UN Photo/Milton Grant

Keywords: Green economy (1 hits),

Submission by Spire (http://Spireorg.no), a Norwegian youth-led non-governmental organisation, to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, 3 ? 5 June 2012.

Introduction

The Rio+20 summit must deliver an improved plan to solve the huge challenges we face in the area of development and environment. The plan should reflect the principle of common but different responsibility and the rights for young and future generations. The summit must acknowledge that in order to achieve sustainable development deep social changes need to take place. Short term economic growth can no longer be the measure of success. Spire opposes the commercialization of nature (as seen for example in the report ?The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity?). The outcome of the Rio conference needs to promote that nature is the basis of our wealth and has a value beyond what can be measured in economic terms.

Education for sustainable development and youth participation

Children and youth should be an integrated aspect of all development and environmental policy in the same way as women and gender. In order to obtain the necessary social transformation all parties need to prioritise education for sustainable development. Young people need to prepare for having sustainable livelihoods and taking part in the new Green economy.

? Education for sustainable development must be integrated in all levels and all subjects in primary and higher education.

? Youth-led informal education for sustainable development must be recognised in terms of training and financial support. Young people have the right to participate and to be heard in decision making concerning our future. States are responsible of removing economic barriers which hinder youth participation and of opening up decision making fora for youth.

? Actual and representative youth participation in international fora for sustainable development must be secured. Official youth delegates can promote meaningful youth participation at an international level.

? Mechanisms which secure youth participation in national decision processes must be developed at national levels.

Institutional framework ensuring the rights of young and future generations

To ensure the rights of young and future generations, there is a need of institutional changes that better protects the environment. These institutions needs to be mandated compliance mechanisms.

? Rio must strengthen international environmental law and establish an International Environmental Court.

? Appointing an Ombudsperson for future generations at international and national level can be a good institutional mechanism for promoting sustainable development .

Food security means food sovereignty and sustainable small-scale agriculture

The principle of food sovereignty should be the framework for achieving food security. All countries must have the right to produce enough food for their population. Food security depends on sustainable small-scale agriculture adapted to local ecological conditions. Sustainable small-scale agriculture provides employment and livelihoods, is less harmful to the environment and more resilient for climate change than large-scale farming.

? Rio+20 must promote sustainable and responsible food production which is climate resilient, nutritious and provide livelihood and employment opportunities.

? The knowledge of youth and women, and their rights to land ownership must be recognised.

? Rio must establish an action plan for implementing the conclusions in the report ?International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development? (IAASTD).

Green energy for all

Energy access is essential in order to fight poverty. Small-scale production of renewable energy is an important part of the solution for ensuring energy access. At the same time, a transformation to renewable energy and reduced energy consumption in Western countries is needed. This can happen without negative consequences for living standards.

? Rio must promote an equal distribution of energy consumption globally, through increased access to green energy in developing countries and a dramatic reduction of energy consumption in developed countries.

? Direct and indirect subsidies on fossil fuel must be abolished.

? Rio must initiate a strong effort for developing green energy technology.

? Funding for green technology projects in developing countries must be in addition to traditional development aid.