The phrase, sustainable development has its genesis in the international Union for the Conservation of Nature’s which took place in 1980 World Conservation Strategy report. The phrase gained wide-ranging prevalence in 1987 where it was entitled, Our Common Future by the World Commission on Environment (Metz, 2010). The commission defined sustainable development as growth that meets the wants of the current without compromising the capability of upcoming generations to meet up their individual wants (Yuen, 2011).
The initial attempts to make the notion extra accurate were imaginary rather than realistic. They mainly put their focus on the economic and environmental dimensions. From the economic point of view, some of the past contributions (Pearce, Barbier and Markandya, 1990) suggested that sustainable development should mean that no generation in the future would be worse off than the current generation. In other terms, people should not let wellbeing to go down over time. Sustainable development can only be achieved through the adoption of institutions that enable people to engage in economic activities that create wealth and lead to technological progress. Sustainable development is now on the key policy drivers in western societies. Sustainability pervades decision making at the global, national, regional and local levels and is becoming embedded politically in all layers of government.
Climate change is a change of the climate structure over long periods of time. Climate change poses a grave threat, with a range of devastating consequences for humanity, and the best response is restricting emissions of greenhouse gas. Climate change comprises of global warming which is a result of an increase of greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
Climate change has been unanimously acknowledged as a global problem (Nolon, 2011).
When it comes to emissions of green house gas, developing countries are leading. Climate change in developing countries is not considered an important focus of economic policy since it does not feature prominently within the environmental or economic policy agendas of these countries. Climate change considerations place renewed urgency on some options, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable land –use policies, and argue for better understanding the connections to other environmental problems.
Climate change policies could have significant ancillary benefits for the local environment. They also argue for improving the integration of environment and development issues along with other issues, such as income distribution .Climate continue to change lives around the world, from the heat waves and droughts of 2012 that raised food prices and increased hunger across the Sahel to flooding in the Philippines which damaged homes and businesses. The world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations are bearing the blunt of it, and the impact threatens to roll back decades of developing progress. As the effects of global climate are felt, the demand for professionals able to address the challenge increases in economic change. This threat and the opportunity for greener, more inclusive growth drove the world Banks work in sustainable development throughout the past year.
Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development a report released by World Bank provided a practical guide with steps all countries can take, no matter where they are on economic development level. The bank carried that message into the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June along with a focus on natural capital accounting, cities importance, oceans and landscapes in sustainable development, and sustainable energy for all. They also warned of the dangers ahead if the world failed to take action on climate change. Successfully limiting global climate change to “safe” levels in the long-term is likely to require connecting climate change policies to sustainable development strategies in both developing and industrialized countries. Linkages between climate change and sustainable development must start by considering local and regional circumstances and policy contexts (Metz, 2010).
Building resilient cities is one of the actions that should be adopted. The leaders must play part in construction of climate-smart cities for the future (Nolon, 2011).
They must also come up with regulations that support energy efficient buildings and policies that reduce the human impact on the climate can help cities become part of the solution. More of the world’s population already lives in the cities. Developing countries has the fastest growth, where many cities struggle to provide access to water, sanitation and power for the poorest, as well as safety from natural disasters. The Banks Water and Sanitation program and energy partnerships work to improve access to services. The bank also warned cities of increased waste through this report, What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management offered policy recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the amount and cost of waste at the same time.
The World Bank also came up with strategies for example, financing much needed work, from urban development to support for agriculture to renewable energy projects, which could immensely reduce the level of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Through the water and sanitation program, the World Bank provided education, policy advice, and powerful economic arguments for increasing access to sanitation (Nolon, 2011).
. The banks carbon finance unit and its work through the climate Investment Funds provided support for innovative programs such as methane capture practices on farms, renewable energy projects, and forest conservation and financing (Yuen, 2011).
Sustainable development policies in developing countries are important in determining future greenhouse gas emissions and the potential and related costs of climate change mitigation policies. International climate change policies have been driven by global environment policy concerns giving little attention to local development and the environmental impacts of specific policies ( Nolon, 2011). .
The World Bank has also participated in numerous activities towards achieving sustainable development. These activities include Lighting Africa and Lighting Asia which replaces kerosene as the source of light in rural areas to solar lighting which is environmental friendly since it reduces the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This move has helped children to study at night since the light produced is conducive and friendly than the light produced by kerosene lamps which causes irritation and affects eyes in the long run due to continuous use of this energy. Shop keepers in rural areas have increased their earning through this program since they can work for more hours at night. The World Bank focuses on increasing access to sustainable energy so as to lift millions of people out of poverty (Nolon, 2011).
Climate Change and a worsening atmosphere is a key dispute to sustainability, bio-diversity, food security and stability across Africa. Pollution and poor air quality are threatening the lives and futures of the continents people. These environmental issues should be addressed first so as to fulfill our objectives which are sustainable development and growth (Metz, 2010). The climate Change program should bring together all relevant regional and continental players to share knowledge and encourage one another in addressing this threat of climate change.
With the applications of the above policies, then there is hope that we can make real progress toward sustainable development. Turn Down the heat: Why a warmer World Must Be Avoided is a report that reminds us that we are in course for a warmer world if action is not taken to stop climate change. The scenario is avoidable, but all sectors need to stop at speed and scale toward lower and climate –smart, sustainable development.
References
Metz, B. (2010). Controlling climate change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Nolon, J. R., & Salkin, P. E. (2011).Climate change and sustainable development law in a nutshell. St. Paul, Min.: West.
Yuen, B. K., & Kumssa, A. (2011).Climate change and sustainable urban development in Africa and Asia. Dordrecht: Springer
