President Dennis Francis, at the helm of the 78th UN General Assembly session, champions sustainability as pivotal to economic advancement
While the news of increasing temperatures in the Capital City of Delhi in the coming weeks and months hit the headlines, in a resounding affirmation of the symbiotic relationship between sustainability and economic progress, President Dennis Francis (heading the 78th session of the UN General Assembly), recently in an exclusive interview with PTI, unequivocally asserted that the pursuit of sustainability stands as the cornerstone of 21st-century development endeavours. He also emphasised the imperative of integrating sustainability into the fabric of global advancement. Dennis Francis is all set to inaugurate the “Sustainability Week” at the United Nations headquarters scheduled from April 15-19, 2024. Under the overarching theme of “Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future,” this landmark event will spotlight pivotal sectors such as tourism, infrastructure connectivity, transportation, energy and debt, dedicating its discourse to the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability in each domain.
In this PTI exclusive, President Francis outlines a strategic focus on key economic sectors — tourism, transportation, infrastructure, energy and debt management — to drive transformative sustainability. He highlights challenges like climate change, energy security and debt entrapment, emphasising their nexus with poverty, education, housing and national security. Francis further underscores sustainability as both a moral imperative and a catalyst for equitable global progress, envisioning judicious decisions in these realms as key to profound shifts towards a sustainable future.
During the upcoming ‘Sustainability Week’, Dennis will host a series of high-level events including debates on ‘debt sustainability’ and ‘socio-economic equality’; discussions on ‘tourism and sustainable transport’, an informal dialogue on ‘global resilience through infrastructure connectivity’ and a stocktaking session for the completion of the ‘UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’ - all aimed at advancing the implementation of SDG 7 for sustainable development.
Dennis (in the interview) fervently promotes the fusion of sustainability and economic advancement, underscoring their intrinsic interdependence for societal well-being. He advocates for a transformative approach toward sustainable lifestyles, condemning antiquated resource exploitation methods exacerbating climate instability. He envisions a future where profitability harmonises with environmental stewardship, fostering equity and resilience. ‘Sustainability Week’ precedes the ‘Summit of the Future,’ to instil sustainability as a collective imperative for safeguarding resources for posterity. He further emphasised the pressing requirement to refocus endeavours on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which saw a setback in target achievement because of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts. ‘Sustainability Week’ aims to revive dedication to impactful measures, crucial for reorienting the SDGs towards their intended trajectory.
Through collective action, the aim should be to uplift communities, inspire hope and advance the global agenda for sustainability and equity. The need is to empower communities, foster optimism and promote sustainability and equity worldwide. Governments, communities and organisations per se are uniting to tackle environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and renewable energy promotion.
For example, in Scandinavia, countries like Denmark have been leaders in wind energy production, investing heavily in offshore wind farms and renewable energy infrastructure. Denmark’s commitment to sustainability has led to a significant reduction in carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Moreover, in Southeast Asia, Singapore pioneers innovative strategies to address river and ocean waste, utilising advanced wastewater treatment and strict plastic regulations, effectively curbing marine pollution. Meanwhile, Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ initiative fights desertification in the bio-geographical Sahel region by planting trees and promoting sustainable land management, revitalising degraded landscapes and fostering biodiversity. Across Latin America, Costa Rica exemplifies biodiversity conservation through national parks and eco-tourism, fostering sustainable development while preserving its rich natural heritage, resulting in both environmental protection and economic prosperity. Some of these diverse efforts demonstrate global commitment to environmental management, enhancing resilience and also safeguarding ecosystems for future generations.
India’s proactive stance towards achieving the SDGs is evident through multifaceted commitments across sectors. Initiatives like the ‘National Solar Mission’ and ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, ‘National Health Mission’, etc., highlight the resolve to tackle environmental challenges. India further aims to generate great renewable energy capacity, emphasising reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Water conservation programs such as rainwater harvesting and the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ underscore India’s dedication to ensuring water security, aiming to provide piped water supply to all households by 2024. This commitment is reinforced by experts like waterman, Rajendra Singh and CEO of Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain, who stress the importance of renewable energy and community-driven water conservation efforts.
Additionally, India’s sustainability efforts extend to biodiversity conservation, rural development, healthcare, education, waste management and gender equality, exemplified by schemes like MGNREGA and Ayushman Bharat. Dr. Vandana Shiva emphasises that sustainability encompasses socio-economic factors, with India’s inclusive policies striving to create a more equitable and resilient society through integrated policymaking.
It may be noted that India initiated its climate action journey in 2009 by pledging to decrease emissions intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020, achieving a commendable 24 per cent reduction. Subsequently aligning with the Paris Agreement, India outlined its ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ in 2015, aiming for a 33-35 per cent emissions intensity reduction by 2030. Additional goals include enhancing non-fossil fuel energy generation, expanding carbon sinks and targeting ‘NET ZERO’ emissions by 2070. National efforts are reinforced by initiatives such as the ‘National Action Plan on Climate Change’ and the ‘National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change’, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable habitat and adaptation strategies.
As per media reports, by April 2023, India had made substantial progress toward 14 of the 33 SDGs, with improvements in neonatal and under-five mortality; sanitation and electricity access. Challenges like adolescent pregnancy, clean cooking fuel and water facilities persist. Legislative amendments promoting renewable energy and carbon credit trading, along with initiatives such as the ‘Green Hydrogen Mission’, highlight India’s commitment to sustainability. “Business Today” report of August 25, 2023, suggests that these efforts, coupled with the implementation of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework’, positioned India as a global leader in sustainability, as reflected in its ranking in the ‘Climate Change Performance Index’, indicating promising future progress.
India has implemented various environmental conservation initiatives like the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ ‘Namami Gange’, etc., along with legislative measures such as the ‘Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act’ and so on. The introduction of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework’ by the National Statistics Office in 2023 signifies efforts to monitor progress. However, despite advancements in climate action, financing SDGs remains a challenge. Proactive measures, integrating sustainability into policymaking and engaging communities are essential for achieving the ambitious 2030 SDG targets globally, ensuring equity and resilience. The imperative for proactive engagement by dedicated and committed citizens, not only within India but globally, underscores the exigency of collective action. Such involvement is paramount in addressing contemporary challenges, necessitating concerted efforts on a global scale. The choice is ours — perish or preserve.
(The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)
