The European Commission launched a public consultation which intends to gather views on how to follow up the renewed political commitment to sustainable development reached at the United Nations Rio+20 world summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012. In particular, the Commission seeks to develop specific actions and concrete measures to make sustainable development a reality. The consultation is open until 15 January 2013.

The public consultation launched by the European Commission intends to gather views on the specific actions and concrete measures to make sustainable development a reality, within the EU and globally, following the renewed political commitment reached at the United Nations Rio+20 world summit in June 2012. The opinions will be an input to a Communication from the Commission on the follow-up to Rio+20, planned for the first quarter of 2013. The contributions to the consultation can be made until 15 January 2013.

The consultation seeks input on a number of policy questions around five main lines which consist of policies aimed at moving towards an inclusive green economy; Setting priority areas of action; Developing Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting on themes and topics and their optimal form, and suggesting ways to monitor progress in reaching them; Considering options for an effective Sustainable Development Financing Strategy; and Strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development.

After extensive negotiations, a Rio+20 Outcome document was agreed upon, with a number of actions and commitments, that the EU will need to follow up on. With the opinions gathered throughout the consultation, these will be an input to a Communication from the Commission on the follow-up to Rio+20, planned for the first quarter of 2013.