Scientists Criticize Lack of Urgency in Rio+20 Accord

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) ended with an international agreement on the need for all countries to commit themselves to achieving sustainable development. The agreement immediately came under fire from several quarters for its lack of detail about how this will be done, and the absence of new financial commitments from the developed world.

Critics in the scientific and technical communities also said it lacked adequate recognition of the importance of science in achieving sustainable development, and details of mechanisms for facilitating the technology transfer needed to make this possible. But the agreement could lead to a stronger interface between science and policy.