A national ‘safe and just operating space’ for all in India: Past, Present and Futurea

Arable Land ◽

National Level ◽

Well Being ◽

Development Goals ◽

Operating Space ◽

AbstractWith 1.3 billion populaces on the commencement of the 21st century, India is currently impending towards upholding a subtle equilibrium between persisting social development and well-being without depleting existing biophysical resources at the national level or surpassing global average per capita obtainability. In this paper, we have structured a top-down per capita framework to explore national ‘safe and just operating space’ (NSJOS) to apprehend not only past fluctuations that bring about the present conditions but also the plausible future consequences, with India as a case study. Coalescing 27 indicators, all pertaining to Sustainable Development Goals (except – SDG 17), accompanied by their corresponding environmental boundaries or preferred social thresholds, present study probes into both biophysical (for environmental stress) and social development (for social deficit) attributes of India. This analysis shows India has already crossed three of seven dimensions of biophysical boundaries (freshwater, nitrogen and phosphorus use). Also, at the existing rate, India is going to cross the remainder of the boundaries within 2045-2050 (climate change, arable land use, ecological and material footprint). Of 20 indicators used for social development, only five have already or will meet corresponding desired thresholds of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2015. Using tendencies of past variations, the results indicate that if lowest per capita consumption can be attained and uphold, even with projected population growth, total consumption of four biophysical resources (climate change, nitrogen use, ecological and material footprint) can be slashed from today’s level in 2050. Adaptations in national policy are indispensable if India wants to accomplish sufficiency in biophysical resources whilst bestowing social equity in access and exploitation of those resources towards the continuance of social developments in forthcoming times.

A comparative study of ‘safe and just operating space’ for the south and south-east Asian countries

10.1101/424200 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Ajishnu Roy ◽

Kousik Pramanick

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Southeast Asia ◽

Social Development ◽

Social Equity ◽

South And Southeast Asia ◽

The People ◽

Development Goals ◽

Operating Space ◽

AbstractThe world is presently maintaining a delicate balance of continuing well-being and social development for the people through consumption of biophysical resources of nature without topping global average per capita availability. In this paper, we have framed a per capita top-down framework to survey national‘safe and just operating space’ (NSJOS) for the countries of south and southeast Asia to understand past variations and as a consequence, the present scenario. Amalgamating 27 indicators, all regarding Sustainable Development Goals (except – SDG 17), in consort with their respective environmental boundaries or desirable social development thresholds, this study explores into both biophysical (for ecological stress) and social development (for social deprivation) attributes of 19 countries of south and southeast Asia. This analysis shows, only 2 have remained either unchanged (political voice) or declining (social equity) among the 12 dimensions of social development in countries of this region. The remaining 10 dimensions of social development showing positive progress and will meet corresponding desired thresholds of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2015. All the 7 indicators showing tendencies of overconsumption of biophysical resources, that might be leading to exceeding per capita global average planetary boundaries in forthcoming future. However, ecological boundaries have remained protected to a decent degree so far for these countries. The challenge would be to maintain and increase the pace of social development and bringing it in equal strata of a global standard in future without depleting drivers of these, i.e. biophysical resources. National policy adaptations are crucial if these countries of south and southeast Asia desire to bring about adequacy in biophysical resources reserve whilst granting social equity in access and exploitation of these resources for the people towards the persistant social development in impending decades.

2015 UNFCCC Paris Summit: India's Dilemma

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad ◽

10.1108/case.iima.2020.000165 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Gaurav Shobhane ◽

Bhaumik Jain ◽

Gautam Anchalia ◽

Ayush Agrawal

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Emission Reduction ◽

Global Climate ◽

Negotiation Process ◽

Climate Negotiation ◽

Development Goals ◽

In December 2015, 196 countries will meet in Paris to reach a new global climate change agreement. This case looks at the climate negotiation process from the eyes of India's environment minister Mr Prakash Javadekar. In India's context, the energy sector has a big role to play in emission reduction as it is the largest emitter of the GHGs. When compared to US and China, India's per-capita emissions are miniscule but they are expected to rise substantially as the GoI is investing heavily in the infrastructure sector which has a substantial carbon footprint. The case discusses the mandatory emission cuts that India will announce considering the fulfillment of sustainable development goals. The case also points out, the government's promise of providing 24*7 electricity by 2019 which it feels can be an impediment in setting an aggressive emission cut target. The case questions if changes in the portfolio mix can be a part of the solution.

