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31. Mercosur and Post-COVID 19 Exit Strategies in Terms of Sustainable Development: Renewable Energies and Climate Change

Author:
Amalia Margarita Stuhldreher and Virginia Morales Olmos
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:
Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:
COVID 19 affected the projection of the SDGs, with debates on a post-pandemic "green" exit. With a multilevel perspective, this paper addresses the evolution of energy policies in MERCOSUR countries, focusing on renewable energies and climate change. Uruguay's case is discussed, in contrast with Argentina and Brazil. Points of convergence in divergent situations are considered, given the commercial exchanges of electric energy between Uruguay and its MERCOSUR partners. Investments in renewable energies in Uruguay, its current situation, and its prospects are analyzed, considering the position of the Block and an eventual scheme of regional climate governance in the future.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, COVID-19, and Mercosur
Political Geography:
Brazil, Argentina, and South America

32. MIT X TAU Series: Africa's Future Leaders

Author:
Oby Ezekwesili and Claude Grunitzky
Publication Date:
03-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
The final webinar in the third annual webinar series focused on various aspects of sustainable development in Africa. Featuring: Oby Ezekwesili is the former Minister of Education in Nigeria and a co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement. She is an economic policy expert, an advocate for transparency, accountability, good governance and human capital development, a humanitarian and an activist.
Topic:
Development, Governance, Leadership, Sustainable Development Goals, and Human Capital
Political Geography:
Africa

33. Will economic growth be sufficient to end global poverty? New projections of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Author:
Arief Anshory Yusuf, Zuzy Anna, Ahmad Komarulzaman, and Andy Sumner
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
In this paper, we present new projections for a range of global poverty-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically, extreme monetary poverty, undernutrition, stunting, child mortality, maternal mortality, and access to clean water and basic sanitation. Our projections, based on economic growth forecasts, take into account recent global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflation shock. Our findings indicate that economic growth alone will not be sufficient to end global poverty, and the global poverty-related SDGs will not be met by a considerable distance. The implication of this, we argue, is that a stronger focus is needed on inclusive growth (SDG-8), and specifically redistribution with growth at global and national levels. This would mean more emphasis on policies to build productive capacities, and the introduction or expansion of income transfers as well as ensuring public investments are sufficient to meet the SDGs. To this end new international financing needs to be made available through debt relief or other forms of finance to expand developing countries’ fiscal space.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, Economic Growth, and Inclusion
Political Geography:
Global Focus

34. Will the poverty-related SDGs be met? Global projections for 2030

Author:
Arief Anshory Yusuf, Zuzy Anna, Ahmad Komarulzaman, and Andy Sumner
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The 1980s are sometimes referred to as the ‘lost decade’ for development. Many countries in the Global South experienced weak or no improvement in poverty indicators. Our projections are equally dire for the current decade and prospects for the SDGs unless action is taken.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, and Economic Development
Political Geography:
Global Focus

35. Water Dilemmas: The cascading impacts of water insecurity in a heating world

Author:
Padmini Iyer
Publication Date:
09-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
This briefing paper presents findings from Oxfam’s recently commissioned research on climate predictions for 2040 and 2050 in the Middle East, the Horn, East and Central Africa (HECA), West Africa and Asia regions. Analyses show how temperature increases will influence water insecurity in these regions and the potential impacts on food security, the spread of diseases, and other factors. This briefing paper also reveals severe under-investment by national governments and donors in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, with critical implications not only for water security but also for poverty and inequality. Oxfam is calling for urgent action to increase investments in sustainable, climate-adapted water management for the people who are most at risk from the worsening climate crisis.
Topic:
Climate Change, Natural Resources, Water, and Sustainable Development Goals
Political Geography:
Africa, Middle East, and Asia

36. Will Africa be part of the ‘golden decade’ of sustainable finance? Insights from GSSS bonds

Author:
Abel Gwaindepi and Krige Siebrits
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)
Abstract:
In the current 'decade of action' for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action, the battleground for success or failure lies in lower-income countries. Equally evident now is that this battle is also won or lost at the doorsteps of development and climate finance and its insertion into the current international financial system. This DIIS Working Paper explores Green Social Sustainability and Sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds in Africa. These have emerged as main private sector financing tools with recent explosive growth in European markets. Evaluating their current performance, as this study does, is crucial for policy debates and development interventions. It serves as a critical yardstick to gauge the effectiveness of private sector financing in general for advancing SDGs and climate action in developing country contexts. The progress of GSSS bonds in mobilising private sector finance in Africa allows a re-evaluation of which private sector instruments and approaches can thrive in developing country contexts, as their success in Europe does not guarantee success in emerging and low-income markets. Given that GSSS bonds are designated for specific green, social, and sustainable projects, the study's results underscore the need to shift the conversation beyond the novelty of these instruments toward a bottom-up approach that starts with pre-feasibility financing necessary for project pipelines. This approach allows the focus to be rightly put on pipelines of projects followed by deciding suitable public or private financing mechanisms.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Environment, Finance, Sustainable Development Goals, and Sustainability
Political Geography:
Africa

