A/42/427
English
Page 331
The problems of today do not come with a tag marked energy or economy or CO2 demography. nor with a label indicating a country or a region. The problems are multi-disciplinary and transnational or global.
The problems are not primarily scientific and technological. In science we have the knowledge and in technology the tools. The problems are basically political, economic, and cultural.
Per Lindblom
International Federation of
Institutes of Advanced Studies
WCED Public Hearing
Oslo. 24-25 June 1985
111. Over the past decade, bilateral aid agencies have gradually given more attention to the environmental dimensions of their programmer and projects. A 1980 survey of the environmental procedures and practices of six major bilateral aid agencies indicated that only one. USRID. had systematic and enforceable procedures Racked by the staff resources necessary to carry them out.[1] Sir, cs then, others have made some progress on the policy level, increased funds for environmental projects, and produced guidelines or checklists to guide their programmer. However, a 1983 study of those guidelines concluded that there was little evidence of their systematic application.[2]
112. An important step towards concerted action was taken in 1986 with the adoption by OECD of a recommendation to member governments to include an environmental assessment policy and effective ptoceduree or applying it in their bilateral aid programmes.[3] It is based on a detailed analysis and studies carried out by a joint group of governmental experts from both the Development Assistance Committee and the Environmental Committee.[4] The recommendation, includes proposals for adequate staff and financial resources to undertake environmental assessments and a central office in each agency to supervise implementation and to assist developing countries wishing to improve their capacities for conducting environmental assessments. We urge all bilateral aid agencies to implement this recommendation as quickly as possible. it is essential, of course, that this should not reduce aid flows in the aggregate or slow disbursements or represent a new form of aid conditionality.
6.2.3.New Sources of Revenue and Automatic Financing
113. We have made a series of proposals for institutional change within and among the organizations and specialized agencies of the UN system in the sections on 'Getting at the Sources' and 'Dealing with the Effects' Most of those changes Will not require additional financial resources but can be achieved through a reorientation of existing mandates, programmes, and budgets and a redeployment of present staff. Once implemented, those measures will make a major difference in the effective use of existing resources in making the transition to sustainable development.
- ↑ R.D.G. Johnson and R.O. Blake, Environmental and Bilateral Aid (London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 1980).
- ↑ J. Herberry, Environmental Guidelines Survey: An Analysis Environmental Procedures and guidelines governing Development Aid (London and Gland: lIED and IUCN. 1983).
- ↑ 'Environmental Assessment of Development Assistance Prelects and Programmes'. OECD Council Recommendation C(85)104 (Paris: OECD. 20.6.85); 'Measures Required to Facilitate the Environmental Assessment of Development Assistance Projects and Programmes' OECD Council Recommendation C(86)26 (final) OECD, Paris, 20 November 1986.
- ↑ 'Final Report on Environmental Assessment and Development Assistance' OECD Environment Monoqraph No 4 (Parts: OECD, 1986).
