The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) seeks to build global political consensus on a pathway towards greater environmental, social and economic sustainability. The conference will focus on two themes: building a green economy and creating an effective institutional framework for sustainable development.
The private sector plays a critical role in this endeavour. Corporate sustainability – defined as the delivery of long-term value in economic, social and environmental terms – is the single most important business contribution to sustainable development. With the right incentives, enabling environments and means of implementation, this contribution can be brought to true scale and achieve lasting impact.
About Rio+20
The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) pursues three objectives:
- Secure renewed political commitment to sustainable development.
- Assess the progress and implementation gaps in meeting already agreed commitments.
- Address new and emerging challenges.
Business has an essential role to play in advancing this agenda. Responsible business actions rooted in universal principles can underpin economies with values essential for driving sustainable and inclusive growth. Practical solutions to advance global sustainability must be widely diffused.
Rio+20 will set the sustainability agenda for the next decade, and we expect that the conference will issue a strong call for responsible and sustainable business practices – as promoted by the Global Compact. Businesses everywhere must answer the call to create a more sustainable global market that can deliver benefits for all.
Objectives for the Private Sector
Rio+20 should accomplish the following:
- Scale up and intensify the business contribution to sustainable development through responsible corporate practices. This includes:
– Demonstrating the proven ability of business to strategically address and provide practical solutions to global challenges.
– Highlighting the business case for embedding universal principles into strategies, operations and throughout their supply chain.
- Agree at all government levels – national, city, community – on the need to prioritize sustainability and develop appropriate incentives to accelerate the transformation to low-carbon and sustainable economies and societies.
- Mobilize greater collaboration between businesses as well as innovative and transformational public-private partnerships including government, multilateral organizations and civil society – to identify and scale up the most promising technologies and solutions, particularly in the areas of climate change, energy, water, and food.
More information about the UN Conference on Sustainable Development
Rio+20 Conference Website
Rio+20: The Future We Want
Support the Rio+20 Secretariat * in its efforts to ensure inclusive participation, especially from Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Rio+20 is a call to action and an opportunity for all stakeholders to show continued commitment to sustainable development. It is an event for the whole world; it is about our common future and the future of our children.
* Please note that the Foundation for the Global Compact will receive and transfer funds to the Rio+20 Secretariat.