37. Private investments in climate and sustainable development are still not catching on in Africa

Author:
Abel Gwaindepi and Krige Siebrits
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)
Abstract:
In the world of sustainable development and climate action, considerable hope is placed on private-sector financing. The main private finance instruments are the green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds. The proceeds of these bonds are intended for use in achieving social, environmental and climate objectives. These bonds have mandatory progress reporting, which appeals to sustainability- focused investors. However, research shows that, despite GSSS bonds’ high potential for green and sustainable projects, compared to other private financing mechanisms, this potential is yet to be realised in Africa.
Topic:
Climate Change, Diplomacy, Environment, Governance, Economy, Sustainable Development Goals, and Investment
Political Geography:
Africa

38. Children with disabilities: Left behind or forgotten? Empirical evidence from Botswana using multidimensional poverty measures

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane and Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises of the importance multidimensional poverty and disability. Although there is compelling evidence suggesting that people with disabilities have a higher probability of being poor, studies that compare children with disabilities with their non-disabled peers remain scarce and limited to developed countries. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, we examined the link between childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty in Botswana. The study employs the conceptual framing of the capability and human rights-based approaches. Results reveal significant disparities in poverty levels between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers across demographic, economic and geographical variables, with children living with disability experiencing higher poverty levels than their non-disabled counterparts. We, therefore, argue that deliberate efforts should be put in place for children with disabilities to have equal opportunities to catch up with the rest of the children in order not to be left behind. The paper further provides policy implications for childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty research in Botswana.
Topic:
Sustainable Development Goals, Child Poverty, and Disability
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

39. China’s Evolving Approach to Foreign Aid

Author:
Jingdong Yuan, Abhishek Andasu, and Xuwan Ouyang
Publication Date:
05-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
Abstract:
China’s role in foreign aid and, more broadly, in development cooperation on the global stage has grown significantly since it began seven decades ago. Particularly in recent years, through such platforms as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s profile and engagement in global governance in foreign aid and related areas have been further enhanced. China’s ambition is to take a more proactive approach in foreign aid and move towards a model of international development cooperation by linking with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and by including the BRI as a major platform to achieve key development goals. This paper provides a timely analysis of the evolution of China’s foreign aid policy in the past seven decades with a particular focus on the developments since 2000. It discusses China’s development finance to Africa and the major sectors receiving Chinese aid. It also analyses recent trends of Chinese foreign aid and identifies some of the challenges that China faces as it becomes a major player in international development financing.
Topic:
Development, Foreign Aid, Infrastructure, Sustainable Development Goals, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Political Geography:
China and Asia

40. Assessment of Expenditure Choices by Low- and Low- Middle-Income Countries During the Pandemic and Their Impact on SDGs

Author:
Sanjeev Gupta and Lucas Sala
Publication Date:
06-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
Until the COVID pandemic, public spending in low- and low-middle-income countries had been growing modestly. As a result, governments expanded service provision, including in social sectors, and enlarged welfare programs. This was made possible in part by domestic revenue growth. However, the pandemic has significantly lowered revenue receipts of these countries, while creating pressures to spend more on shielding the population and providing support to the economy. Unfortunately, health outlays did not increase as a share of total output during 2000-2018. The preliminary evidence compiled in this paper shows that health spending in relation to GDP increased virtually in all low and low-middle income countries in 2020, though not by as much as in advanced economies. However, higher health spending in low and low-middle income countries is unlikely to be sustained because of the pandemic’s adverse impact on revenues and other spending pressures. Furthermore, COVID has critically scarred the future productivity of these countries. Before the pandemic, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 was doubtful in part because of the slow pace in generating additional revenues from domestic sources. As the financing needs have increased, the achievement of these goals will be delayed beyond 2030, unless additional financing sources can be found. This means that policy actions will need to be taken by these countries to create additional fiscal space going forward. There is potential to raise more revenues from domestic sources by implementing politically difficult policy measures and generating savings by improving the quality of public spending, including on health.
Topic:
Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainability, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus