scholarly journals Time for Science-Based National Targets for Environmental Sustainability: An Assessment of Existing Metrics and the ESGAP Framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkaitz Usubiaga-Liaño ◽  
Paul Ekins
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
National Level ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Performance Index ◽  
Strong Sustainability ◽  
Development Goals

Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence on the ongoing degradation of the environment, there is a clear gap between the urgency of the environmental crisis and the policy measures put in place to tackle it. Because of the role of metrics in environmental governance, the way environmental information is translated into metrics is of utmost relevance. In this context, we propose criteria to assesses the suitability of environmental metrics to monitor environmental sustainability at the national level. After assessing well-known environmental metrics such as the Sustainable Development Goals indicators and the Environmental Performance Index, we conclude that countries still lack robust and resonant metrics to monitor environmental sustainability. In order to bridge this metric gap, we present the Environmental Sustainability Gap (ESGAP) framework, which builds on the concepts of strong sustainability, critical natural capital, environmental functions and science-based targets. Different composite indicators are proposed as part of the ESGAP framework. Through these metrics, the framework has the potential to embed strong sustainability thinking and science-based targets in nations in which these concepts are not currently sufficiently reflected in policies.

Analysis of pre-service teachers’ perception towards the economic, environmental, social and cultural dimensions of Education for Sustainable Development

Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 972-978
Author(s):  
Manisha Jetly ◽  
Dr. Nandita Singh
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Class Room

Education for sustainable development (ESD) enjoys a huge momentum worldwide in which the role of teachers for making sustainable development goals a reality has been recognized significantly. Teachers through their knowledge, attitudes and skills can bring the learning about these concepts to the curriculum and class room interaction and are in a position to influence their students. Therefore it is pertinent, that teachers are sensitised towards these issues, so that they prepare and nurture their students for making appropriate and responsible choices which contribute to a sustainable future. At this juncture it becomes crucial to understand their priorities and awareness level in context of the sustainable development. The present research paper aims to analyse the perception of forty post graduate pre-service teachers of the Chandigarh region, towards ESD through the dimensions of economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, social sustainability and cultural sustainability. For this researchers have adopted qualitative content analysis methodology for an in-depth study of the subjective responses through an open ended question. The findings suggest that most of the respondents associated the perception of ESD strongly with environmental sustainability. It is noted that the pre-service teachers lack a holistic approach towards ESD. On the basis of the findings it is recommended that there is an urgent need of integrating the concept of ESD consciously and conscientiously in India’s teacher education programmes.

scholarly journals Defining and Quantifying National-Level Targets, Indicators and Benchmarks for Management of Natural Resources to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Dickens ◽  
Vladimir Smakhtin ◽  
Matthew McCartney ◽  
Gordon O’Brien ◽  
Lula Dahir
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
National Level ◽  
Resource Quality ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Country Level ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Global Indicators

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are high on the agenda for most countries of the world. In its publication of the SDGs, the UN has provided the goals and target descriptions that, if implemented at a country level, would lead towards a sustainable future. The IAEG (InterAgency Expert Group of the SDGs) was tasked with disseminating indicators and methods to countries that can be used to gather data describing the global progress towards sustainability. However, 2030 Agenda leaves it to countries to adopt the targets with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. At present, guidance on how to go about this is scant but it is clear that the responsibility is with countries to implement and that it is actions at a country level that will determine the success of the SDGs. Reporting on SDGs by country takes on two forms: i) global reporting using prescribed indicator methods and data; ii) National Voluntary Reviews where a country reports on its own progress in more detail but is also able to present data that are more appropriate for the country. For the latter, countries need to be able to adapt the global indicators to fit national priorities and context, thus the global description of an indicator could be reduced to describe only what is relevant to the country. Countries may also, for the National Voluntary Review, use indicators that are unique to the country but nevertheless contribute to measurement of progress towards the global SDG target. Importantly, for those indicators that relate to the security of natural resources security (e.g., water) indicators, there are no prescribed numerical targets/standards or benchmarks. Rather countries will need to set their own benchmarks or standards against which performance can be evaluated. This paper presents a procedure that would enable a country to describe national targets with associated benchmarks that are appropriate for the country. The procedure builds on precedent set in other countries but in particular on a procedure developed for the setting of Resource Quality Objectives in South Africa. The procedure focusses on those SDG targets that are natural resource-security focused, for example, extent of water-related ecosystems (6.6), desertification (15.3) and so forth, because the selection of indicator methods and benchmarks is based on the location of natural resources, their use and present state and how they fit into national strategies.

scholarly journals Zero Tolerance of Children’s Sexual Abuse from Interreligious Dialogue

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 549
Author(s):  
Cristina M. Pulido ◽  
Ana Vidu ◽  
Roseli Rodrigues de Mello ◽  
Esther Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Interreligious Dialogue ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Sexual Abuse Prevention ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals

Child sexual abuse is a social problem that concerns our societies. The sustainable development goals have highlighted the eradication of child sexual abuse as one of the highest-priority goals of this century. Breaking the silence within religious communities is an essential step going forward. Therefore, establishing a dialogue between people of different religions is crucial to achieving this goal. The purpose of this article is to explore whether there are current interreligious dialogue initiatives based on scientific recommendations to prevent child sexual abuse. The method used herein is a qualitative document analysis of the selected initiatives. The results indicate that interreligious dialogue initiatives include scientific recommendations in their prevention programs. Furthermore, these successful initiatives connect religious values and the need to support victims and to break their silence. Based on these results, it can be concluded that interreligious initiatives for child sexual abuse prevention programs based on scientific evidence are crucial in order to eradicate child sexual abuse.

scholarly journals Human development, greenhouse gas emissions and sub-national mitigation burdens: a Brazilian perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geanderson Ambrósio ◽  
Dênis Antônio Da Cunha ◽  
Marcel Viana Pires ◽  
Luis Costa ◽  
Raiza Moniz Faria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
National Level ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Ghg Mitigation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
National Human ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent

AbstractInternational frameworks for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation usually disregard country-specific inequalities for the allocation of mitigation burdens. This may hinder low developed regions in a country from achieving development in a socioeconomic perspective, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating poverty (SDG1) and hunger (SDG2). We use observed data (1991–2010) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions and a sub-national human development index (MicroHDI, range [0, 1]) for Brazilian microregions to design a framework where regional mitigation burdens are proportional to the MicroHDI, without compromising national mitigation pledges. According to our results, the less developed Brazilian regions have not been basing their development in emission-intensive activities; instead, the most developed regions have. Between 2011 and 2050, Brazilian cumulative emissions from the sectors most correlated with MicroHDI are expected to be 325 Gt CO2eq, of which only 50 Gt are associated with regions of MicroHDI < 0.8. Assuming a national GHG mitigation target of 56.5% in 2050 over 2010 (consistent with limiting global warming to 2 ºC), Brazil would emit 190 Gt CO2eq instead of 325 Gt and the 135 Gt reduction is only accounted for by regions after reaching MicroHDI ≥ 0.8. Allocating environmental restrictions to the high-developed regions leaves ground for the least developed ones to pursue development with fewer restrictions. Our heterogeneous framework represents a fairer allocation of mitigation burdens which could be implemented under the concepts of green economy. This work could be an international reference for addressing both environmental and socioeconomic development in developing countries at sub-national level as emphasized by the SDGs.

Analysis of the prospects for the introduction of a closed-loop economy in the Russian Federation using the example of the Kaluga region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Nikulina ◽  
E.A. Cherikanova ◽  
A.V. Chelenko ◽  
V.V. Grishakova
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Secondary Products ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Russian Federation

In a number of industrialized regions of the Russian Federation, even when using efficient high technologies in the manufacturing industry under the current linear economic model, especially in the context of pandemic (COVID-19) fails to implement the sustainable development goals in all of its ecological and economic requirements. This paper analyzes models and approaches to the implementation of the concept of renewable production and consumption in conditions of maximum use of resources, including those obtained by processing various types of waste. According to the analyzed one of the models, namely the circulation economic model, resources after consumption in the form of manufactured products and the resulting waste, suitable for processing into production resources, in the form of secondary. Within the framework of rational interaction of the industrially developed regions (Moscow and Kaluga), an experimental confirmation of the efficiency of waste processing of various types is given, by building an Ecotechnopark, implemented within the framework of public-private partnership, and obtaining secondary products. In the proposed circular economic model, resources after consumption in the form of production products are returned to production after processing. In addition, a possible indicator was identified and implemented that allows integrating traditional economic indicators into the "Green" gross national product (GNP), which is the sum of the natural capital of the region and its nominal GNP and is linked to the state of the ecosystem. Recommendations and conclusions on the performed studies are made.

scholarly journals Seeing environmental injustices: the mechanics, devices and assumptions of environmental sustainability indices and indicators

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Requena-i-Mora ◽  
Dan Brockington
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Environmental Performance Index ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Global North ◽  
Distributional Conflicts ◽  
Nature And Society ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Sustainability Indices

At the heart of any colonization project, and therefore any move to de-colonize, are ways of seeing nature and society, that then allow particular ways of governing each. This is plainly visible in a number of tools that exist to measure progress towards (or regress from) environmental sustainability. The tools use indices and indicators constructed mostly by environmental scientists and ecologists. As such, they are not neutral scientific instruments: they reflect the worldviews of their creators. These worldviews depend on three dimensions: the values they prioritize, the explanatory theories they use and the futures they envision. Through these means different tools produce conflicting notions of the sustainability of our economies and societies. In this article, we shed light onto the theoretical and epistemological assumptions that lie behind key international sustainability indices and indicators: the Environmental Performance Index,Domestic Material Consumption, Material Intensity, the Material Footprint, the Carbon Footprint, the Ecological Footprint and CO2 emissions (territorial). The variables included in these indices, the way they are measured, aggregated and weighted all imply a particular way of understanding the relationships between economy, society and environment. This divergence is most clearly visible in the fact that some indices are negatively correlated with each other. Where one index might plot growing environmental sustainability, another shows its decline. Our results highlight that those devices and the theories informing them are particularly interesting for way how colonialism is materialized. Some of these measurements hide the material roots of prosperity and the ecological (and economic) distributional conflicts exported to the poorer countries by the global North, and others show how its production and consumption levels are reliant upon a socio-ecological 'subsidy' imposed on Southern countries. These subsidies represent injustices that present a primafacie case for decolonizing indices and indicators of environmental governance.

