Sustainability of the environment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)In Montreal, Canada, in December 2022, during the momentous UN COP15 biodiversity summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made these remarks. He emphasized how urgent it is to take steps to protect the environment and biodiversity. Environmental sustainability, as we are all know, is crucial for maintaining the planet's natural resources, safeguarding ecosystems, reducing climate change, supporting human health and wellbeing, and attaining long-term social and economic development. One of the foundational elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is environmental sustainability. The international community recognises the connection between environmental challenges and social and economic growth by incorporating environmental sustainability into the SDGs. In order to ensure a sustainable future for both the present and future generations, it emphasises the necessity to adopt a balanced and comprehensive strategy.
SDGs
A group of 17 global objectives known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations in 2015 as a component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These objectives offer a thorough framework for tackling social, economic, and environmental issues in order to ensure a sustainable future for all. The earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) serve as a foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are more extensive and ambitious in nature. They deal with a variety of interrelated concerns, such as the eradication of poverty, gender equality, education, health, clean energy, environmental protection, and sustainable economic growth.
The SDGs offer a comprehensive framework for collaborating to create a more equal, inclusive, and sustainable world for governments, corporations, civil society organisations, and individuals. All facets of society must work together to achieve these goals, and new ideas and solid relationships are essential. These 17 goals are all interrelated, and advancement in one goal frequently depends on advancement in others. The SDGs call for collaborative and holistic methods to create a more equal, inclusive, and sustainable society for both the present and future generations. They also acknowledge the integrated nature of sustainable development.
Significant Environmental Challenges
Global biodiversity and ecosystem degradation are accelerating despite international agreements. The decline of nature that we are seeing is dangerous, and humans are to blame. In the past 50 years, nature has deteriorated more radically than at any other time in human history, while the threats associated with global warming have increased. With up to 1 million species in jeopardy, we are facing the sixth great extinction. 75% of the Earth's ice-free surface has been altered by humans, who have also reduced the size of the ocean and forests and destroyed wetland areas and marine habitats.
Around 2.7 billion people, or more than two-thirds of the tropics' population, directly depend on nature and biodiversity for at least one of their basic needs. Over 1.6 billion people, including 70 million Indigenous people, depend on forests for their livelihood today, and 80% of those who live in developing nations and rural regions rely on traditional plant-based cures for basic healthcare.
Sustainability in the Environment
Environmental sustainability takes into account how intertwined the world's problems are. It makes ensuring that ecosystems, such as forests, oceans, wetlands, and biodiversity, are healthy and preserved. The interconnected nature of problems like poverty, hunger, water scarcity, and climate change calls for all-encompassing solutions. Governments, organisations, corporations, and individuals can work together to address these issues in an integrated and coordinated manner thanks to environmental sustainability. We sustain the harmony and proper operation of the Earth's natural processes, which are necessary for human life and well-being, through protecting and restoring ecosystems. Undoubtedly, we can build a more resilient and prosperous world for the present and future generations if we adopt sustainable practises and policies.
Environmental Sustainability and the SDGs
While some goals have important consequences for environmental sustainability, others only indirectly address environmental challenges. The SDGs cover a wide range of topics, including environmental sound waste and chemical management, natural resource management, climate change, water difficulties, marine challenges, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
Several significant links exist between the SDGs and environmental sustainability, as shown below:
The necessity of providing everyone with access to clean water and sanitation is emphasised by Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). It tries to address issues of poor sanitation, water pollution, and scarcity of water. For environmental sustainability, as well as for human health and ecosystem integrity, access to clean water and sanitary facilities is essential.
All people should have access to inexpensive, dependable, contemporary, sustainable energy, according to Goal 7 (inexpensive and Clean Energy). It supports energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, both of which are essential for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Long-term environmental sustainability requires a shift towards clean energy.
Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable is emphasised by Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). It talks about things like waste management, air pollution, urbanisation, and access to green places. Given that urban areas are where most of the world's population lives, creating sustainable cities and communities is essential for environmental sustainability.
The objective of Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) is to encourage sustainable patterns of consumption and production. It promotes resource efficiency, waste reduction, environmentally sound practises, and the sustainable management of chemicals and wastes. Reduced environmental effect and the promotion of sustainable development depend on responsible consumption and production.
Goal 13 (Climate Action) emphasises the need for quick action to mitigate the effects of climate change. It urges cutting greenhouse gas emissions, boosting catastrophe preparedness, and encouraging climate adaption strategies. For the planet's long-term environmental sustainability, achieving this objective is essential.
The conservation and wise use of marine and terrestrial ecosystems are the focus of Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land), respectively. They deal with concerns like habitat loss, overfishing, deforestation, marine pollution, and biodiversity preservation. For environmental sustainability and the welfare of both human and non-human species, these habitats must be preserved and restored.
In order to achieve all of the SDGs, including environmental sustainability, Goal 17 (relationships for the Goals) acknowledges the significance of international relationships. Collaboration between governmental entities, corporations, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders is crucial for obtaining funding, exchanging information, and putting into practise successful environmental initiatives.
Regulatory Framework and Environmental Sustainability Programmes
By 2030, the four goals and 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework will protect 30% of Earth's lands, oceans, coastal areas, and inland waters; reduce harmful government subsidies by $500 billion annually; reduce food waste by half; and increase international financial flows from developed to developing countries, particularly least developed countries, Small Island Developing States, and countries with transition economies, to at least $30 billion annually to restore and maintain biodiversity. In order to change how civilization interacts with biodiversity, governments came to a ground-breaking agreement in 2022 called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to address the root causes of threats to nature and the advantages it offers to mankind, whereas the Paris Agreement focuses on the harmful effects of climate change.
India has also made a significant effort to promote environmental sustainability through a number of programmes and policies. India has advanced significantly in the creation of renewable energy. It is one of the biggest producers of renewable energy in the world, especially of wind and solar energy. To enhance its capacity for renewable energy, the nation has set high goals, hoping to reach 450 GW by 2030. The International Solar Alliance was created by France and India. The ISA intends to encourage the use of solar energy and improve cooperation between nations with abundant solar resources. Solid waste management, cleanliness, and sanitation are the main objectives of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). In addition, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan emphasises groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation. In order to revitalise and clean up the Ganga River, the government has also started the Namami Gange programme. The government has started programmes like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to support agroecological, organic, and soil health management practises.
Issues and the Way Forward
Although the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a thorough framework for achieving environmental sustainability, there are still a number of obstacles to overcome, including climate change, biodiversity loss, unsustainable production and consumption, water scarcity and pollution, governance, policy implementation, and international cooperation. In order to overcome these obstacles, a multifaceted strategy that encourages sustainable practises, strengthens capacity-building activities, and promotes international cooperation is needed. Assuring inclusivity, tackling social and economic issues that fuel environmental deterioration, and encouraging local populations to take part in sustainable development initiatives are also necessary.
Implementing plans and actions that address the main issues and advance sustainable practises is crucial if we are to achieve environmental sustainability faster. Strengthening policy frameworks, encouraging sustainable consumption and production, increasing investments in renewable energy, conserving and restoring biodiversity, improving waste management, strengthening climate action, fostering collaboration and partnerships, and last but not least, promoting environmental education and awareness are some strategies that can help to accelerate the progress.
As a conclusion, I must state that until world leaders, governments, businesses, and individuals take significant action to lessen the tremendous pressure placed on environment, efforts to address the climate issue and accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals will fail. In actuality, spending money on the environment is not a distraction from other forms of development; rather, it is crucial for advancement and a sustainable future.