MDG1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Environment & Poverty Times 06 2009 Millennium Development Goals


Greater efficiency in resource use and reduced environmental impact fro production of goods and services over their life cycle results in improved produ and reduced costs. In short, it allows more to be done with less.


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How does resource efficiency relate to the Millennium Development Goals? POVERTY


GENDER & EDUCATION (I) HEALTH1 MDG1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger


Greater efficiency in resource use and reduced environmental impact from the production of goods and services over their life cycle results in improved productivity and reduced costs. In short, it allows more to be done with less.


Growth in consumer demand for sustainable products can provide sustainable producers in developing countries with access to new markets as well as price premiums for their products.


Provision of cleaner and more resource-efficient services (such as water, energy and food) allows more people to meet their basic needs.


HEALTH1


MDG4: Reduce child mortality MDG5: Improve maternal health MDG6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases


Water and sanitation-related diseases and acute respiratory infections (primarily from indoor air pollution) are two of the leading causes of under-five child mortality. Providing cleaner and more resource-efficient energy and water services will help to reduce the prevalence of these diseases.


Damage to women’s health from indoor air pollution or from carrying heavy loads of water and fuel wood can make women less fit for childbirth and at greater risk of complications during pregnancy. Providing cleaner and more resource-efficient energy and water services will help to reduce these risks.


Malaria, killer of an estimated 1 million children under age five every year, may be exacerbated as a result of deforestation, loss of biodiversity and poor water management. Improved resource efficiency would help to reduce these pressures.


MDG2: Achieve universal primary education MDG3: Promote gender equality and empower women


Collecting water and fuel wood places a burden on women and children (especially girls), reducing the time they have available for education or income-generating activities. Providing clean and resource-efficient energy and water services will help to reduce this burden. Providing clean and sustainable energy will also allow children to do homework after daylight hours.


Including resource efficiency issues (such as the three Rs of reduce, re-use and recycle) in the school curriculum can influence the behaviour of young people and their parents.


ENVIRONMENT


MDG4: Reduce child mortality MDG5: Improve maternal health MDG6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other d


Water and sanitation-related diseases and acute respiratory infections (pri from indoor air pollution) are two of the leading causes of under-five child mo Providing cleaner and more resource-efficient energy and water services will h reduce the prevalence of these diseases.


Damage to women’s health from indoor air pollution or from carrying heavy of water and fuel wood can make women less fit for childbirth and at greate of complications during pregnancy. Providing cleaner and more resource-ef energy and water services will help to reduce these risks.


MDG7: Ensure environmental sustainability


Malaria, killer of an estimated 1 million children under age five every year be exacerbated as a result of deforestation, loss of biodiversity and poor management. Improved resource efficiency would help to reduce these press


Improved resource efficiency helps to achieve the objective of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, thereby slowing biodiversity loss.


Promoting the efficient use of limited water resources through techniques such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting helps to reduce stress on water resources and improve access to water supplies.


Integrated waste management, including through the three Rs approach of reduce, re-use and recycle, can help to improve the lives of people living in slums, as can the adoption of sustainable urban transport solutions such as integrated rapid transport systems.


DEVELOPMENT / PARTNERSHIP MDG8: Global partnership for development


Technology transfer through development assistance can allow developing countries to “leapfrog” to a sustainable development path, bypassing inefficient, polluting and ultimately costly phases of development.


International coordination and cooperation efforts to promote resource efficiency such as those based on the Marrakech Process on Sustainable Consumption and Production help to promote international partnerships, efforts and initiatives to stimulate resource efficiency.


The Green Economy Initiative endeavours to mobilize and refocus the global economy on investments in clean industries and technologies and natural infrastructure such as forests and soils, this being seen as the best bet for real growth, reducing ecological scarcity, combating climate change and triggering an employment boom in the 21st century. In doing so, it aims to contribute to the crafting of a global set of actions that are more conducive to sustainable wealth creation and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.


1. Adapted from UNDP-UNEP (2009) Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into development planning. A handbook for practitioners


Growth in consumer demand for sustainable products can provide susta producers in developing countries with access to new markets as well as premiums for their products.


Provision of cleaner and more resource-efficient services (such as water, energ food) allows more people to meet their basic needs.


Technology transfer through development assistance can allow developing ultimately costly phases of development.


International coordination and cooperation efforts to promote resource effici help to promote international partnerships, efforts and initiatives to stimulat


The Green Economy Initiative endeavours to mobilize and refocus the global ec and soils, this being seen as the best bet for real growth, reducing ecological sc it aims to contribute to the crafting of a global set of actions that are more cond


1. Adapted from UNDP-UNEP (2009) Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into de


Dear reader,


We are in a year of economic as well as ecological crisis, and the topic for the 6th issue of Environmental and Poverty Times is resource efficiency as a catalyst for a greening of the world economy and its subsequent contribution to poverty alleviation efforts.


Greening the world economy means transforming markets and finance systems into partners promoting and implementing sustainable development. We may be witnesses to the establishment of new economic models resulting from a long called for paradigm shift that considers the importance of natural and social capital. Time will tell. One thing is certain; we are all part of the puzzle and its possible solution.


This issue of Environment and Poverty Times will point to a few examples of shifts in thinking about economics that may lead to a more sustainable future. Practical examples of resource efficiency that contribute to a greening of the economy are emphasized. You will get snapshots of inspiring cases from around the world highlighting themes such as sustainable energy, waste management, construction and


sustainable tourism. These examples show that significant gains can be made by introducing green economy principles and building resilience whilst supporting the development of green(er) jobs and the reduction of poverty.


Environment and Poverty Times aims to be of interest not only to professionals working in the area of sustainable development, but also seeks to grab the attention of the general public. Most of the articles focus on concrete and practical experiences ‘from the field’. By providing stories, interviews, maps, charts, and pictorials we are attempting to demonstrate some of the potential wealth of perspectives and initiatives that flourish world wide. These efforts serve to show some of the many different approaches that can lead to the improved livelihood of the poor whilst also often addressing the value of the natural capital that society all too often takes for granted.


If you want to read this or previous issues of the Environment and Poverty Times on the net, please stop by at www.environmenttimes.net – and tell your friends.


Enjoy reading!


Environment Times No. 6


Published by UNEP/GRID-Arendal The UN House, Teaterplassen 3 PO Box 183 N-4802 Arendal Fax: +47 37 03 50 50 www.grida.no


E-mail: grid@grida.no


Chief Editor: Anne Solgaard, Esther Reilink Editorial team: Rannveig Rivedal Nilsen, Janet Fernandez Skaalvik Copy editors: Harry Forster and Sheila Carrodus, Interrelate, Grenoble Editorial Committee: Stefanos Fotiou (UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific), Toolseram Ramjeawon (University of Mauritius), Helen Marquard (SEED Initiative, supporting entrepreneurs for sustainable development) and Jose Leal (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) Cartography: Riccardo Pravettoni


Special thanks to all contributors without whom this work would not have been possible.


The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNEP, UNEP/GRID-Arendal or any co-operating agency. The designations employed and the presentation of material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP, UNEP/GRID-Arendal or co-operating agencies concerning the legal status of any country, territory or city or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Mention of a commercial company or product in this paper does not imply endorsement by UNEP or UNEP/GRID-Arendal. The use of information from this publication concerning priority products for publicity or advertising is not permitted. UNEP/GRID-Arendal would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source.


Printed at Agderposten Trykk, Norway September 2009. 10,000 copies


Also available online at www.environmenttimes.net


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