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‘2014 is worst on record for rhino poaching’

Michael Simire
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‘2014 is worst on record for rhino poaching’

Official figures released on Thursday, January 22, 2015 by South Africa have confirmed that 2014 was the worst on record for rhino poaching.

Rhino poaching. Photo credit: africa-wildlife-detective.com
Rhino poaching. Photo credit: africa-wildlife-detective.com

A total of 1,215 rhinos were poached in South Africa in 2014, an average of more than three animals per day or 100 per month.

The latest figures illustrate the severity of the rhino poaching crisis with losses substantially increasing for seven consecutive years. The number of animals killed now raises concerns that rhino populations in South Africa may be in decline for the first time in nearly 100 years.

Increased support—both in terms of more rangers on the ground and more up-to-date equipment have been made available during the year—yet despite these measures the situation continues to deteriorate.

Around the world, a number of bold statements have been made during the past year by senior government figures, pledging resources and action to address the global poaching crisis.

However, South Africa—the epicentre of today’s rhino wars—was conspicuous by its absence from joining the “London Declaration”, an international pledge made in February 2014 by the majority of countries directly impacted by the global poaching crisis to take action to address the situation.

“The lack of strong political will and active leadership from all arms of the government, neighbouring Mozambique and key Asian countries remains a serious impediment to turning this crisis situation around,” said David Newton, Director of TRAFFIC in East and Southern Africa.

In March this year, a follow-up meeting takes place in Kasane, Botswana, to review progress made against the London Declaration’s pledges and would provide South Africa with an opportunity to demonstrate similar commitment towards the initiative.

The reasons why rhino poaching continues to rise in South Africa are complex but seemingly include a combination of corruption, internal institutional strife and judicial delays in key prosecutions.

The South African Police Service, and specifically the “Hawks”, a key agency addressing wildlife crime in the country, has experienced increasing internal turmoil recently following the suspension of a number of senior officers. This distraction from the unit’s duty to fight organised crime inevitably means the poaching crisis is not receiving the agency’s full attention.

Kruger National Park, home to the country’s largest rhino population has been particularly severely hit: a staggering 827 rhinos were poached there in 2014. The huge 20,000 km2  park has open borders with neighbouring Mozambique, from where poaching syndicates operate with apparent impunity and little fear of arrest or prosecution from Mozambican authorities. However, that appears not to be the only factor at work: several Kruger park rangers were arrested last year in connection with poaching incidents inside the park.

Meanwhile, events elsewhere point to other problems within the system. Highly publicised arrests of rhino poaching gangs and their rings leaders have yet to come to full trial: one notorious case has been dragging on for more than four years. The alleged ringleader in the case was last month linked to a gang of 16 people arrested in the Czech Republic over their suspected involvement in international trafficking of rhino horns in the guise of sport hunted trophies from South Africa to Viet Nam.

In October 2014, US authorities announced the indictment of the same individual and his brother on multiple charges, including conspiracy, money laundering and wildlife crime and are now seeking their extradition to the US to face the charges.

2015 is a critical year for rhino populations in South Africa; overall the rhino poaching situation remains bleak, with many commendable enforcement efforts being seriously undermined by internal political conflict and international trade dynamics beyond the reach of South Africa.

“Another year of poaching like 2014 and it becomes increasingly difficult to see a positive conservation future for South African rhinos,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s Elephant and Rhino Programme Leader.  “We’re facing a ‘do or die’ situation right now.”

Rotary releases $8.1 million to end polio in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Rotary releases $8.1 million to end polio in Nigeria

Nigeria marks progress, having gone six months without a case of polio

Polio immunisation. Photo credit: Ruth McDowall for Rotary International
Polio immunisation. Photo credit: Ruth McDowall for Rotary International

As Nigeria marks six months without a new case of polio, Rotary has announced $8.1 in grants to help the country in its final push to eradicate the disease within its borders. The funds will be used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to support polio immunisation campaigns, research and surveillance in the country.

Nigeria, the last polio-endemic country in Africa, reported the highest number of polio cases in the world as recently as 2012. However, the country showed remarkable progress in 2014, when it reduced its polio case count by nearly 90% over the previous year. The funding commitment from Rotary comes at a critical time, as the country has a prime opportunity to take advantage of these gains and end the disease for good.

