Environmental Sustainability

for Human Well-being in the

Post-2015 Development Agenda
 Table of contents

Foreword 1

Acknowledgements 4

Executive summary 5

An integrated framework for the sustainable development goals and the post-2015
development agenda 7

Introduction 8
Three interlinked principles for sustainable development 9
Building on existing internationally agreed environmental goals and targets 14
Universal concerns, differentiated responses 15
Targets and indicators 16

Evidence from integrated solutions 18

Eradicating extreme poverty and inequality and providing decent employment through an inclusive
green economy 18
Sustainable water and energy services 21
Health, chemicals and the environment 23
Food security through maintaining and repairing our life-support system 25
Sustainable consumption and production and economic growth 29
The rural-urban continuum, sustainable cities and infrastructure 32
Environment for resilient and peaceful societies 35

BUILDING THE SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION FOR THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 37

Governance and means of implementation 38
Innovation for monitoring, accountability, reporting and access to information 41

CONCLUSIONS 45

Endnotes 47
ii
 Foreword

A s the world prepares to

commit to a set of goals that
will help determine the well-
natural capital is exhausted and
the global population continues
to climb. For example, the
being of our planet, we must International Resource Panel
remain resolute in the conviction estimates that the consumption
that the only future to deliver of natural resources will triple
an inclusive and equitable by 2050, threatening an already
form of prosperity will be an degraded ecological foundation of
environmentally, socially and food and nutrition security.
© [Link]
economically sustainable one.
Ecosystems pushed to the brink of The economic consequences of
their capacity to serve us, the fast inaction are just as alarming.
depletion of life-sustaining natural Trucost puts the annual cost in
resources, the escalating threat natural capital degradation and
of climate change, and rising negative environment externalities
inequality make the shift towards at US $7.3 trillion a year, almost
a global green economy a post- six times the cost of greening
2015 priority. our economies. These and
other forecasts are making the
The costs of resisting this economic and social benefits of
transition are increasingly well- responsibly managing our natural
documented. Estimates show assets increasingly compelling.
that 8 per cent of the world’s For instance, restoring the 2 billion
population earns half the world’s hectares of the world’s degraded
income, while two thirds of the agricultural land could boost food
world’s people live in countries production by up to 79 per cent –
where income inequality has or feed up to 2.25 billion people.
risen since 1980. These and
other inequalities are likely to The good news is that momentum
intensify as the world’s available is now building for a shift 1
 in policy and fiscal reform and the Rio+20 outcomes make social protection and justice, and
that takes greater account of clear, the post-2015 development environmental stewardship in the
the environmental risks and agenda demands a new vision Sustainable Development Goals.
opportunities inherent in social and a responsive framework
and economic development. This with sustainable development By building on the achievements
shift is marked by the worldwide at its core, and one in which the of the Millennium Development
spread of green economy “business as usual” model of Goals, addressing the gaps, and
policies, with more than 65 development is replaced with responding to the new challenges
countries now actively pursuing an ambitious, integrated and of the 21st Century we can ensure
them, and 48 of those taking transformational agenda for a life of dignity for all, where each
steps to develop national green action. In the run-up to the formal of us can thrive within the Earth’s
economy plans. This publication political negotiations on the post- safe operating space, and leave
was first presented to UN 2015 agenda that will take place behind life-sustaining assets
Member States and Civil Society between Member States at the for future generations. UNEP is
as a background document to General Assembly, we hope that committed, with the support of
the First Session of the United this publication will encourage all partners and stakeholders, to
Nations Environment Assembly the balanced integration of making this vision a reality.
in July 2014. As this publication sustainable economic growth,

Achim Steiner
UN Under Secretary General and
UNEP Executive Director

2
‘UNEP is committed with the
support of all partners and
stakeholders, to making this
vision a reality.’

© Zurijeta / Shutterstock

‘... we can ensure a life of dignity for all.’

3
 Acknowledgements

T his publication was originally

prepared by UNEP as an
information document and
Agenda, including Sustainable
Consumption and Production”. It
is based on the UNEP Post-2015
Martina Otto, Matti Lehtonen,
David Jensen, Silja Halle,
Isabell Kempf, Pushpam Kumar,
reference for the interactive Notes 1–7 (see [Link]/ Jacqueline Alder, Richard
dialogue among ministers post2015), and was prepared Munang, Jesica Andrews, Thomas
of environment, heads of by Maryam Niamir-Fuller with Chiramba, Peter Bjornsen,
delegations, representatives of support from Matthew Billot, Alphonse Kambu, Jacob Duer,
the United Nations system, heads Katrine Sorensen, and Susan Carlos Martin-Novella, Fulai
of secretariats of Multilateral Kihiu, under the guidance of Sheng, Steven Stone, Ersin Esen,
Environmental Agreements and the UNEP 2015 Strategic Group. Charles Avis, Clara Nobbe, and
major groups and stakeholders, The author is grateful for the Sunday Leonard. Thanks are also
at the high-level segment of the substantive inputs provided by: due to Audrey Ringler for her
first UNEA (23–27 June 2014), Jacqueline McGlade, Munyaradzi excellent support to the graphics
and specifically for the theme Chenje, Arab Hoballah, Charles and layouts for the Note series on
on “Sustainable Development Arden-Clarke, Asad Naqvi, which this publication is based.
Goals and the Post-2015 Alexander Leshchynskyy,

4
 Executive summary

H eads of State and

Government and high-level
representatives, having met at
without integrating environmental
risks and opportunities.
Integration – and not aggregation
the United Nations Conference on or prioritization – will be essential
Sustainable Development in June to the post-2015 development
2012, renewed their commitment agenda. An integrated approach
to sustainable development can generate multiple benefits
and to ensuring the promotion and minimize or manage trade-
of an economically, socially and offs, and would comprise three
© Lightspring / Shutterstock
environmentally sustainable interlinked principles:
future for our planet and for
present and future generations. (a) Leave no one behind by
The follow-up to that historic ensuring sustainability,
moment has seen an intense meeting a basic level of
period of multi-stakeholder environmental and social
consultation and analysis, which standards;
is to culminate in the achievement (b) Live within the Earth’s safe
of international consensus on the operating space, while
post-2015 development agenda ensuring equitable prosperity
with sustainable development and sustainable growth;
goals at its core. (c) Leave assets behind for
future generations by
A new development agenda building social, economic
should carry forward the and environmental capital.
achievements of the Millennium
Development Goals, build on Environmental sustainability
their lessons and respond to the is a prerequisite for sustained
challenges of the twenty-first and irreversible socioeconomic
century. Development cannot be development and poverty
met ambitiously and irreversibly eradication. The present 5
 information note focuses on • Improving socioeconomic and productivity of those activities.
the interlinkages between the environmental benefits by • Shifting consumption patterns
environmental, social and making major investments in to consume better and in a
economic dimensions. Five key green, decent and meaningful safer manner without slowing
transformational issues can be jobs, such as in renewable down sustainable growth.
synthesized from a review of these energy, energy efficiency, Sustainable consumption
interlinkages: ecological restoration and is not about reducing
• Recognizing the aspiration waste management. Investing consumption; it is about
of every citizen to a clean, in improving the sustainability consuming better. Shifting
healthy and productive of agriculture, fisheries, consumption patterns should
environment as an essential forestry and animal husbandry generate new jobs and
standard for leaving no one protects existing rural jobs markets, stimulate innovation
behind and eradicating and the ecological foundation in sustainability, transfer
poverty. This suggests the of our societies and reduces savings and resources to
need for the redefinition of rural-to-urban migration. productive enterprises, and
poverty as a multidimensional The public and private address malnutrition and
issue but would require the sectors could work towards obesity.
development of a global suitable education policies, • Leveraging major investments
consensus to define it in all its strengthening vocational to restore natural capital and
forms. training for rural and urban job transform infrastructure to
markets, and reskilling and secure services for current
retooling the workforce. and future generations.
• Ensuring long-term human Long-lasting infrastructure,
well-being without depleting buildings and consumer
the finite resources of the products increase resource
planet: living within the global efficiency, and reduce
safe operating space and doing material intensity. A major
more and better with less. effort would be needed over
This can be achieved through the coming decades to repair
inclusive and green economic and restore the Earth’s life-
development, by reducing the support systems by
material, energy and pollution developing policy and
intensity of current economic fiscal incentives, innovative
activities, while maintaining technologies and community-
6 © Baloncici / Shutterstock and sustainably increasing the led campaigns.
 An integrated framework for the
sustainable development goals and the
post-2015 development agenda
7

