scholarly journals Carbon Neutral Bhutan: sustaining carbon neutral status under growth pressures.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorji Yangka ◽  
Vanessa Rauland ◽  
Peter Newman

Abstract Background: Bhutan has pledged to remain carbon neutral (CN) in perpetuity. Whether they can sustain this is questionable due to the country’s increasing economic growth (GDP) and commitment to gross national happiness (GNH) outcomes, both of which can lead to a rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The nexus between GHG, GNH and GDP is the essence of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals global project.Results: Through scenario modelling using the Long-range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) model, the study finds that the carbon neutral declaration will derail between 2037 and 2050 without mitigation measures. By putting in place mitigation measures especially in the industry and transport sectors, CN can be retained even under high growth pressure, which may cost just 2% of GDP. CN can be easily retained under low economic growth, but this could undermine GNH. High growth will require immediate interventions to enable electrification of industry and transport.Conclusions: The options to remain CN will require Bhutan to adopt more efficient technologies and electrify industry and transport under both low and high growth scenarios. The additional cost to the Bhutanese economy is feasible through low and high growth opportunities. The options are similar to those confronting emerging nations struggling with issues of climate commitments under economic growth pressures. All will need to adapt their specific economic contexts to achieve the simultaneous objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals whilst addressing the net zero Paris agenda. Bhutan shows it is possible.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorji Yangka ◽  
Vanessa Rauland ◽  
Peter Newman

Abstract Background: Bhutan has pledged to remain carbon neutral (CN) in perpetuity. Whether they can sustain this is questionable due to the country’s increasing economic growth (GDP) and commitment to gross national happiness (GNH) outcomes, both of which can lead to a rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The nexus between GHG, GNH and GDP is the essence of the sustainable development global project.Results: Through scenario modelling using the Long-range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) model, the study finds that the carbon neutral declaration will derail between 2037 and 2050 without mitigation measures. By putting in place mitigation measures especially in the industry and transport, CN can be retained even under high growth pressure, which may cost just 2% of GDP. CN can be easily retained under low economic growth, but this could undermine GNH.Conclusions: The options to remain CN will require Bhutan to adopt more efficient technologies and electrify industry and transport under both low and high growth scenarios. The additional cost to the Bhutanese economy is feasible through low and high growth opportunities. The options are similar to those confronting emerging nations struggling with issues of climate commitments under economic growth pressures.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Souza ◽  
Julian Santos ◽  
Gabriel SantClair ◽  
Janaina Gomide ◽  
Luan Santos

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of a global effort to reduce the impacts of climate change, promoting social justice and economic growth. The United Nations provides a database with hundreds of indicators to track the SDGs since 2016 for a total of 302 regions. This work aims to assess which countries are in a similar situation regarding sustainable development. Principal Component Analysis was used to reduce the dimension of the dataset and k-means algorithm was used to cluster countries according to their SDGs indicators. For the years of 2016, 2017 and 2018 were obtained 11, 13 and 11 groups, respectively. This paper also analyses clusters changes throughout the years.


Author(s):  
Mangasini Atanasi Katundu

The MDGs have been criticised for being too narrow and leaving out many people and their needs, like mental health. Likewise, not all MDGs were implemented successfully in all countries. Some countries implemented one or two MDGs of their choice and left others untouched, others partially implemented all MDGs. It was on this basis that the UN member states met in Rio to frame the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in order for the SDGs to address systemic challenges across economic, social, and ecological dimensions of sustainable development they require appropriate institutional support to effectively integrate them into institutions and practices, to coordinate activities, and to mobilize resources for implementation. Rising income inequality negatively impacts economic growth and is threatening sustainable development of East African Community (EAC) member states. Since, the SDGs are many, it is recommended that, East African Member states should adopt a targeted approach in implementing the SDGs and focus on the smallholder farming sector.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
GALUH WIDITYA QOMARO

One of the sustainable development goals is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Tourism industry has recently become one of the important aspects in the Indonesia's economic growth. Halal tourism is considered a plus value for the tourism industry in Indonesia. Pesantren, as one of the stakeholder institutions in Pentahelix system of halal tourism industry, plays an important role in many things, among others: identifying halal tourism destination, raising public-awareness in processing food, choosing travel services and concepts, determining the payment method of travel services. Pesantren is involved in the educational process about Islamic business ethics, formal or non-formal training for halal tourism industry practitioners, and also the syar'i daily life concept for the residents of halal tourism area. This study aims to identify the importance of Pesantren's role, socially and psychologically, as one of the main pillars of halal tourism development in Indonesia. The result of this qualitative research shows that Pesantren ought to participate holistically and comprehensively in the agenda of Indonesia's halal industry so that with maximal management makes a big contribution to achieve the internationalization program of Indonesian halal tourism and to succeed SDG’s agenda in supporting sustainable tourism and creates employment while supporting local cultures and products in 2030.


