Sustainable development and population
Sustainable development is a growth strategy focused on fulfilling current needs without
jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own. It strives for a society where
living conditions and resources are aligned with human needs while maintaining the integrity of
the planet. The goal is to achieve a harmonious balance between economic growth,
environmental health, and social welfare.
The concept of sustainable development intersects with sustainability, which is viewed as a
normative ideal. UNESCO differentiates the two by stating that sustainability is a long-term
objective, while sustainable development encompasses the various processes and pathways to
reach that objective.
Definition of Sustainable Development: It is characterized by two fundamental concepts:
The importance of addressing the essential needs of the world’s impoverished population.
The recognition of limitations set by technological advancements and social structures on
the environment's capacity to fulfill both current and future needs.
Key Capacities for Sustainable Development:
1. Measuring progress toward sustainability.
2. Promoting equity across generations.
3. Adapting to unforeseen challenges.
4. Transitioning to more sustainable development pathways.
5. Connecting knowledge with sustainable actions.
6. Establishing collaborative governance structures.
Environmental Sustainability: This aspect focuses on the resilience and diversity of the natural
environment. It emphasizes the need to manage resources like air, water, and climate effectively
to fulfill human needs while safeguarding the planet’s life support systems. Sustainable practices
include efficient water use, renewable energy adoption, and responsible material sourcing.
Unsustainable practices occur when natural resources are consumed faster than they can
regenerate. Sustainability mandates that human activities utilize resources at a rate conducive to
natural replenishment. The long-term consequences of environmental degradation could threaten
human survival.
Current environmental issues linked to industrial agriculture are being tackled through methods
such as sustainable and organic farming. Effective climate change strategies include afforestation
and responsible forest management. Local movements are promoting sustainable food systems,
which may involve reduced meat consumption and local food sourcing.
The principal factor driving environmental impacts is human consumption. Addressing this
involves not only reducing consumption levels but also enhancing the sustainability of the entire
production and disposal cycle. Analyzing consumption patterns can help manage resource
demands at all levels, from individual choices to global economic impacts.
Economic and Social Improvements: Given rural poverty and resource overexploitation, it is
proposed that environmental resources be viewed as vital economic assets, termed natural
capital. Traditionally, economic development has hinged on GDP growth, but sustainable
development may require improving quality of life while reducing resource use. Growth often
overlooks the environmental factors affecting social welfare, whereas development encompasses
these considerations.
Barriers to Sustainability: Achieving sustainability is fraught with challenges, termed
sustainability barriers. Some stem from the complexity of nature, while others relate to human
behavior, such as the value-action gap. Other barriers are extrinsic and can be addressed, such as
pricing public goods appropriately. Existing economic systems often encourage
overconsumption, inhibiting necessary societal changes.
Implementing sustainability policies faces additional hurdles, including the trade-offs between
environmental conservation and economic development goals. Political pressures frequently
favor short-term gains over long-term sustainability initiatives.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs, set by the United Nations, aim to
eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and ensure peace and prosperity globally. These
goals include ending hunger and poverty, achieving gender equality, and addressing climate
change.
Access to reproductive health care and family planning is critical to empowering women and
advancing the SDGs. Educated women, who have greater control over family planning,
contribute to smaller, healthier families and foster economic growth and resilience.
UN Support in Bangladesh: The UN collaborates with the Bangladeshi government to address
development challenges through various projects aimed at implementing the SDGs. These efforts
encompass a wide range of areas, including poverty alleviation, disaster management, health
care, and education.
List of Sustainable Development Goals: The 17 SDGs include goals such as No Poverty, Zero
Hunger, Good Health, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water, Affordable Energy,
and Climate Action, among others.
Environmental management standards
The ISO 14000 series is a set of international standards aimed at supporting organizations in
managing their environmental responsibilities effectively.
ISO 14006: Environmental Management Systems – Guidelines for Incorporating
Ecodesign
This standard provides guidelines for integrating ecodesign principles into an organization’s
existing environmental management systems (EMS). It emphasizes the importance of
considering environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle, encouraging companies to
design products that minimize negative environmental effects while enhancing efficiency and
sustainability.
ISO 14020: Environmental Labels and Declarations – General Principles
ISO 14020 outlines the principles for environmental labels and declarations. It establishes
guidelines to ensure that claims made through labels or declarations are credible, accurate, and
transparent. This helps consumers and businesses make informed choices based on reliable
environmental information.
