scholarly journals Knowledge sharing for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation in the Mesoamerican region

2005 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. C05
Author(s):  
Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Environmental Stewardship ◽  
Global Environment ◽  
Future Generations

As recognized by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, the human community has reached a point in which it is faced with an array of choices that will determine the quality of our lives and the state of the global environment for present and future generations. One possibility is that at long last we will pave a path toward environmental stewardship and sustainable development. But it is also quite possible that we will travel a less enlightened course, running down the earth's natural capital and severely limiting the choices our descendants will face.

scholarly journals Water Security in a Changing Climate

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H. Glantz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
World View ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Energy Costs ◽  
The World ◽  
Or Organization

The notion of «the water world we want» is a spin-off of the United Nations campaign The World We Want. It is open to subjective interpretation, as people have different perceptions of a desired future. Each person or organization is likely to identify their own set of key concerns: food, clean (uncontaminated) water, sustained agricultural productivity, sustainable use of land and ocean resources, healthy lives and secure livelihoods. But whatever utopian world view one creates, it cannot be achieved without adequate sustained water supplies.In 2009, the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon noted: It is well known that water is life; what this Report shows is that water also means livelihoods. It is the route out of poverty for individuals and communities. Managing water is essential if the world is to achieve sustainable development.This challenge is even more pressing as the world confronts the triple threats of climate change, rising food and energy costs, and the global economic crisis. All three are exacerbating poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.It is apparent that climate, water and weather-related concerns are mounting. Societies are becoming increasingly aware that impacts of extreme hydrometeorological events expected to occur in, say, the 2050s are starting to appear decades earlier. These extreme events — related to climate change — are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and severity. 

Social Capital Accounting

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-146
Author(s):  
John P. Wilson ◽  
Sonal Choudhary
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Large Majority ◽  
The Social ◽  
12 Steps ◽  
Development Goals

Sustainability accounting has become a mainstream practice for a large majority of S&P500 companies, and this reflects global society's increasing interest and concern around sustainability issues. In particular, the United Nations published its “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” and 193 countries signed up to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets. The UN also called upon companies to help this process across their supply chains and developed a natural capital protocol for assessing and valuing environmental areas and a social capital protocol (SCP) for assessing and valuing human and societal capital such as skills, knowledge, wellbeing, shared values, and institutions. This chapter systematically investigates each of the 12 steps of the social capital protocol and identifies a range of benefits and substantial challenges which companies will face if they wish to account for their social impact across the supply chain.

scholarly journals Do we need an ethics of planetary sustainability?

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Beisbart
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Conceptual Change ◽  
Moral Status ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ethical Theories ◽  
The United Nations

Abstract The politics of the United Nations aims at sustainable development (i.e., development that can continue with future generations). Andreas Losch has recently proposed to expand our current notion of sustainability to what he calls ‘planetary sustainability’, and he has urged an ethics of planetary sustainability. This comment article discusses these proposals. The proposed conceptual change is assessed, drawing on desiderata suggested by Carnap. To the extent to which the current notion of sustainability has excluded consideration of outer space, we gain in simplicity. To the extent to which it has been unclear about this issue, we gain in exactness. The proposed concept is fruitful because it points to important considerations, in particular if there are extra-terrestrial beings that share moral status with human beings. But to some extent this fruitfulness requires a clear deviation from the anthropocentric outlook of our current notion of sustainability, and costs regarding similarity arise. As far as an ethics of sustainability is concerned, we certainly need to address ethical issues that arise in relation to outer space. However, the notion of planetary sustainability is not likely to figure prominently in related thoughts because the notion of sustainability is not a key concept in known ethical theories.

scholarly journals A soundscape analysis for selected parks in Bydgoszcz

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 00097
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Sztubecka
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
City Center ◽  
The City

