementationof sustainable consumption and cleaner production policies.

Chairperson: Mr Allan Asher

Introductory remarks (20 minutes): Mr Bas de Leeuw, Coordinator, UNEP, and Mr. Bjarne Pedersen, Senior PolicyOfficer, Consumers International

Panellists (10 minutes presentations): Mr. Bethmahe Ruchira Lasanthi Perera, Ministry of Environment and NaturalResources, Sri LankaMr. Jacek Jaskiewicz, Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Environment, PolandMs. Jo Kumala Dewi, International Environmental Analysis, Indonesia

Discussion

Coffee

Mr. Antero Honkasalo, Director, Environmental Protection in Trade & Industry,Ministry of Environment, FinlandMr. Stefan Larenas, Consumers International, Regional Office for Latin America,ChileMs. Alejandra Arratia Martinez, National Consumer Service, ChileMs. Afifa Raihana, Striving Towards Environmental Protection, Bangladesh

Discussion

Wrap up first day

Chairperson:Mr. Allan Asher

Champagne cocktail hosted by the government of Finland

21

Appendix 1: Agenda of the meeting

22

7 May 2002

9:00 Session 3

11:00

11:30 Session 4

13:00


15:30

On the road to Bali and JohannesburgOverview of current status of discussions on “type I” and “type II” process,sustainable consumption and production elements in PrepCom chairman’s paper andagenda for Bali and Johannesburg. Priorities, focus areas and information needs.Networking and national coalition prospects.


Introductory Remarks (20 minutes): Ms. Chikako Takase, United Nations/Division for Economic and Social Affairs(UN/DESA)

Panellists (10 minutes presentations): Ms. Jeanette Ndhlovu, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission to the UN, South AfricaMr. Tzvetan Spassov, Youth Adviser for Europe, WSSD Youth Representative, BulgariaMs Rie Tsutsumi, Programme Officer, UNEP, Regional Office for Europe, GenevaMr. Patrick Rabe, Environment Directorate, European Commission

Discussion and introduction of group work

Coffee

Building a global work plan on implementing sustainable consumption and production policies Participants will identify:• elements for global work plan on implementing sustainable consumption and

production policies;• issues to address in capacity building programme for developing countries and

countries with economies in transition.

Themes of work groups are tentative; alternative or additional groups or themescan be identified on basis of status of discussions.

Group A: Elements global work plan Group B: Capacity building programmeModerator: Ms. Dianne Dillon-Ridgley Moderator: Mr. Allan Asher

Lunch

Group presentations

Discussion

Coffee


23

16:00 Session 5

17:00 Closing

17:30

Key messages to WSSDChairperson: Ms. Dianne Dillon-RidgleySummary of the 2-days’ discussions and insights from the different stakeholders.Open discussion to identify elements for chairman’s summary:• overview of opportunities for strengthening implementation sustainable

consumption and production policies;• tentative list of elements for global work plan: goals, sectors, key areas;• tentative list of gaps in knowledge and skills to be addressed in capacity building

programme

Discussion

Closing sessionConcluding remarks, follow up actions, comments and suggestions participants


Mr Bas de Leeuw, Coordinator, UNEPMr. Bjarne Pedersen, Senior Policy Officer, Consumers InternationalMs. Pernille Soerensen, Head of Section, Environmental Protection Agency, DenmarkMr. Fritz Balkau, Head, Production and Consumption Branch, UNEP

End of meeting

Secretaria de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Ministerio deDesarrollo SocialMr. Ariel Gustavo CarbajalDirector de Tecnologia, Procesos y Servicios AmbientalesSan Martin 459Buenos AiresArgentinaE-mail: [email protected]: 54 11 4348 8273Fax: 54 11 4348 8592

Embassy of Australia in FranceMs. Elizabeth AmbroseResearch Assistant4 rue Jean Rey75724 Paris Cedex 15Australia / FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 40 59 33 38Fax: 33 1 40 59 34 16

Striving Towards Environmental Protection (STEP)Ms. Afifa RaihanaPresident / UNEP Associate Youth Adviser for Asia and thePacificHouse 28, Road 8, Sector 3, UttaraDhaka-1230BangladeshE-mail: [email protected]: 880 2 891 59 28Fax: 880 2 980 18 82

European CommissionMr. Patrick RabeAdministrator, Environment Directorate Generalrue de la Loi, 2001049 BrusselsBelgiumE-mail: [email protected]: 32 2 299 24 39Fax: 32 2 296 9558

Brazil Embassy in FranceMr. Orlando ScalfoFirst Secretary, Political Affairs34 cours Albert 1er75008 ParisBrazil / FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 45 61 82 70Fax: 33 1 45 61 63 00

UNEP Youth Advisory CouncilMr. Tzvetan SpassovYouth Adviser for Europe10 Narodno Sabranie Sq., room 3021000 SofiaBulgariaE-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]: 359 88 24 04 74Fax: 359 2 987 22 85

Servicio Nacional del ConsumidorMs. Alejandra Arratia MartinezJefa de Gabinete Direccion NacionalTeatinos 120, Piso 11, Of.26SantiagoChileE-mail: [email protected]: 56 2 351 9513Fax: 56 2 671 8095

Consumers International Mr. Stefan LarenasEnvironment OfficerLas Hortensias2371 SantiagoChileE-mail: [email protected]: 56 2 3351695Fax: 56 22310773

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning Ms. Nevenka PreradovicSenior Adviser, Economic Incentives Dept, Division of GeneralEnv. PolicyUlica grada Vukovara 78, 10000 ZagrebCroatiaE-mail: [email protected] /[email protected]: 385 1 610 65 69Fax: 385 1 611 20 73

Ministry of Environment – Environmental Strategy DeptMr. Dagmar SucharovovaDeputy DirectorVrsovicka 65100 10 Prague 10-VrsoviceCzech RepublicE-mail: [email protected]: 4202 6712 2784Fax: 4202 6731 0340

UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the CaribbeanMr. Diego MaseraRegional Co-ordinator, Industry Programme for Latin Americaand the CaribbeanBlvd.de Los Virreyes 155 – Lomas de VirreyesCP 11000 MexicoD.F. MexicoE-mail: [email protected]: 52 5202 4841 / 52 5202 6394 ext. 514Fax: 52 5202 0950

Danish Environmental Protection AgencyMr. Nis ChristensenHead of SectionStrandgade 291401 Copenhagen KDenmarkE-mail: [email protected]: 45 3266 0100Fax: 45 3257 6265

Appendix 2: List of participants

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Appendix 2:List of participants


United Nations Environment ProgrammeMr. Per BakkenDeputy Director, Division of Technology, Industry andEconomicsTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 76 19Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

United Nations Environment ProgrammeMr. Fritz BalkauHead, Production & Consumption BranchTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 14 39Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

United Nations Environment ProgrammeMr. Bas de LeeuwCo-ordinator, Sustainable Consumption ProgrammeTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 30 09Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

United Nations Environment ProgrammeMs. Sue KikweProgramme Assistant, Sustainable ConsumptionTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 14 34Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

United Nations Environment ProgrammeMs. Solange Montillaud-JoyelProject Co-ordinator, Sustainable ConsumptionTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 76 20Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)Mr. Kenneth RuffingActing Director, Environment Directorate2 rue André Pascal75775 Paris Cedex 16FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 45 24 93 10Fax: 33 1 45 24 78 76

United Nations Environment ProgrammeMs. Anne SolgaardProfessional Officer, Sustainable ConsumptionTour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 44 37 14 66Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74

Danish Environmental Protection AgencyMr. Karsten SkovDeputy Director GeneralMiljoministeriet, Miljostyrelsen, Strandgade 291401 Kobenhavn K.DenmarkE-mail: [email protected]: 45 32 66 04 80Fax: 45 32 66 04 25

Danish Environmental Protection AgencyMs. Pernille SoerensenHead of SectionStrandgade 291401 Kobenhavn.kDenmarkE-mail: [email protected]: 45 32 66 02 30Fax: 45 32 57 35 77

Ministerio del Ambiente del EcuadorMs. Irma Suarez G.Coordinadora Nacional Proceso Produccion mas Limpiaav. Amazonas y av. Eloy Alfaro Edif. Mag. 7mo PisoEcuadorE-mail: [email protected]: 593 2 256 3492Fax: 593 2 563 492

Ministry of Foreign AffairsMr. Mohamed Aly El KaraksyDepartment of Environment and Sustainable Development40 A Bagdad Street, Heliopolis 11341CairoEgyptE-mail: [email protected]: 202 5747847Fax: 202 291 1007

Fiji Mission to the UNMr. Amenatave YauvoliDeputy Permanent Representative630 3rd Avenue, 7th floorNY 10017Fiji/USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 687 4130Fax: 1 212 687 3963

Ministry of Trade and IndustryMr. Ilkka CantellCommercial CounsellorPO Box 32FI-00023 Government, HelsinkiFinlandE-mail: [email protected]: 358 9 1606 3531Fax: 358 9 1606 2670

Ministry of the EnvironmentMr. Antero HonkasaloDirector, Environmental Protection in Trade & IndustryPO Box 3500023 ValtioneuvostoFinlandE-mail: [email protected]: 358 9 1603 9345Fax: 358 9 1603 9453

Ministry of the EnvironmentMs. Marjo NummelinSenior AdviserPO Box 3500023 ValtioneuvostoFinlandE-mail: [email protected]: 358 9 1603 9746Fax: 358 9 1603 9602

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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)Ms. AdrianaZacarias FarahConsultant2 rue André Pascal75775 Paris Cedex 16FranceE-mail: [email protected]: 33 1 45 24 13 80Fax: 33 1 45 24 78 76

Federal Environment AgencyMr. Christian LöweResearcherPO Box 33 00 22, Bismarckplatz 1Berlin [email protected]: 49 30 8903 3025Fax: 49 30 8903 3099

Ministry of Environment & ScienceMr. Rudolph S. KuuzeghDeputy DirectorBox M232AccraGhanaE-mail: [email protected]: 233 21 673336Fax: 233 21 666828

Guyana Mission to the UNMr. Garfield BarnwellFirst Secretary866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 555NY 10017Guyana/USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 527 3232Fax: 1 212 935 7548

Ministry of EnvironmentMr. Jean-Pierre MoïseClimate Change Programme Co-ordinator and National OzoneFocal Point181 Haut TurgeauPort-au-PrinceHaïtiE-mail: [email protected]: 509 245 9309Fax: 509 245 7360

State Ministry of EnvironmentMs. Jo Kumala DewiInternational Environmental AnalysisDiorita Batam Building (B) 4th floor, JI. DI. Panjaitan Kav. 24Jakarta TimurIndonesiaE-mail: [email protected]: 62 21 859 09533Fax: 62 21 858 0111

Ministry of the EnvironmentMr. Mordechai SelaDirector, Business Licensing Division5 Kanfei Nesharim, POB 34033Jerusalem 95464IsraelE-mail: [email protected]: 972 2 655 3770Fax: 972 2 655 3763

Ministry of Industry, Commerce & TechnologyMs. Beverley Rose-ForbesDivisional Director38 Trafalgar RoadKingston 10JamaicaE-mail: [email protected]: 876 960 1622Fax: 876 754 55 22

Ministry of Natural Resources and Env. ProtectionMs. Svetlana KolesnikovaExpert on Int. Environmental Conventions, Programme“Institutional Strengthening for Sustainable Development”Satpaev str. 1Kokshetau 475 000KazakhstanE-mail: [email protected]: 7 316 22 55 44 2Fax: 7 316 22 555 37

Ministry of Natural Resources & Env. AffairsMr. Aloysius M. KampereweraDeputy DirectorEnvironmental Affairs Dept, Private Bag 394, Lingadzi House,City Centre, Liliongwe 3MalawiE-mail: [email protected]: 265 771 111Fax: 265 773 379

Environmental Youth Network of Yucatan .C. (member of National Youth E. Network)Ms. Linabel Segovia SarlatPresident, Youth AdviserCalle 17-B Num 105-L entre 24 y 22-A Boulevares de ChuburnaMerida, YucatanMexico CP 97200E-mail: [email protected]: 52 999 9 81 15 93Fax: 52 999 927 64 75

Ministry of EnvironmentMr. Ralph ChapmanManager, Strategic PolicyWijnkade 83011 VZ RotterdamNew Zealand / The NetherlandsE-mail: [email protected]: 31 10 2141 321

Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the UNMr. Luis A. MolinaFirst Secretary, in charge of Second Committee Issues820 Second Avenue, Suite 801NYNicaragua/[email protected]: 212 490 7997Fax: 212 286 0815

The Consumer Council of NorwayMs. Line AndersenAdvisor/Environment OfficerPostboks 4594, Nydalen N-0404 [email protected]: 47 23 40 05 53Fax: 47 23 40 05 03

Ministry of the EnvironmentMr. Jacek JaskiewiczAdviser to the MinisterWawelska 52/5400-920 WarsawPolandE-mail: [email protected]: 48 22 5792 656Fax: 48 22 5792 795


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Ministry of Economy, Economic Strategy DeptMs. Aleksandra UfnalAdministrative AssistantPlac Trzech Krzyzy 3/500-507 WarszawaPolandE-mail: [email protected]: 48 22 693 56 12Fax: 48 22 693 40 25

Senegal Mission to the UNMr. Mame Baba CisseCounselor238 East 68th StreetNY 10021Senegal / USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 517 90 30Fax: 1 212 517 90 32

National Consumers Forum (NATCOF)Ms. Françoise DupresExecutive DirectorPO Box 1410, Premiere Building, VictoriaMaheSeychellesE-mail: [email protected]: 248 225941Fax: 248 226 093

Ministry of EconomyMs. Adriana LehotskaSpecialised OfficialMierova 1982715 Bratislava 212Slovak RepublicE-mail: [email protected]: 421 2 4854 1508Fax: 421 2 4854 3818

Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UNMs. Jeanette NdhlovuDeputy Permanent Representative333 East 38 Street10016 NYSouth Africa/USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 692 2463Fax: 1 212 692 2498

Ministry of Environment and Natural ResourcesMs. Bethmage RuchiraLasanthi PereraResearch Assistant, Environmental Economics and Global AffairsDivisionN° 104 A, Central Environmental Authority, Parisara Piyasa,Robert Gunawardene MawathaBattaramullaSri LankaE-mail: [email protected]: 94 1 887 452Fax: 94 74 410 236

Permanent Mission of Sudan to the UNMr. Mustafa AnasFirst Secretary655 Third Ave., Suite 500-10NY 10017Sudan/USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 573 6033Fax: 1 212 573 6160

Swedish Environmental Protection AgencyMs. Helen AgrenPrincipal Technical Officer10648 StockholmSwedenE-mail: [email protected]: 46 8 698 1417Fax: 46 8 698 1253

Ministry for Foreign AffairsMs. Viveka BohnAmbassador, Johannesburg Secretariat103 33 StockholmSwedenE-mail: [email protected]: 46 8 405 34 95Fax: 46 8 10 38 07

Ministry of Justice, Consumer Policy DivisionMs. Carin WahrenSpecial Adviser10333 StockholmSwedenE-mail: [email protected]: 46 8 405 43 87Fax: 46 8 21 96 25

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Mr. Gerald RebitzerResearcher and Group Co-ordinatorInstitute of Environmental Science and [email protected]: 41 21 693 55 26Fax: 4121 693 57 60

UNEP Regional Office for EuropeMs. Rie TsutsumiProgramme Officer15, chemin des Anémones1219 Châtelaine, GenèveSwitzerlandE-mail: [email protected]: 41 22 917 8504Fax: 41 22 917 8024

The Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED)Mr. Sander Van BennekomProgramme Officer Sustainable Production & ConsumptionPO Box 590301040 KA AmsterdamThe NetherlandsE-mail: [email protected]: 31 20 4751742Fax: 31 20 4751743

Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the EnvironmentMs. Saskia WernersPolicy AdviserPO Box 309452500 GX The HagueThe NetherlandsE-mail: [email protected]: 32 70 339 30 20Fax: 32 70 339 13 06

Uganda Consumers Protection Association (UCPA)Mr. Henry Richard KimeraChief Executive OfficerGPO Box [email protected]: 256 41 234002 / 256 77 502 441Fax: 256 41 234002

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Consumers’ AssociationMr. Allan AsherDirector of Campaigns and Communications2 Marylebone RoadLondon NW1 4DFUKE-mail: [email protected]: 44 207 770 76 79Fax: 44 207 770 8679

Consumers InternationalMs. Anna FielderDirector, Office for Developed and Transition Economies24 Highbury CrescentLondon, N5 1RXUKE-mail: [email protected]: 44 207 226 6663Fax: 44 207 354 0607

McCann-Erickson EuropeMr. Mike LonghurstSenior Vice President, Business Development36 Howland StreetLondon WIA IATUKE-mail: [email protected]: + 44 207 580 6690Fax: +44 207 312 6428

Consumers InternationalMr. Bjarne PedersenSenior Policy and Representation Officer, Food, Health &Environment24 Highbury CrescentLondon, N5 1RXUKE-mail: [email protected]: 44 207 226 6663, ext. 209Tel: 44 207 354 0607

Cabinet Office, UK GovernmentMr. Shane TomlinsonEconomistRm 4.16 Admiralty Arch, The MallLondon, SW1A 2WHUKE-mail: [email protected]: 44 207 276 1458Fax: 44 207 276 1408

Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the UNMr. Santiago WinsSecond Secretary866 UN Plaza, Suite 322NY 10017Uruguay/USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 752 8240Fax: 1 212 593 0935

Integrative Strategies ForumMr. Jeffrey BarberExecutive Director11426 Rockville Pike, Suite 306Rockville, MD 20852USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 301 770 6375Fax: 1 301 770 6377

Interface Inc. & Green Mountain Energy CompanyMs. Dianne Dillon-RidgleyDirector3815 Capital of Texas Highway South, Suite 100Austin, Texas 78704USAE-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]: 1 800 336 0225 ext. 0637Fax: 512 319 338 2090

Toxics Use Reduction Institute, Lowell Center for SustainableProductionMr. Jack LuskinSenior Associate DirectorUniversity of Massachusets, LowellMA 01854USAE-mail: [email protected]: 978 934 3262 / 978 934 3275Fax: 978 934 3050

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs(UN DESA), Division for Sustainable DevelopmentMs. Chikako TakaseProgramme OfficerUnited Nations, DSD/DESA, Rm. DC2-2244NY 10017USAE-mail: [email protected]: 1 212 963 8774Fax: 1 212 963 4260

Federal Secretariat for Labour, Health and Social Care – Env.DeptMs. Svetlana RisticSenior AdviserFederation PalaceBelgradeYugoslaviaE-mail: [email protected]: 381 11 311 11 70Fax: 381 11 142 564

Consumers International Office for AfricaMs. Nessie GolakaiProgramme Officer31 A Lincoln Rd, BelgraviaHarareZimbabweE-mail: [email protected]: 263 4 302283 / 263 91 377501Fax: 263 4 303092


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Appendix 3: Background material

EU suggestion for a 10 yearwork programme on sustainableconsumption and production

Why a work programme on SustainableConsumption and Production?

Sustainable development cannot be achieved withoutfundamental changes in the ways societies produceand consume. Concrete progress in this area is crucialfor a successful outcome of the WSSD and should bepursued by all countries, with the developedcountries taking the lead. Moving the globaleconomy onto a more socially responsible andresource productive path will offer benefits to society,the environment and economy in all countries.

