A-21: SUSTAINABILITY
Distr.
GENERAL
A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)
12 August 1992
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)
Chapter 5
DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
5.1. This chapter contains the following programme areas:
(a) Developing and disseminating knowledge concerning the links
between demographic trends and factors and sustainable development;
(b) Formulating integrated national policies for environment and
development, taking into account demographic trends and factors;
(c) Implementing integrated, environment and development programmes
at the local level, taking into account demographic trends and factors.
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Developing and disseminating knowledge concerning
the links between demographic trends and factors
and sustainable development
Basis for action
5.2. Demographic trends and factors and sustainable development have a
synergistic relationship.
5.3. The growth of world population and production combined with
unsustainable consumption patterns places increasingly severe stress on the
life-supporting capacities of our planet. These interactive processes
affect the use of land, water, air, energy and other resources. Rapidly
growing cities, unless well-managed, face major environmental problems.
The increase in both the number and size of cities calls for greater
attention to issues of local government and municipal management. The
human dimensions are key elements to consider in this intricate set of
relationships and they should be adequately taken into consideration in
comprehensive policies for sustainable development. Such policies should
address the linkages of demographic trends and factors, resource use,
appropriate technology dissemination, and development. Population policy
should also recognize the role played by human beings in environmental and
development concerns. There is a need to increase awareness of this issue
among decision makers at all levels and to provide both better information
on which to base national and international policies and a framework
against which to interpret this information.
5.4. There is a need to develop strategies to mitigate both the adverse
impact on the environment of human activities and the adverse impact of
environmental change on human populations. The world's population is
expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2020. Sixty per cent of the
world's population already live in coastal areas, while 65 per cent of
cities with populations above 2.5 million are located along the world
coasts; several of them are already at or below the present sea level.
Objectives
5.5. The following objectives should be achieved as soon as practicable:
(a) To incorporate demographic trends and factors in the global
analysis of environment and development issues;
(b) To develop a better understanding of the relationships among
demographic dynamics, technology, cultural behaviour, natural resources and
life support systems;
(c) To assess human vulnerability in ecologically sensitive areas
and centres of population to determine the priorities for action at all
levels, taking full account of community defined needs.
Activities
Research on the interaction between demographic trends and factors and
sustainable development
5.6. Relevant international, regional and national institutions should
consider undertaking the following activities:
(a) Identifying the interactions between demographic processes,
natural resources and life support systems, bearing in mind regional and
subregional variations deriving from, inter alia, different levels of
development;
(b) Integrating demographic trends and factors into the ongoing
study of environmental change, using the expertise of international,
regional and national research networks and of local communities, first, to
study the human dimensions of environmental change and, second, to identify
vulnerable areas;
(c) Identifying priority areas for action and developing strategies
and programmes to mitigate the adverse impact of environmental change on
human populations, and vice versa.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
5.7. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be
about $10 million from the international community on grant or concessional
terms. These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have
not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms,
including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the
specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for
implementation.
(b) Strengthening research programmes that integrate population,
environment and development
5.8. In order to integrate demographic analysis into a broader social
science perspective on environment and development, interdisciplinary
research should be increased. International institutions and networks of
experts should enhance their scientific capacity, taking full account of
community experience and knowledge, and should disseminate the experience
gained in multidisciplinary approaches and in linking theory to action.
5.9. Better modelling capabilities should be developed, identifying the
range of possible outcomes of current human activities, especially the
interrelated impact of demographic trends and factors, per capita resource
use and wealth distribution, as well as the major migration flows that may
be expected with increasing climatic events and cumulative environmental
change that may destroy people's local livelihoods.
(c) Developing information and public awareness
5.10. Socio-demographic information should be developed in a suitable
format for interfacing with physical, biological and socio-economic data.
Compatible spatial and temporal scales, cross-country and time-series
information, as well as global behavioural indicators should be developed,
learning from local communities' perceptions and attitudes.
5.11. Awareness should be increased at all levels concerning the need to
optimize the sustainable use of resources through efficient resource
management, taking into account the development needs of the populations of
developing countries.
5.12. Awareness should be increased of the fundamental linkages between
improving the status of women and demographic dynamics, particularly
through women's access to education, primary and reproductive health care
programmes, economic independence and their effective, equitable
participation in all levels of decision-making.
5.13. Results of research concerned with sustainable development issues
should be disseminated through technical reports, scientific journals, the
media, workshops, forums or other means so that the information can be used
by decision makers at all levels and increase public awareness.
