Experts stress sustainable development agenda
NEW DELHI: As the United Nations (UN) members are going to sign the agreement on climate change in December, it is expected to materialise the concept of carbon trade as a compensation for less polluting nations aimed at fulfilling the demand of resource (capital) for infrastructure development of least developed countries (LDCs) and developing countries.
Addressing the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS), organised by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), here in Delhi, the UN Under Secretary General Gyan Chandra Acharya said that the sustainable development agenda cannot fully ignore the development needs of particular countries because the post 2015 agenda will incorporate the unmet targets of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
“We have to look at economic growth as a fundamental in reducing poverty in those countries. To improve the human development index, the post 2015 development agenda should push for human development and subsequently preservation of environment,” he said, adding, “We are seeking constructive role of the governments, private sector and civil societies in dealing with sustainable development goals as well as coming up with a meaningful climate change agreement.”
The post 2015 development agenda should focus more on environmental and natural capital protection by adopting innovative technologies in development to tackle climate disruption, which have emerged as an acute challenge for human civilisation. It should consider minimising the disparity of development that is seen among low income, middle income and high income countries.
The agreement would ensure development funding for less polluting nations, and at the same time encourage developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. GHGs are the cause of global warming, and the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, 2009, had envisaged bringing the rise in global temperature below two degree Celsius.
Likewise, developed countries had vowed to set up Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support developing countries and LDCs in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. They aimed to expand the fund by $100 billion a year by 2020.
Acharya underscored need for sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth. “The fundamental paradigm shift of development agenda would be equitable and inclusive development that would support in bringing transformative changes by building resilience of vulnerable nations, instead of only focusing on protection measures.”
In addition, as the large level of carbon emission is caused by carbon and fossil fuels, experts participating in the DSDS said that carbon emission could be reduced significantly by adopting clean energy.
