These global priorities are excerpted from The Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World 2002: Special World Summit Edition. The book is a summary of the items up for discussion at the World Summit on Sustainable Development that's meeting in Johannesburg in September of 2002.
The goals that follow below - divided into 7 important categories - are generally large policy goals, not quick-and-easy consumer-oriented tips like "don't water your lawn in the daytime" or "donate to this specific charity." They appear daunting, but, as in all important change, these can and will eventually happen with enough grassroots pressure from global citizens. Use this as a checklist for the most important things going on to help the world today, and strive to influence your friends, family, and government representatives towards their adoption.
View a helpful world political
map. (PDF, 2.8MB)
The Copenhagen Consensus is a similar project, very well done.
| Priorities on Climate Change Bring the Kyoto Protocol into force before the World Summit. Account for climate change developments in reviewing Agenda 21 implementation in the areas of atmosphere, finance, industry, and technology. Reaffirm the importance of the IPCC Third Assessment Report as the authoritative starting point for policymakers seeking to implement the Kyoto Protocol. Set forth a blueprint for post-Johannesburg climate negotiations, emphasizing the need to re-engage the United States, consider a second period of emissions cuts, and expand the group of countries with emissions targets. Work to establish a voluntary Global Climate Compact, modeled after the Global Compact established in 2000 between the United Nations and the private sector, that challenges business leaders to commit to accelerated deployment of energy-efficient products, renewable energy, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. |
| Priorities on Agriculture Shift agricultural subsidies to support for ecological farming practices. Tax pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and factory farms. Redistribute land and guarantee secure ownership rights to both women and men. Eliminate export subsidies and food dumping. Assure women equal rights and support in agriculture. |
| Priorities on Chemicals Short-term Phase out leaded gasoline globally. Ratify the three major global toxics treaties (Stockholm, Basel, and Rotterdam). Secure funding for research on alternative materials and environmentally sound methods of waste disposal. Long-term Adopt a uniform and mandatory system of reporting toxics use and releases. Tax commercial and residential pesticide use. Eliminate persistent compounds in dissipative uses, such as agricultural pesticide spraying and cleaning agents. Minimize the release of mercury, lead, and other toxins as byproducts from the mining of metallic ores and other industrial sources. Reduce and eventually phase out coal-based power generation. |
| Priorities on For Industry Incorporate environmental management principles that minimize both resource use and waste. Develop environmental and social “codes of conduct” for staff and clients. Adopt environmental and social standards set by international organizations and other certification bodies. Engage in efforts that protect and enhance local environments, communities, and cultures. For Governments Create an overall tourism strategy that incorporates key economic, social, and environmental goals. Include responsible tourism development in overall land use planning strategies. Develop regulations and policies that support smaller-scale, locally run tourism development. Implement taxes, entry fees, and other economic tools that reflect the true costs of tourism services. For International Institutions and NGOs Develop environmental and social standards that encourage responsible tourism development. Raise government, industry, and public awareness of the impacts of tourism. Help travelers select businesses that invest in local communities
and that try to minimize environmental and cultural impacts. |
| Priorities on Population Meet the goals of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, including funding universal access to reproductive health care and closing the gender gap in education. Aggressively respond to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, stressing prevention of further infections as well as treatment of those already infected. Change laws and work for social change to ensure that women enjoy equal protection and equal rights. Increase female participation in all levels of politics. Correct gender myopia in all levels of private and public planning, including international lending, natural resource policy, and globalization. Guarantee equal access to economic opportunities for women and men. Enact and enforce strong laws to protect women from all gender-based violence. Involve men in reproductive health services and discussions, and educate them about the importance of gender equity. Ensure that young people have better access to reproductive health
care choices and to education about sexuality and the changing roles
of men and women. |
| Priorities on Conflict Develop strong global certification systems for diamonds, timber, and other resources to improve ability to ascertain origins of commodities and to screen out those produced and traded illicitly in conflict areas. Secure better compliance with U.N. sanctions against illicit resource trafficking by improving the capacity of the United Nations, regional and international organizations, and governments to monitor and enforce embargoes. Increase the transparency and accountability of oil, mining, and logging corporations in areas of conflict, of trading and shipping companies, and of banks and other financial institutions. Develop strong codes of conduct for corporations and brokers. Reduce the availability of small arms by establishing stricter national export criteria, regulating arms brokers, marking and tracing weapons, and improving collection of surplus arms. Promote democratization and greater respect for human rights, particularly the rights of indigenous and minority groups. Support diversification of economies away from a heavy dependence on a handful of primary commodities. Increase consumer awareness of the connections between resource
exploitation and conflict. |
| Priorities on Governance For International Institutions Strengthen and streamline the U.N. system’s diverse environmentally related agencies and programs. Promote more cooperation and coherence between the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization. Promote transparency by making information available and opening negotiations to NGO observers and participants. For Governments Prepare and adopt national and local Agenda 21s. Implement Rio commitments on freedom of environmental information, public participation, and access to justice. Ratify and implement environmental treaties. Honor funding pledges from Rio. For NGOs Monitor government and corporate compliance with international norms and standards. Strengthen transnational NGO networking and collaboration. Forge partnerships with businesses, governments, and international institutions. Advocate for strong environmental policies and transparent governmental processes at the global, national, and local levels. For Business Participate in the U.N.’s Global Compact and other corporate codes of conduct, and accept independent monitoring and verification of compliance with them. Respect the goals and provisions of international environmental, human rights, and labor treaties and standards. Forge partnerships with NGOs, governments, and international institutions. |