© jonson / Shutterstock
 Introduction

E xtensive consultations
undertaken by Member States,
the United Nations system and
promote sustainable patterns of
consumption and production1.
new vision would integrate – in
a balanced way – the economic,
social and environmental
a wide range of civil society Development ambitions cannot dimensions. Integrated solutions
stakeholders have identified be met without integrating can generate structural and
key challenges that should be the environmental risks and transformative change, and will
addressed in the post-2015 opportunities. help to ensure that the post-
development agenda. Priorities 2015 development agenda will
in the social, economic and Integration will be essential to the be aspirational, inclusive and
governance areas include: access post-2015 development agenda as universal in nature, as agreed at
to basic services and resources, a key reference point not only in the United Nations Conference on
social protection, health, terms of the three dimensions of Sustainable Development.
education, poverty eradication, sustainable development, but also
employment, food security, in terms of the integration of the
inclusive prosperity, technology, Millennium Development Goals Development ambitions
peace and security, rule of law,
cannot be met without
in the sustainable development
integrating the environmental
human rights, the combating of goals framework. A compelling risks and opportunities
corruption, and transparency. A
new development agenda should
carry forward the achievements
of the Millennium Development
Goals. However, it has also been
recognized that the Millennium
Development Goals fell short by
not integrating the economic,
social and environmental
aspects of sustainable
development as envisaged in
the Millennium Declaration, and
8 by not addressing the need to © Lee Prince / Shutterstock
 Three interlinked principles for sustainable
development
An integrated approach can be
defined through three interlinked
principles, which simply put are:
(a) Leave no one behind;
(b) Live within the Earth’s safe
operating space;
(c) Leave assets behind for future
generations.

These multiple ambitions of

sustainable development are
interdependent. They can be
transformed into three conceptual
“filters” to assess whether the
sustainable development goals © Zzvet / Shutterstock

and the post-2015 development

agenda are comprehensive, Leave no one behind and provide sustainability is a prerequisite
complete, coherent and a life of dignity for all through for sustained and irreversible
cohesive2. Essential solutions can sustainable actions socioeconomic development
be defined under each (see paras. and poverty eradication. It has
5–14) and are further elaborated The approximately 1.2 billion been recognized that human
in section II. people living in extreme poverty rights and the environment are
must be enabled to achieve linked through the aspiration of
a life of dignity. Groups such every citizen to a clean, healthy
The poor, vulnerable, as small-scale producers, and productive environment3.
and marginalized should be indigenous people and women This is an essential ingredient
assured of a minimum level face increasing difficulties in for ensuring that no one is left
of social and environmental
accessing natural resources behind, and more work could
protection, and a basic
standard of living as these become scarcer and be done to better define and
more costly. Environmental safeguard that aspiration. 9
 Ensuring equitable access to reforms, efficient management of our global life-support system
basic goods and services derived practices, new and innovative is of universal concern. The
from natural resources such as investments, and informed well-being of humanity and the
energy, water, sanitation, waste consumer choice. functioning of the economy and
management, shelter and food, society ultimately depend upon
is high on the world agenda, but Achieve greater and inclusive responsible management of the
achieving such access through prosperity within the Earth’s life- planet’s finite natural resources.
current models of scaling up and support system Ecological thresholds are different
replication will further degrade at different scales, but crossing
the environment. A shift to The Earth’s human population cumulative thresholds at the
more efficient and less polluting is expected to rise to 9.5 billion global level, with climate change
practices can be made by by 2050, and the pressure this acting as a “threat multiplier”4,
investing in innovative and green will place on planetary resources will affect everyone on the
technologies for more equitable means that ensuring sustainability planet whether in developed or
delivery of basic services.

Growing demand for sustainable

nature-based products
also creates new jobs and
market opportunities for
poor communities and small-
scale producers in remote
rural areas that conventional
service providers cannot reach.
Governments and civil society
could aim to achieve this
objective through policy and fiscal

We can do more and better

with less

10 © johnnychaos / Shutterstock
 Sustainable consumption is not
about reducing
consumption, it is
Sustainable consumption about consuming
is not about reducing better – about what
consumption, but about
consuming better we buy and how
we live in an
intelligent and
environmentally
sustainable way. Shifting
consumption patterns should
not slow down growth, but rather
should generate new jobs and
© xuanhuongho / Shutterstock markets, stimulate sustainable
innovation, transfer savings
developing countries. Ultimately, better with less, can fuel and resources to productive
the poorest will suffer the most innovation and local-level enterprises, and address hunger
as they generally have the least solutions. It will also need and reduce obesity.
capacity to deal with negative accompanying behavioural
impacts. Ensuring prosperity changes that influence Country responses are likely to be
today and in the future will require consumption and bring about differentiated depending on the
that economic growth no longer more societal cohesion. current and projected economic
degrades the environment. Growth Transitioning to a green economy circumstances and lifestyles of
can be delinked (decoupled) and sustainable consumption individuals and communities.
from increasing material and and production can strengthen With “relative decoupling”,
resource use, and from the economic growth in countries production and consumption
environmental and social impacts by shifting from traditional increases, but overall resource
of unsustainable consumption consumption-led growth models use and pollution increase at a
and production, through a shift with overdependency on imports slower rate than that at which the
towards an inclusive and resilient and consumer expenditure, economy expands. With “absolute
green economy.1 and an entrenched reliance decoupling”, production and
on unsustainable patterns of consumption increase, while
Moving towards living consumption and production, resource use and pollution
within the global safe operating towards more sustainable actually decrease in absolute
space, and doing more and economic growth strategies. terms. While absolute decoupling 11
 Build stronger, cleaner and can also ensure intergenerational
more durable infrastructure equity and resilience to social,
economic, political and
environmental shocks and
disruptive change.

Healthy, educated and self-

determining human populations
provide the workforce for vibrant
economies. Knowledge, skills and
culture together represent social
capital. Investing in education
and knowledge for sustainable
development, including traditional
knowledge, expands our ability to
adapt and find new solutions.

