| United Nations |
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E/CN.17/1993/11/Add.1 |
Economic and Social Council
Distr. GENERAL
8 June 1993
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
First session
14-25 June 1993
Item 7 of the provisional agenda*
INITIAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS, FINANCIAL FLOWS AND ARRANGEMENTS
TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE DECISIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FROM ALL AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES
AND MECHANISMS, INCLUDING THOSE REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH 33.14
OF AGENDA 21
Report of the Secretary-General
Addendum
Information provided by Governments on initial financial
commitments, financial flows and arrangements to give
effect to the decisions of the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development
__________
* E/CN.17/1993/4.
CONTENTS
Paragraph
I. OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) LEVELS ......... 1
II. DEBT RELIEF .......................................... 2 - 4
A. Canada ........................................... 2
B. Germany .......................................... 3 - 4
III. AID PRIORITIES ....................................... 5 - 16
A. Australia ........................................ 5
B. Canada ........................................... 6
C. Denmark .......................................... 7 - 8
D. Finland .......................................... 9
E. Germany .......................................... 10
F. Iceland .......................................... 11
G. Ireland .......................................... 12
H. Japan ............................................ 13 - 14
I. Norway ........................................... 15
J. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland .......................................... 16
IV. MAIN ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING RELEVANT TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT .......................................... 17 - 73
A. Australia ........................................ 17 - 21
B. Austria .......................................... 22
C. Canada ........................................... 23 - 33
D. Denmark .......................................... 34 - 35
E. Finland .......................................... 36 - 39
F. France ........................................... 40 - 44
G. Germany .......................................... 45 - 46
H. Iceland .......................................... 47
I. Ireland .......................................... 48 - 51
J. Italy ............................................ 52 - 57
K. Japan ............................................ 58 - 63
L. Netherlands ...................................... 64
M. Norway ........................................... 65 - 66
N. Sweden ........................................... 67 - 69
O. Switzerland ...................................... 70 - 72
P. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland .......................................... 73
V. SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONVENTIONS .. 74 - 89
A. Australia ........................................ 74 - 76
B. Denmark .......................................... 77
C. Finland .......................................... 78 - 79
D. France ........................................... 80
E. Germany .......................................... 81
F. Ireland .......................................... 82
G. Netherlands ...................................... 83
H. Norway ........................................... 84
I. Sweden ........................................... 85 - 86
J. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland .......................................... 87 - 89
I. OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) LEVELS 1/
1. Official development assistance (ODA) levels for various countries are
given below.
Percentage of
Financial gross national
Country year Amount product (GNP)
Australia 1992/93 A$ 1.384 billion 2/ 0.36
Denmark 1992 US$ 1.35 billion 3/ 1.00
Finland 1992 Fmk 3 billion 4/ 0.62
Iceland 1993 0.13
Ireland 1993 0.20
Japan 1991 US$ 11.034 billion 3/
Netherlands 1993 above 0.7
Norway 1992 above 1.00
II. DEBT RELIEF
A. Canada
2. Canada has sought new mechanisms of funding for sustainable
development, and in this regard offered to convert $145 million of official
development assistance (ODA) debt held by Latin American countries into
local currency for environment and sustainable development projects.
B. Germany
3. The German Government has waived considerable amounts of the debt
incurred under development assistance. A total of DM 9 billion (9 billion
deutsche mark) has so far been waived in the case of the least developed
countries and other highly indebted low-income countries. In connection
with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the
German Government has also created the possibility of waiving claims on
other poor countries through a rescheduling arrangement in the Paris Club,
if funds in local currency are then channelled into the environmental
sector. The 1993 budget appropriation for this purpose is DM 50 million.
Bolivia and Honduras will probably be the first to benefit from this option.
