Asia-Pacific response to COVID-19 needs social inclusion and environmental sustainability (video)

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The unprecedented public health emergency triggered by the COVID -19 pandemic and its multi-faceted impact on people’s lives around the world is taking a heavy toll on Asia and the Pacific.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of UN-ESCAP
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of UN-ESCAP United Nations ESCAP

Countries in our region are striving to mitigate the massive socio-economic impact of the pandemic, which is also expected to affect the region’s economic health.

In its annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2020 launched on Wednesday (April 8), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) expects growth in Asia-Pacific developing economies to slow significantly this year.

Bold investments to sustain the region’s physical and economic well-being is imperative. The Survey advises policymakers to protect the economic health of the region with measures that support affected businesses and households and prevent economic contagion.

To tackle COVID-19 in developing Asia-Pacific countries, the Survey calls for an estimated increase in health emergency spending of $880 million per year through to 2030.

Fiscal support will be crucial in enhancing health responders’ ability to monitor the spread of the pandemic and caring for infected people. ESCAP is also calling on Asia-Pacific countries to consider setting up a regional health emergency preparedness fund.

Economic growth path rethink needed

The pandemic is also an opportunity for us to rethink our economic growth path that has come at a heavy cost to people and planet. According to the latest ESCAP assessment on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Asia and the Pacific is not on track to achieve any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, with regression on several environmental Goals.

The AP is home to 97 of the 100 most air-polluted cities in the world
The AP is home to 97 of the 100 most air-polluted cities in the world Backpacker Lee

This stands in stark contrast with the region’s impressive gains in material prosperity, which have been powered by intensive resource use.

We are currently paying the price amid a public health emergency in a region with 97 of the 100 most air-polluted cities in the world and five of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Economic policymaking is understandably focused on maximising growth to reduce poverty and create jobs. Yet, we need to question this when the methods of growth undermine its sustainability over the long term.

The 2020 Survey is proposing a transition towards a growth path that ensures we bequeath a healthy planet to future generations. It is calling for a shift in the paradigm of production and consumption, which is at the core of all economic activities.

To bring about this fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume, we need to adopt the motto of ‘no more business as usual’ for all stakeholders in planetary well-being, namely governments, businesses and consumers.

Policymakers should not lose sight of a looming climate crisis, but rather design economic stimulus packages with social inclusion and environmental sustainability built into every decision.

The Survey identifies challenges and constraints to making this switch for each group of stakeholders. The good news is that it is possible to take on these challenges and align the goals of all stakeholders with the 2030 Agenda’s goal of sustainability.

Mitigating climate-related risks

In particular, the Survey urges governments in the region to embed sustainability in policymaking and implementation, transition out of fossil fuel dependency, and support the greening of finance. The region continues to provide $240 billion worth of annual subsidies to fossil fuels while investments in renewables remain at $150 billion.

Businesses can integrate sustainability by factoring in an environmental, social and governance aspects in investment analysis and decisions.

The Survey urges governments in the region to embed sustainability in policymaking and implementation
The Survey urges governments in the region to embed sustainability in policymaking and implementation Armin Kübelbeck

Carbon pricing will be a key tool to reduce emissions and mitigate climate-related risks. The region is already a leader in adopting the emerging sustainable business paradigms of the shared economy and circular economy.

All of us as consumers must understand the importance of switching to sustainable lifestyles. This will begin with increasing awareness of the impact of consumer choices on people and planet.

Governments will have to play a significant role in encouraging consumer choices through positive reinforcements, small suggestions and eco-labelling of products.

Integrating sustainability also requires international collaboration, given the interconnected world in which we live. Asia-Pacific governments need to coordinate their climate action, particularly the development of climate-related standards and policies.

Having achieved so much, yet also at the risk of losing so much, the Asia-Pacific region stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey. The next phase of its economic transformation should be more sustainable, with cleaner production and less material-intensive lifestyles.

With headwinds to the region’s development journey strengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic, let us heed the United Nations Secretary General’s call to mobilise for a decade of action to build a sustainable and resilient future.

 

 

This article was written by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of UN-ESCAP. 

 

 

Feature video United Nations ESCAP  

 

 

Related: 

  • Concerted effort needed to achieve all SDGs in Asia Pacific by 2030 (video) (AEC News Today)
  • Writing a greener story in Asia and the Pacific (The Asean Post)
  • Renewable energy vital to reducing inequalities in Asia-Pacific (The Phnom Penh Post)

 

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The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region.

Made up of 53 Member States and nine Associate Members, the region is home to 4.1 billion people, or two thirds of the world’s population.

ESCAP works to overcome some of the region’s greatest challenges by providing results oriented projects, technical assistance and capacity building to member States

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