Discussing development : Economic growth should not be at environment’s cost, says expert

Workshop held to discuss implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.

KARACHI: The year began with the activation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when on January 1, the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — earlier adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic United Nations summit — officially came into force.

Now, over the course of the next 15 years, countries all over the world are expected to mobilise efforts to bring an end to all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, in an equitable manner. The SDGs follow on the experience of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and have a much larger scope and mandate.

In order discuss the roadmap of these SDGs, NGO Shehri — Citizens for a Better Environment organised a workshop titled 'Sustainable Development Goals — A Road Map for Implementation' at NED University's city campus on Saturday.

Speaking at the workshop, Shehri's sustainability planner Farhan Anwar said there was a debate regarding environment versus development.

"If one takes care of the environment the development halts," he said, explaining that development professionals are trying to understand the link between humans and resources and how to use those resources effectively so they remain in equilibrium.

"Recently, climate change is a new addition to this debate," he said, adding that, due to human activities, the global climate has been changing.



Comparing the present goals with their predecessor, he said the MDGs were restricted in their focus. The MDGs, according to him, were aimed at the developing countries or the least developed countries, not the developed ones. However, he said that the entire world has adopted the SDGs.

He pointed out that the SDGs have incorporated several sectors. For example, he said if investment is undertaken to battle climate change, civic life would have to be improved, including provision of clean drinking water and access to healthcare.

Speaking on sustainable development, he highlighted the three E's: environment, economy and equity. He said a city has to be economically vibrant and prosperous but economic growth should not be at the cost of the physical environment.

The social element, which he said is equity, means that the dividend and the benefit of the economic growth should be equal. For example, he pointed out that Karachi's planning did not incorporate the poor person's needs.

The flyovers built in the city help the rich drive through easily, however, he said the poor have to suffer by using public transport operated by private parties.

Explaining how the three 'Es' have been transformed into the five 'Ps' for the SDGs, which correspond to people, planet, partnership, peace and prosperity, he said prosperity ensures that all human beings enjoy a prosperous life.

The planet, he said, is an environment aspect. Whereas for the people, he said that was a social section, which includes poverty, health and hunger issues, among others.

Regarding peace, he said "there cannot be any sustainable development without peace, and there will not be any peace without sustainable development."

For partnership, he said across the region partnerships have to be developed, with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and the citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2016.