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Magazine
Vote for the environment
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KLAUS TOEPFER reviews the successes of the United Nations Environment Programme and looks at future plans.
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WE do not fully posses the telescope of time to know how 2002 will be viewed by future generations. But it is my hope that, when the historians' pencils are sharpened to weigh the impact of the whirlwind of environment-related meetings, conferences and summits, they may record that the second year of the new millennium and United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) 30th anniversary was a defining moment in the long march towards a more environmentally-sound, sustainable, healthier and fairer world.
It is too easy to view events such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg or the Finance for Development meeting in Monterrey, Mexico as just another round of high-level nibbles, of political get-togethers that are merely prolonging the agony of the planet and the poor.
I believe we have, as a result of the negotiations and agreements that have marked 2002 and culminating in the WSSD, witnessed some real stirrings of intent, some clear routes of progress that can transform the fine words of previous years and decades into real and genuine reaction.
At WSSD, financial commitments were made in support of the Plan of Implementation, partnerships and the Millennium Declaration goals in the areas of water and sanitation. These include $970 million from the United States, some 21 initiatives worth $20 million. Similarly, the Plan of Implementation commitment on energy access will be accompanied by financial commitments from the EU of $700 million, the U.S. of $43 million and 32 separate partnership initiatives worth up to $26 million.
Meanwhile the new spirit of cooperation, the new vision, espoused by African leaders and ministers in the guise of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) give us a new start. Many African countries recognise that, only through partnership with each other, can a new dawn for this Continent come.
There is also a real recognition that developed nations, committing funds to assist developing ones, need re-assurance that the cash will be well and effectively spent.
WSSD may have been a milestone but should not be seen in isolation from events such as the Doha, Qatar, trade talks and Finance for Development meeting. Strengthening the use, development and awareness of such laws is one of the keys needed to unlock the environment for development agenda.
The International Year of the Mountains, ending in the summit in Bishkek where funds were pledged to clean up old nuclear dumps in Central Asia, was, I believe, a success. The International Year of Eco-Tourism, with its summit in Quebec, has given us some good pointers as to how we can match the modern enthusiasm for tourism and leisure with conserving nature and generating income for local people. However we clearly need to re-visit this issue urgently to chart a more robust and effective course.
UNEP this year also published two landmark publications— the Global Environment Outlook 3 and the Africa Environment Outlook. These have not only contributed to our understanding of the threats and improvements human-kind is creating for life on Earth, but also are building strong networks of researchers and centres in developing countries where environmental and developmental science is flourishing.
Working closely with the Global Environment Facility, the multi billion dollar environment fund, we have launched important new projects on trying to restore damaged and degraded drylands in Africa to unravelling the mysteries of the humble organisms that populate and bring fertility to the soils of tropical countries. We are also partners in the largest ever project undertaken to build the skills of developing nations in the area of genetically modified crops and foods.
At the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Columbia, countries agreed a new, strengthened UNEP and it is gratifying to see that our funding is on the rise from a wider group of nations.
This is a vote for the environment and a vote for UNEP's improved ability to deliver. We have every intention to live up to our new and increasing responsibilities, not only in this 30th year of UNEP's inception but in the months, years and decades to come.
The writer is Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
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