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Address at the World Association of Former United Nations Internes and Fellows (WAFUNIF) General Assembly, Monday 14 November 2011

David Stillman, PhD

Executive Director, Public-Private Alliance Foundation

When we think of international perspectives on sustainability, the United Nations and the members of the UN System of agencies and organizations have a prominent place. The UN is, of course, the premier international institution.  Its members today represent 193 countries of the world.  Thousands of non-governmental organizations are also associated with the UN.

One of the main purposes of the UN is “to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.”

An important vehicle that focuses international and national action for this purpose is the Millennium Development Goals, which has the endorsement of all the UN Members States to try to achieve them by 2015.

The 7^th of the 8 goals seeks to ensure environmental sustainability. Four targets measure achievement of this goal, and each has a series of indicators:

• Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources
• Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
• Reduce by half by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation
• Achieve a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.

Environmental sustainability and sustainable development go well beyond Goal No. 7, as all eight goals are interrelated. They aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, improve children’s education, safeguard mothers’ and children’s health, promote women’s empowerment, combat major diseases, and create global partnerships for development. Some countries and some of the goals are on track for achievement by 2015 but others are not.

The focus is not only on the billion people who live on less than a dollar a day. Standards may differ but economic and social advancement is important worldwide. Slums and hunger and diseases of poverty exist in rich countries too, and climate change affects everyone.

The agencies of the UN System seek to support achievement of the goals in their fields of expertise and my home base, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, has a very special role as the substantive secretariat for the forthcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, known as Rio 2012 or Rio+20.

Rio+20 — the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20-22 June 2012 – will be an historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all.The 1992 Earth Summit resulted in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Agenda 21 UN Action Plan, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Forest Principles document and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.  These comprise a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.

Next June the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources. Rio+20 is a chance to move away from business-as-usual and to act to end poverty, address environmental destruction and build a bridge to the future.

The official discussions will focus on two main themes: How to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty, including support for developing countries that will allow them to find a green path for development; and how to improve international coordination for sustainable development.

Governments are expected to adopt clear and focused practical measures for implementing sustainable development, based on the many examples of success we have seen over the last 20 years.  In parallel with and between the official events, there will be numerous side events, exhibitions, presentations, fairs and announcements by a wide range of partners.

Preparations and negotiations are underway in many settings, aiming for Rio+20 to be a significant watershed. The next such meeting for representatives of civil society major groups will be held at UN Headquarters here in New York on 15 and 16 December 2011.

But Rio+20 preparations are taking place against the backdrop of many challenges.

• The world now has 7 billion people, and of these, one out of every five live in extreme poverty.
• The economic and commodity shocks of 2008 continue with very unsettling consequences.
• Environmentalists criticize the slow response to climate threats, as greenhouse gasses continue to rise.
• Developing countries doubt the future of a global agenda for development.
• Small island states are anxious for their survival.
• Energy and food insecurity threaten political security.
• Global governance and the global financial architecture are in question.

If we are to leave a liveable world to our children and grandchildren, the challenges of widespread poverty and environmental destruction need to be tackled now.  We will incur far greater costs in the future— including more poverty and instability, and a degraded planet — if we fail to adequately address these critical challenges now. Rio+20 provides an opportunity to think globally, so that we can all act locally to secure our common future.

Yet there are signs of hope as well –

• Growth in developing countries, reductions in poverty and related steps toward achieving the MDGs;
• increase of “green economy” sectors, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, afforestation, water management, drylands rehabilitation, and sustainable agriculture; and
• new awareness and actions at the level of businesses, city governments, civil society organizations, and the media.

Let’s dig into the subject further and look at an organization that is little known to many but is in the vortex of controversy.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), aims to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences. It doesn’t conduct research itself but reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide that is relevant to the understanding of climate change.

In 2007 the IPCC published its Fourth Assessment Report and the IPCC and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore were joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize that year.  Its next major report is coming this month, entitled “The Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation.” The next (Fifth) Assessment Report on Climate Change will come out in 2013.

People from over 130 countries contributed to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. They included more than 2,500 scientific expert reviewers, more than 800 contributing authors, and more than 450 lead authors. The report stated in its summary, “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” and “Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.”

But the IPCC has been criticized regarding both its findings and the process of producing its reports. Detractors have labeled the work a scandal, alarmist and a hoax including in the U.S. Congress.

In February of this year The US House of Representatives specifically voted to cut off all U.S. funding to the IPCC as well as to reduce by almost a third the budget for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other provisions to block funds for specific environmental programs, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions.   This was adopted along party lines in the Republican-controlled chamber.  Similar efforts are underway now in the House of Representatives as related to next year.

While national and international actions are slow and contentious, local efforts are moving at a different pace.

In November of last year, in Mexico City, mayors from around the world signed a voluntary pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Participants from some 135 cities and urban areas – including Buenos Aires, Bogota, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Paris and Vancouver – signed the pact which states their intent to adopt a slate of measures to stem climate change. Data for this will be on-line so that residents will be able to track their city’s performance. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said, “We have to tell the international community that it’s in the cities that the battle to slow global warming will be won.”

Indeed, more than half of the world’s population now lives in cities. Urban areas consume up to 80% of global energy production and emit 60% of greenhouse gases, according to the head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“Generally, cities are the place where it’s going to happen,” says the ICLEI USA-Local Governments for Sustainability, part of an organization of some 1,200 local governments worldwide dedicated to urban sustainability and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. “Land use, zoning, and transportation are the nexus that has the potential to have a real impact because it’s about where we live, how we live, and how we travel.  These are the fundamental inputs into greenhouse gases of a region.”