4. Since December 1991, the German Government has been waiving, within the
enhanced Toronto terms, and on a case-by-case basis, 50 per cent of claims
incurred from state-guaranteed commercial loans for particularly poor highly
indebted developing countries. Through its membership in the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the German Government also indirectly
supports the Brady Initiative on debt reduction measures for bank loans
(reductions of between 35 and 84 per cent); a total of US$ 40 billion has
been waived so far.
III. AID PRIORITIES
A. Australia
5. Australia's ODA is guided by the following principles:
(a) Full participation in decision-making by those most affected by the
development process;
(b) Management of renewable resources on an ecologically sustainable
basis;
(c) Equitable distribution of benefits from the exploitation of
resources;
(d) Intergenerational and intragenerational equity;
(e) Provision for rehabilitation of areas affected by exploitation of
resources;
(f) In situ conservation of biological diversity (namely, natural
habitats and ecosystems), supplemented by ex situ conservation measures such
as gene banks;
(g) Protection of the health and communities of workers by adoption of
standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO);
(h) In 1992/93 Australia's contribution to the multilateral development
banks is expected to be A$ 150 million or 10.8 per cent of its ODA.
B. Canada
6. Support for sustainable development and environment planning is a
priority for Canada's development assistance programme, and a number of
projects, which Canada considers highly successful, are currently under way
(major initiatives include projects in Indonesia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan).
C. Denmark
7. As a supplement to the 1 per cent ODA/GNP ratio and in order to
strengthen the Danish contribution to solving international environmental
problems and to ensure the necessary assistance in international emergency
situations, the government budget for 1993 introduced a new budget line.
The intention is to gradually increase the financial allocation within these
areas to 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the year 2000.
8. The decisions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development have encouraged a focus on capacity-building and national
environmental strategies. More emphasis is being given to the relationship
between project objectives and the institutional set-up for projects and
programmes.
D. Finland
9. Finland has set three principal objectives for development cooperation:
(a) Alleviating poverty;
(b) Combating global environmental threats by supporting developing
countries in their efforts towards achieving this goal;
(c) Promoting democracy and human rights.
E. Germany
10. The percentage of projects with a special emphasis on the environmental
component has increased substantially over the last few years. In 1993, the
figure will be DM 1 billion, which represents over one quarter of total
commitments. The DM 1 billion includes DM 300 million for forest
conservation and related development activities (representing the same level
as in previous years). Germany believes that since its development
activities are primarily intended to provide for basic needs (planned
commitment for 1993: 52 per cent of the total funds available), to support
rural development (39 per cent) and to reduce poverty through
self-help-oriented projects (9 per cent), its aid programme is very much
aligned with the objectives of Agenda 21. 5/
F. Iceland
11. Bilateral aid is provided by the Icelandic International Development
Agency (ICEIDA), mostly under programmes related to sustainable natural
resource management, in particular research, education and training in
fisheries.
G. Ireland
12. The priority focus of Irish aid is human development and the priority
area of operation is sub-Saharan Africa. Criteria for sustainable
development are being systematically implemented in project work in
cooperation with recipient countries. Requests for assistance in the
preparation of national reports and national Agenda 21 action plans will be
sympathetically considered within the context of increasing capacity-
building in recipient countries.
H. Japan
13. Asia is the priority region for Japanese assistance. Regarding regions
other than Asia, Japan acknowledges that it is also necessary to be mindful
of the poverty and economic difficulties in the world as a whole. Therefore
it plans to extend cooperation to Africa, the Middle East, Central and South
America, Eastern Europe and Oceania.
14. Japan has identified various priority issues with respect to its aid.
Among them is the global approach to problems such as the environment and
population. Moreover, emphasis is being given to basic human needs aid and
emergency aid. Importance is also attached to cooperation in improving and
disseminating technology through human resources development and research
cooperation. Finally, construction of infrastructure and structural
adjustment are being considered priority issues.