Moving forward to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: How do we secure sustainable investments for family planning?

Gates Open Research ◽

10.12688/gatesopenres.13013.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 1531

Author(s):

Gifty Addico ◽

Jennie Greaney ◽

Yann Lacayo

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Family Planning ◽

National Level ◽

Health Sector ◽

Well Being ◽

Development Goals ◽

The Impact ◽

Sustainable Financing

Evidence demonstrates how rights-based family planning (FP) brings transformational benefits to women, families, communities and countries. Investing in FP is not only a human rights issue, but also a key catalytic factor for countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable and equitable access to FP has a tremendous socioeconomic impact and boosts synergistic efforts to reduce poverty, achieve food security and improved nutrition, save lives and improve health and well-being, improve women’s and girls’ education, advance gender equality and empowerment, mitigate the effects of access to water and sanitation, reduce the impact on health of climate change, and contribute to economic growth and social inclusion. Nevertheless, while the benefits are realized across many other sectors, the burden of financing for FP is born predominantly by the health sector. Although there have been several attempts to integrate FP into other sectors’ initiatives, the results have not yet been fully systematized or scaled up. This open letter calls for a new approach to broaden the attention of different sectors to invest in FP as a catalytic intervention to achieve the SDGs. Using the UNFPA Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Financing for Family Planning, we will highlight elements to be considered by development actors in shaping national, regional and global actions. By exploring new funding sources and mechanisms to increase investments in FP, maximizing efficiency, and overall, revamping FP beyond the health sector, we intend to expand the reach of the discussions across non-traditional actors, underscoring the need to increase efforts towards guaranteeing universal health access for all as a main contributor to achieve the 2030 agenda. Further, we will detail experiences of how UNFPA and development partners have incorporated innovative approaches to secure sustainable financing for FP at the national level providing concrete examples on how to proceed in this area.

Dynamics of Public Spending on Health and Socio-Economic Development in the European Union: An Analysis from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9030353 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 353

Author(s):

Antonio Rafael Peña-Sánchez ◽

José Ruiz-Chico ◽

Mercedes Jiménez-García

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Economic Development ◽

Public Spending ◽

Well Being ◽

Socio Economic Development ◽

Development Goals ◽

In recent years, healthcare has become a fundamental pillar of the level of well-being of any society. With the aim of improving the lives of countries and societies, in 2015 the United Nations (UN) approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the Agenda are health and well-being (O3) and the reduction of inequalities (O10). The general objective of this paper is to analyse the impact that the level of socioeconomic development, as well as the evolution of inequalities, have had on public spending on health in European Union countries. The research methodology is based on the application of a regression model and statistical techniques such as sigma convergence, beta convergence and the Gini index. We can see that the levels of public spending on health per capita, the level of socio-economic development and the degree of inequality are closely related in these countries. For this reason, we suggest maintaining sustainable economic growth to reduce the economic disparities between EU countries, and also the current differences in public spending on health per capita.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Romania

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11072156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 2156 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Daniela Firoiu ◽

George H. Ionescu ◽

Anca Băndoi ◽

Nicoleta Mihaela Florea ◽

Elena Jianu

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

National Level ◽

Well Being ◽

The European Union ◽

Development Indicators ◽

2030 Agenda ◽

Development Goals ◽

Implementation Status

Romania needs a change of the current development paradigm to face the challenges of the 21st century. As a member of the European Union, leaders in Romania are is interested in implementing the principles of sustainable development at a national level to reduce development gaps, to increase citizens’ well-being, and to preserve a clean environment. The purpose of this research is to determine the implementation status of the 2030 Agenda sustainable development goals (SDG) in Romania and to explore to what extent Romania will be able to reach, for the 2030 horizon, EU average values for the selected indicators. The research is based on 107 indicators that monitored the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eurostat database (sustainable development indicators) was the source of data in terms of their availability and integrity. The research results showed that the implementation status of SDG is sub-optimal. In the case of 40 indicators out of the 107 analyzed, forecasts indicate the possibility of reaching the EU average values by 2030. However, the country can remain on the path to sustainable development only by involving all stakeholders and increasing concrete and well-targeted measures to improve SDG indicators.

