– Equitable energy transition critical for sustainable development drive
Collaboration is not only essential but critical in driving sustainable development globally, stakeholders, during the Global Reputation Forum’s commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), held in London, have said.
With the world 6 years away from the 2030 deadline for achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), only 12% of the targets for which data exists are on track, but almost one half are off track and more than one thirds are either failing to advance or worse still, regressing below the baseline set in 2015. Progress so far is said to be nowhere near where it is needed.
This was said at the global forum’s hosting of world leaders, dignitaries, and entrepreneurs at the Social Impact Edition of the GRF which kicked off March 8, 2024 at the House of Lords, House of Parliament, Westminster, United Kingdom.
Global Reputation Forum is a leading management firm that manages local and international reputations for individuals, organisations, and brands. According to the Chief Executive, Dr. Rex Idaminabo FRSA, the 2024 Social Impact Edition is aimed at fostering women’s inclusion on all levels globally.
During a themed session of keynote addresses, titled: “Global Collaboration for Sustainable Development: The Role of Nations in Social Impact”, Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim GCSK – Mauritian politician and biodiversity scientist, who served as the 6th President of Mauritius, said the two interwoven sustainable development fields of environmental and social needs seem to have drifted apart from the way they measure progress and should work together.
“Secretary General Antonio Guterres said and i quote: “Today’s global challenges, from the climate crisis to growing inequality and the governance of new technology, can only be resolvedt hrough dialogue and cooperation”.
Dr. Bibi said it is only through cross-sector, cross-industry and cross-society partnerships that “we can scale the societal commitments to which we hold ourselves accountable and protect the global commons”.
“So we need to explore and establish dynamic partnerships that explicitly expand our boundaries, particularly at the national and local levels where the necessary flexibility allows us to address locally relevant issues,” she said.
Dr. Bibi urged the private sector to assume shared responsibility, in partnership with all other actors in society, to achieve these goals especially as they have the expertise, knowledge and capacity to contribute to their achievement, at country and community levels.
“We live in an interconnected world although we often hear terms like the Global South or Global North or the international community but our futures are inextricably linked for as long as we share this one planet,” she added.
First Lady of Kwara state, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, during her keynote presentation, spoke in consonance with the theme of Collaboration for Sustainable Development, nothing that in the interconnected world of current times, global collaboration is crucial for achieving sustainable development and addressing social impact.
She said nations, however, play a vital role in driving this collaboration, as they have the power to enact policies and initiatives that promote sustainability and social responsibility.
“At present, it is evident that nations play a crucial role in driving social impact and sustainable development. The actions and policies of each nation have ripple effects that extend far beyond their borders. Therefore, it is imperative that every nation takes responsibility for its own actions and actively participates in global collaborations aimed at solving these pressing global concerns.
“Global collaboration you will agree with me is essential for achieving sustainable development as many of the challenges we face, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, transcend national boundaries. These concerns however require collective action and coordination among nations to find effective solutions through sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices and avoiding duplication of efforts while maximizing the impact of interventions”, Prof. Abdulrazaq said.
She explained that while the Sustainable Development Goals are not a one size fits all, each country and communities adapt the goals to their specific context and priorities, localizing processes to ensure that the goals are relevant and meaningful to all as well as tailored to suit the unique challenges and opportunities of each place.
Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, OPEC Governor for Nigeria, during his keynote presentation of “Social Impact of Energy Transition in Africa”, guided by theme: “Global Collaboration for Sustainable Development: The Role of Nations in Social Impact”, said Africa must develop from the known before it can transition to the unknown and must harness its vast natural resources and develop same for the good of its people.
He argued that fossil fuel industry can and must be part of the solution. Also, he said climate change enthusiasts must acknowledge fossil fuels as the fuel that aided the industrialization of advanced nations and come up with modern technologies that will further reduce emissions and not reduce production.
“The world must recognize that fossil fuels will still be the dominant source of energy globally for a long time to come and as such must be considered in the climate change equation as a source of energy amongst other sources. It must not be singled out for phase down or phase out.
“Energy transition must be just and equitable, entities must be allowed to develop energy sources available to them responsibly.
“Big brother nations must recognize that achieving set goals in energy transition, calls for deliberate and sustainable global partnerships where all nations are given a fair field of play and encouraged to develop responsibly energy sources available to them,” he said.
Some of the esteemed participants at the forum included: Baroness Verma, Member House of Lords UK (Chair UN Women, Chancellor of Roehampton University, and former Minister for Energy and Climate Change, International Development, and former Ministerial Champion tackling violence against women and girls); Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State Nigeria and Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE, President and Founder of Win Trade Global Women in Business network & Deputy Lieutenant/The King’s Representative for Greater London.
Others include Lolita Taylor FRSA, BBC executive Producer, Chair of BBC Wistem, and National Award diversity judge; Bobbi Trehan-Young Founder and CEO Bobbi London & Microsoft subject matter expert UN women, amongst others.
