1ARTICLE REVIEW Introduction Environmental sustainability in the wake of developmental agenda in both developed and developing countries have been an issue in recent years. The United Nations, in the RIO 20 Summit in 2012 made an important announcement to integrate sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This was a crucial announcement as it meant development without hurting the environment had to be the focus of the countries. According to Kumi, Arhin and Yeboah (2014), the standardized perception of sustainable development supports for impartial and environmentally sensitive economic development. The authors however points out that sustainable development has to survive the onslaught of neo-liberalism, a concept that refers to the resurrection of the 19thcentury economic ideas in the 20thand 21stcentury. Developing countries in particular, have to realize whether they want to boost their economic growth through privatization and globalization or concentrate on the sustainable development. Neo-liberalism and development agenda The authors state that neo-liberalism concepts and the changes related to it, are in contradiction to the concept of sustainable development. They argue that the policies of neo- liberalism like reduced government interference and privatization has had a bad affect on the environment as well as social development that cause a threat to the accomplishment of sustainable development. However,Lieberherr and Truffer (2015),argue that globalization and privatization although, might prove to be a threat to environmental sustainability, it is also the way to sustain the environment. They pointed out the benefits of privatization specifically in water sustainability in the developing countries. Developing countries in particular might benefit
2ARTICLE REVIEW from this as they can import ideas, techniques, and technologies from the developed nations in order to develop as well as not harm the environment. Neo-liberalism in developing countries Further,thearticlestatesthatneo-liberalconceptsindevelopingcountrieswere prescribed by the developed nations in an attempt to fulfill their own objectives. In addition, developed nations in the past few decades have illustrated that these agendas or concepts of neo- liberalism must be obliged by all the developing nations. Neoliberals, the authors point out, have argued in favor of privatization and lesser control of the state in terms of environmental governance. According to the neoliberals, lesser government control and more power to the private market would surely utilize the natural resources in an effective way that ensures sustainable development. The author convincingly points out the fact that neo-liberalism has taken over the political and economic discourse in developing nations and these nations are unable to get out of its clutch. On one hand, neo liberals claim that privatization, free-market and such related terms have encouraged positive competition, efficiency and steadiness of the economy. However, in contrast to it, there have been studies that prove otherwise. Monopoly, corruption, unstable market, inflation and similar negative effects have been visible in markets of many developing nations since the introduction of privatization and globalization. To assert that privatization and related neoliberal concepts had adverse effects on sustainable developmental goals, in developing nations particularly would be incorrect. The authors through different studies and examples undertaken in different countries have validated this clearly (Panayotou 2016). They point out that privatization does have a positive impact on
3ARTICLE REVIEW the environment. Through privatization, the level of income gets a boost and this increased income level helps in the reduction of environmental pollutants (Blewitt 2014). Nevertheless, this fact does not conclude that privatization has positive affects only as situations and circumstances vary in different countries. Equality in SDG agenda Another assumption underlying the neo-liberalism is the balanced proportion of wealth andaccesstoenvironmentalproductsandservicesamongstalltopromotesustainable development (Esseghir and Khouni 2014). The neo-liberals put forward the argument that the redistribution of wealth and assets in the world by the state and policy makers must be discouraged, as it is a natural process. In reality, however, the authors believe, this supposition has miserably failed. It is evident from innumerable instances that the rich and the powerful are able to control the wealth as well as natural assets. They have the authority to access abundant environmental resources leaving little to nothing for the deprived sections. The argument put forward by the authors can be validated through practical examples from developing countries especially in Africa and Asia. The mighty and powerful economic players often put the burden of environmental degradation on the poor. The authors have precisely illustrated this by citing examples from countrieslikeChile.InChile,firewoodcertificationprogramtostopdeforestationand environmental pollution although yielded good results, the benefits of the results were unevenly distributed (Wanner 2015). The poor were marginalized and in turn, they resorted back to the use of firewood. This example demonstrates the incapability of neoliberal ideas to sustain the environment and walk on the path of development simultaneously.
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4ARTICLE REVIEW In order to understand the implications of neoliberal concepts on sustainable development goals (SDGs), one must first understand what sustainable development signifies. A clear and methodical definition has been given in the article. According to Kumi, Arhin and Yeboah (2014), sustainable development means an advanced approach to development that involves a more comprehensive contemplation of social, environment and economic requirements by guaranteeing impartial and sustainable utilization of resources. However, the most common and basic definition of sustainable definition has been that mentioned in the Brundtland Report, “Our CommonFuture”.Thereportdefinessustainabledevelopmentasthatwhichfulfillsthe requirements of the present generation without risking the requirements and needs of the future generation (Baker 2012). Commercialization of SDGs In understanding the concept of development, the authors have pointed out that the neoliberal approach focuses only on the developmental aspect. The sustainability aspects is superimposed by the economic results that prove the neoliberals right (Venter and Koh 2012). Concepts such as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), payment of ecosystem service (PES) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), are upheld by the neoliberals as the best tools to carry forward the developmental activities without harming the environment in developing nations (Cavelier and Munro Gray 2012). It must however, be bore in mind that these tools are all market based and implicitly benefit the rich only. It has been observedinmostdevelopingnationsthatthesemarket-basedapproachestosustainable development failed miserably (Lema and Lema 2013). There were many reasons for its failure that may include weaker institutions, vague tenure authority and dominant political interests.
