Laura Spiers from the Sustainability and Climate Change group at PWC has provided us with an insider perspective from the recent UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio (Rio+20) in the below blog:
‘One month ago, ‘The Future We Want’ was being poured over by weary delegates ahead of the arrival of Heads of State at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development. The conference was intended to bring world leaders together to assess progress on sustainable development, renew political commitment and set the world on course for a more sustainable future. I had the opportunity to experience it as PwC’s youth delegate and was asked to share a little of what I picked up with you. Was the outcome document they presented to their leaders really the step change the world needs? Probably not. It is a start, but there’s no doubt it’s a compromise born out of self-interest, lacking in the ambition and practical action needed to deliver radical economic, environmental and social transformation. Although many have regarded Rio as an “epic failure”, business has reason to be more optimistic. For the first time, the private sector was not viewed solely as the problem but also a potential solution. In 1992, business was not part of the conversation. This year, the business and industry group was the second largest delegation outside of government. Businesses are changing the way they do business and governments will increasingly seek partnerships with business to implement conference outcomes. The private sector has stepped out of the shadows; even it hasn’t yet taken centre stage. Though this in itself raises questions: Is it the responsibility of business to fulfil this role? Can it do so legitimately? I’ve heard mixed responses. The big topic of conversation on the business agenda related to measuring and accounting for the value of natural capital in decision making. As one panellist put it “nature has been invisible in valuation for too long”. The opportunity to make sustainability reporting mandatory was overlooked in the final text (although it is officially “encouraged”); nevertheless, there is a clear sign that trends are changing - there is no going backwards. The document itself isn’t the end. In addition to the need for innovation and finance, developing countries still worry green growth means less growth and some among civil society view the ‘green economy’ as synonymous with corporate greed. These will be interesting debates to watch unfold and influence. We need to provide the evidence that ‘green is good’ – for the environment and people and the economy – and demonstrate real commitment, progress and transparency. As the negotiations drew to a close there was solace in a resolve that the real value of Rio+20 was in bringing together different actors to share knowledge, experiences, best practice and inspire others. Now the Rio juggernaut has fallen silent, there’s an even stronger sense that business is the one breaking new ground. For me, the opportunity to meet other passionate young people, exchange ideas with senior government and business representatives and witness how a global negotiation functions were definite highlights. I sense they will go on to influence my career in ways I cannot yet fully appreciate.’
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