Daily report for 25 April 1995

DRAFTING GROUP A

CHANGING PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: Inparagraph 1 (cause of environmental deterioration), the EU deleted areference to 'contemporary' consumption and production patterns. The G-77/Chinaadded 'particularly in developed countries' after a reference to national authorities.The US and Australia objected. Delegates agreed to a reference to the need for effortson the part of developed countries and to the OECD reference in paragraph3 (efforts by States). In paragraph 4 (gaps between developed anddeveloping countries), the EU included equity concerns in the concept of sustainability. The G-77/China preferred gaps in per capita 'resource consumption'instead of 'income.' Delegates agreed to 'significant gaps.' In paragraph 5 (energy consumption), the G-77/China deleted a reference to rising energyconsumption. The EU proposed a reference to international obligations and suggestedthat technology transfer should be 'encouraged." In paragraph 6 (life-cycleapproach), delegates agreed to the G-77/China text on the Oslo Conference. Delegatesagreed to the deletion of the bracketed reference to developed countries in thesentences on the responsibilities of business and industry and of households.

In paragraph 7 (procurement policies and practices), no agreement wasreached on whether developing countries should be called upon to considerenvironmental factors in their procurement policies. Brackets were removed from thereference to trade effects in paragraph 9 (studies on production andconsumption patterns). In paragraph 10 (internalization of environmentalcosts), it was agreed to refer to the 'negative environmental impacts' that should beaddressed by tax reform. Delegates agreed to the G-77/China proposal inparagraph 11 (natural resource accounting) to refer to such accounting as avaluable 'tool,' instead of a 'precondition,' for comprehensive full cost pricing. In paragraph 12 (international cooperation), the EU added a reference to theneed to preserve market access and competitiveness of products and services, and topromote relevant technology. Delegates agreed to 'in the context of' the principle ofcommon but differentiated responsibilities.

In paragraph 16 (work programme), the G-77/China preferred a narrowerscope for Section C (evaluation of policy measures). The US said that the CSD shouldreview policy measures in all countries and not just developed countries. Agreementwas reached to delete the reference to developing countries. In Section D (voluntarycommitments), delegates agreed to Canada's proposal to refer to the need to integratesocio-economic and environmental considerations into decision-making. Delegatescould not agree to the sustainable development forum in paragraph 17(commitments to work programme).

TRADE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Inparagraph 6 (trade provisions in multilateral environmental agreements),the US said that if trade policy measures are needed to enforce environmental policiesthey should be the least trade-restrictive necessary to achieve the environmentalobjectives. Brazil said that the US proposal was highly controversial. No agreementwas reached on paragraphs 17 and 18 on the OECD andparagraph 23 (internalization of environmental costs).

DRAFTING GROUP B

Drafting Group B completed its work Tuesday afternoon. The texts on IntegratingEnvironment and Development in Decision-Making, Information for Decision Making,Information Provided by Governments and Organizations, and Major Groups arebracket-free.

MAJOR GROUPS: In paragraph 2 (role of major groups), the G-77/China proposed that events for major groups could be organized 'on the margins,'rather than 'at the beginning' of the 1996 session. In paragraph 3(representatives of major groups on national delegations), a reference to nationalcoordinating mechanisms was unbracketed. Brackets were removed from 'nationalcoordinating mechanisms' in the chapeau of paragraph 4 (partnerships toimplement Agenda 21) and from sub-paragraph 4(b) (representation innational coordinating mechanisms).

Sub-paragraphs 5(b) bis (study on NGO access procedures) and5(c) (selection criteria) were deleted. In paragraph 6 (funding toincrease major group participation), the EU and US agreed to use 'increased' fundingrather than "adequate" funding in this context. Canada proposed combiningparagraphs 7 bis (opportunity for NGOs to participate in the CSD)and 7 ter (NGO participation in the CSD). This was accepted and thetext is now clean.

SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Brackets remain onreferences to funding in paragraphs 10(3) and 13, pending theoutcome of the text on financial resources.

TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY,COOPERATION AND CAPACITY- BUILDING: In paragraphs 5(international cooperation) and 7 bis (private sector), delegatesagreed to use Agenda 21 language to describe the role that commercial transactionsand the private sector play 'as an important vehicle' in technology cooperation.Delegates agreed to delete sub-paragraph 9.A(2) that calls on UNDP,UNIDO, UNCTAD and other bodies to cooperate with UNEP on its EST survey work.

In sub-paragraph 10(3) bis (joint ventures), Poland suggested areference to countries with economies in transition. In paragraph 11 noagreement was reached on whether steps should encourage 'new and additionalfinancial resources' (G-77/China) or 'the flow of financial resources from allsources' (the EU). The discussions were deferred pending the outcome of the financedrafting group. In sub-paragraph (5) (enabling conditions), delegates agreedto a reformulation inviting governments to create enabling conditions in order toincrease the amount of foreign direct investment in ESTs.