5ARTICLE REVIEW Drawing attention on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as proposed by the United Nations, authors of this article state that the goal cannot be achieved unless the poor are given equal participation (Nilsson, Griggs and Visbeck 2016). The authors have demarcated three points that recommend the world leaders to adopt an approach that involves everyone. First, influential people are required to shift from the concept of growth for poor to growing with the poor. Secondly, enhanced effort must be concerted on equity. Lastly, allowing the deprived sections of society to lead the cause and express their views on sustainable development. It is evident from the above points suggested by the authors that the actual focus of policy makers must be on equal participation where the environment and poor are given equal attention. In no way, is it justified that protecting the environment and development must be achieved at the cost of the poor. The authors have correctly pointed out that neoliberal concepts of free-market, privatization and limited state regulation are only beneficial to a specific section of society. The article however also mentions the successful outcomes of neoliberal ideas in benefiting the environment but the ratio is significantly low. Implementation and planning of policies and objectives to attain economic goals in developing nations exclude the participation of the poor even today. This has to be undone with in the era post MDG, the authors argue. In the coming decades, it needs to be seen whether the poor get the opportunity to realize their importance and status in the society. The article further articulates the need for broader reforms that authorize the deprived sections with equal powers. This would ensure complete realization of the sustainable development goals in the coming future. Further, the article also elaborates the consequences of enabling the poor to have access to information, education, and finance and possess self-confidence and skills (Holden, Linnerud
6ARTICLE REVIEW and Banister 2017). Participation of each individual is the ultimate necessity for realizing the long-standing goals. Conclusion In the end, it is imperative to say that the arguments and discussions drawn by the authors on the neo-liberalism nexus and sustainable environment are concrete and exemplified. The article did not deviate from its core issue and laid stress on the concepts, approaches and methods that lead to the achievement of SDGs. The issue of sustainable development that was introduced more than two decades ago is yet to be addressed in a clear way. The suggestions given in the article might assist the policy and decision-makers to clear their stand on what needs to be done. Integrating sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the millennium development goals (MDGs) will not be a success unless it involves the participation of the common masses especially the deprived class. The authors have critically established their views on this issue and suggested comprehensible solutions that can be followed.
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7ARTICLE REVIEW References: Baker, S. ed., 2012.Politics of sustainable development. Routledge. Blewitt, J., 2014.Understanding sustainable development. Routledge. Cavelier, J. and Munro Gray, I., 2012. Payment for ecosystem services. Esseghir, A. and Khouni, L.H., 2014. Economic growth, energy consumption and sustainable development: The case of the Union for the Mediterranean countries.Energy,71, pp.218-225. Holden,E.,Linnerud,K.andBanister,D.,2017.Theimperativesofsustainable development.Sustainable Development,25(3), pp.213-226. Kumi, E., Arhin, A.A. and Yeboah, T., 2014. Can post-2015 sustainable development goals survive neoliberalism? A critical examination of the sustainable development–neoliberalism nexus in developing countries.Environment, development and sustainability,16(3), pp.539-554. Lema, A. and Lema, R., 2013. Technology transfer in the clean development mechanism: Insights from wind power.Global Environmental Change,23(1), pp.301-313. Lieberherr, E. and Truffer, B., 2015. The impact of privatization on sustainability transitions: A comparative analysis of dynamic capabilities in three water utilities.Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions,15, pp.101-122. Nilsson, M., Griggs, D. and Visbeck, M., 2016. Map the interactions between sustainable development goals: Mans Nilsson, Dave Griggs and Martin Visbeck present a simple way of ratingrelationshipsbetweenthetargetstohighlightprioritiesforintegrated policy.Nature,534(7607), pp.320-323.
8ARTICLE REVIEW Panayotou, T., 2016. Economic growth and the environment.The environment in anthropology, pp.140-148. Venter, O. and Koh, L.P., 2012. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+): game changer or just another quick fix?.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,1249(1), pp.137-150. Wanner, T., 2015. The new ‘Passive Revolution’of the green economy and growth discourse: Maintainingthe‘sustainabledevelopment’ofneoliberalcapitalism.NewPolitical Economy,20(1), pp.21-41.