On 24 February 2009, the Commission held a conference on ‘Social Fairness in Sustainable Development – A Green and Social Europe’. Speakers highlighted some climate change’s aspects that are too often forgotten – its impact on health, labour and migration. But EPHA regrets that the distinction between social fairness and sustainable development still remains – social fairness being a necessary element of sustainability.
Background
The social impacts of unsustainable development, but also of policies aimed at making production and consumption more sustainable, are becoming a major concern. The relentless long-term trend of rising food and energy prices affects vulnerable groups in the European Union and other developed world regions directly. In addition, the much greater hardship caused in developing countries by these developments, as well as by natural disasters resulting from climate change, could also affect Europe through migration and political instability.
Conference report
The first session aimed at exploring the social challenges of unsustainable development. Speakers insisted on how the green and the social worlds are not competing, but complementary and strengthen each other.
The phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally” – particularly used in an environmental context in the 1970s – was mentioned several times. Global institutions and local solutions are key to tackle the current challenges. Yet, some speakers reminded not to foget the importance of acting globally and thinking locally.
Michael Marmot from the WHO insisted on how much the impact of climate change is greater in low-income countries and among vulnerable subpopulation, therefore deepening the health gap.
Peter Poschen from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) explained that green jobs have a high potential in bridging the gap between social fairness and sustainable development (such as jobs creation across sectors and qualifications) even though some challenges remain (such as job quality, job substitution and losses).
Philippe Boncour from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) insisted on the human impact of climate change on migration. Two types of migration can be identified:
– In extreme situations, people are compelled to move away: it is usually a internal and temporary move.
– Due to a gradual process (desertification, deforestation, harshness), people decide to move away: it is usually a move of a bigger distance and period of time. Even though this can also be a possible opportunity to adapt, this type of migration lacks of media and political visibility, but will be the greatest type of migration in the coming years.
Even worse, the inability to migrate which concerns the poorest of the poorest population – is very forgotten.
The European Union must adopt a coherent social policy which also takes into consideration migration.
Session 2 was dedicated to examples of initiatives that promote social progress and sustainable development at the same time. All the speakers clearly showed that there are many practical possibilities for moving towards a more sustainable consumption and production while promoting social cohesion.
In Session 3, the panellists exchanged views on what European policy-makers can do to develop synergies between sustainable development and social cohesion.
Jean Lambert MEP gave many suggestions on how to make it happen, such as supporting for high quality public services, developing funding for those who are not included in the market (by micro-credit), supporting charity and voluntary work…
Alexander Italianer from the Commission talked up impact assessment while acknowledging the limitation of its use: it is not normative, the competency of the EU is limited…
Fintan Farrell from EAPN put forward the challenge of re-engaging citizens.
EPHA Comment
This Conference was an opportunity to remind the audience that sustainable development and social fairness go hand in hand. They are more than complementary: social fairness is a condition of sustainability. As stated in the current Sustainable Development Strategy (2006) of the European Council, “[Sustainable development] promotes a dynamic economy with full employment and a high level of education, health protection, social and territorial cohesion and environmental protection in a peaceful and secure world, respecting cultural diversity.” Therefore, EPHA regrets that the distinction still maintains.
The speakers from the WHO, ILO and IOM gave useful and different perspectives on climate change by putting forward its impact on health, labour and migration. EPHA calls on the EU to take this into consideration and to adopt a comprehensive social and environmental policy to achieving sustainable development.
—-
For further information
– Conference related documents
– WHO Report ‘Closing the Gap in a generation’
– ILO Report ‘Gren Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World’
EPHA related articles
– [->art3381]
