Page 47 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Tackling Environmental Crime throUgh standardized Methodologies

matically changed with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, particularly because it
frames the key commonalities that bind together North and South, poor and less
poor, industrialised countries and developing countries in a set of 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). These two important elements are huge contribu-
tors and have reshaped the narrative of sustainable development during 2015.

The second element was the “Financing for Development Conference” in
Addis Ababa in July 2015: yet another conference, some would say and yet this
conference has tackled one of the most sensitive areas of negotiations interna-
tionally, which is the means of implementation. We agree on the agenda, we
normally agree on sustainable development goals and yet where is the money?
This is the normal refrain that blocks negotiations and prevents success.

Nevertheless, this conference has highlighted two important issues: first
of all that the time of the North and South divide is slowly moving into a dif-
ferent conversation between aid and cooperation to partnerships and common
goals; and second, it has opened up to a reflection about the role of private sec-
tor in providing investments and the financial sector providing investments to
sustain the conversion from what we call the ‘legacy economy’ (based on the
traditional way of producing and consuming) into a more sustainable and gree-
ner economy. Particularly in this second conference, we have seen a huge effort
in presenting the case for reforms in the financial sector, particularly that finan-
cial sector that locks in investments and financial resources and, at times, if not
reformed, would provide obstacles to the uptake of greener solutions for a
greener economy.

The third global event that has definitely shaped our understanding and
our way of conducting business internationally has been the Paris Agreement.
As the Italian Foreign Minister said this morning, the Paris Agreement is uni-
que in at least three areas.

First of all, it represents the largest consensus ever reached in the world
on climate issues following 21 years of negotiations; second, it has brought
together and signalled a very important shift in the way member states frame
their own responsibilities, particularly through the NDCs; and, third, it provides
a set of home-grown solutions that each country will provide as their own
understanding of the best way to contribute to lowering climate warming.

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