(d) Developing and/or enhancing institutional capacity and collaboration
5.14. Collaboration and exchange of information should be increased
between research institutions and international, regional and national
agencies and all other sectors (including the private sector, local
communities, non-governmental organizations and scientific institutions)
from both the industrialized and developing countries, as appropriate.
5.15. Efforts should be intensified to enhance the capacities of national
and local governments, the private sector and non-governmental
organizations in developing countries to meet the growing needs for
improved management of rapidly growing urban areas.
B. Formulating integrated national policies for
environment and development, taking into
account demographic trends and factors
Basis for action
5.16. Existing plans for sustainable development have generally recognized
demographic trends and factors as elements that have a critical influence
on consumption patterns, production, lifestyles and long-term
sustainability. But in future, more attention will have to be given to
these issues in general policy formulation and the design of development
plans. To do this, all countries will have to improve their own capacities
to assess the environment and development implications of their demographic
trends and factors. They will also need to formulate and implement
policies and action programmes where appropriate. Policies should be
designed to address the consequences of population growth built into
population momentum, while at the same time incorporating measures to bring
about demographic transition. They should combine environmental concerns
and population issues within a holistic view of development whose primary
goals include the alleviation of poverty; secure livelihoods; good health;
quality of life; improvement of the status and income of women and their
access to schooling and professional training, as well as fulfilment of
their personal aspirations; and empowerment of individuals and communities.
Recognizing that large increases in the size and number of cities will
occur in developing countries under any likely population scenario, greater
attention should be given to preparing for the needs, in particular of
women and children, for improved municipal management and local government.
Objective
5.17. Full integration of population concerns into national planning,
policy and decision-making processes should continue. Population policies
and programmes should be considered, with full recognition of women's
rights.
Activities
5.18. Governments and other relevant actors could, inter alia, undertake
the following activities, with appropriate assistance from aid agencies,
and report on their status of implementation to the International
Conference on Population and Development to be held in 1994, especially to
its committee on population and environment.
(a) Assessing the implications of national demographic trends and factors
5.19. The relationships between demographic trends and factors and
environmental change and between environmental degradation and the
components of demographic change should be analysed.
5.20. Research should be conducted on how environmental factors interact
with socio-economic factors as a cause of migration.
5.21. Vulnerable population groups (such as rural landless workers, ethnic
minorities, refugees, migrants, displaced people, women heads of household)
whose changes in demographic structure may have specific impacts on
sustainable development should be identified.
5.22. An assessment should be made of the implications of the age
structure of the population on resource demand and dependency burdens,
ranging from educational expenses for the young to health care and support
for the elderly, and on household income generation.
5.23. An assessment should also be made of national population carrying
capacity in the context of satisfaction of human needs and sustainable
development, and special attention should be given to critical resources,
such as water and land, and environmental factors, such as ecosystem health
and biodiversity.
5.24. The impact of national demographic trends and factors on the
traditional livelihoods of indigenous groups and local communities,
including changes in traditional land use because of internal population
pressures, should be studied.
(b) Building and strengthening a national information base
5.25. National databases on demographic trends and factors and environment
should be built and/or strengthened, disaggregating data by ecological
region (ecosystem approach), and population/environment profiles should be
established by region.
5.26. Methodologies and instruments should be developed to identify areas
where sustainability is, or may be, threatened by the environmental effects
of demographic trends and factors, incorporating both current and projected
demographic data linked to natural environmental processes.
5.27. Case-studies of local level responses by different groups to
demographic dynamics should be developed, particularly in areas subject to
environmental stress and in deteriorating urban centres.
5.28. Population data should be disaggregated by, inter alia, sex and age
in order to take into account the implications of the gender division of
labour for the use and management of natural resources.
(c) Incorporating demographic features into policies and plans
5.29. In formulating human settlements policies, account should be taken
of resource needs, waste production and ecosystem health.
5.30. The direct and induced effects of demographic changes on environment
and development programmes should, where appropriate, be integrated, and
the impact on demographic features assessed.
5.31. National population policy goals and programmes that are consistent
with national environment and development plans for sustainability and in
keeping with the freedom, dignity and personally held values of individuals
should be established and implemented.
5.32. Appropriate socio-economic policies for the young and the elderly,
both in terms of family and state support systems, should be developed.
5.33. Policies and programmes should be developed for handling the various
types of migrations that result from or induce environmental disruptions,
with special attention to women and vulnerable groups.
5.34. Demographic concerns, including concerns for environmental migrants
and displaced people, should be incorporated in the programmes for
sustainable development of relevant international and regional
institutions.