I. Norway
15. The main objective for Norwegian development assistance is to
contribute towards permanent improvement in the living conditions of
inhabitants in developing countries. The development assistance is
poverty-oriented, and emphasis is put on avoiding dependence on continued
assistance. The main part of the assistance is allocated on a grant basis,
and it is untied. A minor part is directed towards humanitarian emergency
operations. A significant part of Norwegian development assistance, about
50 per cent, is distributed through multilateral channels.
J. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
16. The United Kingdom's priority objectives for official development
assistance are:
(a) To promote economic reform and longer-term economic growth;
(b) To promote good government;
(c) To help developing countries define and carry out poverty reduction
strategies;
(d) To promote human development, including better education and having
children by choice;
(e) To promote the social, economic, legal and political status of
women in developing countries;
(f) To help developing countries tackle national environmental
problems.
IV. MAIN ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING RELEVANT TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
A. Australia
17. Australia undertakes a range of development cooperation projects
specifically aimed at achieving benefits for the environment. The principal
vehicle for environmental activities under the aid programme is the
Environment Assistance Programme (EAP). In the 1991/92 budget, the
Australian Government provided total funding for the EAP in the amount of
A$ 80 million over the four-year period from 1991/92 to 1994/95.
Expenditure on environmental activities in 1992/93 is expected to be more
than A$ 28 million.
18. Major areas of focus within the EAP are population, forestry, climate
change, biodiversity, environment and conservation management.
19. Assistance programmes that address environmental objectives include the
Development Import Finance Facility (DIFF), which assists Australian
exporters to compete with foreign competitors for developmentally worthwhile
projects. The programme combines development grant funds with concessional
loans provided through the Export Finance Insurance Corporation (EFIC).
20. Under the total allocation to DIFF of A$ 120 million in 1992/93, it is
estimated that A$ 12 million will be channelled into environmental projects.
The major recipients of DIFF assistance are Indonesia, China, and India,
with other recipients including Thailand, Bangladesh and other Asian
countries as well as countries in the Pacific and Africa.
21. The 1992/93 budget also provided A$ 1.5 million for the non-
governmental organization environment initiative that has been allocated to
28 environment and development projects undertaken by non-governmental
organizations in developing countries. Through the EAP, Australia
contributes to the International Tropical Timber Organization.
B. Austria
22. In the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) pilot phase
(1991-1993), Austria contributed $400 million (400 million Austrian
schillings) (approximately US$ 35 million), which were disbursed into the
main fund of GEF, the so-called Global Environment Facility trust fund.
C. Canada
23. Canada continues to mobilize official development assistance resources
to support developing countries in meeting the objectives of Agenda 21.
Canada is increasing its support to developing countries in the areas of
sustainable development and Agenda 21 objectives within the context of its
overall development assistance.
24. The mandate of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
will be enlarged to encompass sustainable development and to help ensure a
rapid start to the implementation of Agenda 21. IDRC receives annual
funding of $115 million from the Government of Canada. These funds support
a wide range of sustainable development-related programmes and projects in
such areas as biodiversity, food security and environmental health impacts
systems as well as research (on, inter alia, sustainable development
indicators). IDRC is also developing a variety of information systems,
including United Nations Conference on Environment and Development archives
on compact disk read only memory (CD Rom) (as a joint effort with the United
Nations Secretariat which provides all substantive inputs), and a range of
electronic networks.
25. Canada has created the International Institute for Sustainable
Development in order to promote a better understanding of the linkages
between sustainability, competitiveness and prosperity in an international
context.
26. A $10 million International Model Forests Network has been launched,
which in the first phase involves three developing countries. Canada will
host a Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) conference on
temperate and boreal forests in September 1993. Canada disburses $115
million annually in development assistance for forest-related projects.
Following up its commitment to the protection of the oceans (see chap. 17 of
Agenda 21), Canada hosted a meeting in Saint John's, Newfoundland, in
preparation for the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. Furthermore, Canada has offered to host a
meeting of experts in 1994 to update the Montreal Guidelines for the
Protection of the Marine Environment Against Pollution from Land-based
Sources, as part of the process leading to a conference on land-based
sources of marine pollution.
