must protect wildlife, safeguard forests and mountains, and reduce disaster risk and build
resiliencies. We must protect our oceans, seas, rivers and atmosphere as our global
heritage, and achieve climate justice. We must promote sustainable agriculture, fisheries
and food systems; foster sustainable management of water resources, and of waste and
chemicals; foster renewable and more efficient energy; decouple economic growth from
environmental degradation, advance sustainable industrialisation and resilient
infrastructure; ensure sustainable consumption and production; and achieve sustainable
management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and land use.
76. Sustainable development is at risk as evidence proves that warming of the
climate system is now undeniable and human activities are its primary cause. We must
limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius if we are to avoid the worst
effects of climate change. Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor to human-induced
climate change. Fossil fuels usage and deforestation are its two main sources. Increasing
warming will make severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts more likely. The longer
we wait to take action towards sustainable production and consumption, the more it will
cost to solve the problem and the greater the technological challenges will be. Adaptation
can reduce some risks and impact of climate change. Most urgently, we must adopt a
meaningful, universal climate agreement by the end of 2015.
Justice: to promote safe and peaceful societies, and strong institutions
77. Effective governance for sustainable development demands that public
institutions in all countries and at all levels be inclusive, participatory, and accountable to
the people. Laws and institutions must protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
All must be free from fear and violence, without discrimination. We also know that
participatory democracy, free, safe, and peaceful societies are both enablers and outcomes
of development.
78. Access to fair justice systems, accountable institutions of democratic
governance, measures to combat corruption and curb illicit financial flows, and
safeguards to protect personal security are integral to sustainable development. An
enabling environment under the rule of law must be secured for the free, active and
meaningful engagement of civil society and advocates reflecting the voices of women,