Sustainable Development

May 2018 Sustainable Development

Read the articles selected in May 2018

FOCUS 2018 International Press Review on Sustainable Development

Fair Progress? Economic mobility across Generations Around the World

Around the world, the growth potential of a country seems closely linked with its socio-economical mobility, which requires to the new generations not only a level of educational attainment exceeding their parents’ background but also the right regulations and reforms to create a virtuous circle.

Aligning the Financial System with Sustainable Development

Source: UN environment

To meet the Paris Agreement commitments are required expensive national investments. Starting from the hypothesis that many solutions to the lack of financial resources lie in the mechanisms of the global financial system, this report suggests the best practices and a set of rules to mobilize the capital needed.

Powerful investors push big investors to plan for climate change

By David S. Rauf

Source: Scientific American, 3 May

The pressure exerted by activist investors is pushing many oil and gas producers to more transparency on their impact on climate change. Shareholders through nonbinding resolutions have a say on proposed company policies. There is now more awareness that climate change is a risk factor for enterprises.

Climate Action: Time for implementation

By Angel Gurría

Source: http://www.oecd.org

Short-termism and national agendas are inadequate to address climate change. The international community should establish flexible market mechanisms and the harmonisation of carbon prices across countries to overcome the old economic model, helping the most vulnerable to cope with climate consequences.

Private Philantropy for Development

Source: http://www.oecd.org/

After the 2007 financial crisis, the role played by private foundations through giving and innovative approaches in the progress of sustainable development is generally recognized, but there is a lack of information about the flows from private organizations as well on how they operate.

Mayors’ views on health disparities documented in new study

Source: https://green.harvard.edu/

A survey has asked the local leaders of 758 American cities about the existence of health disparities in their communities. 95 percent agreed that disparities exist. Those that admit their existence tend to feel them very unfair and avoidable.

World population prospects

Source: http://www.un.org/

This report provides a comprehensive outlook on demographic trends at a global, regional and national level to forecast how they will impact on the realization of the 2030 Agenda. The major challenge governments will be facing is the decline in births and the general aging of the population.

Can science and technology really help solve global problems? A UN forum debates vital question

Source: http://www.un.org/

Sustainable development needs an integrated approach in all its dimensions, from pollution’s prevention and clean-up to poverty eradication. Technologies have an enormous potential as a tool for achieving the common good, so long they are within the reach of the poor and can benefit the most disadvantaged.

The missing maths: the human cost of fossil fuels

Source: The Guardian, 26 April

Coal combustion is harmful to the climate system and the human health. The costs to healthcare systems and in terms of productivity loss outside those affecting individuals and their families outweigh the mitigation costs for staying below 2° C globally.

Share the Meal

Source: asvis.it, 26 April

The United Nations World Food Programme is the agency which delivers food assistance to around 80 million people in 80 countries through voluntary donation. With the app Share the Meal we can feed one child for a day at the cost of 0.40 euros.

L’Europe regrette son âge d’or

By Gabriel Grésillon

Source: Les Echos, 24 April

The European Union is no longer a closed club and has to deal with the less liberal regimes to which it has opened its doors, as well with the political choices of its electors, that prospect a future Europhobic and xenophobic Parliament. But this is the price of a machine which has grown to a great world power.

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Last edit 04/04/2019