Sustainable Development Through Green Growth - Research Paper Example

Introduction The global economy in the 21st century is continuing to face many environmental challenges. In order to address these challenges many resolute initiatives, policies and actions need to be incorporated so that the economic recovery returns onto sustainable path of growth. To make certain that growth is sustainable in the future economies must implement and confront resolutions in order to address rising environmental challenges. Unless economies shift to green growth initiatives, systematic ecological degradation will lead to major unconstructive impacts on human being and the society. By green growth we mean proper conservation of natural resources characterized by human development and economic growth (Philippe and Giovanna, 2007). Lack of environmental sustainability could .consequence into water scarcity, air pollution, restricted access to the availability of limited natural resources, and even the danger of more regular severe climate conditions and remarkable climatic modifications. Such environmental impacts will put economic development and sustainability at danger of an unduly high share of the burden on the humanity. Insufficient environmental sustainability will mostly affect the poor economies which still have not been able to develop in many parts of the world. Aims of the Research The main objectives of this research are:- 1. How environmental sustainability encourages equity and job creation for green growth 2. What are the sustainable strategies that can help in national green growth Literature According to a research study by the World Bank (2012), during the precedent four decades, the population of the world has nearly doubled. In contrast, the world economy has increased by almost three times and poverty has declined considerably. The report further states that in just twenty years, the Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP/National Income) has increased by 70% in developing economies. The standard of living of many poor economies has also improved. More specifically, with almost 400 million people mounting out of deficiency, a remarkable development in, life expectancy, literacy and malnutrition have become modern threats to environmental sustainability (World Bank, 2012). According to a report by the United Nation (2010), globally the percentage of plummeting poverty has almost halved, as clearly stated in the Millennium Development Goal (MDG). But enormous challenges still linger around us that include continued eradication of hunger, poverty, and unhealthily life style and dipping disparity in income. In every 1 person in 5 (or approximately 1.3 billion) is still living life without proper electricity. Even when power services are obtainable, millions of poor people around the globe are incapable of paying for them (UN, 2010). According to a report by WHO and UNICEF (2012), almost 750 million people around the world still lacks access to a hygienic water sources. This is about one person in every 9 people (UNICEF/ WHO, 2012). In short, sustainable environmental growth has not been completely inclusive as on date. Methodology The research should start with finding relevant sources of information and previous studies on topics of environmental sustainability. Other foundation activities must include the identification of possible global organizations and contributors who has helped or is presently helping the act of sustainability through rigorous efforts. Such stakeholders may include the list of information users, labor representatives, business associations, civil society organizations, and experts. Keeping in mind that a balance needs to be established between different stakeholder groups and regions covered under the study. If the study focuses on a particular region in USA, then other developing economies like Africa and its environmental sustainability aspects might get ignored. Hence, following the background of the research and the literature review, the researcher must cover at least 2 developed countries and 2 poor or developing countries. The research methodology will mainly include qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis will involve circulation of close-ended questionnaires to target group of experts in different fields. The target group will include people working in sectors that are highly influences environment like automobiles, air transportations, chemical factory workers, engineering and construction, energy and utilities, food and beverage, and consumer durables. A sample set of questions will be sent to them through the personal or official emails and their responses will be analyzed to determine their intent to maintain sustainable green growth (Deng, 2010). The quantitative analysis part will include analysis of responses using the liker’s scale. Other statistical data like national income, GDP, pollution index, etc. of the target country will be collected using authentic online sources. These data will be extracted in MS-excel and the values of developing economies will be compared to advanced economies. Based on the results of the research findings, proper report will be written in the findings and results section. Findings and Results 1. Encouraging equity and job creation for green growth Skill policies and the labor market play a very lively role in creation of helping employers and workers to create an evolution to sustainable development and green growth. But, it is vital to keep in mind that the key policy drivers of sustainability and green growth need to focus on core green growth policies. The environmental policies should align monetary incentives with responsibility. Innovative policies will promote the growth of the modern technologies that will be necessary for economic growth. This will also lead to increase of green growth. The study has found that restructuring of labor markets and policies can significantly contribute to an overall green growth and environmental sustainability. Environment developmental policies and strategies will also help to encourage the required structural changes for green growth of the economy. It will also lower all the social costs associated with sustainability and guarantee that they are shared justifiably. A proper planning and action will result in a fairer and quicker evolution towards comprehensive green growth. It will also help to create jobs for green growth and equity in distribution of income. 2. Sustainable strategies that can help in national green growth This study has found that some economies, such as France and Brazil, have tried to make agreements for sustainability through participatory and open approach. It involved equal participation of civil society and political parties. For example, the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change created by Brazil brought together representatives from various stakeholders including the civil society, government, business associates, nongovernmental organizations, and universities in a single place to mobilize the social order around a climate. The general public participation mainly took in the form of sector dialogues and national conferences. These conferences highlighted that there is an immediate need to reform current tax structures. It includes phasing out unproductive subsidies and re-channeling them towards sustainability and green growth. The government should encourage corporate entities to act pro-sustainability so that they spend a part of their annual profit in promoting green growth. Conclusion & Recommendations This research has revealed that sustainable green growth is a tool in the direction of the broader goal of sustainable development in the environment. This study has also found that in medium to long term perspective, reforms in policy strategies will help to addresses the issue of possible inequality, poverty and resource shortage gaps in supply and demand. This study also provides chance for promoting alternate production, economic, and livelihood models that can act towards a better environment. This study also intends to protect growth and development prospects for controlling price volatility, future resource and the impacts of ecological degradation. Hence, inclusive green growth can help to employ sustainable development and social goals respecting the social preferences and national conditions. References Deng, X., Huang, J., Rozelle, S., and Uchida, E. (2010). Economic growth and the expansion of urban land in China. Urban Studies 47. 813–843. Philippe, R. and Giovanna, B. (2007). Environment : approaches for tomorrow. London: Thames & Hudson. UN. (2010). The Declaration of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All 2012. Retrieved from http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Sustainable%20Energy/Declaration.pdf. WHO/UNICEF. (2012). Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation, 2012 Update. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/media/files/JMPreport2012.pdf. World Bank. (2012). Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development. Washington, DC: World Bank. Read More