Sustainable Development:
Sustainable development is the system for meeting human development goals along with sustaining the natural system’s ability by providing the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depends. Primarily the concept was totally base on environmental concerns. But now it has been shifted to focus more on economic development, social development and environmental protection for future generations.
Cited in Baker (2007: 18), promoting the sustainable development is about the construction of new development framed within the ecological limits of the planet. The term sustainable development came into the public arena in 1980 when the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources presented the World Conversation of Nature and Natural Resources presented the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980).
Major highlights of Susan Baker’s Sustainable Development Book
Baker’s analysis of Sustainable Development is divided into several. The first part addresses a number of theoretical and conceptual concerns relating to SD, governance, sustainable production and consumption. Baker has addressed on such initiatives as the UN Global Compact, public private partnerships and ‘Brundtland’ which like ecological modernisation does indeed promote growth. The author made an useful distinction between expenditure and consumerism, stating that the latter is essentially a cultural phenomenon rather than an ideological consequence of economic growth.
The next part explores the international engagement with sustainable development. There is discussion of the World Bank, whose major concern of ensuring sound fiscal management is presented as a precondition for sustainable development, which she later briefly acknowledges in her discussion of structural adjustment programmes as causing poverty and ‘gender-specific impacts’ in many countries.
Last part deals dealing with the promotion of sustainable development in high consumption societies of the European Union, the changing contours of Eastern Europe (many of whose countries are actually in the EU), the Third World and China. In this last part, she has focused on some critical issues such as economic growth, gender inequality, democracy, the state, ecological modernisation, poverty, planetary boundaries, environmental degradation.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
On 25 September 2015, the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”which are to be implemented and achieved in every country from the year 2016 to 2030.Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years including ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all as the new goals.
The Sustainable development goals include the followings-
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
10. Reduce inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
Fig 1. Sustainable development Goals
Baker’s view on sustainable development
The word Sustainability can be defined as the practice of maintaining the productivity processes of either natural or human made. Sustainable development expresses concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social, political, and economic challenges faced by humanity. Sustainability science is the study of the concepts of sustainable development and environmental science which emphasizes on the present generation’s responsibility to regenerate, maintain and improve planetary resources for the use of future generations.
Baker, in her book, discussed about the relationship between the degradation of environmental situation due to the economic, social and political factors through the Burundtland approach to sustainable development. He emphasized on the construction of three pillar approach, the pillars are- economic, environment and social.
Some authors have extended it up to a fourth pillar naming culture/institution/governance.
Fig 3. Dimensions of Sustainable Development
Baker urged to focus on these three pillars for attaining sustainable development goals and create a proper integration among these actors:
1. The social: Social dimensions relate to human morals and values, relationships.
2. The economic: This concerns the allocation and distribution of scarce resources.
3. The ecological: It is the impact of economic and the social factor and their effect on the environment and its resources.
Social factors:
Successful implementation of the SDGs will strengthen the environment for doing business and building markets around the world. This is obvious for companies to get involved by doing business responsibly and pursuing opportunities to solve global challenges through innovation, investment and collaboration.
Education is the most important social factor to emphasize for sustainable development. 100% literacy rate need to be assured. As we know education is the backbone of a nation, so the important of it is very high for the achievement of development.
Social Changes like modernization, environmentalism, urbanization, dynamics of urbanism, globalization, cultural diversity, community and social capital everything is influencing the achievement of SDGs from social level.
Most of the housings in Ireland are homeowners households, some dwellings let by private landlords and other social landlords such as housing associations. Social livability of the neighborhood plays a great role in creating the identity & character and understanding the differentiation and disadvantages.
The effect of the economic boom on the neighborhood and the second concern was related to the upsurge in Ireland of area based interventions-programs specially targeted on disadvantages areas-as a means to tackle the problem of poor urban neighborhood. Social inclusion like poverty & inequality, social policy responses etc. need to be taken care of properly to ensure the attainment of the SDGs.
Ecological Factors
The most important foundation for sustainable development is ensuring the basic human needs like- availability of fresh air, water, food and shelter. The relationship of human with nature needs to be formed in such a way so that all the needs can be fulfilled without harming the ecological balance. Now-a-days climate change is a huge risk factor and we need to mitigate a balance it through attaining the SDGs such as utilizing renewable energy, and sustainable material supplies.
Baker believes that, climate change will bring about major social consequences. The ability of countries to take measures to try to limit the impact and to adjust to climate change problems will vary greatly. In one side, the EU has shown itself a global leader in the area of climate change but on the other hand, the US has withdrawn from its obligation to address the problem. Several factors can account for the US withdrawal: geo-political rivalry, outmoded understanding of the relationship between environment and economy, disputes over the precautionary principle.
Economic Factor
A study from 2001 noted that efficient policies for renewable energy and pollution are compatible with increasing human welfare, eventually reaching a golden-rule steady state. Technology, transports, energy etc. can be also some important actors, which influences the developments. The development needs of people can be met through technologies.
Transportation is a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. One-third of all gasses produced are caused by transportation. Motor vehicles releases exhaust fumes that contain particulate matter that is hazardous to human health and a contributor to climate change. The social and economic benefits of Sustainable transport can accelerate local sustainable development.
Along with these social, ecological and economical factors, Baker has now proposed to put extra emphasis on the political and cultural factors to integrate the total concept of sustainable development into one.
The social construction of space, equity and the city, participation & political culture are also very important. The six core areas of public policy making are- international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change and energy, measurement and assessment, natural resource management, and the role of communication technologies in sustainable development.
Since, the above three dimensions does not seem enough to reflect the actual scenario of the contemporary society, so cultures preferred to be the last dimension of sustainable development. Culture varies from country to country and due to different geographic locations. So, the culture is a great influence which cannot be ignored.