The WSSD should reaffirm the high level politicalcommitment to changing unsustainable consumptionand production patterns in order to strengthenimplementation of Agenda 21,the Rio principles,UNGASS 1997 and decisions from especially CSD3and CSD7 on changing unsustainable consumptionand production patterns (SCPP).

To strengthen the ongoing work on SCPP there is aneed to establish a new, focused work programmefor the coming decade, with medium and shortterm goals. This should lead to strengthened effortsto speed up the implementation of agreedcommitments in order to achieve measurableresults, as well as to prioritisation and focusing onkey areas.

The goals of the work programmeshould be to:

• contribute to the achievement of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals

• reverse current trends in loss of natural resourcesat the global and national levels by 2015

• de-couple economic growth from environmentaldegradation

• promote more equitable access to naturalresources and consumption to meet the basicneeds for all

Why these goals?

Sustainable development in all countries is based onthe expectations of economic growth. Howevereconomic growth depends on maintaining thecarrying capacity of eco-systems. There are certaincritical limits to our use of nature in the sense thatthe sources, sinks, services and space that natureprovides have limits. So de-coupling is thechallenge for sustainable development because weneed economic growth and social development, inparticular in developing countries. Therefore the EUsuggests that all countries commit themselves to thegoal of reversing current trends in loss of naturalresources at the global and national levels by 2015.

Developing countries should benefit from thepromotion of sustainable consumption andproduction patterns and technological innovationsin the developed part of the world. Thus, de-coupling should be accompanied by technologyexchange and capacity building to secure that theachievement of sustainable consumption andproduction will be beneficial at the global level, andprovide the progress needed for a more equitableaccess to natural resources and consumption tomeet the basic needs for all. Getting more from lessby promoting eco-efficiency is beneficial for all.

In May 2001 the ministers of finance/economy andthe ministers of environment from the 30 OECDmember states agreed that the OECD shouldintegrate indicators for sustainable developmentand decoupling in the OECD reviews. The ongoingprocess in the OECD will contribute to the further


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development and use of a common framework ofindicators for measuring sustainable developmentand de-coupling.

Suggested focus of the workprogramme:

The work programme should identify priorities andmeasures to be taken at all levels and at relevantsectors with substantial environmental and socialimpact (energy, agriculture, transport, industry andservice sectors including tourism).

The work programme should also address key areas such as substance, material and energy flows, economic instruments, capacity building,partnerships, including work-place basedpartnerships, and awareness raising. Furtherdevelopment and use of policies and tools e.g. environmentally related product policy, resourceproductivity and innovation, land use andinfrastructure planning should be part of the work programme.

Follow-up/measuring progress:

The work programme should be an integral part ofthe follow-up of the Summit, and coordinated bythe body responsible for it. .All stakeholders shouldbe invited to contribute actively in the work withthe elaboration of the work programme.

Further develop and use a common framework of indicators for measuring the social, economic and environmental impact of consumption andproduction, including those for measuring progress in de-coupling economic growth fromenvironmental degradation should be part of the programme.

The process of developing the workprogramme

Further elaboration of the process to develop a work programme is needed before the WSSD. TheSummit should endorse the goals, sectors and keyareas for the programme, as well as identify the next steps, including the adoption of the workprogramme and asking for input from all relevantstakeholders.


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Draft recommendations

Making it Happen

UNEP’s seventh international high-level seminar onCleaner Production was held on April 29-30 inPrague, hosted by the Ministry of the Environmentof the Czech Republic. The seminar broughttogether over 350 senior level participants from 85countries to review progress in promoting andimplementing Cleaner Production worldwide andto make recommendations to promote cleanerproduction and sustainable consumption.

The recommendations put forward and endorsed byall participants include the following:

1 Further strengthen Government policies andcontinue strategies to build institutions formainstreaming Cleaner Production (CP), with particular emphasis on enhancing theinstitutional, technical and managerial capacityof the UNEP/UNIDO-sponsored NationalCleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) and othernational cleaner production centers (CPCs).

