The developed countries, hamstrung by a prolonged economic slump, have reneged on their promise to set aside a fixed?amount ? 0.7% of their gross national product ? to enable the rest of the world to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs).?The outcome document of the Rio +20 conference here, however, stuck to the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), which India pitched for with unqualified support from the Group of 77 developing countries and Beijing.
New Delhi, which took a leadership role here in bridging differences among the assorted groups of 194 countries taking part in the historic conference , also ensured that no timelines are set for achieving various SDG targets, including those for emission reduction. This would ensure that countries like India, which are in the phase of rapid economic growth driven by unprecedented levels of investment in physical and social infrastructure, will have the necessary development space.
According to official sources here, there was heated exchange of words between the rich world and the G77 group over the former?s ?insistence on defined rewards for technology transfer and definite timelines for these. At last, the principle that rules for adoption of green technology (for public private partnership (PPP) projects in sectors like renewable energy, forest conservation and water management) can?t be enforced in the absence of adequate funding of other countries? SDG projects by the rich world was adhered to.?Countries use sundry?fiscal sops and concessional loans to promote investment in these areas.
Environment and forests minister Jayanthi Natarajan said: ?The conference will be remembered for kick-starting the process on Sustainable Development Goals. Since they are expected to become a part of the post-2015 global development agenda, SDGs will hopefully guide the international community towards inclusive sustainable development. We are happy that this process and its outcome will be guided by the Rio principles, respective national circumstances, priorities and capacities.? The outcome document also clearly recognises poverty eradication as the greatest global challenge. In doing so, it places this squarely at the centre of the global development agenda, the minister added.
But the heightened campaign?for defined and time-bound contribution?from the rich countries for social and environmental projects in the emerging and under-developed economies that seemed to bear fruit at the December 2011 UN climate change conference at Durban appears to be withering away. Natarajan said the rich world flagged concepts like innovative finance, private finance and south-south cooperation (funding among developing and least developed countries) at the conference that signalled their backtracking on their own funding commitments.
The idea is to modify patterns of consumption and production?for equitable and sustainable development. India?s policymakers are keen that in the global discourse for sustainable development, a distinction is drawn between consumption for extravagant lifestyle and infrastructure development. Sustained high level of investments in various infrastructure areas in developing countries is seen to be crucial for the?global economy to grow at a reasonable pace.?India also believes that national governments?? sovereign rights to exploit their natural resources should not be compromised.
These objectives have mostly been accomplished through the new Rio document. At the same time, India has successfully resisted an attempt to enhance the UN powers on implementing the SDG projects. The UN?s role will rise only within its current mandate, the document said, indicating that it won?t assume any additional regulatory powers.
Natarajan said: ?We are satisfied that no specific goals and targets have been agreed and we look forward to engage constructively in the intergovernmental process to outline and develop goals that would be applicable to all countries, not just developed countries, integrate the three pillars sustainable development, respect CBDR and involve meaningful action by all parties and not constrain development.
She added : We have also recognised Green Economy as one of the means to sustainable development and poverty eradication, and have firmly rejected unilateral measures and trade barriers under the guise of Green Economy.?
An additional?500 million people are expected to shift to urban areas in India by 2020. That means the defining urbanisation challenges within the SDG framework would be a huge challenge for the country.