THE World Environmental Day was established by United Nations General Assembly in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment. Since then it has been globally celebrated each year on June 5. This year the World Environment Day foreshadows Rio+20, the United Nations Conference Summit on Sustainable Development, which takes place later this month. Thus it should provide an opportunity to focus our minds on the huge challenge ahead, of sealing a deal at Rio which is innovative, bold and courageous enough to meet the twin challenges of socio-economic development and environmental sustainability.Indeed the world has already come a long way. Not long ago, environmental degradation was seen as an unfortunate side effect of the rapid economic development that governments all over the world pursued in order to lift billions out of poverty. These days few would dispute the fact that the development path we are on cannot be sustained unless we begin to respect some environmental fundamentals. It is now widely recognized that improved human wellbeing, for most people in most places and particularly the poor, is intimately connected to the health of the ecosystems that ultimately supports our collective existence.The theme of this year’s World Environment day is “Green Economy – Does it include you?” This chimes with the main theme of Rio+20 “A Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development”. In fact, the concept of a “Green Economy” is everywhere these days but what does it actually mean? If we take the concept seriously, which we should, it means nothing less than a fundamental rethinking of development. As the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability put it in their crucial report before the Rio+20 conference titled Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing: “Achieving sustainability requires us to transform the global economy. Tinkering on the margins will not do the job”. So what are the changes that we need to make, as local actors in a global community? Firstly, we need commitment to act, based on a clear understanding of the interconnections between the economy, society and natural environment. Secondly, people need the power to act sustainably, which is only possible in a free, fair society where human rights, security and basic needs are assured. Thirdly, we need effective governance and institutions at all levels that are capable of moving beyond “silo” thinking to address complex challenges in a more integrated manner. Last but not least, we need to invent new ways to incorporate social and environmental costs in the price of goods and services and also create a new set of indicators for measuring development, based on its sustainability. The last task is particularly huge, since it involves challenging several development orthodoxies. On this note, the UN is gratified to see that a small, resource poor nation such as Rwanda, which is still grappling with high levels of poverty, has chosen to lead by example when it comes to developing a Green Economy. In its national strategy “Green Growth and Climate Resilience” issued in November 2011, the Government of Rwanda lays out a clear and plausible path to achieving the ambitious development targets of Vision 2020 in a way that is sustainable. This move carries significance far beyond the Rwandan borders, an object lesson in achievement in the face of difficulty. The message to the world is loud and clear: If Rwanda can do it, then others should be able to! The UN looks forward to continuing its support and collaboration with the Government and people of Rwanda in their drive to square the growth and sustainability conundrum. Considering the recent history of Rwanda and its unprecedented socio-economic accomplishments, one can be optimistic about the emergence of a new development path, one the places the economy firmly within the ambit of the environment. In this new paradigm economic growth persists, but no longer at the expense of ecological decline.Let us bring this understanding to Rio. Let Rwanda keep inspiring the world and move us closer to a deal in Rio that respects both people and the planet.Opia Mensah Kumah is UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Kigali.
