HC Deb 10 May 2004 vol 421 cc66-7W
John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to promote the delivery of sustainable development within Government. [165432]

Hilary Benn

The Department for International Development works with other departments to assist in the delivery of Sustainable Development (SD).

The World Summit on Sustainable Development's Plan of Implementation provides the international framework for the promotion of sustainable development. The lead UK departments are DFID, DTI, FCO and Defra (coordinator), all represented on the Ministerial SD Task Force. DFID leads in four areas, Water and sanitation Integrating environment into poverty reduction strategies Access to clean energy Finance (volume and effectiveness of aid—joint lead with Treasury)

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development tracks progress on United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)/World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) follow-up (including MDGs). It works to a two-year cycle—progress review years followed by policy development years. The 2004–5 biennium covers (1) water and sanitation, (2) human settlements, and (3) "Type 2" partnerships. DFID officials have been involved in the CSD 12 meetings just concluded (1/05/04).