“Nigeria has made incredible progress against polio this past year and I’m proud to see our country reduced cases by nearly 90% in 2014,” said Funke Akindele, Nollywood actress and Rotary polio ambassador. “With funds from Rotary, the continued support of Rotarians in Nigeria and around the world, I believe there will be a day when no child in Nigeria will be at risk of this disease.”

Polio victims
Polio victims

“Nigeria has managed an incredible feat,” said Dr. Tunji Funsho, Rotary’s National PolioPlus Chair for Nigeria. “Our country has gone six months without a new case of the disease. However, now we must be more vigilant than ever, as our progress is fragile.”

Commitment from all levels of the Nigerian government to ending the paralysing disease has proved crucial to the country’s recent progress. Experts urge political leaders to maintain this focus, even amidst Nigeria’s upcoming national elections next month.

Recent polio outbreaks the Horn of Africa and Central Africa stemmed from poliovirus that originated in Nigeria. These outbreaks appear to have been effectively stopped in 2014; however, the continued presence of the virus in Nigeria puts countries in Africa at-risk for renewed outbreaks. In addition to the $8.1 million in funds for Nigeria, Rotary has committed $18.5 million to be divided amongst an additional seven countries in Africa. The grants include $1.6 million, Cameroon: $2.5 million, Chad; $3.3 million, Democratic Republic of Congo; $1.1 million, Ethiopia; $250,000, Kenya; $2.8 million, Niger; and $7 million, Somalia.

Outside of Africa, Rotary also announced grants of $1.1 million for Pakistan and $6.7 million for Afghanistan. Together with Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the two other countries in the world where polio has never been stopped.

Rotary provides grant funding to polio eradication initiative partners UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, which work with governments and others in polio-affected countries to plan and carry out immunization activities. Mass polio immunizations must continue until global eradication is achieved.

To date, Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion to fight polio. Through 2018, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match two-to-one every dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication (up to $35 million a year). In 2014, there were only 350 confirmed polio cases in the world, down from about 350,000 a year when the initiative launched in 1988.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. In 1988, Rotary was joined by the WHO, UNICEF and the CDC to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Paper consumption on decline but footprint still high

Michael Simire
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Paper consumption on decline but footprint still high

In wealthy countries, paper is ubiquitous and is often fated to be discarded soon after purchase, with only a portion recovered for recycling. Although slow improvements have been made in production methods and in the recovery of paper products, additional progress is needed to reduce the industry’s environmental impacts, writes Michael Renner, senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute, in the Institute’s latest Vital Signs Online article.

PaperAccording to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 397.6 million tons of paper and paperboard were produced worldwide in 2013. Most of the paper produced today (54 percent in 2013) is used for wrapping and packaging purposes, followed by printing and writing (26 percent), newsprint (7 percent), and household and sanitary tissues (8 percent).

Just four countries – China, the United States, Japan, and Germany – together account for more than half of the world’s paper production. The United States historically was the largest producer by far, but has since been eclipsed by China.

Paper consumption in North America, Europe, and Japan has declined in recent years, shifting to other parts of the world. But on a per capita basis, wealthy countries continue to use far greater amounts than developing countries do-on average, 221 kilograms (kg) in North America and 125 kg in Europe, compared with 45 kg in Asia, 43 kg in Latin America and the Caribbean, and just 7 kg in Africa, in 2012.

Paper recycling helps to reduce energy use and pollution. On average, fibres can be recycled five to seven times before they become unusable. Recycled paper requires 60 percent less energy and 80 percent less water to produce than virgin paper, and it generates 95 percent less air pollution. Recycling one ton of paper on average saves 26,500 litres of water, about 318 litres of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

According to the FAO, recovered paper production totalled 215 million tons in 2013, equal to 54 percent of the world paper supply. This is up from about 20 percent in the early 1960s.

The pulp and paper industry is a large consumer of energy and water, as well as a user of toxic chemicals. In the United States, the paper industry is the third largest energy user among manufacturing industries, accounting for 11 percent of domestic energy consumption in 2010. Chlorine bleaching of paper can result in the formation of toxic compounds such as dioxins and furans. Since the 1990s, most paper mills in Europe and North America, as well as modern ones in China, have moved either toward elemental chlorine – a safer, although still harmful process – or toward totally chlorine-free paper.

