Day 4
Day Four... Friday 15th
Negotiations intensified on environmental goods and services, with developing countries, led by India, insisting that any agreement must provide scope for further discussion of their ‘project-approach’.WWF supports this stance as it keeps the door open for a “demand driven approach”, with the needs of the planet as the starting point; agreements on environmental goods and services must not simply be seen as an excuse for further liberalization. Countries like EU, US, Japan have suggested that lists of environmental goods and services should include items like helmets, car parts, PVC tubes and padlocks!
This is what the industrial countries tell the world we need to address the challenges of our time. We are still waiting for a response as how these interesting items will deal with climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic pollution and over fishing. Even if one believes in innovation as a key driver for sustainable development, we still await the “MacGyver” that can use these items to save the planet.
WWF combined with Action Aid, Greenpeace, Birdlife and Friends of the Earth Europe to run a discussion on “Trade Rules for a Sustainable Future” on the evening of the 16th. The meeting room was hidden in the corner of one of the vast hanger like halls that litter the conference centre. It would be no surprise to find a team of technicians repairing a 747 in some corner or other.
In an effort to sort out the brightest and best delegations to attend the discussion the meeting room was changed at the last minute presenting a challenge that Gordon Shepherd (sic), WWF facilitator, failed to meet by turning up in the original and wrong venue! UNEP made at least the NGOs present feel productive and focused by explaining the constraints to their effective engagement in the trade issue. Their governing ministerial body apparently has acute antenna for spotting any vigorous investigations of the affects of trade on the environment and people and promptly pulls funding or support.
Friends of the Earth covered environmental and trade governance reform issues then cleverly by-passed the title of the session to seek support for their latest WTO lobby strategy. Action Aid Kenya gave an impassioned plea on behalf of small farmers in developing countries that are disadvantaged by trade and looked at some solutions.
Surprisingly a lively debate ensued around the future of UNEP, a UN World Environment Movement, Global Governance and engagement of civil society. Action aid Kenya summed up the atmosphere here in Hong Kong with the immortal phrase “Global trade is a good and a bad thing” and the audience agreed that about says it all! And we are here to see the bad removed and the good strengthened. All we need now is for everyone to agree on the how!