5.35. National reviews should be conducted and the integration of
population policies in national development and environment strategies
should be monitored nationally.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
5.36. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be
about $90 million from the international community on grant or concessional
terms. These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have
not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms,
including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the
specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for
implementation.
(b) Raising awareness of demographic and sustainable development
interactions
5.37. Understanding of the interactions between demographic trends and
factors and sustainable development should be increased in all sectors of
society. Stress should be placed on local and national action.
Demographic and sustainable development education should be coordinated and
integrated in both the formal and non-formal education sectors. Particular
attention should be given to population literacy programmes, notably for
women. Special emphasis should be placed on the linkage between these
programmes, primary environmental care and the provision of primary health
care and services.
(c) Strengthening institutions
5.38. The capacity of national, regional and local structures to deal with
issues relating to demographic trends and factors and sustainable
development should be enhanced. This would involve strengthening the
relevant bodies responsible for population issues to enable them to
elaborate policies consistent with the national prospects for sustainable
development. Cooperation among government, national research institutions,
non-governmental organizations and local communities in assessing problems
and evaluating policies should also be enhanced.
5.39. The capacity of the relevant United Nations organs, organizations
and bodies, international and regional intergovernmental bodies,
non-governmental organizations and local communities should, as
appropriate, be enhanced to help countries develop sustainable development
policies on request and, as appropriate, provide assistance to
environmental migrants and displaced people.
5.40. Inter-agency support for national sustainable development policies
and programmes should be improved through better coordination of population
and environment activities.
(d) Promoting human resource development
5.41. The international and regional scientific institutions should assist
Governments, upon request, to include concerns regarding the
population/environment interactions at the global, ecosystem and
micro-levels in the training of demographers and population and environment
specialists. Training should include research on linkages and ways to
design integrated strategies.
C. Implementing integrated environment and development
programmes at the local level, taking into account
demographic trends and factors
Basis for action
5.42. Population programmes are more effective when implemented together
with appropriate cross-sectoral policies. To attain sustainability at the
local level, a new framework is needed that integrates demographic trends
and factors with such factors as ecosystem health, technology and human
settlements, and with socio-economic structures and access to resources.
Population programmes should be consistent with socio-economic and
environmental planning. Integrated sustainable development programmes
should closely correlate action on demographic trends and factors with
resource management activities and development goals that meet the needs of
the people concerned.
Objective
5.43. Population programmes should be implemented along with natural
resource management and development programmes at the local level that will
ensure sustainable use of natural resources, improve the quality of life of
the people and enhance environmental quality.
Activities
5.44. Governments and local communities, including community-based women's
organizations and national non-governmental organizations, consistent with
national plans, objectives, strategies and priorities, could, inter alia,
undertake the activities set out below with the assistance and cooperation
of international organizations, as appropriate. Governments could share
their experience in the implementation of Agenda 21 at the International
Conference on Population and Development, to be held in 1994, especially
its committee on population and environment.
(a) Developing a framework for action
5.45. An effective consultative process should be established and
implemented with concerned groups of society where the formulation and
decision-making of all components of the programmes are based on a
nationwide consultative process drawing on community meetings, regional
workshops and national seminars, as appropriate. This process should
ensure that views of women and men on needs, perspective and constraints
are equally well reflected in the design of programmes, and that solutions
are rooted in specific experience. The poor and underprivileged should be
priority groups in this process.
5.46. Nationally determined policies for integrated and multifaceted
programmes, with special attention to women, to the poorest people living
in critical areas and to other vulnerable groups should be implemented,
ensuring the involvement of groups with a special potential to act as
agents for change and sustainable development. Special emphasis should be
placed on those programmes that achieve multiple objectives, encouraging
sustainable economic development, and mitigating adverse impacts of
demographic trends and factors, and avoiding long-term environmental
damage. Food security, access to secure tenure, basic shelter, and
essential infrastructure, education, family welfare, women's reproductive
health, family credit schemes, reforestation programmes, primary
environmental care, women's employment should, as appropriate, be included
among other factors.
5.47. An analytical framework should be developed to identify
complementary elements of sustainable development policies as well as the
national mechanisms to monitor and evaluate their effects on population
dynamics.
5.48. Special attention should be given to the critical role of women in
population/environment programmes and in achieving sustainable development.
Projects should take advantage of opportunities to link social, economic
and environmental gains for women and their families. Empowerment of women
is essential and should be assured through education, training and policies
to accord and improve women's right and access to assets, human and civil
rights, labour-saving measures, job opportunities and participation in
decision-making. Population/environment programmes must enable women to
mobilize themselves to alleviate their burden and improve their capacity to
participate in and benefit from socio-economic development. Specific
measures should be undertaken to close the gap between female and male
illiteracy rates.