Author(s):  
Carl C. Anderson ◽  
Manfred Denich ◽  
Anne Warchold ◽  
Jürgen P. Kropp ◽  
Prajal Pradhan

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and aim to address issues ranging from poverty and economic growth to climate change. Efforts to tackle one issue can support or hinder progress towards others, often with complex systemic interactions. Thus, each of the SDGs and their corresponding targets may contribute as levers or hurdles towards achieving other SDGs and targets. Based on SDG indicator data, we create a systems model considering influence among the SDGs and their targets. Once assessed within a system, we find that more SDGs and their corresponding targets act as levers towards achieving other goals and targets rather than as hurdles. In particular, efforts towards SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) may accelerate progress, while SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) are shown to create potential hurdles. The model results can be used to help promote supportive interactions and overcome hindering ones in the long term.


Economic development and environmental degradation are usually inversely proportional to each other and this can be reversed by endorsing more eco-competent growth policies. Although with the prompt economic growth, the concern of environmental sustainability is still a major challenge for every country. EIA since its inception has been considered as a holistic tool in assessing the potential impacts of developmental projects on the natural environment. EIA in India was first launched in 1994 and since then it has been undergoing a renaissance, and now several developmental projects have to obtain necessary environmental clearance as per the EIA notification 2006. This paper focuses on a critical overview of the evolution, process, and changes. Evaluation of the process using SOAR analysis helps in increasing the transparency and efficacy in the EIA. This research finally concludes by inferring that EIA if exercised properly shall not only ensure a clean and healthy environment but also shall aid the nation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-67
Author(s):  
Nicolae Istudor ◽  
Vasile Dinu ◽  
Emilia Gogu ◽  
Elena-Maria Prada ◽  
Irina-Elena Petrescu

Since migration is considered to play an important role on the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) this study analyses the reversed perspective of the migration-SDG’s nexus. The data set consists of 308 observations on 28 European Union countries (including the United Kingdom) over a time span of 11 years (between 2008 and 2018). The analysis employed various stages of estimation in order to compare different results obtained from the panel data regression models. Besides the classical panel data regression models, the paper includes the estimation of Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond model that uses the Generalized Method of Moments (also known as GMM) as an econometric tool to solve the endogeneity of the selected variables. The focus is on two sustainable development goals: labour and economic growth, and education of the European Union member states plus the United Kingdom. The results showed that there is a significant influence of the selected variables on the migration flows at the European Union level. Although there are some contradictory results regarding the direction and statistical significance of the link between the variables of interest, most estimators do not have fundamentally different results. The GDP per capita keeps its positive impact on migration by generating an immigration flow towards countries with high GDP per capita. Economic growth proves to be the main trigger of migration, while education also plays an important role in shaping migration. The importance of this study derives from the reversed perspectives analysis, considering migration as being directly influenced by the achievement of the sustainable development goals.


2022 ◽  
pp. 66-84
Author(s):  
Mangasini Atanasi Katundu

The MDGs have been criticised for being too narrow and leaving out many people and their needs, like mental health. Likewise, not all MDGs were implemented successfully in all countries. Some countries implemented one or two MDGs of their choice and left others untouched, others partially implemented all MDGs. It was on this basis that the UN member states met in Rio to frame the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in order for the SDGs to address systemic challenges across economic, social, and ecological dimensions of sustainable development they require appropriate institutional support to effectively integrate them into institutions and practices, to coordinate activities, and to mobilize resources for implementation. Rising income inequality negatively impacts economic growth and is threatening sustainable development of East African Community (EAC) member states. Since, the SDGs are many, it is recommended that, East African Member states should adopt a targeted approach in implementing the SDGs and focus on the smallholder farming sector.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 166-170
Author(s):  
Mariya Seroshtan ◽  
Galina Akimova

The article shows that the epidemiological situation has significantly slowed down economic growth not only in Russia, but also in all countries of the world, which causes new challenges and threats in achieving the sustainable development Goals. This increases the importance of government support aimed at the recovery of employment and income, growth and long-term structural changes in the economy, with software-targeted and implemented under the state programs and projects at both the Federal and regional levels. In our country, unprecedented and decisive actions are being taken within the framework of state support to restore effective employment and effective demand, improve the business climate and economic growth in the context of the sustainable development goals. At the same time, in the context of global integration, when the economies of all countries of the world are becoming increasingly dependent on each other, strengthening international cooperation and developing multilateral partnerships between countries should be considered as one of the important factors for mitigating the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainable development of the national economy in the long term.


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