Assessing multidimensional sustainability: Lessons from Brazil’s social protection programs

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1920998117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 117 (34) ◽

pp. 20511-20519

Author(s):

Cecilie Dyngeland ◽

Johan A. Oldekop ◽

Karl L. Evans

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Social Protection ◽

National Level ◽

Multidimensional Poverty ◽

Well Being ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Development Goals ◽

Zero Hunger

Examining linkages among multiple sustainable development outcomes is key for understanding sustainability transitions. Yet rigorous evidence on social and environmental outcomes of sustainable development policies remains scarce. We conduct a national-level analysis of Brazil’s flagship social protection program, Zero Hunger (ZH), which aims to reduce food insecurity and poverty. Using data from rural municipalities across Brazil and quasi-experimental causal inference techniques, we assess relationships between social protection investment and outcomes related to sustainable development goals (SDGs): "no poverty" (SDG 1), "zero hunger" (SDG 2), and "health and well being" (SDG 3). We also assess potential perverse outcomes arising from agricultural development impacting "climate action" (SDG 13) and "life on land" (SDG 15) via clearance of natural vegetation. Despite increasing daily per capita protein and kilocalorie production, summed ZH investment did not alleviate child malnutrition or infant mortality and negligibly influenced multidimensional poverty. Higher investment increased natural vegetation cover in some biomes but increased losses in the Cerrado and especially the Pampa. Effects varied substantially across subprograms. Conditional cash transfer (Bolsa Familia [BF]) was mainly associated with nonbeneficial impacts but increased protein production and improved educational participation in some states. The National Program to Strengthen Family Farming (PRONAF) was typically associated with increased food production (protein and calories), multidimensional poverty alleviation, and changes in natural vegetation. Our results inform policy development by highlighting successful elements of Brazil’s ZH program, variable outcomes across divergent food security dimensions, and synergies and trade-offs between sustainable development goals, including environmental protection.

COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL ECONOMIES OF COUNTRIES AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES ON THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT INVESTMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Intellect XXІ ◽

10.32782/2415-8801/2021-3.13 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Svetlana Nesterenko

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Direct Investment ◽

Social Protection ◽

High Standard ◽

Well Being ◽

Middle Income ◽

Development Goals ◽

National Economies

The article examines the principles of competitive development of national economies in the context of regional structures on the basis of direct investment of current goals of sustainable development. Sustainable development is directly linked to people, their well-being and equality in their relations with each other in a context where an imbalance between nature and society can threaten economic and social stability. As climate change, its drivers, and policies engage with economic production and services, human settlements, and human societies, climate change is likely to be a significant factor in sustainable development in many areas. The paper considers the essence, components and goals of the concept of sustainable development, concepts, types and theories of global investment, as well as the basics and tools for financing sustainable development goals. An analysis of the current achievement of sustainable development goals by countries, an analysis of the dynamics of global investment flows as a source of financing for sustainable development goals and highlights the features of investment policy in the context of sustainable development. The considered perspective directions of improvement of modern investment programs for the purposes of sustainable development have been defined. The practical value of the results is to deepen the practical foundations of global investment for sustainable development, to develop forecasts and establish prospects for expanding investment in measures to ensure the implementation of the concept of sustainable development, taking into account all modern requirements. Thus, the goals of sustainable development have a great role for our planet and society; they can provide us with a quality future and bring to a high standard of living. The Sustainable Development Goals are a kind of call to action coming from all countries – poor, rich and middle-income. It aims to improve the well-being and protect our planet. States recognize that poverty eradication measures must be taken in parallel with efforts to increase economic growth and address a range of issues in education, health, social protection and employment, and to combat climate change and the environment.