Investing in long-lasting
infrastructure, buildings and
© D. Hammonds/ Shutterstock consumer products increases
resource efficiency, reduces
is possible, it is generally harder Invest to achieve greater material intensity and secures
to achieve in technological terms, resilience and secure future services for future generations.
and often requires more financial generations’ livelihoods
investment and better institutional Ecological restoration has multiple
frameworks. As such, absolute Investment to produce more benefits including in many cases
decoupling is more immediately and better natural capital, social a net profit for public and private
achievable for wealthier societies, capital and economic capital sector investment. Currently, 60
which are expected to lead the (e.g., infrastructure and the built per cent of the Earth’s ecosystems
way to achieving sustainable environment) provides the means are degrading, augmenting the
consumption and production, to achieve the multiple aspirations impact of natural disasters, and
as enshrined in the 10-year of sustainable development. lowering the productivity of land
framework of programmes on Building more capital secures the and marine ecosystems.6 In some
sustainable consumption and assets of future generations and, scenarios, loss of ecosystem
12 production patterns. if done with longevity in mind, services is projected to result in
a 25 per cent loss in the world’s that the cost of restoration is means of mechanical chillers was
food production by 2050.7 much lower than the long-term 15 to 30 times higher than the cost
Investment in restoration can costs of the alternatives, and of establishing riparian forests to
range from hundreds to hundreds can generate profit. For example, shade the water and augmenting
of thousands of United States in South Africa, investment in stream flows with releases from
dollars per hectare, and has restoring wetlands has led to upstream reservoirs.9
therefore been daunting for public increased employment, higher
or private entities to undertake. crop and reed productivity, more
However, the world can no longer grazing for livestock and more A major effort is needed
afford to ignore the destruction water for domestic use. 8 The cost over the coming decades to
of its ecological infrastructure or of reducing thermal pollution repair and restore the Earth’s
life-support systems for
to leave it as a legacy for future in the Tualatin River of Oregon, today’s needs and for future
generations. Evidence is mounting United States of America, by generations

© jessicahyde / Shutterstock 13
 Building on existing internationally agreed
environmental goals and targets
A t the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable
Development, Heads of State
and Government recognized
the significant contributions to
sustainable development made
by the multilateral environmental
agreements10 and requested
that the future sustainable
development goals build upon
commitments already made. 11
There are many globally agreed
goals contained in both binding The future goals and
and non-binding multilateral targets should be at least
as ambitious as those that
instruments, especially in the
already exist, and preferably
environmental sector.12 Since more so
2012, governments, through their
participation in the multilateral © [Link]

environmental agreements,
have encouraged all partners to Sustainable development goal wealth, would support the
consider existing goals as the targets on renewable energy, Aichi Biodiversity Targets as
basis for future goals. energy efficiency and low‑carbon they address the drivers of
development trajectories would unsustainability. The new goals
The future goals and targets reinforce the objectives of the and targets could highlight
should be at least as ambitious United Nations Framework emerging issues, and they
as those that already exist, Convention on Climate Change could set a vision for renewing
and preferably more so. The without duplicating its processes. commitments to agreements
inclusion of selected existing Integrating biodiversity and whose terms will expire in the
targets would underscore the ecosystem values into indices coming decades.
14 urgency of existing commitments. of poverty, prosperity and
Universal concerns, differentiated responses

T he post-2015 development
agenda cannot be a zero-
sum game; benefits or gains to
widespread support (e.g.,
eradicating extreme poverty).
development trajectory by adopting
a more resource-efficient and less
polluting pathway, which avoids
one group or sector should not It is also important to recognize that future costs. Countries’ pathways
translate into losses for another.13 even countries that have achieved will depend on their reconciliation
Goals should be complementary certain goals are vulnerable to of short-term versus long-term
and consistent; no goal should reversal of such gains from future priorities.
be achieved at the expense of environmental, economic and
another goal. Universality can be social shocks. Responses can
defined in several ways: be differentiated through choice Some countries are able
to leapfrog the usual
(a) Issues that are of common of development pathways and
development trajectory
concern (e.g., the global according to national circumstances
commons, or the global and priorities. Some countries
financial system) that require are able to leapfrog the usual
common action;
(b) Issues that do not affect
countries and peoples in
the same way or to the same
degree, but require common
action to address them in a
globalized interdependent
world (e.g., food security,
the illicit trade in wildlife,
managing chemical waste,
unsustainable lifestyles or
regional dust storms);
(c) Issues that may not be
significant everywhere, but
are recognized as requiring
© Cris Kelly / Shutterstock 15
 Targets and indicators

S olution-oriented targets
represent the best means of
capturing an integrated vision
The nature and scale of means
of implementation (e.g., finance,
policies and institutions) is
cross-sectoral collaboration.
Indicators could be direct or
proxy, and could be disaggregated
while at the same time being better assessed and committed to capture gender, equity, age,
actionable. For example, a target when targets and indicators are disability status and regional
on reducing poverty may not be as actionable.14 differentiation.
effective in fostering an integrated
approach to implementation as Capacities should be built for
a target on increasing access to new forms of measurement, such
green and decent unskilled jobs, as integrated indices, that can Targets and their associated
which aims to reduce poverty. become an incentive for greater indicators should be
scientifically credible

16 © auremar / Shutterstock
 Evidence from integrated solutions
17

© CHEN WS / Shutterstock
 Eradicating extreme poverty and inequality
and providing decent employment through an
inclusive green economy
A n overwhelming majority of Redefining poverty and security, natural capital, energy,
the 3 billion poorest people economic growth will provide and formal or informal means of
in the world live on smallholder the transformation required for production. Similarly, measures of
farms, around forests or in coastal sustainable development. When wealth and growth focus only on
area and depend on the productive national savings are adjusted for a few economic indices, whereas
capacity of nature (such as soil, the depletion of natural resources, recent indices, such as the
forests, fish, and water). they show a decline since the late Inclusive Wealth Index measure
1990s, almost to zero in 2008. a full range of assets such as
It is estimated that ecosystem The degradation of the productive manufactured, human and natural
services and other non-marketed assets of the poor, compounded capital.
environmental goods account by a lack of access to modern
for between 47 and 89 per cent sustainably built infrastructure, Public and private investments in
of the “GDP of the poor”. Current financing and markets, creates green and decent jobs will provide
policies and investment choices a poverty trap, which leads to the foundation for sustainability.17
have resulted in the degradation a reinforcing loop of further Redefining poverty and economic
of resources, extreme poverty for degradation and worsening growth would show the true state
some and inequality for others. poverty. of a nation’s wealth and the
sustainability of its growth.
Estimates show that 8 per cent of Redefining poverty and economic
the world’s population earns half growth would show the true state These include jobs related
the world’s income, and the richest of a nation’s wealth and the to nature-based activities,
85 people in the world own as sustainability of its growth.16 environmental technologies for
much as the poorest half of sanitation, energy, ecological
the world’s population.15 More Income-based poverty measures restoration and waste-recycling
than two thirds of the world’s are too narrow in focus. Poverty activities that provide good
people live in countries where is made of many other assets, working conditions, are
income disparities have risen including education and skills, meaningful and socially protected.
18 since 1980. health, sanitation, water, shelter, But it is also necessary to invest
 Integrated
solutions

Left to right: Row 1: Vladislav Gajic / Shutterstock, somchai rakin / Shutterstock, Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock, biletskiy / Shutterstock; Row 2: Calvin Chan / Shutterstock,
tanewpix / Shutterstock, Denis Mironov / Shutterstock; Row 3: Zeljko Radojko / Shutterstock, Pati Photo / Shutterstock, Lasse Kristensen / Shutterstock, Valeriy Velikov /
Shutterstock; Row 4; Violetkaipa / Shutterstock, Moreno Soppelsa / Shutterstock, michaeljung / Shutterstock, Zeljko Radojko / Shutterstock 19
 in improving the sustainability huge potential for reducing wastes training suitable for the rural and
of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and environmental impacts from urban job markets, reskilling
and animal husbandry so as to material-intensive processes and and retooling the workforce,
protect existing jobs, reduce hazardous chemicals. A severe and training teachers. Public-
rural-to-urban migration, and shortage of skills has, however, private partnerships could
protect the ecological foundation been evident in some fast-growing be encouraged to include
of our societies. Innovations in sectors such as renewable energy sustainability commitments
resource productivity, resource and energy efficiency. There is a and build necessary skills and
substitution, biomimicry and need for better defining education capacities.
green chemistry are generating a policies, strengthening vocational
A combination of nationally
appropriate green economy
Innovations will be measures at macro, meso and
needed, e.g. resource microeconomic levels (e.g.,
substitution, biomimicry and
macroeconomic reforms,
green chemistry
correcting misallocation of capital,
increasing trade opportunities
for the poor through appropriate
policy measures, use of economic
instruments, triple bottom line
reporting for corporations, use
of sustainability standards for
supply chains, investing in natural
capital, and use of sustainability
principles for other investments
and insurance) and social policy
tools (e.g., safety nets, access to
productive assets, to justice and
security, and investing in skill-
building, education, health and
other social sectors) offers a viable
pathway for reducing extreme
poverty, increasing inclusiveness
and addressing environmental and
20 © Shutterstock economic risks.
Sustainable water and energy services

