Download Letter to UK Prime Minister on Rio+20

Letter to UK Prime Minister on Rio+20 from UK NGOs and stakeholders
DRAFT 20/05/11
In June 2012 leaders from around the world will convene for the UN Conference on
Sustainable Development in Brazil, or ‘Rio+20’. This will take place twenty years on
from the ground-breaking 1992 Rio Earth Summit– an event that marked a watershed in
international collaboration on social and environmental issues.
The UK has an international reputation for championing climate change and
development aid. With just a year to go before Rio+20, there is a real opportunity and
need for the UK to show similar leadership for sustainable development.
Rio+20 takes place at a time of increasingly urgent global challenges. There is massive
inequality between rich and poor countries - just 20% of the global population consumes
80% of the world’s resources. Despite enough food being produced in the world, almost
1 billion people go hungry every day and we currently face the second food price crisis
in three years. Ecosystem degradation, climate change, and increasing natural
resource scarcity threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of poor people around the
world. They also stand to undermine the entire global economy.
These multiple, interconnected challenges demand an ambitious global response. We
need a green and just transition, achieving prosperity and resilience for the many
within the ecological limits of the planet. Developed countries must lead the way by
addressing unsustainable consumption patterns and promoting co-operation, so the
world’s finite resources are shared more equitably The transition will also require a
fundamental rethink of progress, moving beyond a narrow focus on GDP growth toward
broader measures of productivity and well-being which account for social and
environmental impacts.
The UK can and should demonstrate leadership toward the summit. The undersigned
therefore call upon the Prime Minister to pledge that he will attend Rio+20 as
Head of Government. This will send a clear signal of the UK’s commitment. In
addition, we suggest the UK drive forward the agenda at home and internationally by:

appointing an Ambassador or Envoy on Rio+20, tasked with generating a
coherent vision across government, ensuring effective engagement with UK civil
society, and taking a leadership role in dialogue with other countries.

playing a leading role in preparing the Summit. For instance, by hosting a High
Level Policy Dialogue on a prominent issue – such as green jobs, sustainable food
systems or low-carbon development – ahead of the next intercessional in December.
UK civil society is ready to plays its own role in contributing to these endeavors, and
looks forward to hearing the government’s plans for comprehensive engagement with
civil society and the general public between now and June 2012.