At the second Global Green Congress held in São Paulo, Brazil, May 1–4, 2008, Greens from all over the world reaffirmed their commitment to overcome the ecological and social crises that humanity and the planet face.

Climate change, flooding of coastal regions, the burgeoning number of environmental refugees, over-consumption, water shortage, the rising price and scarcity of food and oil, poverty, gender discrimination, growing tension and conflict between communities, the emergence of new failing states and increasing conflict over access to raw materials, are just some of the most urgent problems that threaten our immediate future and that of coming generations. Greens are aware that there is not much time to find solutions. Business as usual will lead to catastrophe.

Inspired by Green values and principles as adopted at the first Global Greens Congress in 2001 in Canberra, to which the Green movement continues to strongly adhere, these "21 Commitments for the 21st Century" reflect Green priorities for political action. Thus Greens commit to working to:

1 Fundamentally reform the present dominant economic model to establish a new sustainable society
2 Promote a deep and rapid reduction of CO2 emissions
3 Improve water management and increase the efficiency of its utilization
4 End the hunger crisis and make food available for all
5 Respect and preserve biodiversity in all its dimensions including defence of natural forests
6 Urge the international community to achieve the Millennium Goals agreed to by the United Nations in 2000
7 Establish a global partnership for development including the introduction of a Tobin tax as a source of development financing
8 Promote fair trade as an alternative to the present international trade patterns
9 Support socially and ecologically inspired scientific research and technological progress
10 Convene an international conference on exploding prices of raw materials and fair access to natural resources and energy
11 Promote women’s rights
12 Promote representative and participatory democracy
13 Develop a World Environment Organization
14 Reinforce the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the International Court of Justice and achieve a universal ban on the death penalty
15 Promote recognition of ecological refugees and the human rights of all refugees including displaced people
16 Foster sustainable city development and promote stronger cooperation among cities
17 Promote sustainable cultural policies
18 Support an open and structured dialogue among world religions including atheists
19 Expand and improve the rights of the youth
20 Improve access to medicine for pandemics and neglected diseases
21 Promote peace, conflict prevention and disarmament

Making the 21st Century a Green Century
The world urgently needs a solid Green movement, based on strong Green Parties and an active international young green organization, a movement able to take on governmental responsibility at the national as well as at the international level. This is a condition to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable international order that at the same time is peaceful and democratic and respects the rights of future generations. Greens will do their utmost to work in this direction and to make the 21st century a Green century.