Post-pandemic Asia Pacific lags on climate SDG – UN

25/03/2022 0 Comments read Environment & Development

Impacts of COVID-19, climate change and human-made crises have further disadvantaged vulnerable groups, including rural populations, poorer households, women and people with severe disabilities, says a UN report. Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 25.03.2022 (SciDev.Net): The Asia Pacific region has significantly regressed on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to climate action and responsible consumption and production, moving the region further away from the 2030 goalpost, according to a UN report.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s (ESCAP) 2022 Asia-Pacific SDG Progress Report, launched on 17 March, notes that inequality in the region has widened due to impacts of COVID-19, climate change and human-made crises. It says vulnerable groups, including women, rural populations, poorer households and people with severe disabilities, have been disadvantaged the most as a result.

“The sole focus on economic recovery post-pandemic is likely to hinder progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, which was already lagging to begin with,” Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP’s executive secretary, tells SciDev.Net. “As the region strives to build back better and recover, the 2030 Agenda can serve as a guiding mechanism for both economic and social development”.

Continue reading →

Conference Calls for Mainstreaming Human Rights Education

03/12/2018 0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 03.12.2018 (IDN-InDepthNews) – More investment is needed in human rights education and strengthening of civil society to address inequality and sustainability – the main objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This was the key message from the Ninth International Conference on Human Rights Education (ICHRE) held in Sydney, Australia.

Drawing inspiration from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which marks its 70th Anniversary this year, the ICHRE 2018 (November 26-29) recommended all stakeholders to mainstream human rights education as a tool for social cohesion towards peaceful coexistence; and strive to bridge the significant gap between integrating human rights education in the curricula and its implementation.

Continue reading →

Building a sustainable future

28/04/2012 0 Comments read Environment & Development

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 28.04.2012 (Sydney Morning Herald): For many, the great Australian dream is still owning a large, freestanding house with a backyard, but more than ever home-owners are conscious of their carbon footprint and the cost of running such a home.

Experts say intelligent design and use of materials can make houses more energy efficient and save hundreds of dollars in rising water and electricity bills.

Simple things such as the orientation of a building, the size and positioning of windows and rooms, level of insulation and better use of building materials are crucial at the design stage to build a sustainable residence, architects say.

Continue reading →