27. Canada reconfirms its strong commitment to the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), and has doubled its annual contribution.
Finally, Canada recently hosted an informal meeting of environment ministers
in Magog, Quebec, to discuss priorities for the work of the Commission on
Sustainable Development in the coming year.
28. Canada, through the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), is leading the development of analytical and planning
tools for capacity development in environment. Furthermore, Canada will be
hosting in October 1993 an OECD workshop on National Plans for Sustainable
Development, and is providing funding for developing country participation.
Through IDRC, Canada is actively involved in a series of international
workshops on sustainable development planning for multi-stake holders. IDRC
has also been helping to establish a United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) sustainable development network. Finally, Canada is contributing $2
million to UNDP's Capacity 21 initiative, which will help developing
countries prepare national sustainable development plans.
29. Canada's progress in meeting its United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development commitments in the fields of technology
transfer, cooperation and capacity development has advanced along a variety
of fronts. The scope of these efforts ranges from helping other countries
to develop their own national plans for sustainable development - and
providing them with the ability to analyse and interpret technical data for
monitoring and managing resources - to supporting regional scientific
research efforts that will help less developed countries build their own
capacities for conducting the science and applying the technology that will
enable them to carry out their national plans.
30. IDRC has been given an expanded mandate to assist in the infusion of
sustainable development research and technological capacity into developing
countries. In response, IDRC has identified six priority themes to fulfil
its new role over the next three years. One of the six is "Technology and
the Environment". An IDRC working group has been established to plan and
manage activities in this field.
31. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has established an
Industrial Cooperation Program which is managing numerous transfers of
technology involving food science testing; Geographical Information System
(GIS) resource inventories; and waste management techniques for application
to petroleum, mineral and medical wastes.
32. Canada is preparing a complete inventory of all federal programmes that
are following through on the commitments made at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development. Among other things, this
strategy will consider the capacity of Canadian industries and institutions
to build capacity and transfer technology to less developed countries.
Canada is also involved in the Inter-American Institute for Global Change
Research, a regional organization that will be building capacity and
transferring the necessary technologies to countries throughout the Americas
to conduct scientific research. The Institute's scientific experts have set
a research agenda that addresses changes to tropical and temperate
ecosystems; biochemical cycles; biodiversity; high-latitude processes; El
Ni¤o Southern Oscillation weather patterns; and relationships between ocean,
atmosphere and land processes.
33. The Canadian Office for Training in the Environment was established in
1992 in recognition of the global priority accorded to the transfer of
environmental technologies to less developed countries, and the role that
Canadian expertise could play with respect to fostering that international
objective. The Office's twofold focus - on cooperation with less developed
countries and on direct involvement by industry - represents a further
concrete contribution by Canada to East-West and North-South dialogues on
environmental matters.
D. Denmark
34. Environmental protection is an integral part of Danish development
policy, and sustainable development strategies have already been elaborated
and will be further developed in light of the objectives of Agenda 21.
35. In order to implement the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development decisions to strengthen national capacities and international
cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries, the Government of
Denmark is favourably inclined towards making a contribution to UNDP's
Capacity 21 initiative.
E. Finland
36. In order to improve the ecological and social sustainability of
bilateral development projects and programmes, the Finnish International
Development Agency (FINNIDA) has been continuing the integration work of the
environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure in the course of its
activities.
37. Finland's contribution to the Environment Fund (Fund of the United
Nations Environment Programme) for 1992 was Fmk 20.5 million, and to the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Fmk 3 million.
38. Finland has actively supported countries with economies in transition,
especially the Baltic States and the Russian Federation. A great share of
this assistance has been designated to help these countries resolve their
most urgent environmental problems in the neighbouring regions of Finland.
In the period 1991-1992, Finland supported environmental projects in this
area with budgetary contributions amounting to Fmk 114 million.
