Reef a model for UN green future plan

AUSTRALIA'S management of the Great Barrier Reef has been highlighted by the UN as a good example of sustainable regulation.

AUSTRALIA'S management of the Great Barrier Reef has been highlighted as a good example of sustainable regulation in a landmark UN document released yesterday.

The 223-page report, which calls for an "ever-green revolution" for the 21st century starting in primary schools, is considered significant in the lead-up to the 20-year anniversary of the Rio earth summit in June.

Called "Resilient People, Resilient Planet: a Future Worth Choosing", the high-level report to the UN Secretary-General from the Panel on Sustainability calls for the creation of a new sustainable development index and targets poverty and inequality.

The report is considered an attempt to better align the sustainable development debate with mainstream economics.

Among 56 recommendations is the establishment of regional oceans and coastal management frameworks in major marine ecosystems.

Information supplied by the Australian government was used to highlight Australia's management of the Great Barrier Reef

as an example of sustainable marine management.

"Sustainably managing the Great Barrier Reef requires balancing human use with the maintenance of the area's natural and cultural integrity," the document said.

The UN has recently expressed alarm at the potential impact of resource development and increased shipping along the Queensland coast on the World Heritage-listed area. A special delegation will visit Queensland in March to assess the issue.

The report urges a better link between science and policy, including reaching a real scientific consensus on the full range of "planetary boundaries" -- regarding the limits of the Earth's resources -- and proper pricing of environmental costs.

It calls for the proper measurement of the economic costs of social inequality and explicit recognition of global "public goods" such as education.

The report recommendations focus on three key areas: empowering people to make sustainable choices, working towards a sustainable economy and strengthening institutional governance to support sustainable development.

"We believe that following a more sustainable path will enhance human well-being, further global justice, strengthen gender equity and preserve the Earth's life-support systems for future generations," it said

"We see with increasing clarity that economic growth, environmental protection and social equity are one and the same agenda: the sustainable development agenda.

"We cannot make lasting progress in one without progress on all."