At a UN NGO conference on Sustainable Societies held in Bonn, Germany on 3-5 September, responsive citizens discussed "connecting the dots" between local and global issues as part of the preparatory process for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to be held in Rio de Janeiro, 3-5 June 2012. In a declaration, participants recommended that Rio+20 should create a global registry of major country and stakeholder commitments and sustainability actions, with robust monitoring and reporting provisions. In a specific section on Green Cities, they emphasized commitments on compact, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented, urban development that minimizes energy use and maximizes residential health, and promotes green buildings and urban gardens. Webcasts of speakers are available online.

In connection with Rio+20 preparations, the UN CSD Secretariat has asked people around the world to send in pictures representing their views on sustainable lifestyles.

The Citizens Network organized a side event in Bonn entitled "SCP in the Rio+20 Agenda" which discussed the prospective role which sustainable production and consumption would play at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development next year.