Chinese paper producers have lagged in efficiency. In 2010, a typical U.S. or European paper mill used 0.9-1.2 tons of coal and about 35-50 tons of water per ton of pulp, while Chinese mills averaged 1.4 tons of coal and 103 tons of water. To reduce emissions and effluents, the Chinese government has mandated closure of the most polluting mills, while more modern mills have begun operations.

Decreasing paper’s footprint requires continued progress in minimising unnecessary paper consumption and avoiding waste, in raising paper recovery and recycled content, in ensuring that virgin fibre is derived from sustainable sources, and in using less polluting and less energy-intensive paper production methods

BRAIN TUMOUR PATIENT

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Action/2015 campaign launch in photos

Michael Simire
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Action/2015 campaign launch in photos

The action/2015 was recently launched nationwide. Nigeria was not an exception as civil society groups, institutions and governments joined in the global campaign.

Many of these were spearheaded by 15-year-olds – a constituency who will be among the most affected by vital agreements expected to be reached this year.

Action/2015 is calling on the public to join them in their calls to ensure world leaders commit to a better world. Throughout 2015, the campaign will provide ways for everyone everywhere to get involved in influencing the outcomes of these global debates that could achieve: an end to poverty in all its forms; the meeting of fundamental rights, tackling inequality and discrimination; an accelerated transition to 100% renewable energy; and, a world where everyone can participate and hold their leaders accountable.

The campaign launch in Abeokuta, Ogun State
The campaign launch in Abeokuta, Ogun State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On air with Nigeria Info FM, Abuja
On air with Nigeria Info FM, Abuja

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitisation visit to Methodist Grammar Scool, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State
Sensitisation visit to Methodist Grammar Scool, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rally to the Nigeria Youth Service Corps (NYSC) office in Ibadan, Oyo State and presentation of the MDGs Volunteer Corps members of the NYSC in the state. The NYSc adopted the action/2015 plans and promised to remain a partaker in the sustainable development drive
Rally to the Nigeria Youth Service Corps (NYSC) office in Ibadan, Oyo State and presentation of the MDGs Volunteer Corps members of the NYSC in the state. The NYSc adopted the action/2015 plans and promised to remain a partaker in the sustainable development drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During a visit to a media establishment in Bauchi, Bauchi State
During a visit to a media establishment in Bauchi, Bauchi State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An engagement in Bauchi
An engagement in Bauchi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lokoja, Kogi State
Lokoja, Kogi State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engagement by James Odey of The African Research Assosiation managing Development in Nigeria (ARADIN) in Calabar, Cross River State
Engagement by James Odey of The African Research Assosiation managing Development in Nigeria (ARADIN) in Calabar, Cross River State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree planting in the North
Tree planting in the North

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lagos
Lagos

 

 

NCF: Integrate wetlands resource value in Great Green Wall

Michael Simire
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NCF: Integrate wetlands resource value in Great Green Wall

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has underlined the need to build natural resource value of wetlands within the general Great Green Wall (GGW).

A wetland
A wetland

The Lagos-based environment watchdog is also seeking the integration of the GGW programme to biodiversity value enhancement in the West African region.

These action points form part of the NCF contributions to the CSO (civil society organisation) e-forum on the Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI), organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

While calling for capacity building for biodiversity monitoring in the GGW Area essentially for members of the Nguru Integrated Farmers Association (NIFA), the group is clamouring for capacity building support of communities in appropriate tree species identification and nursery management.

Concerning activities and mechanisms to engage CSOs, Alade Adeleke of the NCF wrote: “Enhancing the role of wetlands in the scheme of Great Green Wall Planning and Management is noteworthy. A good example is the Hadejia Nguru Wetlands in Jigawa and Yobe States of Nigeria.

“Emphasis should also be on design, integration and development of grazing routes within the scheme of GGW development and management as part of the general land use planning of the GGWSSI.”

The NCF director also underscored the need on common bird monitoring and use of GGW by migratory waterfowl and land birds. He also suggested stakeholder participation in GGW development and management for sustainability purpose.

Besides allowing participants to identify groups of actors and their needs to take into account in the GGWSSI, the two-week forum that comes to a close on Tuesday (January 20, 2015) also aims at providing documentation best practices in connection with the GGWSSI and the needs of identified groups.

The results of the forum will be presented at a dissemination workshop that will integrate the proposals in the final document of the project.