scholarly journals A STUDY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION IN INDIA UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2030

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
Dr. Basanta Kalita
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Paris Declaration ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Development Goals

The SDGs agenda is the outcome of a series of international conferences on the issue of environmental sustainability. A principle of common and differentiated responsibility was endorsed by the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 (2012). The political commitments from the world leaders were confirmed during the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development held in Addis Ababa in July 2015 for a common policy on sustainable development. The goals are broad based and interdependent. Finally the Paris Declaration on Climate Change (2016) paved the way for the adoption of a comprehensive list of goals to be achieved by 2030. Each of the 17 sustainable development goals has a list of targets which are measured with indicators and are interdependent. The present study will be confined to the 6th goal which is ensuring “Clean water and Sanitation” in the Indian context. KEYWORDS: SDGs agenda, Climate Change, employment, sanitation services

scholarly journals River chief system: an institutional analysis to address watershed governance in China

Water Policy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Jingjing Wan ◽  
Yuchun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Operation Mode ◽  
Institutional Innovation ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Government Responsibility ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Crisis Events ◽  
Accountability Mechanism ◽  
The Government ◽  
The One

Abstract China suffers from frequent water crisis events caused by ecological pollution in watersheds. The river chief system policy is an institutional innovation by the government to deal with the ecological environmental crisis in the river basin. This study focuses on China's watershed environmental governance policy and describes the origin, operation mode, and governance effect of its river chief system policy. This study comparatively analyses the advantages of the policy in basin environmental governance, such as clear government responsibility, enhanced coordination among government departments, the accountability mechanism of the one-vote veto system, and the disadvantages of the policy in terms of high costs, information asymmetry, and lack of public participation. Furthermore, this study proposes suggestions on the sustainable development of watershed environmental governance from three aspects: regional characteristics, investment, and institutional innovation of policy implementation.

scholarly journals O repositório e o compromisso da Universidade Aberta com os objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável

2020 ◽  
pp. 197-202
Author(s):  
Madalena Carvalho ◽  
Sandra Caeiro
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
National Level ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
The Self ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Systematic Identification ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

The Portuguese Distance Learning University (UAb) assess in a holistic way the Institution's Sustainability performance. In the case of research, it is evaluated by analyzing the scientific publications deposited in the Open Repository. Since 2019, it is possible to associate to each deposit the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that match the publications. The objective of this work is, from the analysis of the publications of the Open Repository, to identify the SDG on which the academic and scientific production and the research carried out at UAb focus. An analysis of the representativeness of these objectives is made globally and segmented by community (Theses and Dissertations, Educational Resources and Scientific Publications). The approach adopted for the systematic identification of the SDG is also analyzed through the assessment of the degree of commitment that the authors show in the self-assigning of the SDG to their own productions. Finally, UAb’s contribution for the fulfillment and development of the SDG at national level is analyzed by assessing the relevance of the research and intellectual property work made available in the Open Repository.

scholarly journals Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development Targets: A Possible Harmonisation? Insights from the European Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Petti ◽  
Claudia Trillo ◽  
Busisiwe Ncube Makore
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
National Databases

The Agenda 2030 includes a set of targets that need to be achieved by 2030. Although none of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses exclusively on cultural heritage, the resulting Agenda includes explicit reference to heritage in SDG 11.4 and indirect reference to other Goals. Achievement of international targets shall happen at local and national level, and therefore, it is crucial to understand how interventions on local heritage are monitored nationally, therefore feeding into the sustainable development framework. This paper is focused on gauging the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals with reference to cultural heritage, by interrogating the current way of classifying it (and consequently monitoring). In fact, there is no common dataset associated with monitoring SDGs, and the field of heritage is extremely complex and diversified. The purpose for the paper is to understand if the taxonomy used by different national databases allows consistency in the classification and valuing of the different assets categories. The European case study has been chosen as field of investigation, in order to pilot a methodology that can be expanded in further research. A cross-comparison of a selected sample of publicly accessible national cultural heritage databases has been conducted. As a result, this study confirms the existence of general harmonisation of data towards the achievement of the SDGs with a broad agreement of the conceptualisation of cultural heritage with international frameworks, thus confirming that consistency exists in the classification and valuing of the different assets categories. However, diverse challenges of achieving a consistent and coherent approach to integrating culture in sustainability remains problematic. The findings allow concluding that it could be possible to mainstream across different databases those indicators, which could lead to depicting the overall level of attainment of the Agenda 2030 targets on heritage. However, more research is needed in developing a robust correlation between national datasets and international targets.

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