Rio+ 20: A mirror of the new direction to global governance?

When you look at global media coverage or talk to NGOs, all seem to agree: The Rio+20 summit was a failure and a setback on the road to sustainable development. But was it really a failure? And do all agree? Karen Rieckmann analyses the feedback in the BRIC countries and comes to a more differentiated view of the summit outcomes.

It seems to be as usual: More than 100 heads of states, ministers, senior officials, representatives from international organizations, civil society leaders and environmentalists were streaming into Rio de Janeiro for the year's biggest international event the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. However 20 years after the first Earth Summit of 1992 something has changed – The majority of the heads of state from the major G7 countries did not participate in the conference. However the developing countries, led by India and China, were playing a leadership role in shaping global sustainable development policy.

The international media coverage on Rio+20 shows how different the evaluations of the participating countries can be and how divergent the prevailing positions of each country are. While the media in India, China and Russia, as representatives of emerging nations, gives a positive image of Rio+20, Europe and North America are in agreement: Rio+20 failed and the result reflects deep and stark divisions between the interests and points of view of developing and developed countries.

Take the concept of the green economy, originally intended to be at the heart of Rio+20. Spearheaded by the European Union, the concept was supposed to put the world on track to place sustainability at the heart of economic decision-making. However many developing countries, under the leadership of India and China, saw it differently. The emerging and developing countries no longer follow the dictates of the industrialized nations. On the contrary, now it is up to them to determine their own path of development. Therefore the significance of the Rio+20, unlike 1992, does not lie in any agreement but in the new direction provided to global governance.

Making a strong pitch for removing poverty in the world and reminding the developed world of its commitment to sustainable development, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on Rio+20 for setting up a global system that allows each country to develop according to its own priorities. The Indian media coverage on Rio+20 takes these ambitions up and proclaims the “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) as the supreme objective of the conference.

This alludes to the often contested schism between the developing and the developed countries over matters of sustainable development and environment. While the developed countries put green economy in the focus of attention, the Indian media describes it as a buzzword, proposed by developed countries led by the European Union, World Bank and the Global Environment Facility. India recognizes green economy as one of the means to sustainable development and poverty eradication, however not a green washed greed economy, said the Prime Minister. He firmly rejects unilateral measures and trade barriers under the guise of green economy – The press speaks of a scathing criticism of rich nations and refers to the belief that the developed countries are using environment more as a tool to set competitive disadvantages for the new rising powers.

Therefore it is no surprise that the unity of Brazil, India and China is highly emphasized: The media praises solidarity among the emerging countries for having raised the same issues, having used identical language in their support to eradicating poverty and having managed to stand pressure from developed countries. Due to this the outcome document clearly places poverty eradication at the centre of the global development agenda and prevents the implementation of regulations and burdens imposed by the developed countries. A huge victory for India, states the Indian Times, as the country can´t afford its growth rate to drop.

In order to effectively address future challenges, China believes that the final text of the Rio+20 Earth Summit must adhere to three principles: First and foremost the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", second the right of each country to choose its own road of sustainable development and finally the balanced development of society, economy and environmental protection. Referring to these principles the Chinese media stresses the common interests and concerns between China and India and proclaims the two nations to be the future coordinator in global and regional affairs.

The Chinese media welcomes the Rio+20 outcome as a balanced, but not ideal result. Particularly China's concerns on trade measures and technology transfer had only been partly reflected in the text. China urges developed countries to provide more financial and technical assistance to least developed or underdeveloped countries, as they are facing the most difficulties during the current economic crisis. Moreover the Chinese resistance to a UN green economy roadmap with environmental goals, targets and deadlines is emphasized by the press media. As if to say the more China develops, the more opportunities it will create and the more it will contribute to the world – the international community should allow countries with different histories, cultures, religious beliefs and social systems to choose their own path of sustainable growth.

Although the Russian media coverage on Rio+20 is very small, one presumption turns up over and over: Russia with its vast natural resources plays a key role in the summit’s debates. The press point out Russia’s special role as a participant in discussions since Russia boasts huge mineral resource deposits, including fuels, forestlands and freshwater resources. However in terms of content, the media coverage remains superficial by reporting mainly about Russia itself and its accomplishments in the sphere of sustainable development. Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russia pledged further support for all UN projects concerning sustainable development and announces that Russia is ready to play a key role in the safeguarding of food security. In regard to the self-interest of Russia, Medvedev underscored moreover the critical importance of ensuring consistency of the energy policy of the world’s leading countries. Russia is the largest supplier of energy resources, and as such bears a special responsibility, said the Prime Minister and suggested the UN reconsider Moscow's initiatives in the field of energy security.