For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 10, 2004
Science and Technology for Sustainable Development: "3r" Action Plan and Progress on Implementation
Last year at Evian we agreed "to support the development of
cleaner, sustainable and more efficient technologies." We reaffirm our
conviction that "cooperative scientific research on transformation
technologies offers potential to improve public health by cutting
pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emission to address the challenge
of global climate change."
As we continue to implement the G8 Action Plan on Science and
Technology for Sustainable Development adopted at Evian, we commit to
launching the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle ("3R") Initiative to encourage
more efficient use of resources and materials. The initiative will be
formally launched in the coming year at a ministerial meeting in
Japan.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Initiative
We will launch the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle ("3R") Initiative at
a Ministerial Conference in spring 2005 hosted by the Government of
Japan. In cooperation with relevant international organizations such
as the OECD, we will seek through this initiative to:
Reduce waste,
Reuse and Recycle resources and products to the extent economically
feasible;
Reduce barriers to the international flow of goods and
materials for recycling and remanufacturing, recycled and
remanufactured products, and cleaner, more efficient technologies,
consistent with existing environmental and trade obligations and
frameworks;
Encourage cooperation among various stakeholders (central
governments, local governments, the private sector, NGOs and
communities), including voluntary and market-based activities;
Promote science and technology suitable for 3Rs; and
Cooperate with
developing countries in such areas as capacity building, raising public
awareness, human resource development and implementation of recycling
projects.
In the period since Evian our actions taken to implement the
Evian S&T Action Plan include:
Cleaner, More Efficient Energy
Launched the International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy
(IPHE). Developing and implementing IPHE Implementation-Liaison
Committee work plan.
Launched the Carbon Sequestration Leadership
Forum (CSLF). Working to approve first set of CSLF projects, taking
into account environmental assessments, and various countries'
developing or supporting complementary technologies for low- or
zero-emission coal-fired power plants.
Supported and advanced
international cooperation to facilitate wider use of renewable energy
and energy efficiency technologies through such initiatives as the
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Bonn
International Conference for Renewable Energies. Continuing
implementation and follow up.
Those countries that will continue to
use nuclear energy and that are members of the Generation IV
International Forum (GIF) drafted multilateral arrangements on
next-generation nuclear energy technologies. Work continuing on six
high-priority next-generation nuclear energy systems.
Resource Material Flows
Helped to create a new OECD material flows and resource
productivity work plan.
Work ongoing through the WTO Doha
Development Agenda to reduce or, as appropriate, eliminate trade
barriers to environmental goods and services.
Global Observation
Held First and Second Earth Observation Summits (EOS) and adopted
a Framework document on a Global Earth Observation System of Systems
(GEOSS). Planning to adopt a final 10-year strategic implementation
plan on GEOSS at Third EOS in 2005 and working to identify the
international mechanism to provide coordination and oversight for
GEOSS.
Agriculture and Biodiversity
Provided technical solutions to global agricultural problems at
the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agriculture Science and
Technology. Action on partnerships, policies and applications are
planned for the Ministerial Conference on Harnessing Science and
Technology to Improve Agricultural Productivity in Africa.
Partnered
with the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research,
African Agricultural Technology Forum, and other existing structures at
different levels, to improve agricultural technology use and
productivity in Africa and other poor regions so as to promote "hardier
crops for healthier people" respecting biodiversity protection.
Brought the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture into force. Seeking to accelerate negotiations over a
standard material transfer agreement to facilitate the treaty's
implementation.
Made preparations for the Paris Conference on
Biodiversity to be held in January 2005.
Promoted sustainable forest
management and control of illegal logging through Asia Forest
Partnership, Congo Basin Forest Partnership, and others.
Cross Cutting Action
Held senior G-8 policy and research officials meeting. Planning
follow-up meeting to review proposals. ###