The “City’s Climate Honor Roll” compiled by ICLEI USA shows how urban areas nationwide are taking steps, large and small, to re-think the way cities are built, powered and designed. Efforts include residential green building codes in Santa Fe, New Mexico; a compressed work week in Asheville, North Carolina; a solar feed-in tariff in Gainesville, Florida; promoting cycling and walking in Chicago; biogas to energy in Columbia, Missouri; wastewater treatment in Houston; solar power in Santa Monica, California.  In Westchester County, New York, where I live, a 2008 Action Plan for Climate Change and Sustainable Development provides information resources to help you “go green and save green($$).” There are sections on business, county government, municipal government, higher education and K through 12 schools.

The old expression “Think Globally, Act Locally” has never been more true.  The UN and the globally agreed goals and commitments are beacons for the planet, but we must all do what we can to help shape a brighter future.

At the invitation of Nicola Armacost of Arc Finance, which specializes in microfinance and renewable energy, who is also a Village Trustee in Hastings-on-Hudson, the Foundation presented the Ethanol Clean Cookstove Initiative for Haiti at the local Take Me to the River Fair.  Board member George Garland and Associates Rosario Rodriguez and Imnet Yebio joined David Stillman as presenters.

Speaking into the mike is Bill Austin, CEO of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation, along with the Rotary Club of New York and the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations, got the ball rolling with the Starkey Foundation in 2010.  The Madagascar Mission to the UN continued to stimulate and encourage the project and its achievement.  Foundation board members Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo and Scott Wright, along with Senior Fellow John German, and staff of the Madagascar Mission worked hard to make this come about.

Kids with Hearing Aids with Rotary and Starkey Volunteers

The project started in Madagascar in November 2010 with a visit by Starkey Foundation staff and organizational work by the Rotary Clubs to screen potential recipients.  The Rotary Clubs continued screening in spring 2011 in advance of a ten-day visit by the Starkey team in October.

            Climate Week NYC’s opening ceremony provided an example of public private alliance that defies belief. The Rethinking Resiliency, a panel on innovative solutions for climate adaptation, brought us an example of the insurance company Swiss Re bringing disaster insurance to the 39,000 microfinance clients of Fonkoze Financial Services in Haiti.

Ann Hastings, Fonkoze CEO, has seen disasters from weather and earthquake undo successes many times. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquake have destroyed  financial stability achieved through struggle to pay back micro loans. Ann has raised funds for loan forgiveness to restore such progress several times. Now, in a breathtaking example of public private partnership between an especially creative non-governmental organization Fonkoze and Swiss Re, Fonkoze offers disaster insurance to its clients. Swiss Re will pay out if certain levels of disaster are reached. Swiss Re simply pays Fonkoze which in turn pays insured disaster victims. With 41 offices in Haiti, Fonkoze can service claims and not rely on the kindness of strangers every time disaster strikes!

Voice of the Voiceless   — Vwa Pou Sila Ki Pou Gen Vwa or Les Voix Des Sans Vois  – is produced in English, French and Creole.

An introduction by Leonard Doyle, Media and Communications Coordinator at IOM/Haiti, sets the stage:

“This book is testimony to the desire of Haiti’s new homeless to have their voices heard and to become part of their country’s national conversation. Ten examples have been chosen from among more than 2,500 received by IOM over a three month period. Once picked up the letters are read and responded to. The humanitarian community also analyses the letters to gauge the needs and concerns of the displaced as it plans an exit strategy from the camps. The letters in this book provide a glimpse into a harsh and precarious life being lived by an estimated third of the population of the capital Port-au-Prince. The writers cry out in desperation for jobs that pay a living wage saving them the indignity of depending on the charity of friends to survive each day.”

These are just some of the people whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake, and give face and voice “to the voiceless.”

•  Chief Master Planning Officer – Description | [PDF, 49.9kB]
• Stagiaire à la CIRH   (6 positions are open) -Description | [PDF, 55.2kB]
• Data Analyst – Description | [PDF, 67.2kB]
• Health Sector Lead Specialist Description | [PDF, 249kB]
• Media Spokesperson Description | [PDF, 55kB]

To apply, send a cover letter with resume to resumes@cirh.ht indicating in the subject to which position you are applying. Only applications corresponding to openings listed above will be reviewed.

The general URL for the IHRC website is: http://en.cirh.ht/

The Initiative team, including SImACT, Inc., the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, Bio-Tek Solutions, Dometic Group, and several other partners, is organizing provision of ethanol, plans for marketing the stoves and plans for manufacture in Haiti. Recently the group met at SImACT headquarters in Brooklyn and with potential investors in Manhattan.

SEI works with light gauge steel, a new technology in construction markets that has environmental, structural, and economic benefits. Structures built with light gauge steel are strong and flexible, increasing resistance to hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, and are light enough to reduce piling requirements in poor soils. In the past 12 months, SEI has shipped more than 5,100 wood and steel housing units to Haiti, and established local production facilities in Leogane.

Now, Haitians trained by seasoned professional engineers, manufacturing personnel and project managers are assembling 800 houses for installation in Leogane and Grand Goave. SEI’s 2.5 acre plant and warehousing facility is a major source of employment and economic assistance in the area, where 90% of homes were flattened in the earthquake. Working in collaboration with the Cooperative Housing Foundation and other major aid organizations, SteelElements has a highly successful track record in the construction of houses, shelters, and community centers in Haiti and developing countries around the world.

PPAF and SEI are exploring possible connections between SteelElements and the Ethanol Cookstoves Initiative for Haiti.

Scott Coulombe at Jacmel Conference, June 2010