“Our Common Future” turns 20

Twenty years have passed since former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and the World Commission on Environment and Development published Our Common Future in 1987. Ms Brundtland will be participating in events organised by the Norwegian Government to mark the anniversary. She will be presenting her vision of the way forward at events in New York in May and in Tromsø in June.

“These events will mark the continuing importance of what Gro and the Commission achieved 20 years ago. They put the environment at the top of the international agenda. Climate change is currently the greatest problem we have to deal with, and this government is pursuing an ambitious environmental policy designed to reduce emissions both at home and abroad,” says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Mr Stoltenberg highlights three of Norway’s environmental initiatives.

“Firstly, we aim to become a world leader in CO2 capture and storage from power plants. Secondly, we have introduced a mandatory emissions trading scheme for industry to bring about reductions in emissions. Thirdly, we are investing NOK 20 billion in bioenergy, wind turbines and other forms of renewable energy.”

The world has changed over the last 20 years, and new considerations are guiding the political debate. There are two key factors: globalisation and strong evidence of man-made climate change. The Brundtland report remains relevant in its description of sustainability as an essential basis for development. Today, we know more about climate change and about the links between poverty, environment and development, and access to energy.

Norway, as both a significant energy producer and an environmental nation, has a particular responsibility to contribute to solutions to the challenges of climate change. The Government intends to use the 20th anniversary of the World Commission’s report to promote the changes and positive forces needed to achieve the u-turn that is required to tackle today’s environmental challenges.

The fifteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development will take place in New York in May. Gro Harlem Brundtland will be the main speaker at the opening of the session’s High-Level Segment, as part of the events marking the report’s 20th anniversary. In addition, Norway will be hosting a lunch for ministers, at which Ms Brundtland will be the guest of honour. Political leaders are being invited to raise awareness of sustainable development, and to draw attention to recent insights into the relationship between poverty, the environment, security and economic growth, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector.

“Our intention is to build on the enormous prestige Gro generated through the World Commission. Its work was very important, as it introduced a completely new environmental agenda. We intend to give the battle to save the environment new impetus in 2007. We want Norway once again to be the spearhead of the international environmental effort. We will focus particularly on developing new environmental technology that is of benefit to the whole world,” says Minister of International Development Erik Solheim, who will be representing the Norwegian Government at the event in New York.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was among the strongest supporters of the Commission on Sustainable Development when it was discussed by the High-level Panel on reform of the UN. The Commission is the largest available arena for discussing energy- and climate-related issues with representatives from countries, industries, NGOs and multilateral organisations.

During this year’s session, Norway will be able to present its views on energy and climate issues to many countries and actors that are normally difficult to reach. The fifteenth session of the Commission is therefore an excellent opportunity to give the term “sustainable” renewed and forward-looking meaning.

Norway is the main host for events marking this year’s UNEP World Environment Day on 5 June. The theme is Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?. The programme covers nearly a whole week, and encompasses events in Tromsø, Oslo and various other towns in Norway. They will provide an opportunity to focus attention on the environment and sustainable development in the High North, but with a global perspective.

Norway’s hosting the World Environment Day has provided an excellent opportunity to arrange an event featuring Gro Harlem Brundtland. This will take place in Tromsø on 4 June, the same day that the University of Tromsø is hosting the Norwegian Polar Institute’s conference for researchers.