scholarly journals Development of Framework for Improved Sustainability in the Canadian Port Sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11980
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. MacNeil ◽  
Michelle Adams ◽  
Tony R. Walker

Canada Port Authorities (CPAs) are federal entities responsible for managing Canadian Ports with local, national, and international strategic importance. Despite their connection to the Government of Canada, the CPAs inconsistently report sustainability performance and are absent from Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)—a national strategy to operationalize the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability initiatives currently used by CPAs only contribute towards attaining 14 of 36 relevant SDG targets, suggesting the need for an additional sustainability framework to achieve the remainder of these targets. This paper proposes a port-specific framework based on disclosures from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to fill performance gaps in current sustainability initiatives. Disclosures were selected in an iterative process based on literature and industry best practices. The framework provides a unified approach for both CPAs and policymakers to attain SDG targets relevant to the Canadian port sector and align sustainability performance with Canada’s FSDS.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Alexandrina Stefanescu

Purpose This study aims to explore the linkages between sustainable development and sustainability reporting by approaching the UN’s 2030 Agenda in connection with the Integrated Reporting (IR) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) frameworks. It aims to outline a theoretical model able to support the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) through appropriate reporting. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology follows a qualitative approach, combining content and benchmarking analyses of the official documents in question. It aims to provide a better understanding of the conceptual matches between the “5 Ps” of sustainable development and the two sustainability reporting frameworks (IR and GRI) by breaking them down into components and overlapping their constituents to highlight the connections. Findings The results reveal that both sustainability reporting frameworks provide prerequisites to ensure SDGs achievement due to the embedded sustainability issues. As there are more matches between SDGs and the capitals implied in the pursuit of value creation, IR better fits to become part of the sustainable development strategy as a valuable option for reporting on SDGs. Practical implications The study addresses academia through a better understanding of the connections between SDGs and sustainability reporting. It might help regulators to improve their latest efforts to enhance transparency and comparability through the enactment of Directive 2014/95, as long as it has not imposed a standardised report yet. It could guide practitioners to face future challenges and support their steps towards standardised reporting practices. Originality/value This paper approaches the newsworthy topic of sustainable development, outlining a conceptual model meant to support the SDGs achievement through appropriate standardised reporting. It might also fill the gap of the Directive 2014/95 on non-financial information disclosure as it identifies the most suitable type of reporting to enhance the harmonisation at the European level.


Author(s):  
Pratyush Paras Sarma ◽  
Sagarmoy Phukan

Assam was the first state in India to have undertaken the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a long-term guiding strategy for development. At the end of five years, before the state election, evaluating the work on SDGs in Assam is essential to follow up on the commitment of the government. But before we start evaluating the SDGs it is important to understand the development road Assam has taken over the last 100-150 years and why we must make a new turn. This study has tried to understand certain loopholes which have hampered the progress of SDGs in Assam along with how much Assam has been able to address its sustainability issues and how we can progress. We have reviewed the performance of the state based upon the official performance index released by NITI Aayog, Government of India. Our review of the index reflects that Assam has performed relatively poorer than the other states of the country. However, the ethnic culture of the region was deeply rooted in nature which the state can now adopt and harness to achieve its SDGs. KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals; Assam Election; Indigenous Knowledge; Citizen Science; Polycentric Governance


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-72
Author(s):  
Wekgari Dulume

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is grounded in different international human rights instruments. Human rights (HR) principles and standards are strongly reflected in several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Furthermore, SDG 17 emphasizes partnership as a key to achieving all of the SDGs. This article examines the SDGs-HR linkage in general, as well as specific HR principles that can be advanced by the achievement of SDG 17. Opportunities and challenges to promote Goal 17 of the SDGs that directly affect certain HRs are also examined. A review of relevant literature, 2030 summit documents, and outcomes of recent international conferences on the SDGs is undertaken in order to determine the progress made towards forging regional and global partnerships for the SDGs, as envisaged in Goal 17. This article finds that the absence of a political will and commitment, increased isolationist policy, narrow nationalism and poor rule linkage at national and international levels are some of the obstacles to the attainment of Goal 17. Yet, opportunities abound to promote the Goal. The article recommends a genuine commitment to implementing the SDGs by encouraging the South-South and North-South to prevent the SDGs from becoming a mere wishlist. Synergy between the government, individuals, civil society organizations (CSOs) and transnational corporations (TNCs) is equally very important. Keywords: Human rights, sustainable development goals, partnership for the goals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 307 ◽  
pp. 09001
Author(s):  
Ihor Todorov ◽  
Nataliia Todorova

The article studies the interrelated categories of national security and sustainable development, which are currently the object of special attention of government institutions, civil society, political parties, territorial communities, etc. The purpose of the study is to specify the topical issues associated with sustainable development of the national security, building on the international experience in this area, and to determine the locally adaptable ways of ensuring sustainability of the national security of Ukraine. The process of sustainable development of national security is to be more effective when there is a clear idea of its structural and functional elements, direct and indirect ties among them. The synergy of national security with the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is able to ensure comprehensive modernization in accordance with today’s requirements and strengthen the level of welfare and security of citizens. The integrated level of national security of Ukraine correlates with the goals of sustainable development. The country’s stability and its resistance to national security threats is a necessary condition for implementing a purposeful sustainable development strategy for 2030. Successful implementation of sustainability tasks for Ukraine is possible provided there exist unity and capacity of state power and society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Sindy Yulia Putri