© Alfredo Maiquez / Shutterstock

A n integrated approach to the

development, management
and use of water is needed. Today,
The world’s water resources are
in crisis, with strong competition
for limited resources for different
Water is also required for food
and energy production, as
well as for the functioning of
2.5 billion people, including uses. Access to clean and safe ecosystems, which in turn are
almost 1 billion children, live drinking water, sanitation and important for maintaining supply.
without even basic sanitation. hygiene is a basic human need, Water pollution compounds
Every 20 seconds, a child dies which would prevent 1.5 million water scarcity, and scarcity feeds
as a result of poor sanitation. deaths each year.18 inequality. Approximately 90 per 21
 cent of all disasters are water- and all people, needed in sectors
related and their economic cost such as water, sanitation,
extends well beyond immediate agriculture, construction and Renewable energy will allow
losses, hindering development transportation. “Business as universal access to water,
over decades. Floods and usual”, with 85 per cent of primary electricity and basic services
droughts are becoming more energy being fossil-fuel based,
severe due to climate change, generates pollution, increases
which is compounded by energy insecurity and is too costly
emissions of methane and nitrous for remote and marginalized have taken place in recent
oxide from untreated wastewater communities. Universal access years that have enabled better
discharge. An integrated approach to modern sustainable energy harnessing of these renewable
to the development, management services for cooking and energy resources and made them
and use of water would therefore productive use will provide more accessible for electricity,
address all the dimensions of the important benefits for health, cooking, heating and cooling, and
water cycle, connecting access, local economic development as transportation fuel. In 2012, the
use, development, pollution and and climate change mitigation, renewable energy
risks associated with water. The and reduce a special burden sector worldwide employed
issue concerns not only access placed on women. For example, 5.7 million people. Improving
to water, but also sustainable the World Health Organization energy efficiency is a proven,
and equitable water services that estimates that if half of the cost-effective near-term option
serve today’s needs and those global households that still use to reduce projected primary
of future generations. This will traditional fuels and stoves energy supply requirements in
require capacity development switched to cleaner cooking all countries, representing 70 per
and investment in technologies sources, families would save $34 cent of the reduction in projected
and tools that improve resource billion per year over a 10-year global energy demands by 2035.19
efficiency, equitable resource period and generate an economic Buildings present a huge potential
allocation and resilience to return of $105 billion per year. for energy efficiency, which saves
climate variability and change. money and resources, and the use
Renewable energy resources of local building materials spurs
Universal access to modern still remain largely unexploited, local economic development.
sustainable energy services for supplying only 19 per cent of Urgent reforms of wasteful fossil
cooking and productive use will global energy use, especially fuel subsidies are needed to
provide multiple benefits. Energy in developing countries where provide a level playing field for
is an enabler of socioeconomic infrastructure is being developed. transformative improvement of
22 development for all countries Important technological advances global energy systems.
 Health, chemicals and the environment

agreements, will ensure that the

direct contributions of ecosystems
to better health and a cleaner
environment are captured in the
decision‑making process at all
levels of national governance.

Switching to cleaner fuels and

alternative sources of energy, and
more efficient production and use
of fuels and energy, are effective
ways to address air pollution
exposure and thereby improve
health, and derive other benefits,
such as reduced deforestation,
Clearner, alternative, more increased access to modern
efficient fuels will reduce air energy services and a reduction in
pollution exposure © Chepko Danil Vitalevich / Shutterstock black carbon.

wastes, poor water quality, Sustainable land, water and

ecosystem degradation, forest management, along with
climate change and ozone layer conservation and restoration,

A clean and healthy

environment, through effective
environmental management,
depletion all pose significant
threats to human health, both
individually and combined.20
will protect and enhance
biodiversity and ecosystem
services, and result in greater
will provide multiple benefits to An integrated approach to the food security, thus reducing
society and the economy. sound management of chemicals malnutrition, and providing a
and waste, in support of the clean and healthy environment
Air pollution, inadequate implementation of the relevant to nurture cultural, social and
management of chemicals and multilateral environmental recreational activities that are 23
 important to our mental health, Measures to reduce the impact out of the remaining ozone-
and economic growth for local of climate change can address depleting substances, technology
populations and businesses. threats to public health. These choices that are climate friendly,
Reducing water-related diseases include measures to cool large and the sound management
and protecting water quality urban centres, sustainable of existing ozone-depleting
from all sources of wastewater wetlands management to control substances captured in
pollution – domestic, industrial vector-borne diseases such as buildings and equipment will
or agricultural – is essential for malaria, and the effective use of prevent millions of cancer‑
sustainable development. climate information. The phase related deaths.

24 © Alison Hancock / Shutterstock

Food security through maintaining and
repairing our life-support system
F ood security can be increased
irreversibly by promoting
a major shift to eco-based
production, optimizing food
energy efficiency, ensuring
equitable access and rights to land
and resources, and encouraging a
major shift towards nutritious and
balanced diets.

The world produces enough

calories to feed all its population,
yet 842 million people go hungry,
2 billion are malnourished and 1.4
billion are considered overweight
or obese. Food prices continue
to fluctuate, leading to food
insecurity, with the possibility of
future crises similar to the one © B Brown / Shutterstock
that took place in 2008, which
was due to a combined effect estimates that the consumption continues unabated and we face
of speculation in food stocks, of natural resources will triple by a potential collapse of oceanic
extreme weather events, growth 2050.23 However, over the past and coastal systems. World food
in biofuels competing for land, quarter century, 24 per cent of production has risen substantially
and expansion of cropland into the global land area is estimated in the past century, primarily as a
areas less suited for farming.21 to have suffered declines in result of expansion of cropland,
The global food demand at current quality and productivity, which is increasingly wasteful practices
consumption levels is expected to undermining the future ecological and the use of harmful chemical
increase by 60 per cent by 2050.22 foundation of food and nutrition substances at the expense of the
The International Resource Panel security.24 The extinction of species environment. 25
 It is estimated that one third efficiency (minimizing the loss natural capital;
of all food produced for of energy in food from harvest • By addressing unequal access
human consumption is lost or through processing to actual and rights to natural resources
wasted – around 1.3 billion tons consumption and recycling); and empowering smallholders
every year. If just one quarter of • By a major shift towards eco- and rural women as critical
the food currently lost or wasted based production, water-use agents for food security and
globally could be saved, it would efficiency, reversing and protection of agro-biodiversity;
be enough to feed the hungry restoring degraded lands • By a major shift towards
in the world.25 Reducing post- to their natural potential, diets (or sustainable diets)
harvest crop losses (harvesting, and recognizing the value that minimize environmental
processing and distributing) and of ecosystem services and impacts, increase nutritional
food waste along the retailer value and ensure sustainable
and consumer end of the food livelihoods for farmers.
supply chains, would reduce the
environmental and economic
impact of producing 1.3 billion tons
If just one quarter of the
of food that go to waste annually.26
food currently lost or wasted
In industrialized regions, almost globally could be saved, it
half the total food waste – around would be enough to feed the
300 million tons annually – occurs hungry in the world.
because producers, retailers and
consumers discard food that is still
fit for consumption. Significantly
reducing food loss and waste
can also help to avoid further
conversion of sensitive land,
rangelands and forests, thereby
reducing conflicts over land and
the use of water, insecticides and
pesticides.

Food security can be increased

through a four-pronged approach:
• By enhancing supply through
26 optimizing food energy © [Link]
Pastoralism is an ecologically
viable extensive production
system that produces healthy
meat, milk, fibres and hides,
but is generally impeded by
privatization of communal grazing
lands, obstruction of livestock
movement corridors, and loss
of natural, social and economic
infrastructure; reversing these
trends would increase the rate
of return from the livestock
industry while decoupling it from
environmental degradation.27

Biodiversity and ecosystem

services directly support major Restoring the 2 billion
economic activity and jobs in such hectares of degraded
agricultural land could boost
diverse sectors as agriculture, food production by up to 79
fisheries, and forestry. Many © John Wollwerth / Shutterstock per cent – or feed up to 2.25
ecosystem services also directly billion people
underpin agricultural productivity. Theoretically, restoring the 2 soil conservation,
For example, pollinator services billion hectares of degraded local climate
are estimated to provide a value agricultural land could boost food regulation, and the production of
of $353.6 billion to agriculture production by up to 79 per cent – timber and non‑timber products.
annually, but they are severely or feed up to 2.25 billion people.29 Sustainable forest management
threatened due to habitat will require good governance
loss.28 Increasing agricultural Deforestation and forest and other enabling conditions
productivity, including through degradation cause an estimated together with practical measures
the efficient use of water, diversity 17.4 per cent of global greenhouse such as protection, conservation,
of species and varieties, and gas emissions, but sustainably restoration and afforestation,
healthy ecosystem services, is managed forests are important agroforestry, sustainable
possible while in parallel halting carbon sinks and provide harvesting of timber and
and reversing land degradation, essential services such as water utilization of forest products. For
drought and desertification. supply and water quality control, example, farmer-managed natural 27
 Since some of these issues
originate from land use, policies
for improving oceans will have
multiple benefits for upstream
systems.

Smallholder producers and women

are frequently cited as powerful
resource stewards. Ensuring tenure
for smallholder farmers and women
allows them to invest in their land
and protect it from degradation.

Many countries have clarified the

relationship between customary and
statutory rights on land and natural
resources and have established
mechanisms for dispute resolution
© Anton Ivanov / Shutterstock and access to justice.

regeneration of land, including structures and perverse subsidies,

the replanting of trees and fire innovative public/private
protection, has enabled increased sector partnerships, innovative
food production, greater financial management and financing
savings and improved well-being mechanisms, and enforcement of
of children in the Talensi area of measures to improve the state of
Ghana.30 the oceans and their resources.
This will contribute to the effective
Oceans are crucial for food security management and, where needed,
as they provide food and nutrition the restoration of degraded
directly through fishing and marine marine ecosystems, bringing
aquaculture and indirectly through more areas under scientifically
animal feed.31 There is a need for credible ecosystem management
policy reforms to address issues approaches and transparent
28 such as access regimes, fiscal and participatory stewardship. © Tony Magdaraog / Shutterstock
Sustainable consumption and
production and economic growth
Technology choices and

F uture prosperity will require

that economic growth no
longer degrades the environment.
investments must deliver
more output per unit of input

Achieving sustainable consumption

and production patterns is not
just an environmental issue; it
concerns natural capital and hence
the productivity and capacity of
our planet to meet human needs
and sustain economic activities in
the light of increasing populations
and a growing consumer middle
class. The shift to sustainable © Wollertz / Shutterstock

consumption and production

patterns through valuing, of the sustainable consumption (such as timber, fibre, metals
maintaining and increasing natural and production challenge and minerals);
capital, sustainable innovation and requires attention to the following • Reducing pollution
dematerialization processes, such objectives: associated with human and
as industrial ecology, resource • Sustained provision of economic activity – such as
substitution, and biomimicry, are natural resources that are greenhouse gas emissions,
already creating new opportunities key to human survival, such toxic chemicals, particulates
for poverty eradication, green jobs as water, food, energy and and excess nutrient releases
and business, and enhancing productive and habitable – that can harm human health
prosperity for current and future land; and degrade ecosystems.
generations. • Sustained provision of factors
of production for economic Stronger emphasis is required
More sustainable, clean and development, which implies on resource efficiency in
efficient production of goods and measuring and sustainably government policies, public
services is central to sustainable managing key renewable and and private sector management
development. The supply side non-renewable resources practices, technology choices, and 29
 drivers for unsustainable
production and resource
degradation. Demographic
trends show that by 2030 the
growing global middle class is
likely to comprise three billion
consumers, placing increasing
pressures on resources. It
must be emphasized that
sustainable consumption is
not about consuming less; it
is about consuming better and
more responsibly – i.e., more
efficiently, with less risk to our
By 2030 the growing global health, environment and society.
middle class is likely to
Sustainable consumption affects
comprise three billion
consumers purchasing behaviours, as
well as all types of interactions
© Huguette Roe / Shutterstock between individuals and
infrastructures (mobility, leisure,
investments so as to deliver more labour markets. For example, housing), which together make
output per unit of input, as well sustainable agricultural systems up lifestyles and livelihoods. It
as less associated environmental tend to be more labour intensive can be promoted through a mix
damage. A key means of achieving than as this input replaces often- of policy, economic and voluntary
this through improved government toxic or polluting chemical inputs. instruments, including formal and
policies and public-private However, creating more decent informal education. Sustainable
partnerships is sustainable public jobs in sustainable production consumption can generate
procurement, since governments will require policies to redirect economic benefits, social well-
are the largest consumer in many investment, transfer technologies being and social inclusion (access
national economies.32 and establish measures to retrain to markets, innovation, job
workers. creation and healthier livelihoods
A shift towards sustainable and lifestyles) in addition to
production can contribute to Societies should move to better reducing environmental risks and
green, inclusive and decent and safer consumption. Current capitalizing on environmental
30 employment, as well as enhanced consumption patterns are opportunities.
Achieving sustainable “Sustainable Energy for All”) or and production patterns. At the
consumption patterns is more reducing food loss and waste. international level, it may also
technically and politically Elevating the issue of sustainable require negotiations which,
complex than changing consumption to the necessary in an inclusive and objective
production patterns because it level of policymaking and manner, take account of current
raises important issues to do decision-making will require work imbalances in and the impacts
with human values, equity and on education and awareness- of unsustainable consumption
lifestyle choices, among other raising among consumers, patterns. They also recognized
things. There are, however, some civil society, the private sector that sustainable consumption and
large-scale initiatives aimed at and policymakers. At the production is a universal concern,
improving and spreading the use United Nations Conference on and that developed countries
of energy-efficient appliances and Sustainable Development in June should provide leadership in
on promoting access to cleaner, 2012, world leaders adopted the promoting a shift to sustainable
affordable forms of energy and 10-year framework of programmes consumption and production
related energy services (e.g., on sustainable consumption patterns.