Threshold Electricity Consumption Enables Multiple Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11185047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (18) ◽

pp. 5047 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert J. Brecha

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Electricity Consumption ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Well Being ◽

Threshold Level ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Energy Access ◽

Development Goals ◽

Access to sufficient amounts of energy is a prerequisite for the development of human well-being. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the interconnectedness of climate change, energy access and development. However, not all SDG targets are quantified, leaving room for ambiguity in fulfilling, for example, the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG7). We show how specific sustainable development targets for health indicators are strongly correlated with electricity consumption levels in the poorest of countries. Clear thresholds in per capita electricity consumption of a few hundred kWh per year are identified by analyzing SDG indicator data as a function of per capita country electricity consumption. Those thresholds are strongly correlated with meeting of SDG 3 targets-below the identified thresholds, countries do not meet the SDG targets, while above the threshold there is a clear relationship between increasing consumption of electricity and improvement of SDG indicators. Electricity consumption of 400 kWh per capita is significantly higher than projections made by international agencies for future energy access, but only 5%–10% that of OECD countries. At the very least, the presence of thresholds and historical data patterns requires an understanding of how SDG targets would be met in the absence of this threshold level of electricity access.

Sensitivity of Greek Organisations in Sustainability Issues

Engineering Proceedings ◽

10.3390/engproc2021009004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Alexandros Chrysos-Anestis ◽

Charisios Achillas ◽

Dimitrios Folinas ◽

Dimitrios Aidonis ◽

Michael Chrissos Anestis

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainability Reporting ◽

Well Being ◽

Production And Consumption ◽

Development Goals ◽

Industry Sectors ◽

The Impact

Recently, the world has been faced with a variety of environmental, social, and economic problems. The effects of climate change and the lack of resources are constantly intensifying, while at the same time the impact of industrial production has become an international issue. Undoubtedly, this global paradigm and these relevant social and economic challenges require joint efforts at an international level. During the past few decades, a number of companies in Greece have undertaken initiatives towards sustainable development (SD) by adopting “green” practices. This work presents the findings of a survey that has been conducted in 2020, which investigates the extent of business contribution to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research was based on the analysis of sustainability reporting published by Greek companies. The key findings of the survey show that issues related to environmental protection, societal well-being, and citizens’ quality of life have attracted an increasing level of awareness in the Greek industry sectors. Issues such as climate change, as well as sustainable production and consumption, are becoming topics within companies’ day-to-day agenda.

Australian policies on water management and climate change: are they supporting the sustainable development goals and improved health and well-being?

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-019-0509-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Toni Delany-Crowe ◽

Dora Marinova ◽

Matt Fisher ◽

Michael McGreevy ◽

Fran Baum

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Health Equity ◽

Environmental Degradation ◽

Natural Environment ◽

Well Being ◽

Policy Coherence ◽

Development Goals

Abstract Background Sustainable management of the natural environment is essential. Continued environmental degradation will lead to worsened health outcomes in countries and across generations. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for viewing the preservation of natural environments and the promotion of health, well-being and health equity as interconnected pursuits. Within the SDG framework the goals of promoting environmental sustainability and human health are unified through attention to the social determinants of health and health equity (SDH/HE). This paper presents findings from a document analysis of all Australian environment sector policies and selected legislation to examine whether and how current approaches support progress toward achieving SDG goals on water, climate change, and marine ecosystems (Goals 6, 13 and 14), and to consider implications for health and health equity. Results Consideration of a broad range of SDH/HE was evident in the analysed documents. Related collaborations between environment and health sectors were identified, but the bulk of proposed actions on SDH/HE were initiated by the environment sector as part of its core business. Strengths of Australian policy in regard to SDGs 6, 13 and 14 are reflected in recognition of the effects of climate change, a strong cohesive approach to marine park protection, and recognition of the need to protect existing water and sanitation systems from future threats. However, climate change strategies focus predominately on resilience, adaptation and heat related health effects, rather than on more comprehensive mitigation policies. The findings emphasise the importance of strengthened cross-sectoral action to address both the drivers and effects of environmental degradation. A lack of policy coherence between jurisdictions was also evident in several areas, compounded by inadequate national guidance, where vague strategies and non-specific devolution of responsibilities are likely to compromise coordination and accountability. Conclusions Evidence on planetary health recognises the interconnectedness of environmental and human health and, as such, suggests that ineffective management of climate change and water pose serious risks to both the natural environment and human well-being. To address these risks more effectively, and to achieve the SDGs, our findings indicate that cross-jurisdiction policy coherence and national coordination must be improved. In addition, more action to address global inequities is required, along with more comprehensive approaches to climate change mitigation.