The GGWSSI is a planned project to plant a wall of tree across Africa at the southern edge of the Sahara desert as a means to prevent desertification.

Africa’s top emerging real estate investment hotspots

Michael Simire
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0
Africa’s top emerging real estate investment hotspots

Where are the up-and-coming real estate opportunities in 2015?

When discussing investment opportunities for real estate, people normally think of cities such as London or New York. However, emerging cities across Africa are filled with opportunities for those looking to invest in property.

Global property portal, Lamudi, has compiled a list of emerging investment hotspots across the continent, based on market trends, infrastructure developments and attractive commercial, residential and industrial real estate opportunities.

Launched in 2013, Lamudi focuses on emerging markets, and is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

 

Casablanca, Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco

Abuja, Nigeria

With its status as one of the world’s emerging cities, the Federal Capital Territory continues to attract real estate investors, interested in benefiting from its array of well-developed architecture and strong infrastructure. Abuja boasts good security and a favourable climate for business. The city’s Business Zone is home to an array of multinational companies expanding their offices into the emerging market. As Nigeria emerges as an attractive investment hotspot, the outskirts of Lagos are also increasing in popularity. Areas including Epe, Ota, Agbara, and Ajah have witnessed a growth in industrial parks, and boast affordable rates whilst in close proximity to the city of Lagos.

 

Naivasha, Kenya

Located 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, Naivasha has attracted a number of developers into the region. Tourist attractions in and around Naivasha, such as the Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Aberdare Hills and Longonot National Park have led to the town’s development as a preferred getaway location, increasing demand for holiday homes in the area. With an environment conducive to both business and leisure, in addition to the availability of land, 2015 will see growth in residential, commercial and industrial real estate investment opportunities in Naivasha.

 

Casablanca, Morocco

Morocco’s industrial and business center is home to numerous Moroccan and international companies, taking advantage of its close proximity to Europe and international trade routes. The dynamic city is increasingly attractive to Morocco’s young population, looking to settle down in a modern area with an abundance of employment opportunities. The city is seeing a number of commercial development projects taking place to improve the retail and entertainment facilities on offer.

 

Jardins de Carthage, Tunisia

This recently established neighborhood, south of the historic site of Carthage, has become a hotspot for luxury real estate. With the popular tourist site in close proximity, Jardins de Carthage is an attractive option for luxury real estate developers, and house-hunters, looking to invest in upscale property. With Tunisia’s largest airport, Tunis-Carthage located nearby, this modern, residential neighborhood has all of the necessary structures to attract foreign investors.

 

Ndola, Zambia

Ndola, situated approximately 320 kilometers north of Lusaka, has seen extensive development in recent years. The booming manufacturing sector presents an abundance of opportunities for industrial real estate, with no signs that the demand for local manufacturing will slow. The city is the industrial and commercial center of Zambia’s copper-mining region and with one of the country’s three international airports located here, its strong transportation connections facilitate industrial development.

 

Algiers, Algeria

Nicknamed ‘Alger la Blanche’ after the sea of white buildings within Algeria’s capital, Algiers is emerging as an appealing location for investors. The country’s growing economy in recent years has positively impacted the local construction and real estate sectors. A suburb of Algiers, in northern Algeria, Bab Ezzouar, is one of the fastest growing areas of the city. Home to the most prominent technological university in the country, the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, the suburb has a vibrant, youthful community.

Clean cooking energy: Groups track budget, build supply chain

Michael Simire
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Clean cooking energy: Groups track budget, build supply chain

Two civil society organisations have embraced a campaign to address worrisome issues related to the use of wood fuel for cooking.

Sample clean cookstoves
Sample clean cookstoves. Photo credit: nigeria.usembassy.gov

Approximately 127 million people and more than 24 million households in Nigeria cook the traditional way: depending solely on wood as a source of fuel, a method widely described as a silent killer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cooking smoke causes 95,300 deaths in the country annually. In fact, Nigeria is said to experience the highest number of smoke-related deaths in Africa; the third after Malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Observers believe that traditional cooking with wood is expensive, costing poor families money that could be put to better use on education, health and nutrition. The trend also causes deforestation and climate change, burning up to 90% more wood than is necessary, they reason.

There is, however, a growing momentum for change in the nation.

Indeed, the clamour is now for the use of cooking gas and clean cookstoves, which experts say save lives, money, forests and empowers women.

