Brussels, 16/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU subscribes to the vision of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of an “overarching and transformative post-2015 agenda” based on human rights and seeking to end poverty, transform the lives of people and protect the planet, stated the General Affairs Council on Tuesday 16 December. Its conclusions, adopted without debate (see EUROPE 11217) lay great stress on the environmental pillar of sustainable development, much to the satisfaction of the environmental NGOs.
In the view of the Council, the post-2015 agenda, which will take over from the Millennium Development Goals, must among other things: - tackle cross-cutting issues which should be mainstreamed throughout, including disaster risk reduction and resilience; - lead to a transition towards sustainable consumption and production patterns which also fosters resource efficiency and prevents and minimises pollution, including through sustainable management of chemicals and waste; - be fully coherent and supportive of climate objectives; - lay great emphasis on protection of biodiversity.
WWF immediately welcomed the stress laid by the EU on tackling climate change, on managing and protecting natural resources and preserving essential ecosystem services, and called on the EU to maintain this level of ambition at next year's UN negotiations. “More work has to be done at EU level to stay in line with this new sustainable development approach and ensure that economic activity does not degrade the environment inside and outside the EU. Europe continues to over-consume its fair share of global natural resources at the same time that billions of people don't have access to drinkable water, regular food and electricity”, stated Sally Nicholson, head of Development Policy & Finance at WWF's European Policy Office. (AN)