Analysis by Julio Godoy

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 20 (TerraViva) The cliché that mammoth summits like Rio+20 are “too big to succeed” can also be applied to the megacities of our day such as Rio de Janeiro: they are simply too big to become green and sustainable. Continue Reading

By Julio Godoy

RÍO DE JANEIRO, Jun 20, 2012 (IPS) – Assigning nature a monetary value and incorporating it into gross domestic product (GDP) are key aspects of a global policy of sustainable development, according to legislators and scientists gathered at the first world summit organised by GLOBE international, an association of parliamentarians concerned with environmental policies.

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By Busani Bafana

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 20 (TerraViva) A majority of the 150-member Cooperative for the Conservation of the Environment (COOCEN) in Kigali, Rwanda are empowered women, who must balance raising children, managing homes and providing food. Continue Reading

Fabíola Ortiz

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 19 (TerraViva) The world’s countries have committed themselves so far to restoring just 18 million hectares of forests by 2020, barely 12 percent of the goal of 150 million hectares agreed by the Bonn Challenge in 2011.

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By Isaiah Esipisu

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 19 (TerraViva) Giving farmers an opportunity to own plots can turn around under-utilised land and make it highly productive, according to a senior agro-forestry expert at the ongoing United Nations’ negotiations on sustainable development. Continue Reading

Clarinha Glock

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 19 (TerraViva) Announced as an innovative way to encourage the participation of Internet users and the public in general in the debates at Rio+20, the proposal for Sustainable Development Dialogues also raised doubts about the impact its recommendations would have.

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By Julio Godoy

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 19 (TerraViva) – Three industrialised countries – the U.S., Canada and Japan – and Russia blocked a substantial advancement in the protection of the oceans at the U.N. conference on sustainable development here, according to environmental activists. Continue Reading

by Stephen Leahy

RIO DE JANEIRO,  Jun 19 (TerraViva) – “Very disappointing.” That was the term business and non-governmental organisations used to describe the formal intergovernmental negotiations at the Rio+20 Earth Summit Tuesday.

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By Thalif Deen

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 19 (TerraViva) Amidst recrimination, anger and charges of “strong arm tactics”, negotiators eventually endorsed a global plan of action for sustainable development following marathon sessions lasting over six weary days. Continue Reading

By Thalif Deen

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 18 (TerraViva) – One of the world’s largest “paper factories” – a dubious title traditionally conferred on the United Nations –  is on the verge of running out of business. Continue Reading