April 5 symbolized a significant date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), as it marked 1,000 days remaining to Dec. 31, 2015, the agreed upon date to reach its targets. The MDGs encompass eight targets that span the spectrum of human development from eradicating poverty to promoting sustainable development, health, education, and economic and social development. They were adopted by all member nations of the U.N. and all international development agencies in 2000 as a blueprint for human development.
The MDGs have yielded a lion’s share of successes for millions of people, but millions more are yet to have been positively affected. For example, in the last dozen years, 600 million people have risen from extreme poverty, but clean water access is still stymied. “Despite the progress made on the MDGs, projections suggest that in 2015 almost 1 billion people will still live in extreme poverty,” UNDP Administrator Helen Clark said. And as the world population continues to swell and consume more, and is predicted to swell at an increased pace in the future, a central focus on sustainable development post-MGDs is essential.
The question arises though: What will come after the MDGs post-2015?
At the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development last June, countries agreed to start a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the post-2015 development time-frame. As a stepping stone, a 30-member Open Working Group (OWG), which was formed this January, is tasked to prepare a proposal on SDGs for consideration by the General Assembly at its 68th session, scheduled to begin this September. Under a new arrangement, the 30 seats are shared by nations, and the seat holders will decide upon dividing their representation at negotiations. The OWG is being co-chaired by Kenya and Hungary. A release by Kenya’s Foreign Ministry stated, “It’s important to note that unlike the Millennium Development Goals, member states will have the opportunity to define and formulate the SDG for themselves.”
In an effort to gather a broad range of input to capably structure a post-2015 development agenda, according to UNDP, the U.N. has been in contact with 200,000 people from 189 countries to investigate a global perspective of different priorities to formulate a thorough, targeted, effective, and efficient framework. It is increasing efforts to reach populations of poor and rural regions and those who have not had strong representation in other international agendas such as women and youth populations, to ensure their inclusion in the conversation. One example was demonstrated by sending text messages to 17,000 people in neglected communities in Uganda seeking their thoughts about development issues.
Part of the framework should foster interaction between local and national governments and the private sector in order to develop programs and policies that will drive economic growth sustainably. Some aspects parties will strive for are: improving resilience to climate impacts, promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, growing green building and public transport, and expanding sustainable agriculture — which is very important in the agrarian developing world.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs from Columbia University and Special Advisor to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the MDGs said at the Columbia University Earth Summit 2013, “We need to plan for a future to continue to push for economic growth and bring people out of poverty in a sustainable manner. This cannot be accomplished by energy and commodity exploitation or environmental degradation. Among many parts, good governance, improved education, and reducing energy consumption and fertility rates are vital.”
So far there have been two initial OWG meetings to structure its assigned proposal with varying degrees of success. It is important for the 30 members to keep the process transparent, inclusive to all populations, engage relevant stakeholders, and for it to reflect accountability. Also, all members need to account that different countries face varying challenges, whether it is economic hardship, geographic challenges or conflict, amongst others.
If the SDGs do come to fruition, they should build upon the momentum of the MDGs. However, implementing the initiatives to commit to sustainable development universally will be a grand challenge.
To illuminate just one aspect: economic growth in developing countries continues to spur increased energy consumption. The new IEA report “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013” found the carbon intensity of the global energy supply has barely changed in the last 20 years, despite vast expansion and investment in renewable energy. Global demand for coal-fired electricity increased by a staggering 45 percent between 2000 and 2010, and is expected to climb another 17 percent by 2017, according to the IEA. China alone added 55 gigawatts of coal-fired electricity capacity in 2011 and the country now represents 46 percent of global coal demand.
A portion of the Rio+20 outcome document, “The Future We Want,” vaguely addresses the issue stating, “We recognize that improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy and cleaner and energy-efficient technologies are important for sustainable development, including in addressing climate change.” The document also recalls the ongoing U.N. led climate change negotiations and the agreed upon “common but differentiated responsibilities” between nations to confront the issue. How effective this proves to be is yet to be determined.
To seriously attempt to confront unsustainable consumption patterns, multidisciplinary assistance could be provided to countries around the world to design economic and social policies that expand industries that promote sustainable development. A specific area to focus on is innovation in financial structuring to achieve targets without compromising economic development. A real commitment could facilitate inclusive economic growth, the creation of jobs, decreased poverty, gender equality and empowerment of women, and ensuring food, water and energy security.