2 Expand the scope of CP to address sustainableconsumption with particular attention to therebound effect of unsustainable consumption.This expanded definition of CP should beintegrated into sustainable consumptionthinking. The UNEP/SETAC (Society onEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry) LifeCycle Initiative that was launched at the Seminarshould provide an opportunity to communicatethe expanded definition of CP and sustainableconsumption.

3 Continue development of CP oriented policies,planning and strategies to achieve bothenvironmental and social objectives. Createconducive economic and political frameworks atthe national, regional and international levels.Promote the International Declaration on CleanerProduction (IDCP) and obtain furthercommitments. Mainstream CP in environmentalgovernance and national economic developmentpolicies and programmes.

4 Develop a synergy between CP and the Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).Define the specific needs and linkages of variousMEAs with respect to CP. The NCPCs/CPCsshould be encouraged to play an expanded rolein establishing such linkages and building thedialogue. Clearinghouses and centers forexcellence for technology development andtransfer related to various MEAs should be setup within NCPC/CPC activities.

5 Promote CP in investments and obtaincommitment of the private financial sector.Encourage CP funding through local financinginstitutions as well as multilateral developmentbanks. Raise the capacity of local financialinstitutions, strengthen the funding mechanismsand, better target the small and mediumenterprises and local governments, particularlyin the newly industrializing countries.

6 Promote application of CP to other sectors suchas services and infrastructure usingcomplementary approaches including cleanenergy sources, energy efficiency, saferproduction, resource protection, and clean

product design. Expand the base of stakeholderssuch as consumer related organizations, media,and market players such as retailers, vendors,suppliers and government purchasing units.

7 Increase trade linkages and business-to-businessInteractions through networks such as theUNEP/Global Environment Facility (GEF)initiated Sustainable Alternative Network(SAnet). While continuing to promote technologytransfer from industrialized to industrializingcountries, recognize the potential of localtechnology development.

8 Increase the demand for CP related informationby moving beyond information networking toknowledge management and counseling.Improve the context, relevance and user-friendliness of existing CP information systemsto developing countries. Strengthen the capacityof national information nodes (NCPCs/CPCs)for effective delivery of information.

9 Promote innovative partnerships with otherinternational/national bodies, between business-civil society business-government andemphasize the role CP can play in addressingsocial issues such as human rights and povertyeradication.

10 Emphasize and integrate workplace relatedhealth and safety issues, gender issues and laborrights in implementation of CP.

11 Continue efforts of CP promotion to small- andmedium-sized enterprises, particularly indeveloping countries, through approaches suchas supply-chain management involving trade,contracting, information and technology transfer.

12 Continue efforts on capacity building in CP byseeking to integrate CP into university andpublic educational programs and by using “trainthe trainer” strategies to build CP capacityamongst private-sector professionals andgovernment agents.

In order to implement the above recommendations,UNEP should continue to play a leadership andcatalytic role, in partnership with other internationalbodies, especially UNIDO, ILO and the multilateraland regional development banks.

These recommendations should be taken as aninput to the Johannesburg 2002 World Summit onSustainable Development.


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Appendix 4:

About the UNEP Division of Technology, Industryand Economics

The mission of the UNEP Division of Technology,Industry and Economics is to help decision-makersin government, local authorities, and industrydevelop and adopt policies and practices that:

• are cleaner and safer; • make efficient use of natural resources; • ensure adequate management of chemicals; • incorporate environmental costs; • reduce pollution and risks for humans and

the environment.

The UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE), with the Division Office in Paris, is composed of one centre and five branches:

• The International Environmental TechnologyCentre (Osaka), which promotes the adoption anduse of environmentally sound technologies with afocus on the environmental management of citiesand freshwater basins, in developing countriesand countries in transition.

• Production and Consumption (Paris), whichfosters the development of cleaner and saferproduction and consumption patterns that lead toincreased efficiency in the use of natural resourcesand reductions in pollution.

• Chemicals (Geneva), which promotes sustainabledevelopment by catalysing global actions andbuilding national capacities for the soundmanagement of chemicals and the improvement ofchemical safety world-wide, with a priority onPersistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PriorInformed Consent (PIC, jointly with FAO).

