The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Foreword

Sustainable development is a common responsibility. Denmark must be one of the best countries in the world in which to work, reside, and live. We also have a global responsibility for sustainable development.

The UN held the World Summit in Johannesburg in 2002. Focus was on transforming the objectives for sustainable development into concrete initiatives "from words to action". A comprehensive Plan of Implementation for sustainable development was adopted.

The Plan of Implementation will lay the framework for a number of initiative areas for future work both in Denmark and abroad. The Danish government places high priority on allowing national and international Danish efforts to provide concrete contributions to realising the objectives decided upon in Johannesburg.

In Johannesburg, Denmark highlighted that the objectives of better access to markets and increased global development assistance for developing countries should be combined with the requirements of responsible governance and an improved environment. The Danish National Strategy for Sustainable Development "A shared future - balanced development" was part of the Danish contribution to the World Summit. The Strategy comprises the foundation for Denmark’s work to achieve sustainable development. The Danish vision of sustainable development is based on eight objectives and principles:

The welfare society must be developed and economic growth must be decoupled from environmental impacts.
There must be a safe and healthy environment for everyone, and we must maintain a high level of protection
We must secure a high degree of biodiversity and protect ecosystems.
Resources must be used more efficiently.
We must take action at international level.
Environmental considerations must be taken into account in all sectors.
The market must support sustainable development.
Sustainable development is a shared responsibility, and we must measure progress.

The National Strategy for Sustainable Development is very much in line with the initiative areas indicated in Johannesburg, and in a number of areas it is more ambitious.

This publication follows up Denmark’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development in the context of the Johannesburg World Summit.The publication reports on areas in which the Danish government is especially like to see progress.These include climate change and renewable energy, international development, trade and environment, bio-diversity, the environment and health, as well as sustainable production and consumption. It is also about partnerships in areas such as water and energy.

In connection with Denmark’s Strategy for Sustainable Development, a set of indicators has been developed in order to monitor developments in relation to the initiative areas in the Strategy.These indicators are updated annually.

The Danish government will also prepare an action plan for Danish follow-up to Johannesburg, focusing on cooperation with developing countries.The Action Plan is expected to be published at the end of 2003.