© Curioso / Shutterstock 31
 The rural-urban continuum, sustainable
cities and infrastructure
S trong urban-rural linkages for
regional infrastructure and
ecosystem services, smart and
low-carbon cities and balanced
territorial development will
ensure sustainable economic
growth. For the first time in
history more than half the world’s
population live in urban areas
and this is expected to rise to
nearly 70 per cent by 2050.33 The
majority of population growth
in cities is the result of natural
increase, rural-to-urban migration
and the reclassification of formerly
non-urban areas. Significant
Infrastructure choices made
future urban growth is expected © Alex Pix / Shutterstock
today will have critical
in developing countries, most implications for the future
notably in African and Asian infrastructure, and lack the world. sustainability of cities across
cities.34 Many cities are struggling capacity to manage the waste Slum the world
to secure basic resources such as generated by their industries and dwellers’ lack
food, energy and water needed residents. 35 of durable
to support current and future housing,
residents. Urban areas currently Furthermore, wealth and poverty secure tenure and access to
account for 60–80 per cent of are increasingly segregated in basic services – including
global energy consumption, 75 cities, especially in the spatial health services, adequate food,
per cent of carbon emissions, trap of slums. There are now education and employment
and more than 75 per cent of roughly one billion slum dwellers opportunities, decent transport,
the world’s natural resources. worldwide, including one third of credit and the rule of law – often
32 They have insufficient or aged the population of the developing further entrench them in poverty.36
The urban future could provide opportunities for a range of social migration to cities, with many of
inclusive, sustainable economic and cultural activities, and are the jobless ending up in slums.
growth, strengthened social critical for innovations in science, The improvement of slums is
cohesion and improved technology and education.38 not keeping up with this trend.
environmental outcomes. Well- Experience from countries across
planned, compact cities that Cities draw widely upon the all income levels suggests that
offer a mix of land uses, building resources – material, human strong urban-rural linkages,
typologies, transport and jobs and environmental – in their especially around economic
generally also offer higher levels hinterlands and offer much development, employment,
of well-being at lower rates of – employment, services, and regional infrastructure and
resource use and emissions.37 infrastructure – in return. Poverty ecosystem services, are important
Urban centres provide in rural areas is fuelling rapid to achieving sustainable

The digital age gives real-time

information for smarter cities
and rural areas

© Budimir Jevtic / Shutterstock 33

 development outcomes that Infrastructure choices made today intensity must be reduced. For
promote local-level sustainability will have critical implications for example, sand and gravel, which
and resilience, and ending the future sustainability of cities are used in construction, land
extreme poverty. Addressing across the world. Investing in reclamation, pavements, concrete
the rural-urban continuum for a the development of low-carbon, roads and embankments and
balanced territorial development climate-resilient infrastructure shoreline development, among
is possible. Integrated solutions entails constructing, or other things, are now being
include sustainable rural renovating, infrastructure extracted at a rate far greater
development; using land in systems (power, road, rail, water, than their rate of renewal. This is
a resource-efficient manner; buildings, etc.) to substantially having a major impact on rivers,
minimizing sprawl and landscape reduce global greenhouse gas deltas, coastal and marine
fragmentation and maximizing emissions, while simultaneously biodiversity and ecosystems,
the conservation of peri-urban making these systems, and resulting in the loss of productive
agricultural land and rural the societies they serve, more land through erosion, and the
habitat; promoting land tenure adaptable to extreme weather lowering of the water table. To
and strengthening the rights and conditions and rising sea levels.40 reduce the consumption of sand,
livelihoods of rural and urban The infrastructure for basic recycled building materials,
tenants alike; and promoting services such as roads, water, quarry dust and recycled glass
national policies that support shelter and electric grids must can be used as substitutes,
the balanced development of also become more durable and and alternatives can be found
territories.39 long-lasting, and its material for building houses, including
wood, straw and other recycled
materials.41

Furthermore, the digital age

allows for smarter cities where
information technology can be used
to coordinate and share data in a
single view, creating a “big picture”
for decision makers and providing
real-time information to both
providers and users to help
improve the provision of water,
transport and energy, among
34 © SNEHIT / Shutterstock other things.42
Environment for resilient and peaceful
societies
S ound stewardship of natural
assets, sustainable ecoystem
management and improved
environmental governance are
critical to the development
of peaceful societies that are
resilient to social, economic and
environmental shocks.

At least 40 per cent

of all violent
conflicts in the
At least 40 per cent of all
last 60 years violent conflicts in the last
have been 60 years have been linked to
linked to natural natural resources
resources. © Vadim Petrakov / Shutterstock

Climate change and more

frequent natural disasters are Environmental factors, resources. Increasing climate
expected to increase the risk of while often not the sole cause stresses and disaster risk may
such conflicts by degrading the of violent conflict, can spark further compound local tensions
available resource base. Sound violence and contribute to chronic and instability by eroding critical
stewardship of resources, access instability and unrest if not resources such as water, on which
to information, inclusive decision- properly managed. Low-income livelihoods depend.
making, equitable access to and economies, largely dependent on
sharing of benefits arising from natural resources, are 10 times Other compounding effects
the use of natural resources, more likely than other developing result from unequal access to
and the rule of law are essential countries to experience civil information and unclear regulatory
to mitigate these risks and help war and significantly slower frameworks or a confusing overlap
create resilient and peaceful economic growth than similar of access rights to renewable
societies. 43
countries without major natural resources. Prolonged insecurity 35
 may also discourage the local and the chances for sustainable reliable information is a building
international private investment development. Inclusive decision- block for informing expectations
that is critical for job creation, making processes should and establishing a realistic and
poverty eradication and economic ensure fair representation and equitable national vision of and
growth. participation of those who are appropriate policies to safeguard
affected by natural resource the natural wealth of societies.
Sound stewardship of natural overexploitation. The environment
assets, sustainable ecosystem and natural resources can also
management and improved form a good platform for building
environmental governance are confidence and a tangible basis Peace agreements should
address grievances related to
critical to sustaining the key for cooperation between social natural resources access and
regulating and provisioning groups and between countries and ownership
services essential to human regions. Access to accurate and
development and building
resilient, stable societies.
Customary and statutory
processes should be accessible
to all, and the relationship
between the two should be clear.
Governments and businesses
need to commit to sustainable
and transparent practices and
accountability frameworks.

Peace agreements and peace-

building interventions should
address grievances related to
the environment and natural
resources, including about
access, use or ownership of
land and water. Preventing
illegal and illicit exploitation,
including trafficking in wildlife,
timber or minerals, reduces
36 conflict drivers and improves © GauSax / Shutterstock
 BUILDING THE SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION FOR
THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
37