• Energy and OzonAction (Paris), which supportsthe phase-out of ozone depleting substances indeveloping countries and countries witheconomies in transition, and promotes goodmanagement practices and use of energy, with afocus on atmospheric impacts. The UNEP/RISØCollaborating Centre on Energy and Environmentsupports the work of the Unit.

• Economics and Trade (Geneva), which promotesthe use and application of assessment andincentive tools for environmental policy and helpsimprove the understanding of linkages betweentrade and environment and the role of financialinstitutions in promoting sustainable development.

• Coordination of Regional Activities Branch, whichcoordinates regional delivery of UNEP DTIE’sactivities and ensures coordination of DTIE’sactivities funded by the Global EnvironmentFacility (GEF).

UNEP DTIE activities focus on raising awareness,improving the transfer of information, buildingcapacity, fostering technology cooperation,partnerships and transfer, improving understandingof environmental impacts of trade issues, promotingintegration of environmental considerations intoeconomic policies, and catalysing global chemical safety.

For more information contact:UNEP, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics39-43, Quai André Citroën75739 Paris Cedex 15, FranceTel: 33 1 44 37 14 50; Fax: 33 1 44 37 14 74E-mail: [email protected]; URL:http://www.uneptie.org/UNEP TIE/Division Office

What is Consumers International? Consumers International (CI) supports, links andrepresents consumer groups and agencies all over theworld. It has a membership of over 250 organisationsin 115 countries. It strives to promote a fairer societythrough defending the rights of all consumers,including poor, marginalized and disadvantagedpeople, by:

• supporting and strengthening memberorganisations and the consumer movement in general

• campaigning at the international level for policieswhich respect consumer concerns.

The organisation was founded in 1960 as theInternational Organization of Consumer Unions(IOCU) by a group of national consumerorganisations. The group recognised that they couldbuild upon their individual strengths by workingacross national borders. The organisation rapidlygrew and soon became established as the voice ofthe international consumer movement on issues

such as product and food standards, health andpatients’ rights, the environment and sustainableconsumption, and the regulation of internationaltrade and of public utilities.

Consumers International is an independent, non-profit organisation. It is not aligned with orsupported by any political party or industry. It isfunded by fees from member organisations and bygrants from foundations, governments andmultilateral agencies.

Consumers International’s Head Office is based inLondon, as is its office for Developed and TransitionEconomies. Regional Offices are located in KualaLumpur (Malaysia), Santiago (Chile) and Harare(Zimbabwe).

Rights And Responsibilities Consumer policy promotes the establishment of legis-lation, institutions and information that improve qualityof life and empower people to make changes in theirown lives. It seeks to ensure that basic human rights arerecognised and promotes understanding of people’srights and responsibilities as consumers. These are:

• The right to satisfaction of basic needs • The right to safety • The right to be informed • The right to choose • The right to be heard • The right to redress • The right to consumer education • The right to a healthy environment.

Consumers have the responsibility to use their powerin the market to drive out abuses, to encourage ethicalpractices and to support sustainable consumption andproduction. Developing and protecting consumers’rights and their awareness of their responsibilities are integral to:

• eradication of poverty • good governance • social justice and respect for human rights • fair and effective market economies • protection of the environment

Campaigns & policy issues Consumer Protection LawsConsumer EducationEnvironmentFoodTradeTechnical StandardsE-commerceHealthPublic UtilitiesInstitution and capacity buildingCorporate Social Responsibility

Appendix 5: About Consumers International

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Appendix 5: About Consumers International

Consumers International 24 Highbury Crescent London N5 1RX, UKTel: +44 020 7226 6663Fax: +44 020 7354 0607e-mail: [email protected]

United Nations Environment ProgrammeDivision of Technology, Industry and Economics39-43 Quai André Citroên 75739 Paris Cedex 15FranceTel: +33 1 44 37 14 50Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74e-mail: [email protected]

Documents

Implementing Sustainable Consumption and Production Policies