(b) Supporting programmes that promote changes in demographic trends and
factors towards sustainability
5.49. Reproductive health programmes and services, should, as appropriate,
be developed and enhanced to reduce maternal and infant mortality from all
causes and enable women and men to fulfil their personal aspirations in
terms of family size, in a way in keeping with their freedom and dignity
and personally held values.
5.50. Governments should take active steps to implement, as a matter of
urgency, in accordance with country-specific conditions and legal systems,
measures to ensure that women and men have the same right to decide freely
and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children, to have access
to the information, education and means, as appropriate, to enable them to
exercise this right in keeping with their freedom, dignity and personally
held values taking into account ethical and cultural considerations.
5.51. Governments should take active steps to implement programmes to
establish and strengthen preventive and curative health facilities that
include women-centred, women-managed, safe and effective reproductive
health care and affordable, accessible services, as appropriate, for the
responsible planning of family size, in keeping with freedom, dignity and
personally held values and taking into account ethical and cultural
considerations. Programmes should focus on providing comprehensive health
care, including pre-natal care, education and information on health and
responsible parenthood and should provide the opportunity for all women to
breast-feed fully, at least during the first four months post-partum.
Programmes should fully support women's productive and reproductive roles
and well being, with special attention to the need for providing equal and
improved health care for all children and the need to reduce the risk of
maternal and child mortality and sickness.
5.52. Consistent with national priorities, culturally based information
and education programmes that transmit reproductive health messages to men
and women that are easily understood should be developed.
(c) Creating appropriate institutional conditions
5.53. Constituencies and institutional conditions to facilitate the
implementation of demographic activities should, as appropriate, be
fostered. This requires support and commitment from political, indigenous,
religious and traditional authorities, the private sector and the national
scientific community. In developing these appropriate institutional
conditions, countries should closely involve established national machinery
for women.
5.54. Population assistance should be coordinated with bilateral and
multilateral donors to ensure that population needs and requirements of all
developing countries are addressed, fully respecting the overall
coordinating responsibility and the choice and strategies of the recipient
countries.
5.55. Coordination should be improved at local and international levels.
Working practices should be enhanced in order to make optimum use of
resources, draw on collective experience and improve the implementation of
programmes. UNFPA and other relevant agencies should strengthen the
coordination of international cooperation activities with recipient and
donor countries in order to ensure that adequate funding is available to
respond to growing needs.
5.56. Proposals should be developed for local, national and international
population/environment programmes in line with specific needs for achieving
sustainability. Where appropriate, institutional changes must be
implemented so that old-age security does not entirely depend on input from
family members.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
5.57. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be
about $7 billion, including about $3.5 billion from the international
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by
Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are
non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and
programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.
(b) Research
5.58. Research should be undertaken with a view to developing specific
action programmes; it will be necessary to establish priorities between
proposed areas of research.
5.59. Socio-demographic research should be conducted on how populations
respond to a changing environment.
5.60. Understanding of socio-cultural and political factors that can
positively influence acceptance of appropriate population policy
instruments should be improved.
5.61. Surveys of changes in needs for appropriate services relating to
responsible planning of family size, reflecting variations among different
socio-economic groups and variations in different geographical regions
should be undertaken.
(c) Human resource development and capacity-building
5.62. The areas of human resource development and capacity-building, with
particular attention to the education and training of women, are areas of
critical importance and are a very high priority in the implementation of
population programmes.
5.63. Workshops to help programme and projects managers to link population
programmes to other development and environmental goals should be
conducted.
5.64. Educational materials, including guides/workbooks for planners and
decision makers and other actors of population/environment/development
programmes, should be developed.
5.65. Cooperation should be developed between Governments, scientific
institutions and non-governmental organizations within the region, and
similar institutions outside the region. Cooperation with local
organizations should be fostered in ordered to raise awareness, engage in
demonstration projects and report on the experience gained.
5.66. The recommendations contained in this chapter should in no way
prejudice discussions at the International Conference on Population and
Development in 1994, which will be the appropriate forum for dealing with
population and development issues, taking into account the recommendations
of the International Conference on Population, held in Mexico City in 1984,
1/ and the Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 2/
adopted by the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of
the United Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, held in
Nairobi in 1985.
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Notes
1/ Report of the International Conference on Population, Mexico
City, 6-14 August 1984 (United Nations publication, Sales No.
E.84.XIII.8), chap. I.
2/ Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the
Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development
and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.84.IV.10), chap. I, sect. A.
END OF CHAPTER 5
.
=================================RRojas Research Unit/1996
