The global spotlight will be shining on Rio de Janeiro from June 20-22 when the Brazilian city stages the Rio+20 conference on the environment. The name refers to the UN conference that was held 20 years ago in Rio. The 20th anniversary event is expected to attract more than 130 national leaders plus 50,000 business and academic representatives all working to create a new blueprint for a "green economy" and a stronger collaboration for global governance.
The work has come a long way: Rio+20 is the sequel to two predecessors _ Stockholm in 1972 and Rio in 1992. At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, state leaders agreed to a blueprint on sustainable development called Agenda 21. They also launched three important multilateral environmental agreements on biodiversity, climate change and desertification.
Why does Rio+20 matter? In the future, the way we consume and dispose of water, food and energy has to change. If not, our future generations will be forced to live in a degraded and destructive environment and society.
Even now, we already see the impact on the earth, with changing weather patterns as a result of greenhouse gas emissions. More extreme weather has resulted in greater business disruption, variance in crop production and injury and death in various parts of the earth. Our global economy has focused on consumerism and capitalism that intensifies the greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and societal gaps. In order to sustain this planet and people, we must act together now. "Act", "together" and "now" are the three key words that represent the spirit of Rio+20.
Imagine a day where business projects are decided not simply with return on investment as the main criterion. A retailer, for example, must be able to explain to consumers, financial backers and governments about how the poultry sold in its supermarkets were raised, fed and processed. The retailers will have to keep consumers informed not just about the value-chain of the chicken farm, but also the chicken feed.
Where did the feed grain come from? Did it come from an area at risk of deforestation? Did fertilisers and pesticides affect the soil? Was the water managed and monitored properly? How was water contaminated with pesticides treated? What about the well-being of the grain farmers and their families? Are they suffering from any chemical impact?
Yes, we are now dealing with complex issues _ the impact of entire product life cycles will soon be subject to regulations, reporting, audits and reviews. More complex and stringent sustainability regulations may be one of the most critical issues facing chief executives in the future.
Reducing water and energy consumption isn't simply an issue of regulatory compliance or corporate reputation. After all, in a world of declining resources, financial performance and cost are directly tied to the efficiency of one's production processes.
While Rio+20 is not expected to result in any legally binding treaties, the event will focus on targets for consumption and production and how to monitor progress. Eventually, this movement will spread to businesses and consumers alike.
Why do we need an event such as Rio+20? Sustainability issues are highly complex, interconnected and dynamic. No one can solve them alone. Rio+20 is about collaboration _ among policymakers, nations, businesses and people.
The UN Environment Programme recently warned that nature is being stretched beyond its biophysical limits, which may cause sudden, irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes. Our global population of 7 billion (and growing fast) means growing demand for water, food and energy. This paradoxical future is the heart of the conversation at Rio+20.
What issues will Rio+20 tackle? There will be proposals to end hunger and make the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems, to protect our oceans and to better manage our forests. Other proposals will consider the way we use and manage water resources and renewable energy.
Social proposals will be addressed at the People Summit, a parallel conference. It will focus on social proposals to promote measures of well-being beyond gross domestic product, to rethink and change world governance and how to sustain and maintain life on earth.
In the nutshell, Rio+20 is the global stage for governments and businesses to come together and agree on what needs to be done to address global sustainability. It still has a long way to go.
Let's see how all this unfolds over the coming days. Soon, you will see the second article about what was being discussed in more detail. Meanwhile, stay tuned.
This is part one of a three-part series on the Rio+20 conference and its outcomes. Kulvech Janvatanavit is a sustainability expert and an adviser to PricewaterhouseCoopers FAS Ltd attending the Rio+20 conference.