Sustainable development, often referred to as sustainability, is a widely recognized term, yet its importance is frequently overlooked, particularly among the poor and marginalized communities. In developing countries like the Philippines, immediate survival often takes precedence over sustainability, reflecting a limited understanding and appreciation of its impact on climate change. Thus, it is important to define and discuss what sustainability means for ALL of us regardless of age, gender, race, or income level to have a better understanding of it.
While some argue that sustainability is as important as the principles of freedom, equality, and justice, it may not hold the same meaning and significance for everyone. What is freedom if you don’t have access to resources and opportunities to live the life you want? What is equality if you are not seen and treated as equal? And what is justice if the rich and powerful get away with their crimes while the poor go to jail without a day in court? This leads us to discuss what sustainable development or sustainability really means to everyone, so we can objectively assess its crucial role in addressing climate change and whether it is “sustainable” for developing countries like the Philippines.
What is sustainable development? According to the Brundtland Commission, it is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It was also defined as “improving the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.” Broadly speaking, sustainable development goes beyond climate change issues.
The World Health Organization defines sustainable development as “a broad term to describe policies, projects, and investments that provide benefits today without sacrificing environmental, social, and personal health in the future.” However, these remain good ideas and principles that are not always translated into tangible or impactful benefits for all.
While they acknowledge that alleviating poverty must go hand-in-hand with improving health, education, gender equality, and other areas while addressing climate change, each country has its own priorities and challenges to deal with.
The Challenge of Implementing Sustainable Development
In the Philippines, political and economic crises often lead to the deprioritization of sustainability commitments from agreements like the Paris Agreement. Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), highlighted the fact that the country lacks the technology and funds for a swift transition to renewable energy, relying instead on climate financing support from developed nations. Without prioritized national fund allocations for addressing climate change, effective implementation is hindered.
Sustainable Development and Climate Justice: A Balanced Approach
Sustainable development, often referred to as sustainability, is a widely recognized term, yet its importance is frequently overlooked, particularly among the poor and marginalized communities. In developing countries like the Philippines, immediate survival often takes precedence over sustainability, reflecting a limited understanding and appreciation of its impact on climate change. Thus, it is important to define and discuss what sustainability means for ALL of us regardless of age, gender, race, or income level to have a better understanding of it.
While some argue that sustainability is as important as the principles of freedom, equality, and justice, it may not hold the same meaning and significance for everyone. What is freedom if you don’t have access to resources and opportunities to live the life you want? What is equality if you are not seen and treated as equal? And what is justice if the rich and powerful get away with their crimes while the poor go to jail without a day in court? This leads us to discuss what sustainable development or sustainability really means to everyone, so we can objectively assess its crucial role in addressing climate change and whether it is “sustainable” for developing countries like the Philippines.
What is sustainable development? According to the Brundtland Commission, it is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It was also defined as “improving the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.” Broadly speaking, sustainable development goes beyond climate change issues.
The World Health Organization defines sustainable development as “a broad term to describe policies, projects, and investments that provide benefits today without sacrificing environmental, social, and personal health in the future.” However, these remain good ideas and principles that are not always translated into tangible or impactful benefits for all.
While they acknowledge that alleviating poverty must go hand-in-hand with improving health, education, gender equality, and other areas while addressing climate change, each country has its own priorities and challenges to deal with.
The Challenge of Implementing Sustainable Development
In the Philippines, political and economic crises often lead to the deprioritization of sustainability commitments from agreements like the Paris Agreement. Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), highlighted the fact that the country lacks the technology and funds for a swift transition to renewable energy, relying instead on climate financing support from developed nations. Without prioritized national fund allocations for addressing climate change, effective implementation is hindered.
In my opinion, we need to step back and reflect on the current situation of each nation and identify more palatable solutions tailored to each country rather than simply set targets that are difficult to achieve given their complexity and the scarcity of resources. Each country must develop its own tailored solutions rather than accept unattainable targets. Sustainable development requires national ownership, with specific goals and allocated funds for sustainable initiatives. It must be integral to governance and should not be treated as a project that can be abandoned if financing is not provided.
By setting realistic goals, we can align policies and action plans with domestic realities, making legislation, regulation, international cooperation, and economic policies such as carbon taxes, tax incentives, and subsidies effective and impactful.
The Role of Multi-Level Governance
However, even when united in a goal, implementation of policies and programs may prove difficult. Nation states face challenges such as political shifts, economic constraints, and increasing interdependence among countries. For example, political changes can alter policies, as seen in the potential for the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement if certain political leaders are elected. Economic limitations can hinder developing countries from meeting the growing need for climate action. The interconnectedness of nations challenges traditional notions of sovereignty, emphasizing that no single country can solve climate change alone.
I strongly believe that effective environmental governance requires a multi-level, multi-actor approach, where national governments, international organizations, NGOs, MNCs, and local governments collaborate. International organizations and non-state actors should be seen as partners in the global effort to address climate change, not as threats. The Paris Agreement exemplifies the involvement of non-state actors, including businesses and advocates. This approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of global, national, and local environmental issues and the necessity for coordinated efforts across all levels of governance.
Climate Justice and Historical Responsibility
As global temperatures rise, our current climate actions fall short. Urgent decarbonization is crucial to limit global warming to 1.5°C, involving a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and deploying carbon capture technologies. While economically viable, this transition must be just and inclusive to avoid worsening social inequalities, especially in less developed countries facing issues like poverty and hunger.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) defines climate justice as putting equity and human rights at the core of climate decisions. This concept highlights the unequal historical responsibility of countries and industries that have benefited from carbon emissions. These entities must help those most affected by climate change, particularly vulnerable countries and communities with minimal contributions to the crisis.
One proposed solution is the Global Carbon Tax. In this model, countries (generally major carbon emission producers) would be taxed a percentage, and the generated funds would directly support the climate fund of local communities or affected developing countries, helping to counter the damage and loss. It would also aid the affected country in their disaster response and just transition initiatives.
Establishing a Global Carbon Tax requires significant international cooperation and coordination, which can be very challenging. Participation can lead to tokenism, and negotiations may be diluted by excessive diplomacy aimed at avoiding conflict among countries or state parties. The risk is that industries in countries with a Carbon Tax might relocate to nations without such a tax, resulting in no net reduction in global emissions. Therefore, it must be implemented by all countries—both developed and developing—imposing the same rate across all nations.
Final Note
While studying at Oxford University, I learned that the proposed Global Carbon Tax has the potential to be a significant tool in the fight against climate change, promoting both climate justice and a just transition by adopting a whole-systems and multi-level approach. However, its success fully depends on careful implementation and international cooperation to ensure that all countries adopt the same Carbon Tax system, thereby avoiding any disproportionate impact on developing countries that may face backlash from large industries.
We must remember that rapid decarbonization is essential but it must be pursued inclusively and equitably. The transition to net-zero carbon emissions presents significant challenges, demanding a careful balance between speed and justice. In the pursuit of climate justice, policymakers must also navigate the synergies and trade-offs to ensure a just transition that addresses the needs of all, particularly the most vulnerable.
Climate change, as a global justice problem, must be addressed and shared by all based on their capacity and available resources. By embracing a collaborative and inclusive strategy, we can work towards a sustainable future for everyone.
Raymond “Mon” A. Abrea, Chief Tax Advocate and Senior Advisor of the Asian Consulting Group – ACG, MPA/Mason fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, and completed the PPE: Climate Change, Politics and Environmental Justice program at the Oxford University, tackles the complex concern of climate justice and its impact on governance, corporations and industries, policies, and taxations. For more information and expert tax concerns, you can reach out to consult@acg.ph.
