FORUM: Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) QUESTION OF: Pollution and Environmental Sustainability in Developing Countries MAIN SUBMITTER: People’s Republic of China COSUBMITTERS: Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia SIGNATORIES: South Africa, Argentina, Syria, Turkey, Nigeria, Somalia, Germany THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Recalling the progress that has been attained through resolutions 64/204 of 21 December 2009, 65/162 of 20 December 2010 and 66/203 of 22 December 2011 with regard to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Recalling also the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building, Solemnly acknowledging the rapid furtherance of pollution in all forms in urban areas of developing countries over the past several decades, Approving attempts at global unification to resolve the issue as evidenced by treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, Expressing its’ appreciation for the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) efforts in attempting to develop costeffective sustainable energy for countries that are less advanced financially, Taking into consideration that developing and developed countries have differentiated priorities that require differentiated approaches in terms of reducing emission and pollution levels, Noting with deep concern the overt lack of cooperation between developing and developed countries when it comes to alleviating the issue of environmental untenability, Stressing the criticality of the sharing of knowledge between developing and developed countries in order to catalyze the process of minimizing pollution, Emphasizing the importance of elasticity based on underlying factors regarding development and emission reduction goals especially in regards to developing countries, Committed to strengthening international environmental governance within the context and framework of sustainable development to promote an objective integration of various sociopolitical factors, 1. Proposes the development of a ‘Developed to Developing Technology Exchange (DTDTE)’ scheme administered through the UNDP whereby developing countries receive technological knowledge and
materials that assist with reducing overall pollution and emission levels, such as, but not limited to: a) basic materials and infrastructure for the implementation of basic renewable and sustainable energy forms such as wind and solar power systems, b) assistance with the disposal of industrial waste from factories through modern recycling plants and other green designs, c) basic industrial materials whereby the technological capacity of the developing nation can be enhanced, d) plans to optimize industrial structure and layout so that: i. backward and environmentally detrimental industrial capacity is limited, ii. key industries are revitalized, iii. energy usage is maximized in terms of industry; 2. Recommends strengthening and tightening in the terms of the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 through revisions to the extension of the international agreement that enforce more stringent targets on industrialized countries in order for: a) common but differentiated goals to be set for a more extensive number of developing and developed countries, b) developed countries to shoulder a greater overall responsibility in lowering global emission levels to set examples that industrializing countries can replicate and improve upon, c) developed countries to increase accountability for environmental damages that they be creating or exacerbating in developing countries, such as, but not limited to: i. improper disposal of toxic waste, ii. excessive deforestation and chemical pollution carried out by private firms of foreign countries; 3. Encourages the UNEP to adopt a more proactive role in the institution and formation of sustainable policies and models through working individually with developing countries and tailoring countryspecific development goals in areas, such as, but not limited to: a) agricultural production where there could be a potential focus on ecological improvements as well as the formation of a sustainable positive multiplier effect within the agricultural system, b) industrial production where there could be a potential focus on the development of clean industries and the pursuing of a resourced ‘circular economy’, c) social services where there could be a particular stress placed on reinforcing social service functions while simultaneously advocating for a loweremission community; 4. Strongly advocates for the construction and continuation of pragmatic correspondences between developing and developed countries as well as between developing countries themselves to: a) undertake, fund and sustain pilot demonstration programmes for sustainable development in developing regions, such as, but not limited to:
i. experimental ‘green transformations’ and ‘relocations’, ii. hybrid renewable power generation system trials, b) share sustainable development experience; 5. Urges for developed countries to assist developing and industrializing countries with the strengthening of scientific and technological capacity for environmentally sustainable development through advice and resources rather than monetary funds, due to the risk of misuse, and thus: a. a monitoring programme needs to be developed to oversee relationships and exchange schemes to ensure that: i. both parties are honoring their commitments, ii. the interests of both countries are fully met; 6. Calls for the potential development and implementation of a mechanism similar in nature to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), known as the Global Emission Reduction Assistance Mechanism (GERAM), on a global scale, which: a) allows developed countries to reduce their GHG emission targets by establishing and implementing sustainable and suitable emissionreduction projects in developing nations, so that: i. developed nations have a further method whereby national GHG levels could be indirectly reduced, ii. developing nations have new and sustainable GHGreducing industries with the assistance of developed nations, b) may expand to include private firms and sectors as well after the initial probation period of 12 months; 7. Encourages firms within the private sector as well as transnational corporations to also consider reducing the environmental impacts they may have on developing nations through a series of steps: a) firms should calculate their own ecological footprints in developing nations and subsequently adopt suitable measures within their own firms and factories to reduce this footprint as far as possible, b) the UNDR could establish a set of policies that prevent transnational corporations from exploiting the less stringent environmental laws in developing nations through manufacturing shifts and outsourcing; 8. Wishes for the UNDP to play a more active role both in the coordination of global responses as well as in the situation of local recommendations, whereby: a. scientifically credible, policyrelevant, comprehensive and uptodate investigations are conducted in close consultation with individual Member States, in order to support decisionmaking at all levels within countries, b. related summaries regarding work conducted in individual countries can be produced,
c. conferences can be organized by the UNDP between key member states so crucial information regarding sustainable development and technological capacity is shared and so the achievement of internationally agreed goals is catalyzed, d. casebycase advice and holistic assistance can be offered by the UNDP in specific developing countries that may face exceptional issues such as landlocking or longterm natural disasters; 9. Recommends having secure, stable, adequate and increasing financial resources from the regular budget of the United Nations for the UNEP along with voluntary contributions to fulfill the mandate and costs of the Programme, and: a. urges donors to increase voluntary funding to the UNEP, including to the Environment Fund, b. requests the SecretaryGeneral to potentially expand current financial budget and resource allocation towards the UNEP in light of the problem facing developing countries; 10. Decides to remain actively seized on the matter.