Towards making the most of SDGs for Bangladesh Some Reflections on Access to Resources, Environment and Climate Change Niaz Ahmed Khan PhD (Wales), Post Doc. (Oxford) Professor and Former Chairman, Dept. of Development Studies, University of Dhaka Former Country Representative Bangladesh, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Former Senior Program Coordinator-CHT, UNDP Bangladesh 17 September 2015 1
The Premise of this Presentation What do I intend to do here? (In the context of the move from MDGs to SDGs), present a quick overview of the progress in the achieving the relevant MDGs; and proffer some clues on making most of the SDGs in terms of Bangladesh s interests (With the hope of) Instigating some debates and discussions among the audience What do I base this discussion on? A review of literature Personal observations and insights (as a practicing manager plus academic, and from various national committee work) What are the limitations? Not a full scale academic or scholarly piece Makes no claim of being representative or exhaustive 2
MDGs, Environment, and Bangladesh: Some Initial Observations MDGs definitive focus on environment (and CC as an associated phenomenon) has been somewhat limited and myopic. Only the MDG7 constituted a starting point for a development agenda focusing on environmental sustainability. However, it did not address some of the rapidly emerging priority issues of CC or disaster risk management. Examples of such issues: ensuring universal access to sustainable energy linking basic access to water and sanitation within a broader water agenda including water resources management (inclusive of hydrodiplomacy) access and equity considerations for marginalized communities Moreover, statistics suggest that the achievement of MDG7 comparatively lagged behind other MDGs. 3
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability 4 Source: GoB and UNDP, 2014
Progress toward Achievement of MDGs 5 Source: GoB, 2015
Progress toward Achievement of MDGs 6 Source: GoB, 2015
Progress toward Achievement of MDGs 7 Source: GoB, 2015
Global vis-à-vis Regional Perspectives Global Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased by almost 50 percent since 1990. Protected ecosystems covered 14 percent of terrestrial and coastal marine areas worldwide by 2012. Over 2.3 billion more people have gained access to an improved source of drinking water since 1990, but 748 million people still draw their water from an unimproved source. Asia Pacific Region The proportion of people without access to safe drinking water fell from 28 to 9 percent. In this case, the region is classified as an early achiever. Despite the narrowing of rural urban gaps, access to basic sanitation was lacking for 20 percent or more of the entire population in many countries of the region. The region has increased the proportion of land area that is covered by forests or that has protected status. 8 Source: GoB and UNDP, 2014
Global vis-à-vis Regional Perspectives Global Between 1990 and 2012, almost 2 billion people obtained access to improved sanitation. However, 1 billion people still resort to open defecation. One-third of urban residents in developing regions still live in slums. Asia Pacific Region If Asia and the Pacific could halve the proportion of people without improved sanitation then 340 million people would gain access. The region as a whole is an early achiever when considering emissions in relation to GDP. Between 1990 and 2008, total CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in transportation rose by 161 percent in Asia, compared with the world average of 44 percent. 9 Source: GoB and UNDP, 2014
Towards SDG: The Guiding Framework Equity People Partnership Planet Human Rights for All Peace Prosperity Sustainability 10 Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015
SDGs with implications for Environment and CC Goal 2 Goal 6 Goal 7 Goal 11 Goal 12 Goal 13 Goal 14 Goal 15 11 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015
Environmental Factors in SDGs Crucial for Bangladesh Intergenerat ional Justice Climate Change and Biodiversity Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Environmental Sustainability Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Decent Work and Social Inclusion Sustainable Energy for All Sustainable Cities Water Access and Efficiency 12
Leveraging SDGs for Addressing Selected Environment and Climate Change Issues in Bangladesh Income Generation Access to Resources Health Education Food Security Inequality Gender Vulnerability 13 Desertification; lack/degradation/overexploitation of natural resources; natural disasters; access to/ownership of productive assets; land and soil quality Overexploitation of fishery resources; water resource management; access to land Access to safe and good-quality drinking water; climate and environmental changes; presence of forests; environmental sanitation; environmental management; natural disasters; air pollution; waste management Water and fuelwood gathering; climate conditions and environmental factors; natural disasters; water quality; environmental management Climate conditions and changes; natural disasters; environmental education; natural resources access; environmental degradation; environmental management; availability of/access to water resources; waterborne diseases; soil quality, erosion and desertification Access to safe drinking water; natural resources management; vulnerability to natural disasters Access to/ownership of resources and production factors; water and fuelwood gathering; access to safe drinking water; environmental protection Climate change and climatic factors; environmental degradation; access to natural resources; natural resources management; natural hazards Source: UNDP, 2006
Leveraging SDGs for Addressing Selected Environment and Climate Change Issues in Bangladesh Governance Political Will Resource Use Financial Resources Education, Technology and Public Awareness Human Resource Capacity Coordination and Partnerships 14 Corrupt practices in exploitation of the environment through misallocation of funds, lack of transparency and accountability, and illegal trading of resources Lack of political recognition of the need for natural resource conservation Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, together with poor agricultural practices, especially by communities Low levels of investment in resource conservation and insufficient funds to change to cleaner technologies and for education and public awareness programmes Lack of environmental information especially at the community level, insufficient research, weak statistical capacity and inadequate availability of appropriate technology for resource exploitation Lack of human resource capacity within Ministries and the shortage of qualified and trained practitioners Lack of coordination of activities among institutions with mandates for natural resource conservation and poor coordination of resource use interventions among development partners Source: UNDP, 2006
Summary: Relevant Thematic Areas for Bangladesh to Leverage SDGs Equity in Access to Resources Equity for marginalised groups Climate justice Gender justice Leadership in Climate Change Diplomacy Networking and reaching out to global forums Coordinated Approach to Resource Use Environmental Governance 15 Ecosystem-based perspectives Inclusiveness Participation
Key References Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh, 2015. Millennium Development Goals Bangladesh Progress Report 2015. General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission, Dhaka. Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh and United Nations Development Programme, 2014. Millennium Development Goals Bangladesh Progress Report 2013. General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission, Dhaka. United Nations, 2013. On the Post-2015 Development Agenda for Bangladesh, United Nations in Bangladesh, Dhaka. United Nations, 2015. Open Working Group Proposal for Sustainable Development Goals. UN, New York. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDESA, New York. United Nations Development Programme, 2006. Making Progress on Environmental Sustainability. Bureau for Development Policy, New York. 16