The Ring Today

If current trends continue we will lose the struggle for sustainability. Indeed, if we are to have a chance of achieving sustainability, we will require a quantum leap in the policy response of the world community. How to bring about such a leap is one of the most burning questions confronting the sustainable development community. The Ring is determined to spell out the ambitious vision that this implies, and to suggest how such a vision might be achieved. Three main areas in which the Ring will develop a shared body of work over the next few years include:

The Future of Sustainable Development – Instead of top-down plans and wish lists, we need to look from the bottom up.Linking the many approaches that actually work – wiring together new systems, not rehashing plans – is the key to shaping a new era in sustainable development. The Ring will bring practical examples of success and broader challenges into key fora to show that it is possible to achieve the major shifts that are needed.

Trade and Sustainable Development – The internationalframework for trade is in trouble. If we are to preserve what is beneficial about open trade while correcting the flaws that are undermining it, we need to place the system on a new track. Indeed trade must be rededicated to the service of a clear goal for humanity - sustainable development. The challenge now is to map out how that transition might realistically take place,and what actions and suggestions might trigger it. In this, the Ring can play a strong leadership role.

Please click to view Ring statement on Realising Sustainable Development   

Climate Change – Current and future impacts of climate change demonstrate how environment is central to many other agendas.The Ring aims to contribute from the level of vision and strategy down to the level of activities that build resilience and adaptive capacity among poor communities. The crucial priority is to work out the policy dimensions of the climate change issue – how climate change is a key issue whether seen from an environmental, economic, developmental, social, trade, or foreign policy angle,and how all these elements come together in a way that works for poor people and countries.

One of the projects Ring members are currently involved with:

Capacity strengthening in the Least Developed Countries for Adaptation to Climate Change (CLACC)

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, due to their geographical location in some of the most vulnerable areas and their low capacity to cope with drought, floods, cyclones etc. CLACC aims to strengthen civil society in order to support the official NAPA process and support implementation of adaptation projects in the LDCs over the coming years.

Link to CLACC website:www.clacc.net

(CLACC flyer for more details)