CIB Report 225, May 1998

Sustainable Development and
the Future of Construction

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National Report No.5 : Ireland
C J Walsh

C J Walsh

1998 European Charter on Sustainable
Design & Construction
(adopted Dublin, 6th November 1998)

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Letter from Jacques Santer President of the European Commission

The structure of the European Charter on Sustainable Design & Construction reflects the fundamental view that Sustainable Construction is the response, in built form, to the concept of 'sustainable development', and it's initial formal elaboration at global level  -  the Rio Declaration of 27 Principles, with Agenda 21 (detailed supporting guidance)  -  both agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development which was held in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, during June 1992.

It is Sustainable Design, however, which will direct the future course of this innovative approach to construction. For the first time in the European Charter, a comprehensive scope of concern, relating to ethics and values, is outlined for the subject ; a rational decision making framework is presented ; human development, social injustice and inclusion, environment and energy issues are discussed in coherent format ; and finally, technical terms are defined for better communication.

The European Charter on Sustainable Design & Construction preserves the legal intent of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.



This CIB Publication below references the European Charter ....

CIB Publication 237, July 1999

Agenda 21 on Sustainable
Construction


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Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction
in Developing Countries

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The World, and our future generations, cannot afford a Western liberal democratic value system !

Slums of the World: The Face of Urban Poverty in the New Millennium ?

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In a world of liberalized trade and finance, cities are focal points for investment, communication, commerce, production and consumption. They are magnets for immigrants and for others seeking a better life, as well as the locus of problems that result from these profound economic and demographic trends. The most alarming accompaniment to urbanization in this globalizing world has been the deepening of urban poverty and the growth of slums that now envelop nearly one billion people worldwide.

The United Nations Millennium Declaration recognizes the dire circumstances of the world's urban poor, articulating member states' commitment to improve the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020. As large as 100 million may seem, however, it is only ten percent of the present worldwide slum population which, left unchecked, will multiply threefold to 3 billion by the year 2050.

The problem of slums is a dynamic one. At any point in time and in any one place, it may present itself as a cluster of symptoms which might be dealt with sector-by-sector until the problem begins to dissolve. There are, however, economic, social and political forces behind the urban poverty which cause slums to form at a rate that overwhelms every effort to fight them. It is those forces that must be challenged and channelled, not just within the slums but also in the wider urban and regional context. Fundamentally, urban poverty and slums are not just a matter of local improvement but of region-wide and national development policy.

Achieving Sustainable Urbanization requires the balanced integration of social, economic, political, institutional and environmental objectives into a coherent overall framework.

'A Fair Globalization:
Creating Opportunities for All'

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A Vision for Change

Public debate on globalization is at an impasse. Opinion is frozen in the ideological certainties of entrenched positions and fragmented in a variety of special interests. The will for consensus is weak. Key international negotiations are deadlocked and international development commitments go largely unfulfilled.

The report before you offers no miraculous or simple solutions, for there are none. But it is an attempt to help break the current impasse by focusing on the concerns and aspirations of people and on the ways to better harness the potential of globalization itself.

Ours is a critical but positive message for changing the current path of globalization. We believe the benefits of globalization can be extended to more people and better shared between and within countries, with many more voices having an influence on its course. The resources and the means are at hand. Our proposals are ambitious but feasible. We are certain that a better world is possible.

We seek a process of globalization with a strong social dimension based on universally shared values, and respect for human rights and individual dignity; one that is fair, inclusive, democratically governed and provides opportunities and tangible benefits for all countries and people.