Areas that are considered human-friendly are green spaces. The existing urban parks are designed to fulfill the role of relaxation, recreation, and entertainment. However, in many cases, these are historic places, which at the time didn't have much of an impact on external factors. Sustainable development issues are related to the quality of life and the usage of the environment and its resources by present and future generations. Noise and noise protection is an issue that is part of sustainable development. The inadequate implementation of the principles of sustainable development and non-inclusion of noise can noticeably lead to negative effects now and in the future. The aim of the paper is to analyze the soundscapes of two Bydgoszcz parks located in the city center. The values of the equivalent sound level for these areas were obtained from the existing Bydgoszcz acoustic plan. Subsequently, the resulting distribution of noise was compared with the results of subjective perception of sounds by visitors. On this basis, conclusions can be drawn regarding the ways of shaping such areas while taking into account the perception of visitors.

scholarly journals After Rio+20: Preparing for Sustainable Retreat?

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Nováček
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Industrial Age ◽  
Development Concept ◽  
Environment And Development

Abstract The industrial age has brought us much good: a higher quality of life which is reflected in better healthcare and education, a longer life expectancy etc. But besides the indisputable benefits, the industrial age has also caused many problems which are now assuming global proportions. In 1987 UN Commission on Environment and Development attempted to propose how to enable people and whole nations to develop while sustaining functioning ecosystems and healthy environment. The key term became “sustainable development”. But problem with sustainable development concept is that it is so vague and “all-embracing”. Its biggest deficiency is the fact that it fails to attempt to even define human needs. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 conference, June 2012) did not change current unsustainable development trends. Therefore we should allow for and ponder the possibility that effort at sustainable development will fail and the human community will experience great civilization turbulence. Maybe it is too late for sustainable development, what we need is a sustainable retreat. Our abilities are limited and promoting sustainable development may prove to be beyond us. In comparison with our ancestors we have much greater opportunities. But this has not been counterbalanced by greater responsibility and foresight. We should explore and study future opportunities and dangers that could occur under certain conditions. These images of possible futures may help to make our present decisions more qualified and responsible.

The application of sustainability concepts to Australian agriculture: an overview

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Stoneham ◽  
M. Eigenraam ◽  
A. Ridley ◽  
N. Barr
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Productive Capacity ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Weak Sustainability ◽  
Natural Resource Base ◽  
Basic Standards

This paper reviews the concepts of sustainable development in an economic, environmental and social context. Weak and strong versions of sustainable development are reviewed and applied to the agricultural sector. The paper demonstrates that despite any degradation of the natural resource base, the agricultural sector is more productive now than in the past. This has occurred because the rate of investment in research and development (resulting in increased reproducible capital) has more than offset the rate of degradation in the natural capital stock. Science, it is argued, is part of the economic system that allocates productive capacity between current and future generations. Increases in expenditure on agricultural R&D since the 1950s have ensured that past generations have transferred productive capacity to future generations. With respect to the environment, the authors argue that a strong version of sustainable development may be appropriate, particularly where there are uncertain and irreversible outcomes. Finally, it has been observed that a hybrid version of social sustainability has been adopted in Australia. While resource mobility in the agricultural sector has been generally encouraged (weak sustainability) this has been underpinned by a welfare system that ensures basic standards of well-being and opportunity (strong sustainability).

scholarly journals A strategic and data production frameworks for the development of business statistics

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-713
Author(s):  
Stefano Menghinello ◽  
Alison Pritchard ◽  
Daniela Ravindra ◽  
Arturo Blancas ◽  
Gerardo A. Durand Alcantara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Comparable Result ◽  
Production Lines ◽  
Business Statistics ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Data Production

This paper highlights the key characteristics and implications of the strategic and data production frameworks designed and progressively implemented by the United Nations Committee of Experts on Business and Trade Statistics (UNCEBTS) to enhance the relevance, accuracy and coverage of business statistics, according to an internationally comparable, result-oriented and sustainable approach. The strategic framework aims to expand the traditional scope of official business statistics by including all relevant environmental and social related issues. NSOs may achieve relevant improvements by focusing their efforts upon specific global goals consistent with their national ones, and sourcing from knowledge sharing with other countries and international coordination. It also highlights the relevance of an enterprise-centered approach for a better understanding of emerging phenomena by official statisticians, and for priority setting in improving the quality of business statistics. The data production framework is dominated by the crucial role of the Statistical Business Register (SBR) as the backbone of any current and future improvements in the relevance and accuracy of business statistics. Its implications, both in terms of sustainability of production lines, data integration and production of new indicators that exploit the variability dimension of business statistics are further investigated in the paper.

