Sustainable development

Question 1

Sustainable Development

Answer 1

Towards a Spaceship Economic Model
Cowboy economy: Open system with unlimited resources and unlimited capacity for waste disposal
Spaceship economy: Closed system in which resources and waste need to be managed sustainably
Economic theory: Transition possible while maintaining growth (Nordhaus and others)

Question 2

Human Ecological Footprint

Answer 2

How many global hectares (gha) does it take to sustain one person?
Global average: 2.7 gha per person, but with large variation – more economic development -> higher gha per person
Estimate: 1.7 gha per person is sustainable
Solutions?
Reduce population?
Reduce per person gha?

Question 3

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Answer 3

SDGs at heart of the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015
Essentially a commitment to Spaceship Economy
Includes goals on Biodiversity
How to measure progress?
Targets and Indicators associated with each SDG
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

Question 4

Sustainable Development and Conservation
How is this all relevant to conservation?

Answer 4

Biodiversity conservation integral to sustainable economy (e.g. ecosystem services)
Must move away from colonial attitudes to conservation, towards integration of conservation in sustainable development
Tackle root causes of habitat destruction and overexploitation
Research and Conservation Funding