Rio 10+20: The Future We Want

A Zero-draft of the Outcome Document for the UN Rio 10+20 Conference on Sustainable Development (June 2012) has been circulated. The Rio 10+20 Conference is a follow up on the 1992 Rio Conference on Sustainable Development and will be significant in showing what has been learnt since the first Rio conference and how far countries are prepared to collaborate in addressing key sustainability issues.

The Future We Want paper runs over key themes that are likely to figure prominently at the coming Rio conference, and is worth reading. The paper argues for the integration of economic development and environmental sustainability with the three pillars of sustainable development seen as economic, social, and economic sustainability.

With poverty eradication a key aspect of social and economic sustainabiility, the paper also recognises that all members of civil society should be actively engaged as stakeholders in sustainable development. This is seen vas requiring building civil society capality to exercise this role - a theme built into the PIE exchanges this year. Development of human capality is regarded as essential "to achieving broad based economic growth, building strong sustainable communities, promoting social well-being, and improving the environment."

The paper argues for an integrated and holistic approach to planning and building sustainable cities through support of local activities, efficient transport and communication networks, green buildings, and fostering a spectrum of environmental objectives.

Overall, there is much in this Zero- draft that is relevant to PIE objectives and to the task of buildinghumane, sustainable cities