39. Finland has participated in the enhancement of the global environment
by supporting the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) in the period
1991-1993 with approximately Fmk 35 million annually.
F. France
40. The French contribution to the Environment Fund will be doubled
compared with the initial effort (involving FF 900 million over a three-year
period) to which France subscribed in 1990.
41. Furthermore, France intends to increase its assistance effort for the
sectors related to Agenda 21. The increase envisaged for 1993 in relation
to 1992 is of the magnitude of 10 per cent through bilateral channels,
France's main sectors of interest being the following:
(a) Fresh water resources;
(b) Mineral resources;
(c) Urban environment;
(d) Energy;
(e) Forestry.
42. In accordance with the conclusions of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development, particular attention will be given to projects
initiated by non-governmental organizations and local communities in those
sectors. The strengthening of institutional and technological capacities
will be subject to specific evaluation.
43. France maintains its support to national environment action plans. In
1993, about FF 100 million should be granted to either the preparation of
these plans or their implementation in Madagascar, Seychelles, Benin, Congo,
C“te d'Ivoire, Burundi and Rwanda.
44. The commitments of France in 1993 for key programmes of Agenda 21 (in
millions of French francs) may be summarized as follows:
Actions in the area of urban environment 550
Urban water management 415
Rural development 200
Forests 63
Rural water-supply 70
Energy 110
Industry 127
Research _____
1 615
G. Germany
45. Germany's 1993 development budget provides for the following
initiatives for the implementation of Agenda 21 as set forth in its
chapter 33:
(a) Support for the Capacity 21 programme proposed by UNDP. The
Budgetary Committee of the German Parliament has stipulated, however, that a
final decision from the Committee is to be made during the implementation of
the 1993 budget before the funds are released;
(b) Allocation of additional funds for international non-governmental
organizations which, in the view of Germany, are in a position to support
developing countries in an efficient and unbureaucratic manner, particularly
at the local and regional levels;
(c) An increase in funds allocated to international agricultural
research, particularly to assist in developing the newly founded
international forestry research institute.
46. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Germany proposed a replenishment of SDR 3 billion (3 billion in special
drawing rights) (approximately DM 6.7 billion) for the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and is prepared to make its contribution provided there is
proper burden-sharing.
H. Iceland
47. Since 1979, Iceland has operated a postgraduate geothermal training
programme, under the aegis of the United Nations University, that trains 16
students per year. Iceland considers this project to be highly successful.
I. Ireland
48. A programme adopted following the general election in December 1992
contains an explicit commitment to spend new resources on projects covered
by Agenda 21 as part of the Irish national ODA budget.
49. As part of this commitment, new and additional resources have already
been earmarked for 1993 under the Irish Bilateral Aid Programme for
expenditure in key sectors identified in Agenda 21. Priority is being given
to human development projects (60 per cent), and water resources projects
(25 per cent), as well as those in the areas of forestry and conservation,
and the urban and rural environment.
50. In the area of water resource projects, part of these funds are being
spent in 1993 on drinking-water supply and sanitation projects in the United
Republic of Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. Funds are also being provided
for non-governmental organization activities in this context.
51. Activities related to the transfer of environmentally sound technology,
cooperation and capacity-building have formed a basic part of the Irish
Government's Bilateral Aid Programme since its inception. Since the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development, greater attention has
been given to these areas. In particular, new and additional resources are
being devoted to training hydrologists from developing countries.
J. Italy
52. Italy is focusing its attention on the following issues:
(a) Technology transfer;
(b) Deforestation;
(c) Desertification and drought;
(d) Agriculture and rural development;
(e) Atmosphere;
(f) Water-supply;
(g) Human settlements;
(h) Solid wastes.
53. The Italian Parliament is currently discussing the Government's
proposal to contribute 5 million dollars to the Rain Forest Trust Fund.
