At the 'Earth Summit' in Rio in 1992, the international community affirmed that current patterns of economic and social development are not sustainable. Since then there have been many constructive responses in government, business and the civil society to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Producers as well as consumers have a role in reducing this pressure. Environmental policies succeed only if they also promise social benefits such as poverty reduction and work in ways that bolster business competitiveness. Conversely, all policy domains need to incorporate environmental and social aspirations.
Uncertainty is central to environmental problem-solving.
Decisions have to deal with conflicting opinions about environmental problems, the risks they pose to different groups in society, and the need to build trust and engage citizens in solutions. At the same time, processes of political decision-making are growing more dispersed. The world has become more interdependent. Many decisions have shifted to the international, regional and local level. Politics is increasingly conducted outside traditional institutions.