DRAFTING GROUP C

The drafting group met in the morning to complete its second reading of the draftdecisions on sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) and sustainablemountain development and its third reading of the decision on biotechnology. In theafternoon, the group considered the draft decisions on biodiversity and progress in theimplementation of decisions by the second session of the CSD. An informal-informalgroup also met to negotiate the draft decision on forests. After the Chair suspended themeeting at 7:00 pm, a small group of delegates met to clean the texts on biodiversityand biotechnology. As of 11:30 pm, the informal-informal group on forestry had notemerged and Drafting Group C remained in a state of suspension.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Thegroup agreed to delete both of the bracketed alternatives in paragraph 46(promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development), since international trade iscovered elsewhere. In paragraph 53 (research and technology development),the US proposed new language on promoting sustainable farming methods andstrategic problem solving. The G-77/China, India and Malaysia preferred the originaltext. The paragraph was bracketed. Brackets remain around 'low cost' and 'costefficient' in paragraph 54 (developing location specific technologies forfarming systems). India preferred low cost agricultural practices and inputs since mostfarmers are poor. Australia thought both low cost and cost efficient could remain inthe text. The EC's alternative paragraphs for paragraphs 55-57 (energy forrural development) were accepted.

In the afternoon, Australia, Chair of the Cairns Group, introduced newparagraphs 49, 50, and 50 bis after informal-informals with the G-77/China, the US, the EU and Japan. Paragraph 49 (framework) welcomesthe Final Act of the Uruguay Round as an important step towards an undistortedsectoral and economy-wide policy framework, and calls for monitoring the impacts ondeveloping countries. Paragraph 50 (implications for SARD) requests theFAO, within existing resources, to collaborate in analyzing the implications of theFinal Act for SARD. Malaysia bracketed a reference to UNEP. Paragraph 50bis notes the importance of examining the environmental consequences ofagricultural policies and practices, taking account of the impact on LDCs and net foodimporting developing countries.

SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT: On behalf of aninformal-informal group, Switzerland reported a number of revisions to the draft. Thebracketed paragraph 38 (institutional mechanisms) was deleted. A newparagraph 37 addresses strategies for empowerment and cultural diversity.In paragraph 38 bis (resources), references to 'new and additional'financial resources and EST transfers are bracketed. The paragraph is to be relocated.Paragraph 39 is split into two new paragraphs on eco-system fragility andstrengthening institutional mechanisms. Paragraph 42 (ecological security) calls for anappropriate institutional framework to protect mountain communities.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY:The US insisted that brackets remain around the precautionary approach inparagraph 71 (reporting on biotechnology). The EU, supported by the G-77/China and Australia, proposed compromise text on regulating biotechnology inparagraph 73 (biosafety), but the US objected. The EU provided newlanguage for paragraph 75(e) (voluntary guidelines for biosafety), but theG-77/China preferred to delete it. The paragraph remains bracketed. The US objectedto paragraph 75(f) (indigenous knowledge and practices). Malaysiaproposed replacing 75(f) with paragraph 67 of Chapter 15. The text was bracketed.The G-77/China then proposed an amendment to paragraph 73, welcomingthe COP's consideration of the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenousand local communities in its medium-term programme of work. The US, Australia andthe EU said that they could accept the amendment to paragraph 73 if 75(f) wasdeleted. The G-77/China thought both paragraphs were necessary. An informal-informal group met later in the evening and removed all of the brackets from the text,however, the US continued to reserve its position on a remaining reference to theprecautionary principle.

CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: In paragraph65 (conserving biodiversity), poverty reduction is bracketed. A shortenedparagraph 66 (new and additional resources) remains in brackets. Inparagraph 67 (indigenous knowledge and practices), the US reserved on aG-77/China reference to Resolution 3 of the Nairobi Final Act of the BiodiversityConvention. Paragraph 68 (biotechnology) remains bracketed afterprolonged discussion on the importance (US) versus the risks (Malaysia) ofbiotechnology. In paragraph 69 (GEF), Malaysia objected to the deletion ofa reference to GEF replenishment. In the chapeau of paragraph 70 the EUaffirmed the implementation role of the Biodiversity Convention. Bracketsremain around sub-paragraph 70(b) and a reference to CBDcollaboration with UNEP in 70(c). The US reserved on a reformulation ofsub-paragraph 70(e) and (e) bis (indigenouscommunities) welcoming the Biodiversity COP's consideration of localknowledge and practices. Sub-paragraph 70(j) (access to technologies)is bracketed. The G-77/China accepted a proposal to delete sub-paragraph 70(k) (new resources). An informal-informal group met later in theevening and removed all of the remaining brackets from the text.

PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS BY THESECOND SESSION OF THE CSD: The US reminded the Chair that it hadsubmitted a short paragraph on the international coral reef initiative. The EU amendedthe title to reflect that this decision only addresses progress in the implementation ofthe decisions on sectoral issues. Australia wanted to delete references to financialsupport in paragraph 4 (freshwater resources) and the development of aninternationally legally-binding instrument in paragraph 5 (toxic chemicals).Both were bracketed. The EU amended paragraph 7 (lead reduction) ontransfer of technology, taking into account the need to protect intellectual propertyrights. Australia proposed alternative language. Belarus reintroduced its three proposedparagraphs on sharing of government experiences, a conference on sustainabledevelopment in countries with economies in transition, and the CSD review of regionalinitiatives. Various delegations had problems with these proposals and all three werebracketed.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will meet this morning to adopt the draft decisionsthat have been the subject of negotiations in the three drafting groups.

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment will begin at 3:00 pmwith opening statements by CSD Chair Henrique Cavalcanti and Under-Secretary-General Nitin Desai. The ministerial discussion on the main policy issues will thenbegin. There will be no speaker's list. Approximately 40 ministers or other high-levelofficials are expected to attend the two-day session.

PANEL DISCUSSION ON EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This panel discussion will take place at 5:00 pm. Participantsare expected to include representatives of the ILO, the European Commission, theInternational Confederation of Free Trade Unions and others.