54. A decision has been taken to prepare a national programme on global
climate, to be approved by the end of 1993. The programme shall coordinate
and integrate research in such areas as:
(a) Mathematical models of climate, with a focus on regional analysis
and the forecasting of climate change in the Mediterranean area;
(b) Monitoring of climate and of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
by ground surveys and remote sensing;
(c) Monitoring of streams in the Mediterranean Sea and of their
influence on climate;
(d) Interrelations between socio -economic factors and climate.
55. Inter-ministerial working groups are involved in the formulation of a
national plan for the implementation of the Rio Declaration on Environment
and Development 6/ and of Agenda 21, and in preparations to present in
Parliament guidelines for a "Report on environment and sustainable
development" to be discussed every year, starting from 1993.
56. As regards the transfer of environmentally sound technologies,
cooperation and capacity-building, analysis of Italian experience and
capacity useful for the implementation of Agenda 21 is now under way with a
view to promoting the transfer of such technologies through multilateral and
bilateral programmes of technological partnership. Specific areas include:
(a) Technologies for the remote sensing from satellites of sea and
shore pollution, eutrophication of coastal areas and sea basins, sea
streams, atmosphere circulation, land use, desertification and forests;
(b) Weather monitoring and forecasting as well as climate modelling on
a regional basis;
(c) Technologies for the implementation and the operation of integrated
land monitoring databases, and the simulation of different schemes of land
uses for more dynamic planning;
(d) Technology and experience in planning and implementation of
activities in the area of rural development, in particular in semi-arid
zones, as well as in the area of natural farming, involving a reduced use of
fertilizers and pesticides;
(e) Experience in employing barriers against desertification and
development of oases in north Africa;
(f) Technologies for the determination of hydro-geologic area patterns
and construction of integrated infrastructures for the supply of water;
(g) Experience in the design and operation of plants for the generation
of electricity with a reduced emission of pollutants (clean coal combustion,
co-generation, fuel cells);
(h) Technologies for the reduction of the energy intensity in
industries, particularly in the highly intensive ones, such as the glass,
ceramic and concrete industries;
(i) Technologies for bioclimatic building, energy saving in housing and
teleheating;
(j) Technologies and plants for the exploitation of solar, wind and
mini-hydraulic (small waterfalls, waterworks and irrigation canals)
energies;
(k) Experiences of the ecological reclamation of lakes, river and
coastal areas and lagoons contaminated by residential, agricultural and
industrial sewages;
(l) Technologies for the production of goods that are more easily
recycled;
(m) Waste treatment and disposal:
(i) Experience of integral regional planning of solid waste treatment;
(ii) Technologies for sewage and waste treatment and for heat generation
from urban wastes;
(iii) In the field of industrial wastes disposal, technologies related to
management and recovery of raw materials, by -products and energy, as well as
to final disposal of mechanical industry wastes.
57. Italian financial commitment to multilateral organizations dealing with
sustainable development is of the order of 1.5 billion dollars, including
the contribution to the tranche of 600 million in European currency units
(ECUs) within the initiative launched by the European Economic Community
(EEC). Additional financial implications related to the implementation of
Agenda 21 are now being reviewed and considered.
K. Japan
58. The Government of Japan has increased its contributions to UNEP. For
1993, it has contributed a total of US$ 11 million - $9 million for the
Environment Fund (Fund of the United Nations Environment Programme) and $2
million for the Technical Cooperation Trust Fund of UNEP. In addition, in
October 1992 the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centres were
established in Japan (Osaka and Shiga) with in -kind contributions equivalent
to $1 million. These centres have as their goal advancing the transfer of
environmental technology to developing countries.
59. In 1993 the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) received
a contribution from the Government of Japan amounting to US$ 12.69 million.
60. The Government of Japan has committed the sum of US$ 9.62 million in
1993 as a contribution to the fund under the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
61. Japan is expanding its official development assistance to developing
countries in the field of the environment. At the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development, Japan announced that it would expand its
bilateral and multilateral ODA in the field of the environment to
approximately 900 billion yen (US$ 7.1 billion) to 1 trillion yen (US$ 7.8
billion) in the five-year period starting in financial year 1992. In
financial year 1992 alone, it is estimated that Japan's environmental aid
rose to about 280 billion yen ($2.4 billion).
