Sustainable and Just Economies

The UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on 6-16 July 2021 is charged with reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda and it Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to the formal sessions, there are a large number of side events on related topics.

One of the first side events on 6 July was on "From Science to Practice: Harnessing Research to Build Forward Better" organized by the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and other partners.

One of the first reports presented was by IEF member Dr. Joachim Monkelbaan on "Sustainable and Just Economies".

Scientific research can make a critical contribution to addressing global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of an effort to improve processes of research uptake in policy making, this report synthesizes research submitted by Geneva-based institutions and their global networks to the project From Science to Practice: Research and Knowledge to Achieve the SDGs on the theme of sustainable and just economies.

The report considers how to build sustainable and just economies — economies that promote growth along with an equitable distribution of benefits to the whole population, and which preserve rather than profit off of the natural environment. It includes recent findings on how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting and, in many cases, exacerbating the challenge of building fairer economies. The report then presents some pathways towards achieving the SDGs that link to and reflect discussions within the research community. Four examples are proposed from International Geneva, of possible spaces for action to maximize synergies in addressing the SDGs: the role of trade and technology; systems thinking; the circular economy; and strengthening the science-practice interface. The report concludes by highlighting the need for a holistic approach towards addressing the topic of sustainable and just economies under the SDGs, one that recognizes the complexity and interdependence of the global challenges to which the Goals are responding.

About the Author:
Joachim Monkelbaan is Representative for Sustainable and Just Economic Systems at the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva.

The paper is available HERE
ISBN: 978 92 9085 122 6