© Perfect Gui / Shutterstock

 Governance and means of implementation

T he implementation of the post-

2015 development agenda will
require States and other relevant •
leveraging resources across
diverse funding mechanisms;
Strengthen governance
flourish. Where the public sector
has committed to strong local
government, effectiveness and
actors, acting individually and and accountability broad coverage of public services,
collectively, to adopt policies and frameworks, providing transparency in public finance
mobilize resources to advance for multi-stakeholder management, and open and
equitable, human-rights-based engagement, including equitable access to information,
and sustainable development. for financing, technology solutions have been successful
innovation and diffusion and and replicated. This needs to be
A renewed and strengthened capacity‑building for people complemented by a private sector
global partnership to mobilize and institutions. commitment to corporate social
the means of implementation for and environmental responsibility
sustainable development Integrated solutions require and to sustainable procurement.
needs to: appropriate enabling All sectors need to work together
• Address the social, environments on curbing illicit flows of financial
economic and Sustainable development in order to and natural resources and
environmental needs a curbing of illicit
dimensions flows of financial and natural
resources and eliminating
of sustainable
corruption
development in an
integrated manner;
• Build on existing
commitments and
governance structures,
ensuring that new initiatives
reinforce previous successes;
• Reinforce coherence in
the implementation of
a universal post-2015
38 development agenda, © [Link] / Shutterstock
 address market and policy failures
that prevent investment from
both domestic and international
Innovative finance can private sectors. Investments
leverage both public and
in green infrastructure can
private funds
be mobilized through pricing
policies, policy support such as
tariffs and standards, project
support and public financing
instruments. Innovative tools exist
for mobilizing public revenue and
domestic savings and leveraging
remittances for the public
benefit and to raise resources
for financing investments in high
risk and less lucrative areas, such
as long-lasting infrastructure
© wk1003mike / Shutterstock and ecological restoration, new
technologies, social protection,
reducing corruption. Sustainable achieving common goals and health and basic education, and
development is underpinned targets, and to promote collective global public goods. Innovative
by open, rule-based, non- decision-making to generate finance can jointly leverage
discriminatory and equitable multiple benefits and protect public and private funds. More
multilateral trading systems, and global public and environmental transparent and effective
the phasing out of inefficient goods. Multi-stakeholder philanthropy is needed, with
and distortive subsidies that initiatives and partnerships at greater coherence at the national
encourage wasteful production and all levels can discourage a silo level with other public and private
consumption. mentality and tackle integrated efforts. Enhancing accountability
solutions. and coordination in development
Many nations may need to cooperation, such as through the
undertake policy reforms and Public and private sources of International Aid Transparency
establish new institutional sustainable development finance Initiative44 should also include
arrangements, especially to should be seen as complements, incentives for integrating the
enable cross-sectoral and not substitutes. Public policies three dimensions of sustainable
integrated actions towards that enable action are critical to development. 39
 United Nations commitments Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Although these have been
over the past 20 years have Support and Capacity-building, as formalized in “environmental and
facilitated technology transfer endorsed by the United Nations social impact assessments” and
and capacity-building across General Assembly. similar tools, there is a need to
the world. However, progress in update and better apply these
technology transfer, including In addition, there are good standards in all situations. There
clean technologies, has fallen practices and strong standards is also a need to build capacity for
short of the ambitious goals laid that can be applied to ensure results-based management and
out in Agenda 21 and subsequent social and environmental learning.
sustainable development safeguards in all activities.
outcomes, and technological
progress has sometimes failed to Environmental and social
safeguards are effective tools
produce envisaged development
to implement sustainable
results. This is often due to development
the absence of a favourable
enabling policy framework for
the transfer of knowledge guided
by justice and equality, and
for encouraging home-grown
solutions based on local or
traditional knowledge. South-
South and triangular cooperation,
research and development
networks, an increasingly mobile
and skilled workforce, and
regional integration, are trends
that can support technology
transfer and capacity‑building
efforts. In the outcome document
of the United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Development,
“The future we want”, Heads
of State and Government also
called for the continued and
40 focused implementation of the © meunierd / Shutterstock
Innovation for monitoring, accountability,
reporting and access to information
T he post-2015 development
agenda will require a
robust, transparent and multi-
stakeholder monitoring and
reporting framework to ensure
that progress towards meeting
goals is effectively tracked and
that stakeholders are mutually
held accountable for action and
delivery. Relevant and timely
information would increase efforts
to meet goals for which slower
progress is being made, thereby
fostering the achievement
of sustainable
development
in a balanced The data revolution captures © Lavinia Bordea/ Shutterstock
opportunites of open access
and mutually and real-time information
reinforcing way. a wider range solid statistical systems to
of stakeholders, undertake monitoring. These
Better, comparable beyond governments efforts need to be reinforced
baseline data and statistics will and the United Nations by new global partnerships
be required to measure a broader system, including international for monitoring progress and
range of indicators, requiring organizations, foundations, strengthening accountability.
new and disaggregated data. citizens and responsible
Innovation and new technologies businesses, to play an important The ongoing data revolution is
need to be embraced for data role. Capacity – technical and based on the social and economic
collection, monitoring, analysis, financial – will need to be opportunities that arise from
quality control and verification strengthened, especially in moving to an open access to
and to empower and enable developing countries, to build information model of governance 41
 Big data approaches can
anticipate the spread of a
virus in a few housrs

© auremar / Shutterstock

embracing the ideas of using opportunities to detect changes rooted largely in the use of causal
big data and near real‑time in the environment and human models and statistical sampling.
information that supports a populations. The trend towards Other fields of endeavour, such
transformation in societal using large data streams has as epidemiology and security,
behaviour. Massive increases always been present in the Earth’s have already begun to shift away
in the volume and speed of observation, and in climatology from the traditional statistical
data gathering are providing us and meteorology, but the approach of identifying causality
42 with unique and unparalleled analytical paradigm has remained in anticipating probable events
towards big-data approaches.
For example, by using vast data
gathering and search procedures
combined with fuzzy logic and
new algorithms, disease control
centres can anticipate the spread
of a flu virus in a matter of hours
rather than weeks.

The experiences of other

multilateral environmental
processes in monitoring,
accountability, reporting and
access to information can provide
input in the form of lessons
learned to the sustainable © Vepar 5 / Shutterstock

development goals and post-

2015 development agenda. The Montreal Protocol on and facilitates solutions. In a
Substances that Deplete the similar vein, the implementation
Ozone Layer is one of the most of the Kyoto Protocol to the United
successful environmental treaties, Nations Framework on Climate
including in terms of policymaking Change is monitored by its
and enforcement, and its success Compliance Committee,
was based on, inter alia, its ability supported by expert review
to be strengthened (adjustments teams that trigger the assessment
and amendments to the and validation of information.
Protocol) and to be high on the
policy agendas of all countries. Another progressive mechanism
Assessment panels provide is provided by the Convention
independent, authoritative and on Access to Information,
up-to-date assessments, and the Public Participation in Decision-
Implementation Committee under making and Access to Justice
the Non-Compliance Procedure for in Environmental Matters
the Montreal Protocol looks into (Aarhus Convention). In addition
© Vaclav Volrab / Shutterstock cases of non-compliance to the secretariat’s efforts, 43
 members of the public are able Diversity, adopted in 2010, takes UNEP Live is capitalizing on
to submit information concerning the matter one step further in that the data revolution and will
a party’s compliance with the a mechanism is being discussed incorporate data and information
Convention complementing the that would enable indigenous from varied sources including
usual trigger through parties peoples, their communities governments, research networks,
with respect to their own or and other local communities to communities of practice, major
other parties’ compliance. The monitor the implementation of groups, indigenous peoples
Nagoya Protocol on Access to the Nagoya Protocol by bringing and civil society to facilitate
Genetic Resources and the Fair cases of non-compliance to the the exchange and sharing of
and Equitable Sharing of Benefits attention of the secretariat and up-to-date data, information,
Arising from their Utilization to the Conference of the Parties to assessments and knowledge in
the Convention on Biological the Convention. order to keep the environment
and emerging issues under
review. These transparent
and inclusive characteristics
make it an ideal platform for
monitoring and reporting on
progress towards meeting the
sustainable development goals
and other objectives of the
post-2015 development agenda.
Modelled on these principles, an
“SDG Live” platform, supported
by the United Nations system
and its various statistical and
monitoring or reporting networks
and mechanisms, could be used
to measure progress towards the
targets and indicators of the post-
2015 development agenda and the
sustainable development goals.

