Report of Frans Van Haren, President and CEO of the Earth Council

Moderator for the Non-Governmental Organisations Roundtable
At the Earth Dialogues Forum
Closing Plenary Session
February 23, 2002
Lyon, France
 
 
 
The 200 persons in the room were particularly stimulated by the provocative question posed by Yolanda Kakabadse from IUCN, when she asked rhetorically:  Is the Earth a Planet or a Market?
 
From that provocative question onwards we discussed many actual and perceived controversies and impediments towards sustainable development.
 
I will just mention four of the many controversies that we discussed:
 
1)    the logic of sustainable development versus the logic of globalization
2)    life versus money (the value of life versus the value of money)
3)    property rights versus qualified human rights
4)    having more versus being more as humans
 
And I could go on, but the message is clear.
 
From there, the next question was how, in a practical way, can we bridge the gap between all those controversies.  And we found, not as a panacea for all our problems, but as a realistic and practical approach, that the push for common human norms and values, could bridge these tensions and conflicts.
 
So indeed, we would answer the question whether ethics is the missing link affirmatively. It has a bridge function.
 
From that conclusion onwards we had a constant reference to the Earth Charter as a true people’s document that could very well provide that link – once again not as a panacea for all problems but as a reference point.  It is multipurpose:
 
It could:
 
1)    assist human beings - you and me - in the process to overcome differences
2)    function as a strong educational tool
3)    turn into an instrument of soft law
 
So how does that translate into recommendations that make sense, politically and strategically?
 
1)    First, enumerating the many outstanding issues, ranging from debt relief to unsatisfaction with WTO-requirements, let us adopt a normative framework to guide us.  In this respect many referred to the Earth Charter as a good code for responsible behavior.
2)    The Roundtable appealed to the environmental movement to make common cause with the disarmament movement – this was but one example of the need to build coalitions in order to be more effective just like private enterprises are often looking for coalitions and cooperation.
3)    Through legislators we should increase the degree of accountability of the corporate use of the common goods.
4)    It was strongly felt that there is a need to bring the many multilateral agreements related to sustainable development and environment closer to the people – they should be translated into understandable language.
5)    Do something about education and awareness raising, not only at the formal level, but also at the level of private enterprise - training in sustainable development.
6)    Set up a private/public Fund with particular challenges to the private sector, including NGOs, as a new catalyst for private and entrepreneurial initiatives in the area of sustainable development, benefiting also traditional recipients of Official Development Assistance.
7)    Be sure that sustainable development work at the local level gets the recognition and space that it deserves.
8)    Integrate “Habitat issues” more thoroughly into sustainable development policies.  This appeal is both to government and to industry.
9)    Think about persuasion/education of the media and their own responsibility towards sustainable development.  Abusive advertisement was specifically mentioned in this respect.
10)  Safeguard outer space from environmental degradation.
11)  Finally, Mr. Chair, the issue of water and energy received much attention.  As far as the essential source of life – water - is concerned, it was felt that it should remain within the realm of the public domain.
As to energy, it was felt that a special facility for energy could be created, be it an energy research fund or a consultative group for clean energy.
 
Mr. Chair – all these recommendations are realistic and attainable.  They form, I hope, a clear reflection of what was an exciting day.