Pacific galvanises itself for a green economy and Rio +20

A move to a global Green economy will be one of the key issues for next year’s United Nations Rio +20 leaders summit in Brazil and the Pacific is planning be at the forefront of the action.

Work began in July at the Pacific Environment Ministers meeting and got a boost this week with the Pacific’s first ever Environment Forum, held in Samoa.

 

The Forum brought together experts, officials and non-government organisations for a brainstorming session. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) is convinced that is not too much to ask.

With all the key experts and officials due to be in Apia this week for SPREP’s annual meeting, the time seemed right to use their talents to galvanise ideas and enthusiasm for effective action in Rio.

The United Nations Environment Program has been leading the charge on the Green Economy putting out a global report in that name.

UNEP’s Pacific Head of Agency, Greg Sherley, told the Pacific Environment Forum that the world faces a sustainability crisis that includes food and water shortages and the decline of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Article originally published at uncsd2012.org