Consequently, the Federal Executive Council last November approved a whopping N9,087,250 for the procurement of cookstoves and wonderbags by the Ministry of Environment.

But, in a bid to ensure that the government incentive achieves the purposes meant for, Connected Development (CODE), via its “Follow The Money” initiative, has started monitoring activities around the money meant to procure and distribute some 750,000 clean cookstoves and 18,000 wonderbags.

Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, said in Abuja on Wednesday: “As part of our strategies to make sure this incentive gets to and impacts thousands of rural women that it is meant for within the stipulated time frame, we have sent out a request for information, according to the Freedom of Information Act, to the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Special Duties and the Integra Renewable Energy Limited (the procurement contractor), seeking for the work plan and beneficiaries of this incentive. We hope they will respond within seven days as stipulated by law in the 2011 Freedom of Information Act.”

According to Lawal, the group will build a large evidence base for the campaign on the Follow The Money website “that hopes to update every stakeholder and citizens of Nigeria and the world at large on how these funds translate in concrete terms and benefit rural women in the country.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, as part of moves to strengthen the supply chain for clean cooking energy solutions in the country, will in the last week of this month in Abuja hold a Clean Cooking Energy Expo and Conference.

The two-day event will likewise support the development of an enabling environment for expanding the market for clean cookstoves and cleaner fuels; create demand for cleaner fuels and stoves; bring together policy makers, suppliers, retailers and consumers of clean energy value chain; and, display the diversity in the product range available in the Nigerian market.

The forum, it was gathered, will comprise sessions covering topics such as: Creating an enabling environment for the growth of the clean cookstoves market; Strengthening the supply chain for the LPG market; The role of the government in expanding the market for efficient biomass stoves; Facilitating finance for clean cookstoves market growth; Enabling clean cooking energy industrialisation; and, Enhancing Demand.

Key participants will include policymakers, business leaders, stove producers, distributors, retailers and consumers, banks and financial institutions, NGOs, donors and CSR partners.

The Alliance is a public-private partnership established to introduce 10 million clean cookstoves to Nigerian homes and institutions by 2020. It supports policy change, better technical standards and innovative financing in the development of a national clean cookstove industry. Since its launch in 2012, Alliance partners have sold nearly 2 million clean cooking energy solutions, built market development partnerships with states, finance companies and investors; and established a clean cooking energy laboratory.

Despite these achievements however, the market for clean cookstoves in Nigeria is still considered undeveloped, stemming chiefly from both policy and market failures: a lack of awareness about the benefits of clean fuels and stoves; weak government policies; poorly developed supply chain for LPG; insufficient access to finance; and poor coordination along the value chain.

CSDevNet launches action/2015 campaign in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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CSDevNet launches action/2015 campaign in Nigeria

A global movement for accelerated progress comprising of representative organisations, partnerships, and coalitions from every continent and region of the world, action/2015, has been launched in Nigeria. The movement which works together to ensure that 2015 is a transformative year with an ambitious new global sustainable development agenda and an international climate change agreement set sail in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with leading Nigerian civil society organisations under the aegis of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet).

Launch of the campaign in Ibadan, Oyo State. Photo credit: Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet)
Launch of the campaign in Ibadan, Oyo State. Photo credit: Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet)

Speaking to the press after the launch in Lagos on Wenesday, Atayi Babs, National Network Coordinator of CSDevNet who also doubles as the Lead Facilitator for action2015Nigeria, stated that 2015 is a critically important year as processes that will potentially shape development frameworks across the globe will be concluded.

His words: “2015 is the year three UN summits that can bend the course of history will hold. One in March that will develop a post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, another in September that will agree on a new Sustainable Development Goals (to replace MDGs) – a new framework for humanity – to tackle poverty, gender inequality and environmental crisis and the third in December to set new Climate Action Targets – a crucial step towards a safer planet and it is in furtherance of these that action2015 was formed to demand change and work to ensure world leaders adopt truly ambitious goals and agreements on climate change, poverty, inequality, and injustice.

“‘action/2015Nigeria’ is therefore a platform to build a groundswell of public pressure and ensure action is taken to deliver transformational change. It is also an avenue to think globally while acting locally, providing ways for everyone everywhere to get involved by talking, taking action, texting and tweeting their way into influencing the outcomes of these global debates. These debates affect us all. Our leaders must hear our voice. When political leaders meet and define their positions in these agreements, they will know that millions and millions of people will be demanding their human rights, listening to their promises and are ready to hold them accountable for what they do.”