<p><em>In 2018, the quality of Indonesian human resources was ranked 87 out of 157 countries. The good growth of Indonesian human resources, of course, starts from the womb or prenatal period, under five years of age, children, adolescents, to working productive ages. This study chose the topic of stunting, because of the urgency to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian human resources in the regional and international realms. Superior human resources are certainly formed from a long process since childhood. This paper aims to apply the concept of sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a framework adopted by the Government of Indonesia in reducing the prevalence of stunting cases and to provide the latest holistic analysis regarding the implementation of SDGs policies by the Government of Indonesia in reducing the prevalence of stunting cases. This study used qualitative research methods. The result of this research is that collaboration between state and non-state actors is needed to handle stunting cases in Indonesia. Starting from the synergy between ministries / institutions and collaboration with academics, public health scholars, companies, and foreign parties. These results are important as recommendations for each stakeholder in implementing the SDGs concept to reduce the prevalence of stunting cases in Indonesia.</em></p>


2022 ◽  
pp. 227-249
Author(s):  
Teresa Eugénio ◽  
Susana Cristina Rodrigues ◽  
Marco José Gonçalves

This chapter is a unique case study that aims to present the evolution of non-financial reporting in Nestlé Portugal from 2007 to 2016 with the aim to study in-depth the Nestlé sustainability report practices. This study proposes to identify the key milestones in the evolution of this type of report, to compare with the disclosure strategy of Nestlé international, to understand if this company follow the IIRC guidelines, to identify the contribution of the audit by an independent entity, to conclude if Nestlé contributes to the achieving of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and to identify if the awards Nestlé received matter in its sustainability initiatives. Public institutional information was preferably used, particularly the sustainability report and integrated report, processed with various work tools using the technique of content analysis. The conclusions made it possible to understand that Nestlé emerges as a company that integrates these issues into its strategy and can be a model for companies that wish to follow this report path towards sustainability.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Mphemelang Joseph Ketlhoilwe

The call for collaborative efforts to respond to climate change is heeded through bilateral and multilateral agreements. The UN Sustainable Development Goals bears testimony to the call. Environmental education is one of the vehicles to raise awareness, understanding, and assessment of sustainable development goals at a community level to build resilience for sustainability. Environmental education enhances the accomplishment of the key competencies for sustainability. Climate change is a complex environmental problem that is not only naturally induced, but made more stressful by anthropocentric capabilities in the quest for a better lifestyle. Although climate change causes and impacts are known, its mitigation strategies are compounded by human wants at the expense of their own sustainable survival. This chapter explores ways of building sustainable development in communities. Environmental education is a core development strategy in local communities against the adverse impact of climate change, especially in vulnerable areas.


Author(s):  
Saleem Zoughbi

The success of government data platforms and systems do not depend only on technology. There are other issues that affect this progress. Some of these are very essential to the continuity and not only the implementation, such as leadership. Other issues are the absence of a clear well adopted policy and legal framework that governs its data, security of data, cyber legislation and laws. The government-provided ICT resources and the infrastructure would also be an important issue that would affect government data. Financing is also another critical issue. For developing countries, sustainability of development is a necessity for best impact of development projects. As it is adopted by the United Nations, sustainable development goals (SDG's for the agenda of 2030) have substantial dependency on information and communications technology. All goals practically require government data in one way or another, and hence sustainable development is directly related to government data should successful development is sought. Other issues include open data, open government. This chapter discusses such issues and sheds light on ways of handing them.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-307
Author(s):  
Ek Raj Sigdel ◽  
Martina Maria Keitsch

Nepal, as a member of the United Nations, is committed to achieve the global initiatives of Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Toward translating the commitment into action, Nepal has produced preliminary SDGs Report in 2015, even before the formal adoption of the 2030. Moreover, Voluntary National Review Report, Sustainable Development Goals, Status and Roadmap: 2016-2030, and Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030 National (Preliminary) Report were developed. Further, Nepal has initiated mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda into national policies and plans. The 14th periodic plan, the national budget, and other sectoral plans have been closely aligned with the SDGs and the approach paper for 15th five-year plan is intended to achieve the SDG. The upcoming 15th periodic plan will basically aim to support the government in achieving all the SDGs by 2030 and help Nepal emerge as a middle-income country by 2030. The indicators comprise of renewable energy for electricity and vehicles, injuries due to disaster (number), greenhouse gases, adaptation plans, trained man power, climate change educations, and climate smart villages and farming are identified as indicators under climate and energy goals. Similarly, under forest goals proportion of forest land, forest under community-based management (% of total dense forest areas), protected area (including forest, in % of total land area), handover of forests to leasehold forest groups (000 hectare), wild tigers (number), rhino (number) etc are included. Likewise, conservation of lakes, wetlands, and ponds (number) and potentially dangerous lakes (%) are included under fresh water goals. However, there was no scientific basis how the indicators were derived for the environmental goals. In this backdrop, a study in identifying site specific, measurable, time bound, relevant and attainable indicators was paramount. Based on the secondary literature review, stakeholder consultation at sub national and local level, the indicators were verified and suggested strategies that help localizing the environmental indicators at sub-national and local level in Nepal. The study was therefore centered on reviewing the environmental indicators and suggest appropriate strategies so that it helps expediting localization of SDG in Nepal.


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