Asia-Pacific Climate Action Urgent UPSC

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC SDG PROGRESS REPORT 2024

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Context: According to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Asia-Pacific region is not on track to achieve any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Key Highlights of the Report

Overall Progress on SDGs

The Asia-Pacific region is falling significantly behind in achieving the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report indicates that none of the 17 SDGs are on track to be achieved by 2030.
The pace of growth in the region suggests a delay of 32 years, meaning that the goals may not be attained until 2062. Only 11% of the measurable SDG targets out of the total 169 are currently on track.
By 2030, the region is projected to achieve only one-third of the required progress if the current trajectory continues.

Climate Action (SDG 13)

Progress toward SDG 13, which focuses on climate action, is particularly worrisome. The report notes that all targets under SDG 13 have either stalled or regressed.
Climate change is identified as a critical challenge, impacting not only SDG 13 but also other interconnected goals such as ending hunger (SDG 2) and the overall economy (SDG 1) in the region.

Data Challenges

Data availability remains a significant hurdle. The report points out that 67% of the 169 targets are currently not measurable in the Asia-Pacific region.
Although there has been an improvement in data availability since 2017, there are still insufficient data for 53 targets, including three related to climate action under SDG 13.
For SDG 13, only around 37.5% of indicators have data, while 55.4% lack data altogether, impacting the monitoring of progress under this goal.

Call for Action

The report stresses the urgent need to incorporate climate action into national policies to achieve SDG 13. The ongoing regression in climate goals necessitates a reversal of the trend to meet the targets.
Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, as outlined in SDG 13.1, is highlighted as insufficient midway through the target year, requiring accelerated progress.

About United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Overview	The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is one of the five regional commissions under the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
	It aims to increase economic activity in Asia and the Far East and foster economic relations globally.
Membership	Composed of 53 Member States and nine Associate members.
	Members primarily from Asia and the Pacific regions. Some member states are not geographically located in Asia or Oceania.
	Members include countries like France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
History	Established in 1947 as the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE).
	Renamed ESCAP in 1974 to reflect broader aspects of its work.
Scope	Works on various areas such as macroeconomic policy, trade, transport, social development, environment, and sustainable development, among others.
	Provides a forum for member states to promote regional cooperation and collective action for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Subregional Offices	Maintains five sub-regional offices in Incheon, Almaty, New Delhi, Jakarta, and Suva to better target and deliver programs.
Headquarters	Originally located in Shanghai, later moved to the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Publications	The commission releases various publications detailing its work and updates on its mandate, as well as on a wide variety of issues affecting its member states.
	Asia-Pacific Disaster Report: Offers information and analysis on disasters in the region, contributing to disaster risk reduction efforts.
	Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report: Provides insights into trade and investment trends in the Asia-Pacific region.
	Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific: Presents a comprehensive survey addressing economic and social issues in the region.
	Review of Development in Transport in Asia and the Pacific: Examines and assesses the development of transport infrastructure in the region.
	SDG Progress Assessment Reports / Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific: Focuses on assessing progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interconnected goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
They address global challenges including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, climate change, and more.

Goal 1: No Poverty	End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger	End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being	Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Goal 4: Quality Education	Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Goal 5: Gender Equality	Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequality	Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal 13: Climate Action	Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal 14: Life Below Water	Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
Goal 15: Life on Land	Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

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SYNERGISTIC BARRIERS AND SDGs: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/synergistic-barriers-and-sdgs

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relies heavily on accurate data and monitoring progress. However, many developing countries lack the resources and capabilities for robust data collection. How to overcome this data gap and ensure all countries have equal access to reliable information for effective SDG implementation?

Answer Structure:

1.Briefly introduce the significance of accurate data for SDG implementation. Highlight the challenges faced by developing countries in terms of limited resources and capabilities for robust data collection.

2.Emphasize the role of data in tracking progress, identifying challenges, and formulating effective policies for sustainable development. Discuss how data-driven decision-making is crucial for achieving the SDGs in a targeted and efficient manner.

3.Elaborate on the specific challenges that developing countries encounter in collecting accurate and timely data. Discuss issues such as inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and lack of technological resources.

4.Propose a multi-pronged approach to address the data gap, including Capacity Building, Technological Innovation, International Collaboration, Resource Mobilization

5.Emphasize the principle of leaving no one behind by ensuring equal access to reliable information for all countries. Discuss the importance of global solidarity and inclusivity in the SDG implementation process.

6.Highlight the role of organizations like the United Nations and its agencies in coordinating efforts to bridge the data gap. Discuss initiatives such as the Data4SDGs to support national statistical offices in developing countries.

7.Summarize the key points and reiterate the importance of addressing the data gap for sustainable and inclusive development. Emphasize the need for ongoing efforts and collaboration to ensure that all countries, regardless of their development status, have equal access to reliable information for effective SDG implementation.