According to him, key demands of “action2015Nigeria” include the urgent need for all 2015 commitments to reflect an end to extreme poverty that condemns millions of people, especially women and girls, to an early death, poor education and ill health, a turning point in the soaring levels of inequality and discrimination driven by economic policies that deliver for the few rather than the many, and an accelerated transition to 100% renewable energy so that a safer climate and sustainable economy – with all its benefits for people and planet is made possible.

“The ‘action2015Nigeria’ campaign also demands that the Post-2015 Framework must help to make climate action in all countries happen without further delay and must support poor people, particularly in Africa and Nigeria to build resilience so as to adapt to climate impacts they are experiencing already. The network further demands that all 2015 commitments must be underpinned by the four guiding principles of inclusion, equity, people-centredness and environmental sustainability and should prioritise support to high-risk countries like Nigeria and populations disproportionately impacted by natural and human-made hazards and disasters,” he stated

With many countries, cities, and states including Nigeria, billed to hold elections this year and next, Atayi Babs enjoined Nigerians “to pile up pressure on all aspirants until climate change, poverty elimination and renewable energy transition become embedded not just in their manifestoes, but as fundamental human rights necessitating urgent attention of all.”

The national launch of action2015Nigeria which encompasses advocacy visits to media houses, royal fathers, faith and respected opinion leaders, and establishment of action2015 clubs in secondary schools will simultaneously take place across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria from the 14th to 17th of January 2015.

Sustainable development: Are corporations green or greedy?

Michael Simire
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0
Sustainable development: Are corporations green or greedy?

Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World 2014 explores the shifting role of corporations in the UN’s global effort for sustainability

As national governments flounder to resolve pressing global challenges, corporations are positioning themselves within the United Nations framework as efficient players and indispensable partners in international policy debates. But with their immense economic and political sway, can corporations be brought to the development table without the “corporate capture” of governance? In the Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World 2014: Governing for Sustainability, contributing author Lou Pingeot, policy adviser at Global Policy Forum, explains the need for accountability and transparency.

Lou Pingeot, policy adviser at Global Policy Forum
Lou Pingeot, policy adviser at Global Policy Forum

Already, business groups – especially large multinational corporations –   have become very active in post-2015 UN initiatives. And, not surprisingly, various business reports now present economic growth and a market-based approach, rather than government regulation, as unambiguous solutions for poverty reduction and economic development.

“Making the business case for sustainable development may be seen as a pragmatic approach,” writes Pingeot. “This begs the question, however, of what to do when necessary efforts for the public good do not constitute a good investment for the private sector.”

Future solutions may depend on moving away from the “business-as-usual” trajectory, in which people are seen as consumers and entrepreneurs, to one that considers them as multifaceted citizens. But with powerful economic actors currently benefiting greatly from the business-as-usual model, they may have a strong interest in resisting far-reaching structural transformation toward sustainability.

The mining industry is particularly over-represented in some UN initiatives. One in five of the 30 corporate representatives in the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network – which includes representation from BP, Anglo American, and Total, for example –  have ties to the mining industry.

“It could be argued that these companies are precisely the ones that should be involved because of their important impact on development, human rights, and the environment,” says Pingeot. “However, the mining and oil and gas sectors also have the most incentive to delay or limit the transition to sustainable development, so as to protect their profit sources and ultimately their existence.”

There is merit in –   and necessity for –   cooperation in order to make large-scale changes in business practice. Some pioneering industries have already begun to lead the path to sustainable development solutions. But the corporate entry into international development will require important reforms for transparency and accountability. The UN will need to adopt a systemwide conflict-of-interest policy and to report funding sources with full transparency. It must clearly define criteria for business participation, excluding players that have broken UN sanctions, lobbied against international agreements, or otherwise violated environmental, social, and human rights conventions.

Avoiding the undue influence of business actors on the post-2015 agenda, while still encouraging private sector participation, will require a major shift in UN norms and policies toward more stringent transparency and accountability.

Worldwatch’s State of the World 2014 investigates the broad concept of “governance” for sustainability, including action by national governments, international organisations, and local communities. It also highlights the need for economic and political institutions to serve people and to preserve and protect our common resources.

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