This year’s Earth Summit, known as Rio +20, will take place in Brazil from 20 to 22 June. Through its active contribution to the work of the French national delegation, Bouygues is playing a tangible role in this major world event.
Why Rio +20? Because of the need to find tangible solutions for improving environmental and social conditions across the globe. In contrast to Rio (1992) and Johannesburg (2002), which focused on the causes, this year’s host nation, Brazil, wants the Earth Summit to be solution-oriented. Two key issues will be discussed: the role of the green economy in fostering sustainable development and eradicating poverty, and a sustainable development framework for effective environmental governance internationally.
The Bouygues Group’s proposals
Bouygues Group previously set forth its own sustainable development achievements in a Guidance Note as a contribution to the work of the French national delegation, which at the Earth Summit will champion leading national technologies in areas as diverse as construction, transportation and farming.
In the words of Olivier Bouygues, Deputy CEO and head of sustainable development, "This Guidance Note highlights the best of what we do in terms of sustainable development. In particular, sustainable construction is one of the 21st century's major challenges. The strategic foothold of sustainable development in our range of services and products is being strengthened continually. Our objective continues to be to provide an improved service for our customers, whilst respecting the environment, working relations and conditions and upholding our corporate responsibility. Both our solutions and tools are focused on satisfying this sole objective. We hope that the serious thought and measures carried out by Bouygues and its subsidiaries will help to enhance the best practices highlighted within the framework of the Rio +20 conference".
The Guidance Note is freely available on the Rio+20 websites of the French government and the United Nations.
141 days until Rio +20
On 30 and 31 January, the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing held a conference in preparation for the Earth Summit. France plans to propose the creation of a World Environmental Organisation (WEO) that will take global environmental governance into the modern era.
Attending alongside parties key to the Rio +20 negotiations and stakeholders from French and international civil society (including NGOs, businesses, local authorities and scientific research bodies), Bouygues took part in discussions for shaping the mandate of the WEO and defining how this organisation could promote an optimal response to the challenges of resource depletion, climate change, reduction in biodiversity and ocean conservation.
Click here for full details of the conference held on 30 and 31 January (in French only).
History of the Earth Summit
The UN Earth Summit, held every 10 years since 1972 amid a growing awareness of environmental issues globally, brings together world leaders to discuss practical sustainable development. After Stockholm(1972), Nairobi(1982), Rio de Janeiro(1992) and Johannesburg(2002), the Summit is returning to Rio this summer.