ISO 14040: Environmental Management – Life Cycle Assessment – Principles
and Framework
This standard provides a framework for conducting life cycle assessments (LCA), which
evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw
material extraction to disposal. ISO 14040 helps organizations understand the full environmental
consequences of their products and supports decision-making aimed at reducing their overall
impact.
ISO 14050: Environmental Management – Vocabulary
ISO 14050 offers standardized definitions of key terms and concepts related to environmental
management. This ensures clarity and consistency in the language used across the ISO 14000
series, helping organizations communicate more effectively about environmental issues and
management practices.
ISO 14064-1: Greenhouse Gases – Part 1: Specification with Guidance at the
Organization Level for Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Removals
This part of ISO 14064 provides specifications and guidance for organizations to quantify and
report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It supports organizations in
measuring their carbon footprint, helping them identify opportunities for reduction and
demonstrate accountability in their GHG management.
ISO 14066: Greenhouse Gases – Competence Requirements for Greenhouse Gas
Validation Teams and Verification Teams
ISO 14066 establishes the competence requirements for teams involved in the validation and
verification of GHG emissions reports. It ensures that teams possess the necessary skills and
expertise to carry out these activities effectively, promoting accuracy and reliability in GHG
reporting.
These standards collectively help organizations improve their environmental performance,
enhance sustainability, and comply with regulatory requirements.
Environmental policies in Bangladesh
Key Milestones in Environmental Law Legislation
1. Environmental Pollution Control Ordinance, 1977: This was an early effort to address
environmental issues, primarily focusing on regulating air and water pollution,
highlighting the need for environmental oversight.
2. Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act, 1995: Marking a significant
advancement in environmental policy, this act aimed at pollution prevention, mandated
environmental impact assessments for development projects, and established the
Department of Environment (DOE) to oversee environmental protection efforts.
3. Environmental Conservation Rules, 1997: These rules provided a framework for
implementing the provisions of the Environmental Conservation Act, including
guidelines for environmental impact assessments, emission standards, and waste
management practices.
4. Forest Act, 1927 (Amended in 2000): This amendment strengthened forest
management, increased penalties for illegal logging, and promoted sustainable forestry
practices, recognizing the importance of forest conservation.
Institutional Framework of Environmental Law
The institutional framework in Bangladesh includes several key organizations:
Department of Environment (DOE): As the main regulatory authority under the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the DOE implements
environmental laws, conducts impact assessments, and monitors compliance.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA): This NGO advocates for
environmental protection through public interest litigation and awareness campaigns.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): This ministry
oversees environmental policies and coordinates efforts to tackle environmental
challenges.
National River Conservation Commission (NRCC): Focused on protecting river
ecosystems, the NRCC addresses pollution and encroachment issues.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
The EIA process, established under the Environmental Conservation Rules, 1997, requires
certain projects to assess their environmental impacts before approval. This ensures potential
consequences are evaluated, and mitigation strategies are implemented.
Challenges and Emerging Issues
Despite progress, Bangladesh faces several challenges:
Enforcement and Compliance: Ensuring adherence to environmental regulations is a
significant hurdle, necessitating stronger enforcement and increased public awareness.
Urbanization and Industrialization: Rapid growth leads to pollution and habitat loss,
complicating the balance between development and conservation.
Climate Change Vulnerability: Bangladesh is highly susceptible to climate impacts,
requiring adaptive strategies and international support for resilience.
Waste Management: The country struggles with solid waste, plastic pollution, and
hazardous waste disposal, highlighting the need for effective waste management systems.
International Collaboration
Bangladesh engages in international partnerships to address environmental issues, participating
in initiatives related to climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development, which
facilitate knowledge exchange and financial support for projects.
Role of Civil Society and NGOs
Civil society and NGOs are crucial in environmental advocacy. Organizations like BELA hold
the government accountable, engage in litigation, conduct research, and promote awareness of
sustainable practices.
Future Directions
As Bangladesh addresses environmental challenges, it aims to refine laws and policies,
emphasizing the integration of environmental considerations in development planning. Future
initiatives are likely to focus on sustainable forestry, renewable energy, and climate adaptation.
Conclusion
Bangladesh's progress in environmental legislation reflects a growing recognition of the
importance of protecting natural resources and mitigating environmental impacts. The country
has established comprehensive frameworks to address various environmental issues,
transitioning from pollution control to broader sustainability goals. The collaboration among
government agencies, NGOs, and international partners underscores a collective effort towards a
sustainable future, with continued commitment to ecological preservation as vital for achieving
balance in the environment