To this end we call for:

• A Focus on People
  The cornerstone of a fairer globalization lies in meeting the demands of all people for: respect for their rights, cultural identity and autonomy; decent work; and the empowerment of the local communities they live in. Gender equality is essential.
• A Democratic and Effective State
  The State must have the capability to manage integration into the global economy, and provide social and economic opportunity and security.
• Sustainable Development
  The quest for a fair globalization must be underpinned by the interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of economic development, social development and environmental protection at the local, national, regional and global levels.
• Productive and Equitable Markets
  This requires sound institutions to promote opportunity and enterprise in a well-functioning market economy.
• Fair Rules
  The rules of the global economy must offer equitable opportunity and access for all countries and recognize the diversity in national capacities and developmental needs.
• Globalization with Solidarity
  There is a shared responsibility to assist countries and people excluded from or disadvantaged by globalization. Globalization must help to overcome inequality both within and between countries and contribute to the elimination of poverty.
• Greater Accountability to People
  Public and private actors at all levels with power to influence the outcomes of globalization must be democratically accountable for the policies they pursue and the actions they take. They must deliver on their commitments and use their power with respect for others.
• Deeper Partnerships
  Many actors are engaged in the realization of global social and economic goals – international organizations, governments and parliaments, business, labour, civil society and many others. Dialogue and partnership among them is an essential democratic instrument to create a better world.
• An Effective United Nations
  A stronger and more efficient multilateral system is the key instrument to create a democratic, legitimate and coherent framework for globalization.

Many individuals and organizations were involved in the development
of the 2004 Rio Declaration.  We are very grateful for all of their contributions.
Further comments will be welcomed !

The words 'green', 'environmental', 'ecological' and 'sustainable' are becoming part of everyday language in the Developed World, but are frequently interchanged without understanding.  To date, however, the concept of Sustainable Development has been hijacked by Environmentalists.  For example, no connection at all may be seen between a 'sustainable' building and ensuring that it can be safely and conveniently entered and used by ordinary people.

In other parts of the World, the ambiguous WCED/Brundtland Definition of Sustainable Development is being systematically rejected; the concept is viewed as an unaffordable luxury and/or as a means of continued domination and control by the 'North'.  Yet, sustainability must be a global compact.

In this intolerant and more fundamentalist 21st Century, the United Nations System, International Law, and Social Justice continue to come under sustained attack.  And the Beslan Tragedy demonstrates that it is far more hazardous for disadvantaged, vulnerable and indigenous peoples in every society.

Some specific objectives for the 2004 Rio Declaration were as follows ...

• To present a 2nd Generation Definition of Sustainable Development which is more acceptable to the Developing World;
• To restore primacy to the Social Aspects of Sustainable Development ... and particularly the ethical values of Social Justice, Solidarity and Inclusion-for-All;
• To embed the concept of the 'Person' in Sustainable Development ... rather than the fleeting reference to 'People' which too often results in Disadvantaged, Vulnerable and Indigenous Groups being left behind;
• To signal one of the main challenges of Sustainable Development ahead - which will be to establish a framework of horizontal co-ordination at the many institutional levels ... and between the many actors and end users ... in the human environment.

Adopted in December 2004, at the Brazil Designing for the 21st Century III Conference, the Rio Declaration consists of a Preamble, 10 Principles and 5 Appendices; its central concern involves People with Activity Limitations.

This Declaration extols implementation, and the targeting and monitoring of 'real' performance - as opposed to 'imagined' or 'paper' performance.

Designing for the 21st Century III Conference WebSite
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil : 7th-12th December 2004

United Nations Report

'The Inequality Predicament'
&
The World Social Situation in 2005


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The global commitment to overcoming inequality and redressing the imbalance between wealthy and poor, as clearly outlined at the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development and endorsed in the 2000 United Nations Millennium Declaration, is fading.  80% of the World’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) belongs to the 1 Billion People living in the developed world; the remaining 20% is shared by the 5 Billion People living in developing countries.  Failure to address this inequality will ensure that social justice and better living conditions for all people remain elusive, and that communities, countries and regions remain vulnerable to social, political and economic upheaval.

This 2005 Report on the World Social Situation traces trends and patterns in economic and non-economic aspects of inequality, and examines their causes and consequences.  It focuses on the traditional aspects of inequality, such as distribution of income and wealth, as well as inequalities in health, education, and opportunities for social and political participation.  The Report also analyses the impact of structural adjustment, market reforms, globalization and privatization on economic and social indicators.