44 © Teng Wei / Shutterstock

 CONCLUSIONS
45

© grafvision / Shutterstock
 A new post-2015 development
agenda demands a new vision
and a responsive framework with
Innovative, affordable and
sustainable technologies
and integrated solutions that
will not be enough to solve
the multiple social, economic
and environmental challenges;
sustainable development at its generate green and decent instead, sustainable and inclusive
core. The “business as usual” jobs can achieve the objective growth must replace it.
scenario is not affordable, either of leaving no one behind. The
socially or environmentally, or, in needs of a growing population Solutions need an enabling
the long run, economically. The could be reconciled with a environment. Efforts therefore
integration of economic growth, resource base that is shrinking also need to focus on changing,
social protection and justice, and through inefficient and wasteful reforming and retooling
environmental stewardship should use if political commitment, governance structures at all
be at the core of the sustainable economic incentives, and social levels for greater integration,
development goals and the post- accountability are brought to transparency and accountability,
2015 development agenda. bear to leverage a shift towards and leveraging multiple
sustainable consumption and stakeholders into action.
Addressing issues in silos will production. Sustaining growth
not lead humankind along a
pathway towards sustainable
development. In order to fully
integrate the three dimensions
of sustainable development, the
interlinked problems need to
be understood and responses
developed that provide multiple
benefits across the three
dimensions. The discussion no
longer needs to focus on trade-
offs but on the most intelligent
choices in order to maximize
multiple benefits. The present
background paper provides a solid
evidence base to demonstrate that
integrated solutions do exist and
are being practised around the
46 world today. © Tukaram Karve / Shutterstock
Endnotes

1
High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (2013). A new global
partnership: eradicate poverty and transform economies through sustainable development. Available from
[Link]/sg/management/pdf/HLP_P2015_Report.pdf.
2
UNEP Post-2015 Note No. 1, “Integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development: how to achieve
a balanced, ambitious and inclusive framework”, March 2014. Available from [Link]/post2015/
Publications/UNEPPost-2015Note1/tabid/133049/[Link].
3
For example, the joint UNEP and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) report, entitled Human Rights and the Environment, to the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), available from [Link]/delc/Portals/119/
[Link].
4
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fifth Assessment Report, March 2014, chap. 13. Available from
[Link]
5
UNEP Post-2015 Note No. 2, “Sustainable consumption and production and the SDGs”, March 2014.
Available from [Link]/post2015/Publications/UNEPPost-2015Note2/tabid/133050/[Link].
6
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005): Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis (Island Press,
Washington, D.C.). Available from [Link]/maweb/documents/[Link].
7
The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment’s Role in Averting Future Food Crises (UNEP rapid response
assessment, 2009). Available from [Link]/publications/rr/food-crisis.
8
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity in National and International Policy Making. Available from
[Link]/our-publications/teeb-study-reports/national-and-international-policy-making.
9
Schmidt, R., Mulligan, J., 2013. Demonstrations of the Business Case. In Gartner, T., J. Mulligan, R.
Schmidt, and J. Gunn, eds. 2013. Natural Infrastructure: Investing in Forested Landscapes for Source Water
Protection in the United States. World Resources Institute. Available from [Link]/publication/natural-
infrastructure.
10
General Assembly resolution 66/288, annex, para. 89.
11
Ibid., para. 246.
12
See United Nations Technical Support Team (TST) (2014), “Compendium of existing goals and targets under
the 19 focus areas being considered by the OWG SDG”. Available at: [Link]/post2015.
13
P. Caballero, P. Hazelwood and K. Van der Heijden, 2013, “Setting a new course: universality as an integral
part of the post‑2015 development agenda” (discussion note). 47
 14
Embedding the Environment in Sustainable Devel1opment Goals, UNEP Post-2015 Discussion Paper
2013, No. 1 (version 2, 19 July 2013). Available from: [Link]/pdf/UNEP_Post_2015_Discussion_
Paper_1_%28Version2%[Link].
15
Working for the Few: Political Capture and Economic Inequality (Oxfam Briefing Paper No. 178, 2014).
16
Inclusive Wealth Report 2012: Measuring progress toward sustainability (UNU-IHDP and UNEP, 2012).
17
UNEP Post-2015 Note No. 4, “Green and decent jobs for poverty eradication”. Available from [Link].
org/post2015/Publications/UNEPPost-2015Note4/tabid/133133/[Link].
18
“Sanitation” (UN-Water factsheet). Available [Link]/fileadmin/user_upload/unwater_new/
docs/[Link].
19
World Energy Outlook 2012, International Energy Agency, (Paris, IEA/OECD, 2012), p. 282.
20
UNEP Post -2015 Note No. 3, “Human health and the environment”. Available from [Link]/
post2015/Publications/tabid/133031/[Link].
21
The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment’s Role in Averting Future Food Crises (UNEP rapid response
assessment, 2009).
22
World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050: The 2012 Revision, ESA E Working Paper No. 12-03. Available from
[Link]
23
Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth (UNEP, 2011). Available
from [Link]/resourcepanel/publications/decoupling/tabid/56048/[Link].
24
Avoiding Future Famines: Strengthening the Ecological Foundation of Food Security through Sustainable
Food Systems, a UNEP synthesis report (2012), available from [Link]/publications/ebooks/
avoidingfamines/portals/19/UNEP_Food_Security_Report.pdf; and United NationsTST Brief, “Food security
and nutrition”, available from [Link]/content/documents/1804tstissuesfood.
pdf.
25
Save Food: Global Initiative on Food Losses and Waste Reduction, FAO/UNEP 2014. Available from www.
[Link]/save-food/key-findings/en.
26
Ibid.
27
Pastoralism and the Green Economy, IUCN and UNEP (forthcoming).
28
See [Link]/newscentre/[Link]?DocumentID=2760&ArticleID=10692.
29
“Food loss, food waste”, UNEP Rapid Response Assessment (forthcoming).
30
Pastoralism and the Green Economy, IUCN and UNEP (forthcoming).
31
United Nations TST Brief, “Oceans”. Available from [Link]
documents/2311TST%20Issues%20Brief%20Oceans%20and%20Seas_FINAL.pdf.

48
32
10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns, sustainable
public procurement programme. Available from [Link]/10yfp/Portals/50150/downloads/
Brochure_SPP%20Programme_10YFP.pdf.
33
An overview of urbanization, internal migration, population distribution and development” (UN/POP/
EGM‑URB/2008/01).
34
State of the World’s Cities: Bridging the Urban Divide (UN-Habitat, 2010).
35
City-Level Decoupling: Urban Resource Flows and the Governance of Infrastructure Transitions (UNEP, 2013)
(International Resource Panel report of the Working Group on Cities).
36
United Nations TST Brief, “Sustainable cities and human settlements”. Available from http://
[Link]/content/documents/2306TST%20Issues%20Brief%20Cities_FINAL.pdf.
37
Ibid.
38
Sustainable, Resource Efficient Cities: Making it Happen (UNEP, 2012). Available from http://
[Link]/content/documents/[Link].
39
“Question and answer on sustainable cities and human settlements in the SDGs”, UN-Habitat, 2014.
40
Kennedy, C. and J. Corfee-Morlot (2012), “Mobilizing investment in low carbon, climate resilient
infrastructure”, OECD Environment Working Papers, No. 46. Available from [Link]
org/10.1787/5k8zm3gxxmnq-en.
41
“Sand rarer than one thinks”, UNEP, 2014. UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service, March 2014. Available
from [Link]
42
See, for example, [Link] http://
[Link]/digital-agenda/living-online/smart-cities.
43
UNEP Post-2015 Note No. 5, “Environmental dimensions of resilient and peaceful societies”. Available from
[Link]
44
The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) was launched at the Third High-level Forum on Aid
Effectiveness, held in Accra in 2008, and was specifically designed to support donors in meeting their
Accra commitments on transparency as set out in the Accra Agenda for Action. The Busan Partnership
for Effective Development Cooperation, adopted at the Fourth High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness,
was released on 1 December 2011, and includes a specific reference to IATI, committing all those who
endorsed the Partnership to: “Implement a common, open standard for electronic publication of
timely, comprehensive and forward looking information on resources provided through development
cooperation, taking into account the statistical reporting of the OECD DAC and the complementary
efforts of the International Aid Transparency Initiative and others. This standard must meet the needs of
developing countries and non-state actors, consistent with national requirements”. Available from www.
[Link].
49