Linking Criminal Justice & the SDGs: Corruption Creates Wicked Legacies at Hazardous Sites
10th Session of the Conference of the Parties UN – Vienna official side event
Link : us02web.zoom.us/j/81890759866
Meeting ID: 818 9075 9866
Kenncode: 599775
Programme
Welcome & Introduction: Ilona Graenitz, Chairperson Vienna NGO Committee on Sustainable Development “Prerequisites for achieving the SDGs”
Presentation: Univ. Prof. Drin. Verena Winiwarter, BOKU, Institute of Social Ecology “Eliminating and cleaning up of wicked legacies at hazardous sites by supporting transparent, public information and fighting corruption, thus providing a sound basis for achieving the SDGs”
Follow-up activities and a question/answer session to follow.
About wicked legacies at hazardous sites:
Advancing towards the Agenda 2030 goals hinges on progress with target “16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms” Corruption can lead to significant and serious environmental problems, if it jeopardizes the care, maintenance and clean-up of toxic legacy sites. These environmental problems can in particular impact women. The event makes a case for action and calls for a debate on an additional SDG Target, respectively indicators to draw attention to the dangers of toxic legacy sites worldwide; particularly in abandoned mines. The SDGs can only be achieved, if stocks as well as flows of toxic substances and pollutants are reduced and finally eliminated. Abandoned toxic sites and mines present not only challenges to the environment and people, but also a growing threat, as mines worldwide may increasingly be used for storing CO2 with possibly hazardous results due to chemical reactions. It is of utmost importance to clean up this toxic legacy and manage related risks, as this process is particularly vulnerable to corruption. A panel of experts will offer insight into the risks of toxic legacy sites; the problems of developing legal framework to minimize long-term environmental contamination and its negative impact on human health; and discuss the challenges of minimizing corruption in issues involving specialized technical knowledge. In order to underpin the rule of law and to expedite legal action respecting the “Polluter Pays” principle, the founding of an international High Court for Environment and Health under UN auspices is proposed.
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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.