Ignoring inequality in the pursuit of development is perilous.  Focusing exclusively on economic growth and income generation as a development strategy is ineffective, as it leads to an accumulation of wealth by the few and deepens the poverty of many; and such an approach does not acknowledge the intergenerational transmission of poverty.  A broader approach to poverty reduction includes social, economic and political dimensions, integrating improvements in health, education, economic development, and representation in legislative and judicial processes.  It is the implementation of policies in these areas that contributes to the development of human capital, enabling the poor to realize their full productive potential.  Addressing all aspects of poverty increases the odds that future generations will reap the benefits of today’s policies, rather than remaining trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Anyone involved, directly or indirectly, with the Design, Construction and Management of a Sustainable Built (including Virtual) Environment must be aware of these issues ..... and of the fundamental necessity for a broad and balanced approach, across all aspects of Sustainable Development, in their everyday practical work.  This is not yet the prevailing view in most educational/academic/professional institutions !

2006

EEA Report No.6

The Changing Faces of
Europe's Coastal Areas

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This report, from the European Environment Agency, provides information on the state of the environment in the coastal areas of Europe, and provides evidence of the need for a more integrated, long-term approach.

Since 1995, concern about the state of Europe's coastline has led to a number of European Union initiatives, which build on the concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). ICZM attempts to balance the needs of development with protection of the very resources that sustain coastal economies. It also takes into account the public's concern about the deteriorating environmental, socio-economic and cultural state of the European coastline.

The specific objective of this work is to contribute to the review of the Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe (2002/413/EC), planned by the European Commission for 2006. This review requires information on existing trends and on the effects of policies and financial instruments directed towards coastal management.

The EEA intends to contribute to the review by promoting spatial analysis and enhancing the integration of relevant environmental data with related socio-economic data to the extent current available information allows. At the same time, the report aligns itself to the wider context of ecosystems and human wellbeing set up by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). By linking ecosystems and human wellbeing, this approach focuses in particular on 'ecosystem services', i.e. the benefits people obtain from ecosystems.

2010

C J Walsh

Sustainable Climate Adaptation
The Critical Link between Sustainable Development &
Climate Change in the Built Environment

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Asked directly, at a Dublin meeting, about how the relationship between Climate Change and Sustainable Development had been dealt with in the 2007 WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report - where it was mentioned almost as an afterthought - Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, IPCC Chair, replied that he was personally disappointed that something more substantial had not been done to explore this link. He seemed surprised to receive the question.

The 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Summit, which was held in Copenhagen from 7th-19th December, was chaotic ... and its outcome was divisive. Since then, it has been particularly noticeable that the IPCC, Dr. Pachauri's position within that organization, and the Science of Climate Change itself ... have all been targeted by an increasing number of vocal sceptics in Developed Countries, particularly the U.S.A. If anything is clear, it is that the Politics of Climate Change must now be carefully dissected and analyzed before an effective global response to Climate Change can be properly mobilized and reliably implemented.

Learning from these events, the urgent priority for those organizations/individuals involved in the design, construction, management or operation of the Built Environment ... is to quickly elaborate a Climate Change Strategy which is 'politically' and 'technically' appropriate for the near and long-terms ... while, at the same time, avoiding any short-term roadblocks to progress.

This Paper explores the symbiotic relationship between the concept of Sustainable Human and Social Development and the reality of Climate Change ... a link which is critical to the development of that elusive consensual global response ... and essential for the effective implementation of a Built Environment Climate Change Strategy.

Fortuitously relevant, in these interesting times ... having commenced in June 2008 ... the on-going development of a CIB Working Commission 108 ('Climate Change and the Built Environment') Project will also be outlined, which will result in the publication of the Report: 'Sustainable Climate Change Adaptation in the Built Environment', during 2010.