62. For the period 1991-1993, the Government of Japan has contributed to
the GEF core fund the sum of US$ 11 million on a grant basis. It has also
pledged $180 million for the same period under the co-financing arrangements
of GEF.
63. Japan's environmental aid in financial year 1992 is estimated to have
been approximately 280 billion yen including various projects world wide,
namely in Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, China and Malaysia. Other areas of Japan's
environmental aid include forest conservation and afforestation, pollution
control, including reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and
prevention of acid rain, and protection of wildlife. Japan's aid focuses on
protection of wildlife, training programmes on saving energy and protection
of the ozone layer, and concentrates as well on enhancement of the capacity
of developing countries to cope with environmental problems, drafting of
environmental guidelines and promotion of the environmental dialogue with
developing countries.
L. Netherlands
64. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development the
Netherlands indicated that within the budget allocation for official
development assistance, which exceeded the target of 0.7 per cent of GNP,
financial resources available for the promotion of environmentally sound
development in developing countries will increase to reach a total of almost
US$ 250 million per annum starting in 1994.
M. Norway
65. Contributions from a specially established environmental fund are
distributed through both multilateral and bilateral channels. A significant
part of resources from this fund is allocated to assist developing countries
in developing their national environmental strategies and environmental
managerial plans.
66. Norway's assistance to countries in Eastern Europe is in addition to
and separate from the budget for official development assistance.
Contributions to environment and development measures in Eastern Europe
correspond to about NKr 500 million (500 million in Norwegian kroner)
(around US$ 74 million) in 1993.
N. Sweden
67. Sweden considers capacity-building to be one of the most important
factors for developing countries in the process of aiming at a sustainable
development.
68. Swedish bilateral development assistance programmes directed towards a
follow-up of Agenda 21 will be focused on capacity-building and on projects
related to sustainable use of natural resources, including sustainable use
of biodiversity, as well as to freshwater issues, renewable energy resources
and coastal zone management.
69. New and additional financial resources are being used to support an
international conference, convened by Sweden, on risk assessment and risk
management of chemical substances. Substantial backing will also be
directed to preparing and carrying through the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conference on plant genetic
resources, as well as to studies on technical assessments of biotechnology
and country studies within the United Nations framework of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change (A/AC.237/18 (Part II/Add.1)). Sweden also
attaches great importance to the role of women in the implementation of
Agenda 21 and will support relevant activities in this respect within the
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) as well as the United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
O. Switzerland
70. The Swiss Government recognizes the necessity of additional resources
in the field of global environment. It takes an active part in the
negotiations aimed at the replenishment of the Global Environment Facility.
During the three-year pilot phase, Switzerland has been contributing
4 per cent of GEF resources, which constitutes more than its usual part in
such entities. The Swiss authorities welcome in principle the increase of
the facility's capital and express their readiness to contribute
substantially to the next phase.
71. The Swiss authorities established an inter-ministerial structure to
deal with all issues relating to the follow -up to the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development. That structure is designed to
facilitate an integrative decision -making process, as well as to foster
coherent national policies. This structure recently established thematic
working groups. The federal Administration and representatives of all the
different segments concerned, including the private sector and non-
governmental organizations, are using those working groups to develop common
and innovative approaches and solutions to specific elements of the Agenda
21.
72. One of these groups is in charge of finding ways to facilitate transfer
of technology and technological cooperation. This group is action-oriented
and develops its activities as an operational clearinghouse.
P. United Kingdom
73. The United Kingdom has committed œ40.3 million (40.3 million pounds
sterling) to the core facility of the GEF pilot phase to help developing
countries tackle global environmental issues. The United Kingdom stands
ready to contribute its share to a replenishment of GEF.
V. SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONVENTIONS
A. Australia
74. Through the EAP, Australia contributes to the fund under the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the Global
Environment Facility (GEF).
75. Australia is committed to co-financing the GEF pilot phase,
contributing A$ 30 million over a seven-year period (1991-1992 to
1997-1998). To date, Australia has indicated an interest in co-financing
the following GEF activities:
(a) Biodiversity conservation in the South Pacific;
(b) Promotion of electric energy efficiency in Thailand;
(c) Least-cost greenhouse gas emission plans in South-East Asia;
(d) Regional management of pollution in South-East Asian seas.
76. Australian aid expenditure is also channelled through the various
multilateral development banks. These include the Asian Development Bank,
the Asian Development Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the International Development Association and the International
Finance Corporation.
B. Denmark
77. Denmark will be ready to contribute its fair share of a three fold
increase in GEF.
C. Finland
78. Finland supported the Interim Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol with approximately Fmk 2 million in 1992.
79. It is envisaged that Finland will assist developing countries in the
preparation of country studies falling within the framework of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on
Biological Diversity, as well as studies on combating desertification.
D. France
80. Through the Francophonie programmes, emphasis will be given to
promoting consultations with French-speaking developing countries,
particularly within the context of negotiations with respect to an
international convention to combat desertification in those countries
experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa,
inter alia, through financing of expert seminars, as well as within that of
preparation of such items as national reports.
E. Germany
81. The German Government is ready to launch immediate measures before the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on
Biological Diversity enter into force and will be earmarking DM 10 million
in the 1993 budget for programmes to implement these Conventions. These
funds will be available to interested developing countries over and above
its regular bilateral commitments. In addition, environmental projects have
already begun in cooperation with the central and Eastern European States
and the Commonwealth of Independent States, particularly the Russian
Federation, Poland and Hungary.
F. Ireland
82. Ireland is making a contribution to the fund under the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
G. Netherlands
83. In addition to the current commitments for development assistance, the
Netherlands has announced that it will provide new and additional financial
resources up to a maximum of 0.1 per cent of GNP for implementing activities
in developing countries related to global environmental agreements, provided
that other countries will take a similar course.
H. Norway
84. A national "climate fund" has been established. Norway's contributions
to GEF as well as to certain climate projects are among those financed from
this fund. For the time being, the fund amounts to NKr 75 million per year
(about US$ 11 million). Norway's contributions to the fund under the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are financed
separately from the ODA budget.
I. Sweden
85. Sweden intends to actively participate in the restructuring and
replenishment process of GEF. In light of the process of establishing
conventions and other ongoing negotiations on issues within the framework of
GEF, we foresee a substantial rise in demand as well as replenishment for
the next period.
86. Sweden expresses its support of the ongoing process to negotiate a
convention to combat desertification. This includes contributions for the
extrabudgetary funds, country studies and an expert meeting that Sweden will
convene. This support is covered by new and additional financial resources.
J. United Kingdom
87. The British Prime Minister launched at the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of
Species. The Initiative aims to support the Convention on Biological
Diversity through providing assistance for conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity and natural habitats. The Initiative will help to fund and
encourage important biodiversity work both in the United Kingdom and in
developing countries. It is intended to fill gaps in existing work and
support new and innovative projects.
88. Six million pounds sterling (œ6 million) in new and additional
resources will be made available during the period from 1993/94 to 1995/96
to fund projects that meet the objectives of the Initiative.
Non-governmental organizations, the scientific community, industry and
international experts are participating in the drawing up of priorities for
the Initiative.
89. The United Kingdom has contributed US$ 13.8 million to the fund under
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and stands
ready to contribute additional resources.
Notes
1/ According to information provided by Governments.
2/ Denotes 1.384 billion Australian dollars.
3/ Net disbursements.
4/ Denotes 3 billion markkaa.
5/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by
the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8),
resolution 1, annex II.
6/ Ibid., resolution 1, annex I.
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