COMPARACIÓN CRITICA CON LA LITERATURA EXISTENTE

An enTrePreneur Will groW cArroTs rATher

ThAn PoTAToes iF The sAMe energy use… Will

Produce TWice The reTurn, regArdless oF

WheTher PeoPle need PoTAToes.”

”

young woman calling for environmental education during the thematic consultation on environmental sustainability (Photo: undP)

looKinG ForWArd: A sTAnd-Alone GoAl And GreATer inTeGrATion

Although the purpose of the consultation was not to shape future goals (targets and indicators), it is hoped that inputs received through the consultation can lay the groundwork for the integration of environmental dimensions as a cross- cutting issue and a stand-alone goal. What participants agreed on was that the post-2015 agenda is a universal one: action will be needed in all countries, not just developing countries, and targets should be inclusive rather than exclusive. To address the global challenges we face, all countries need to embrace responsi- bilities and ownership.

goals will need to apply to all countries, while reflecting diverse development pathways and implemen- tation capacities. The challenge lies in contextualizing environmental sustain- ability and making the post-2015 agenda flexible so that it addresses the needs of different regions.

“

successFul AdVAnces in Any susTAinAble

deVeloPMenT underTAKing reQuire good

goVernAnce, rule oF lAW And TrAnsPArency

WiTh engAgeMenT oF ciVil socieTy.

”

“

in The inTeresT oF FAirness And eQuiTy,

goVernMenTs need To Agree on An

inTernATionAl regulATory FrAMeWorK

ThAT Would esTAblish MiniMuM sociAl And

enVironMenTAl sTAndArds, ensure ThAT

corPorATions PAy Their FAir shAre oF TAxes,

And PreVenT coMPAnies becoMing so lArge

ThAT They hAVe A MonoPoly PosiTion And

Are More PoWerFul ThAn goVernMenTs,

or Too big To FAil.

”

PArtiCiPAnt, enVironMentAl SuStAinAbility e-DiSCuSSion

Finally, the shortcomings of targets based on partial achievement or incre- mental achievement were stressed: “Are prevailing ‘10%’ biodiversity conservation goals enough? or do such 10% conser- vation goals actually risk — or invite — collapse? Think of the functioning aspects of other complex and interacting systems that we know, for example…a space vehicle. no rational astronauts would remove, destroy, damage, or eradicate 82% of their navigation systems, 91% of their vehicle’s electrical systems, 87% of its heat shields, 78% of its co2 scrubbers and life-support systems, and 94% of their propulsion and re-entry systems.” — Participant, e-discussion.

goVernAnCe

role oF GoVernAnce in AchieVinG The MdGs

discussions in all the thematic consul- tations have pointed to the role that tackling governance deficits can play in addressing challenges associated with social and political violence, inequality, state fragility, transitions, increased demands on the natural environment and a global crisis of confidence in the integrity, capacity and legitimacy of the state to deliver human development and quality public services. in 2005, in its final report, the un Millennium Project identified governance failures and policy neglect among the four reasons for shortfalls in achieving the Mdgs. it recommended that Mdg-based poverty reduction strategies “should also provide a framework for strengthening govern- ance, promoting human rights, engaging civil society, and promoting the private sector.”12 _{More recent findings from the} brookings institution suggest that there is a correlation between the quality of governance and improvements in living standards — indicating that investments in public-sector institutions, civil liberties and press freedoms, gender equality and anti-corruption can potentially yield high benefits in sustained development and

poverty reduction.13

in the My World survey, ‘an honest and responsive government’ was consistently voted as one of the top three issues which are most important for individuals and their families across the world, regardless of gender and economic standing.

overall, the experience of the Mdgs has demonstrated that effective demo- cratic governance forms a basis for achieving the Mdgs and has a direct bearing on how the goals can be trans- lated into outcomes and how people can be involved in the decisions that affect their own lives. This includes ensuring that communities are able to freely participate in decision-making processes, hold officials to account and promote more accountable and transparent institutions. Most importantly, effective and highly capacitated state institutions lead to better development outcomes. Promoting a vibrant, diverse and inde- pendent media can support governments to translate commitments into action. looKinG ForWArd: GoVernAnce As A GoAl And enABler

discussion in all the thematic consulta- tions confirmed that the future develop- ment agenda will require robust and well-capacitated institutions in both

the private and the public sectors to be responsive to the real needs of people and communities. implementation of the post-2015 agenda will require good governance and strong, effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. Participation, transparency and account- ability are powerful tools for ensuring citizens’ oversight of the use of public resources, including the prevention of waste and corruption. effective institu- tions are also critical for the provision of public services on which all citizens but especially poor people depend. equally important is the need to build effective rule of law.

The consultation confirmed that governance is an enabler for socio- economic transformation and the improvement of lives through the eradication of structural inequality. since the causes of poverty are often deeply rooted in unjust political and economic systems, the post-2015 framework needs to analyse not only the systems that generate inequality but also those that promote inclusiveness and equality. This is a prerequisite for social cohesion and responsive and effective governance.

coherence among policies within and across governance levels, including national ownership of an international

“

no counTry cAn TAcKle The susTAinAble

deVeloPMenT chAllenges Alone. inTegrATed

soluTions MusT be deVeloPed AT locAl,

nATionAl, regionAl And globAl leVels. eVery