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE ASPECTS REGARDING THE TAXATION SYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

InterConf ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 26-37
Author(s):  
Maria Hămuraru ◽  
Alina Cojocaru
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Economic Agents ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
The Republic ◽  
High Level ◽  
Taxation System

This article reveals the comparative analysis of the tax system from Denmark and Norway which, although have a progressive tax system, also have a high level of social and economic well-being. The premise for the welfare state in Denmark and Norway lies in the awareness of all economic agents, including households, that taxes and fees contribute to ensuring sustainable development. Sustainable development represents all forms and methods of socio-economic development, focused on ensuring the balance between social, economic, ecological aspects and the elements of natural capital. Furthermore, there are researched ways to bond the tax system in the Republic of Moldova to international practices in order to ensure a high level of quality of life and sustainable development.

scholarly journals Embedding the United Nations sustainable development goals into energy systems analysis – expanding the food-energy-water nexus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taco Niet ◽  
Nastaran Arianpoo ◽  
Kamaria Kuling ◽  
Andrew Wright
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecological Diversity ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Development Goals

Abstract BackgroundThere have been numerous studies that consider the nexus interactions between energy systems, land use, water use and climate adaptation and impacts. These studies have filled a gap in the literature to allow for more effective policymaking by considering the trade-offs between land use, energy infrastructure as well as the use of water for agriculture and providing energy services. Though these studies fill a significant gap in the modelling literature, we argue that more work is needed to effectively consider policy trade-offs between the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to avoid missing important interactions.ResultsWe examine the 17 SDGs individually to determine if it should be included in a modelling framework and the challenges of doing so. We show that the nexus of climate, land, energy and water needs to be expanded to consider economic well-being of both individuals and the greater economy, health benefits and impacts, as well as land use in terms of both food production and in terms of sustaining ecological diversity and natural capital. Such an expansion will allow energy systems models to better address the trade-offs and synergies inherent in the SDGs. Luckily, although there are some challenges with expanding the nexus in this way, we feel the challenges are generally modest and that many model structures can already incorporate many of these factors without significant modification.Finally, we argue that SDGs 16 and 17 cannot be met without open-source models and open data to allow for transparent analysis that can be used and reused with a low cost of entry for modellers from less well off nations.ConclusionsTo effectively address the SDGs there is a need to expand the common definition of the nexus of climate, land, energy, and water to include the synergies and trade-offs of health impacts, ecological diversity and the system requirements for human and environmental well-being. In most cases, expanding models to be able to incorporate these factors will be relatively straight forward, but open models and analysis are needed to fully support the SDGs.

scholarly journals Odpowiedzialność człowieka za przyrodę w perspektywie kryzysu ekologicznego

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Kuzior
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Radical Reduction ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual

The article takes up the issues connected to the ecological crisis, causes of which refer to uncontrolled scientifically-technical development, predatory administration of the natural sources of Earth and disrespect of the nature, following from the anthropocentric axiology, the analysis of the Stockholm’s Declaration, the Declaration from Rio and the declaration from Johannesburg, as documents forming the idea of the sustainable development, active that care and respect of nature and preventing degratation of natural environment make a basis of the agricultural and social development and the only rational way to get out of the ecological crisis without radical reduction the quality of human’s life. In discussed declarations they point out the individual, collective and institutional responsibility. It’s set up that the basis of the responsibility figured out like that - for the other human, for present and future generations, for the nature, for the global human’s society, for other communities of alive creatures, for the planet - should be ecophilosophy and systematic sozology. Basing on this two sciences we can make a socio-economical and ecological order indicated in the sustainable development conception.

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