Synchronizing carbon mitigation and the Sustainable Development Goals
The COVID-19 pandemic has engulfed the world and is creating economic hardships for people and businesses. The economic disruption is causing temporary reduction in GHG emissions but is also adversely affecting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Impacted goals include good health and well-being (goal 3), zero hunger (2), affordable and clean energy (7), decent work and economic growth (8), responsible consumption and production (12), and climate action (13). The last two are especially important since they link directly with carbon management.
The editorial identifies that:
“A reasonable [human development index –] HDI above 0.7 (with a maximum possible value of 1) was attainable at 50 GJ of primary energy per person in 2012 and is now possible at around 30 GJ/capita/year. Countries that develop later may therefore achieve transitions to higher HDI at lower energy consumption levels.”
Achieving a higher HDI has become less energy intensive thanks to increased availability of more efficient and renewable technologies. This is especially relevant given the COVID-19 recovery efforts planned and currently underway.
COVID-19 recovery efforts will set the path forwards for GHG emissions and SDG achievement. The author identifies the value of synchronizing approaches to these intrinsically connected goals through recovery. The author concludes that efforts which address GHG emission and SDGs – jointly – will enhance the resilience of the world population.
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(2020) Synchronizing carbon mitigation and the Sustainable Development Goals, Carbon Management, 11:3, 203-204, DOI: 10.1080/17583004.2020.1757338