sustainable development  

ICSU has been developing a strategic framework for earth system research over the past 3 years - summarised on the Earth System Visioning site.  To meet the ICSU Grand Challenges for research and the Belmont Challenge, Future Earth has been initiated - a new 10-year initiative on earth system research involving various ICSU programmes and partners and the funding agencies represented in the Belmont Forum. Initial launch at the recent Planet Under Pressure meeting, with a fuller exposure at Rio +20

UK House of Commons debated Rio +20 on 28 February - a follow up to the earlier Environmental Audit Committee report and government response

The UK Parliament's Commons Science and Techology select committee is conducting an inquiry on science and international development.  Written evidence is available on the inquiry page.

UNEP has published an overview on changes and progress since the first Rio summit in 1992, Keeping Track of Our Changing Environment: from Rio to Rio+20. A product of the GEO5 process.

The UK Parliament Commons Environmental Audit Committee has produced a report and written evidence on UK preparations for the Rio +20 meeting in 2012.  Emphasis on stimulating discussion on the UK lead up to Rio, and the major issues for the summit - the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development.  The UN preparatory process is ongoing, with the results of discussion and consultation on probable outcomes likely early next year.