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The post Harnessing Science for Sustainable Future appeared first on Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).
]]>The year 2023 marks the mid-point in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development has a pivotal role in providing necessary political leadership and guidance. The integration of scientific knowledge into decision-making processes has thus emerged as a key factor to enhance effectiveness of HLPF in tackling global challenges and propelling sustainable development forward.
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a comprehensive set of 17 goals with their 169 targets designed to create a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. Since their inception, the UN has been closely monitoring progress towards achieving these goals.
The HLPF is a central governmental body responsible for conducting in-depth reviews and follow-ups on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level.
In recent years, UN has increasingly recognised the critical role of science in decision-making related to sustainable development. The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) is prepared every four years by an independent group of scientists to serve this purpose and complement the role of HLPF. This report plays a vital role in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policymaking by offering evidence-based recommendations during the SDG review at the HLPF.
The emerging perspectives set to influence discussions at the 2023 HLPF emphasise the importance of innovative ideas and strategies in addressing global challenges.
During the Second Science Briefing to the General Assembly on April 13, 2023, various topics were discussed, such as moving beyond GDP as a measure of well-being, addressing food security and sustainability, and enhancing scientific support systems for the UN. In particular, the private sector expressed support for a “Beyond GDP” model. These fresh perspectives are anticipated to play a significant role in shaping discussions at the 2023 HLPF, the SDG Summit, and the 2024 Summit of the Future as stakeholders work towards more holistic approaches that encompass well-being, sustainability, and inclusion.
While the GSDR provides essential actions needed for the sustainable development transition, its periodic nature and broad scope may not fully capture challenges and circumstances faced by individual countries. For instance, addressing issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath requires a more dynamic and adaptive approach to grapple with the crisis’s unique social, economic, and environmental impacts.
The rapidly evolving nature of such situations underscores the need for more flexible and responsive mechanisms to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and tailor solutions to each country’s specific context.
In response to these demands, the creation of “Group of Friends on Science for Action” by Belgium, India, and South Africa is a promising step to bridge the gap between research and policy implementation. This platform will provide a more agile avenue to address emerging challenges and foster direct collaboration between the scientific community and policymaking processes to formulate policy strategies and develop frameworks tailored to individual countries’ unique needs and circumstances.
As the 2030 deadline for achieving SDGs approaches, it is important to strengthen the science-policy interface and address the limitations of existing mechanisms like the GSDR. The 2023 HLPF stands as a crucial platform for integrating emerging perspectives and adopting innovative approaches to foster transformative change. Thus, incorporating cutting-edge scientific research and embracing multidisciplinary insights can help the global community better respond to evolving challenges and develop customised solutions for diverse local contexts.
The post Harnessing Science for Sustainable Future appeared first on Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).
]]>The post Unlocking the Potential of SMEs for Sustainable Development appeared first on Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).
]]>The growing awareness of environmental issues and the need for sustainable development has spurred Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt innovative strategies that promote circularity and resource efficiency. However, integrating these innovative practices into SMEs’ business models can be intricate. There is thus a need for targeted policy instruments to encourage their widespread adoption.
SMEs play a crucial role in driving economic growth, job creation, and innovation. To achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SMEs must actively participate in adopting sustainable practices and driving positive change. As the backbone of the economy, they account for a significant share of businesses and employment opportunities. According to the World Bank, SMEs constitute around 90% of all businesses and create 50% of all jobs worldwide.
Despite their substantial contributions, SMEs often face unique challenges in adopting sustainable practices, such as limited resources and expertise as well as government support. It is therefore essential to support and empower SMEs in their transition towards more environmentally friendly and socially responsible business models, which will not only benefit their bottom line but also contribute to the broader global sustainability agenda.
The adoption of circular economy practices contributes to sustainability. The practices provide a framework for SMEs to re-evaluate their business models, focusing on reducing waste and resource consumption while optimising the use of existing resources.
According to the research on the adoption of circular economy practices in European SMEs (Dey, P.K. et al., 2022), SMEs can significantly support sustainability initiatives by implementing a closed-loop supply chain focusing on vital areas of action which include design, procurement, production, distribution, usage, and reverse logistics.
The closed-loop supply chain approach shows to have a positive correlation with economic performance as it enables businesses to reduce costs associated with raw materials, waste disposal, and compliance with environmental regulations. These practices help to enhance environmental performance by increasing energy and resource efficiency, as well as minimising waste.
Furthermore, the design function of a closed-loop supply chain is found to contribute positively to circular economy adoption and higher sustainability performance, but other areas such as procurement, production, distribution, usage, and reverse logistics need better alignment with the principles of the circular economy.
Proposed measures include adopting a green supply chain strategy, ISO accreditations, support systems to help SMEs choose appropriate logistics, available information related to operations, repair, and recycling, as well as innovation to improve reserve logistics to control the flow of goods from their end destination back to their point of origin to capture value or ensure proper disposal.
In order to better facilitate the adoption of a circular economy, policymakers have an important role to play in creating a conducive environment for SMEs. Policymakers can support SMEs by providing policy measures to support and regulate through incentives and penalties, training programs to create awareness among suppliers, distributors, and consumers, periodic sustainability audits to help SMEs achieve targets, as well as financial support based on the achieved targets.
Successful implementation of circular economy practices requires a collaborative effort between SMEs, consumers, suppliers, and policymakers. This approach ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the benefits of circular economy practices and committed to the implementation.
The post Unlocking the Potential of SMEs for Sustainable Development appeared first on Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).
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