Un Chief Urges Change In Resource Consumption Patterns

kristySRI/ESG News, Beyond GDP

UN CHIEF URGES CHANGE IN RESOURCE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT New York, May 13 2011 7:05PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for fundamental
changes in humanity’s resource consumption patterns and values, saying the
planet’s natural environment is under unprecedented pressure with
far-reaching social and economic consequences.

“Our vision must be clear; a sustainable green economy that protects the
health of the environment while supporting achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) through growth in income, decent work and poverty
eradication,” Mr. Ban
<“http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1 184“>told the high-level segment of the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development, whose current session is due to end later today.

“Equity, not only within societies but globally, will need to become more
fully integrated into our institutions and our policies,” said the
Secretary-General.

This year’s high-level segment of the Commission focused on a number of
critical issues, including chemicals, mining, transport and waste. It also
considered a 10-year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and
Production Patterns.

“We must also create an enhanced architecture for sustainable development
governance at the national, regional and international levels. This is
critical to advancing sustainable development. Our watchwords must be
‘implementation’ and ‘action’,” said Mr. Ban.

Government ministers from about 50 countries are attending the segment,
which was designed to give impetus to preparations for the Fourth UN
Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, which will be held in the
Brazilian city in June 2012.

The Secretary-General said the initiative and energy generated during the
current session of the Commission, the final one before Rio+20, provides
both direction and momentum for the way forward.

“You have the full support of the UN system as you embark on the next
important leg of the journey to Rio and beyond,” added Mr. Ban.
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