SDG Update – 28 August 2018

Jay OwenSustainability News, Earth Systems Science, Beyond GDP

GUEST ARTICLES

Progress on National Forest Monitoring Systems for REDD+: A Win-win for Forests and Climate Action

Julian Fox, Interim Team Leader National Forest Monitoring, Forestry Department, FAO

Harnessing the potential for climate action (SDG 13) offered by forests through protection, restoration, and sustainable management (SDG 15) has been constrained by the challenge of measuring and reporting emission reductions or enhancements accurately. In 2013, the Warsaw Framework on REDD+ under the UNFCCC completed REDD+ decisions related to requirements for measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of emission reductions or enhancements from forests. How far have countries progressed in the five years since 2013? Where are the remaining gaps and how can we maintain and enhance progress? National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) that generate accurate and transparent forest information for national decision making and international MRV reporting for REDD+ can create a win-win for forests and climate action.

POLICY BRIEFS

Not Just a Case for Business: SDG Partnerships with Accountability, Oversight and Profit Faye Leone, Content Editor, SDGs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (US)

Recent guest articles on the SDG Knowledge Hub present a range of perspectives about the private sector’s role in advancing the Global Goals. Some commentators focus on business’ potential for driving SDG implementation and provide specific advice for realizing it. Others express concern about the shifting relationship between governments and the private sector, and about the nature of business’ engagement at the UN. Meanwhile, the UN is working to establish guidance for partnerships to help implement the 2030 Agenda.

SDG Knowledge Weekly: Food Supply Chains, Decent Work and Sustainable Agriculture

Adam Fishman, Thematic Expert for 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (US)

The SDGs’ interlinkages can be examined in a variety of ways, to assess how the achievement of one can support or hinder progress on others. In June, Johan Rockström and Pavan Sukhdev presented a new way of viewing the Goals, showing ‘how food connects all the SDGs.’ Inspired by this challenge to find the connections among SDGs and following recent headlines that highlight shortcomings in the food supply chain, this brief explores the food sector’s relationships with health (SDG 3), decent work (SDG 8), life below water (SDG 14) and zero hunger and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), particularly in relation to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

FEATURED

UNECE, UNESCO Publish Global Baseline for Progress on Transboundary Cooperation on Water

27 August 2018: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a report on global progress towards transboundary cooperation on water (SDG target 6.5) at World Water Week 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden. In the report titled, ‘Progress on Transboundary Water Cooperation 2018: Global Baseline for SDG Indicator 6.5.2,’ UNECE and UNESCO note that, at the current rate of progress, the world is unlikely to achieve the target by 2030.

World Bank Champions Toilets Beyond the Household

26 August 2018: The World Bank and partners hosted a session at World Water Week 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, which highlighted the role of public and shared toilets in achieving sanitation for all. The Bank also launched a report on the delivery models for shared and public toilets. While much attention has focused on individual household toilets, the Bank emphasizes that universal access to sanitation can only be achieved by addressing the operations and maintenance (O&M) issues that are frequently experienced with shared and public toilets.

UN-Water Meeting Discusses HLPF 2018 Review of SDG 6

25 August 2018: The 29th UN-Water Meeting discussed the outcome of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the recommendations from the High Level Panel on Water, the “Global call to action for WASH in healthcare facilities” and “WASH4Work” initiatives, and ongoing monitoring initiatives, among other agenda items. Participants also discussed plans for upcoming events, including the themes for future celebrations of World Water Day and World Toilet Day.